Jerrod Menz NEWS RELEASE
(800) 757-9867
FOUR A BETTER TOMORROW STAFFERS RECEIVE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION AS CERTIFIED ADDICTION SPECIALISTS
MURRIETA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2008 – Four support staff members of A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center Inc. have become Certified Addiction Specialists after completing a training program administered by the California Association of Recovery Resources.
Clinic staffers receiving CAS certification include Meg Dean, lead house manager; Rebecca Magaña, house manager; Tami Scarcella, intake coordinator; and Cecilia
Franklin, intern.
Based in Murrieta, A Better Tomorrow is the only drug and alcohol clinic in southwest Riverside County that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Jim Fent Appointment to Serve on the Palomar College Advisory Board
Jerrod Menz NEWS RELEASE
(800) 757-9867
A BETTER TOMORROW THERAPIST APPOINTED TO PALOMAR COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD FOR ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG STUDIES
MURRIETA, Calif., Aug. 11, 2008 – Jim Fent, M.S., MFTI, P.T., A Better Tomorrow’s executive vice president, has accepted an appointment to serve on the Palomar College Advisory Board for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies in San Marcos.
Fent oversees the daily operation of A Better Tomorrow’s four residential dual diagnosis treatment facilities. He also provides counseling services to groups, families and individuals; handles case management and discharge planning services; and oversees A Better Tomorrow’s detoxification unit.
Fent graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family
Therapy from the University of La Verne in 2004. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree, Cum Laude, in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University in 1986.
Fent is affiliated with the American Academy of Pain Management and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. He is also a licensed physical therapist. He also serves as president of board of directors of Hospice of the Valley.
Based in Murrieta, A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Jerrod Menz at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
(800) 757-9867
A BETTER TOMORROW THERAPIST APPOINTED TO PALOMAR COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD FOR ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG STUDIES
MURRIETA, Calif., Aug. 11, 2008 – Jim Fent, M.S., MFTI, P.T., A Better Tomorrow’s executive vice president, has accepted an appointment to serve on the Palomar College Advisory Board for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies in San Marcos.
Fent oversees the daily operation of A Better Tomorrow’s four residential dual diagnosis treatment facilities. He also provides counseling services to groups, families and individuals; handles case management and discharge planning services; and oversees A Better Tomorrow’s detoxification unit.
Fent graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family
Therapy from the University of La Verne in 2004. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree, Cum Laude, in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University in 1986.
Fent is affiliated with the American Academy of Pain Management and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. He is also a licensed physical therapist. He also serves as president of board of directors of Hospice of the Valley.
Based in Murrieta, A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Jerrod Menz at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
FINANCING FOR DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND GAMBLING TREATMENT PROGRAMS
Jerrod Menz NEWS RELEASE
(800) 757-9867
A BETTER TOMORROW BECOMES ONE OF THE FIRST REHABILITATION CLINICS IN THE NATION TO OFFER FINANCING FOR ITS DRUG, ALCOHOL AND GAMBLING TREATMENT PROGRAMS
MURRIETA, Calif., May 14, 2008 ─ For many years, consumers have been able to take out loans to finance tummy tucks, breast enhancements and other elective cosmetic surgeries, but they haven’t been able to borrow money to pay for drug or alcohol treatment services that could save their lives.
As a result, many drug and alcohol addicts haven’t been able to get the treatment they need.
The federal government is aware of the problem. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the federal agency that provides grant funding for drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers across the country, conducted a survey in 2006 and found that 45 percent of addicts were unable to afford treatment for their addictions.
But help is on the way. This week, Murrieta, Calif.-based A Better Tomorrow became one of the first rehabilitation clinics in the country to offer consumer financing for its residential and outpatient treatment programs.
“If you have good credit, we can finance your drug, alcohol or gambling treatment program for as little as $300 to $400 per month,” said Jerrod Menz, A Better Tomorrow’s president. “This is practically unheard of in the substance abuse treatment industry.”
