MIDDLETOWN ? Past the Beringer vineyards atop a winding road is a place for solace, reflection and healing?Hilltop Recovery Services, a 320 acre parcel of land where recovery is embraced. Tattooed sleeved men attend classes with other men from all walks of life, all ages and all socio-economic backgrounds, with one goal?to get and stay clean.
September is National Recovery Month. It is a time to help people recognize that substance abuse and addiction to drugs can be treated, as any other disease, as a chronic medical condition.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that each $1 spent on treating Americans who need assistance with substance abuse saves $24 in lost productivity, law enforcement and healthcare. Only about 20 percent of those needing treatment are able to obtain it.
In Lake County last year 252 arrests were made for methamphetamine alone, of those arrests 157 were felony drug charges according to Lake County Sheriffs Office.
The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs data reflects that the drug of choice is methamphetamine, and that it is used most frequently by white males. Most don”t seek treatment until they are in their mid-30s. Statistics show that the time of first use is usually in the teens, at times in the pre-teen phase. Almost 37 percent of admissions in to treatment programs are specifically for meth. The highest numbers of those who find treatment have sought it out on their own.
Though Lake County has many clean and sober homes, there is only one long-term residential facility that offers services on-site, however this facility is men only. It serves the largest population in need of the services, but recovery programs are sparse in an area that has scores of people in need.
According to Dr. David Smith, founder of the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco, recovery takes at least six months of residential time to be successful.
The first three months concentrate on the physical aspect of the disease and the three months after need to focus on behavioral changes.
Hilltop made the commitment to keep the residents as long as they need help.
The men take pride in maintaining the facility, doing construction, janitorial and cooking. A man with a hammer and a smile yells out from a rooftop, “Prison doesn”t work, this does.”
The facility is handicapped accessible with three beds and a separate dorm, Ryan Runyon, program director says, “The disease doesn”t discriminate, why should we?” There are 40 beds full now and room for 65 residents. The numbers of available beds are expected to increase with new construction.
The theme of recovery month this year is “Saving Lives, Saving Dollars.” According to Lake County Alcohol and Other Drug Services, September is a month to encourage people to begin of journey of recovery and to highlight the benefits of helping others enjoy a drug-and-alcohol-free existence.
Substance abuse issues resulted in the Lake County Narcotic Task Force seizing more than $36,000 in cash assets last year. The numbers of arrests have steadily climbed since the task force was put in place.