While most major insurers provide addiction treatment as part of their mental health coverage, many are reducing the amount of coverage they provide, thereby shifting more and more of the financial burden to their members. This makes it that much more imperative that patients needing addiction treatment have a way to finance their treatment.
“If they can’t afford treatment in a private clinic, their only option is to go to a government or non-profit treatment program, but space in those programs is often limited,” Menz said.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of
accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The
clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment
centers in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please
contact Jerrod Menz at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on
the clinic's website at http://www.abttc.com/.
(800) 757-9867
A BETTER TOMORROW BECOMES ONE OF THE FIRST REHABILITATION CLINICS IN THE NATION TO OFFER FINANCING FOR ITS DRUG, ALCOHOL AND GAMBLING TREATMENT PROGRAMS
MURRIETA, Calif., May 14, 2008 ─ For many years, consumers have been able to take out loans to finance tummy tucks, breast enhancements and other elective cosmetic surgeries, but they haven’t been able to borrow money to pay for drug or alcohol treatment services that could save their lives.
As a result, many drug and alcohol addicts haven’t been able to get the treatment they need.
The federal government is aware of the problem. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the federal agency that provides grant funding for drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers across the country, conducted a survey in 2006 and found that 45 percent of addicts were unable to afford treatment for their addictions.
But help is on the way. This week, Murrieta, Calif.-based A Better Tomorrow became one of the first rehabilitation clinics in the country to offer consumer financing for its residential and outpatient treatment programs.
“If you have good credit, we can finance your drug, alcohol or gambling treatment program for as little as $300 to $400 per month,” said Jerrod Menz, A Better Tomorrow’s president. “This is practically unheard of in the substance abuse treatment industry.”
While most major insurers provide addiction treatment as part of their mental health coverage, many are reducing the amount of coverage they provide, thereby shifting more and more of the financial burden to their members. This makes it that much more imperative that patients needing addiction treatment have a way to finance their treatment.
“If they can’t afford treatment in a private clinic, their only option is to go to a government or non-profit treatment program, but space in those programs is often limited,” Menz said.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of
accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The
clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment
centers in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please
contact Jerrod Menz at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on
the clinic's website at http://www.abttc.com/.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Jimmy Chaidez's Fight for a Better Tomorrow
Jimmy Chaidez NEWS RELEASE
(800) 757-9867
IT TOOK THE DEATH OF JIMMY CHAIDEZ’S WIFE TO A DRUG OVERDOSE TO CONVINCE HIM TO SEEK HELP TO OVERCOME HIS OWN DRUG ADDICTION. NOW HE’S HELPING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME
In the past year, Chaidez has helped persuade more than 50 men and women from nine states to seek professional treatment for their addictions
MURRIETA, Calif., Feb. 15, 2008 ─ For most of his adult life, Jimmy Chaidez was out of control.
He abused everything – alcohol, prescription drugs and just about every illegal drug, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and LSD. He couldn’t keep a job. And even when he was employed, he spent so much of his money on drugs that he sometimes had to steal to support his addictions.
But when his wife, Nancy, died of a drug overdose in 2002, Chaidez finally realized that he needed help.
“I had been ordered into rehab twice before. But my heart wasn’t in it,” Chaidez, 55, recalled. “But when Nancy died, I realized that I needed to dedicate myself to becoming clean. I just couldn’t go on living my life like I was.”
And after completing two 28-day drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, followed by a 13-month live in program for recovering addicts, Chaidez got a fresh start. He has been clean since 2003 and has found work with A Better Tomorrow, a Murrieta-based drug and alcohol treatment center.
Chaidez was initially hired to help manage the seven-bedroom facility where A Better Tomorrow houses patients who are completing 28-day residential treatment programs. He soon discovered that he had a talent for communicating with addicts. “I realized that I could help them because I’ve been where they were,” he said.
Chaidez subsequently obtained training to become an interventionist, someone who specializes in convincing drug or alcohol addicts to seek professional treatment for their addictions. He is now A Better Tomorrow’s primary interventionist, and responds to emergency calls from families in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and across the country.
“I’ve finally found my calling,” Chaidez said, adding that in the past year alone he has helped persuade more than 50 men and women from nine states to seek professional treatment for their addictions.
“This is the most satisfying work I’ve ever done in my life,” Chaidez said, adding, “I wish somebody would have intervened with me and my wife because if they had, she’d be here today.”
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Charles Anderson at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
(800) 757-9867
IT TOOK THE DEATH OF JIMMY CHAIDEZ’S WIFE TO A DRUG OVERDOSE TO CONVINCE HIM TO SEEK HELP TO OVERCOME HIS OWN DRUG ADDICTION. NOW HE’S HELPING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME
In the past year, Chaidez has helped persuade more than 50 men and women from nine states to seek professional treatment for their addictions
MURRIETA, Calif., Feb. 15, 2008 ─ For most of his adult life, Jimmy Chaidez was out of control.
He abused everything – alcohol, prescription drugs and just about every illegal drug, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and LSD. He couldn’t keep a job. And even when he was employed, he spent so much of his money on drugs that he sometimes had to steal to support his addictions.
But when his wife, Nancy, died of a drug overdose in 2002, Chaidez finally realized that he needed help.
“I had been ordered into rehab twice before. But my heart wasn’t in it,” Chaidez, 55, recalled. “But when Nancy died, I realized that I needed to dedicate myself to becoming clean. I just couldn’t go on living my life like I was.”
And after completing two 28-day drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, followed by a 13-month live in program for recovering addicts, Chaidez got a fresh start. He has been clean since 2003 and has found work with A Better Tomorrow, a Murrieta-based drug and alcohol treatment center.
Chaidez was initially hired to help manage the seven-bedroom facility where A Better Tomorrow houses patients who are completing 28-day residential treatment programs. He soon discovered that he had a talent for communicating with addicts. “I realized that I could help them because I’ve been where they were,” he said.
Chaidez subsequently obtained training to become an interventionist, someone who specializes in convincing drug or alcohol addicts to seek professional treatment for their addictions. He is now A Better Tomorrow’s primary interventionist, and responds to emergency calls from families in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and across the country.
“I’ve finally found my calling,” Chaidez said, adding that in the past year alone he has helped persuade more than 50 men and women from nine states to seek professional treatment for their addictions.
“This is the most satisfying work I’ve ever done in my life,” Chaidez said, adding, “I wish somebody would have intervened with me and my wife because if they had, she’d be here today.”
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Charles Anderson at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
HOLIDAY BLUES TRIGGER INCREASED ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
Dan Chapman NEWS RELEASE
(800) 757-9867
HOLIDAY BLUES TRIGGER INCREASED ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2007 ― A Better Tomorrow has seen a 50 percent increase in requests for drug and alcohol interventions across the country since October, a spike clinic therapists attribute to the holiday blues.
“Families are usually the biggest stressors around the holidays because mental health problems often have their roots in difficult family relationships,” said Dan Chapman, director of A Positive Outcome Intervention Services at A Better Tomorrow in Murrieta. “People use more alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism, and that sets the stage for a crisis. We see this happen every year as we approach the holidays. It’s a good thing people are calling, of course, because this means more people who need help are getting into treatment.”
Addicts usually deny that they have a problem, even when their addictions are tearing apart their families or leading them down a path toward unemployment or financial ruin. Addicts typically will not listen to advice from their families, either. That’s why a professional interventionist is often needed to convince the addict to seek professional counseling and treatment.
A Better Tomorrow provides professional intervention services as well as residential and outpatient treatment programs for alcohol abuse as well as addiction to illegal and prescription drugs.
“People often try to minimize the significance of marijuana addiction as if it’s less damaging than cocaine or methamphetamines,” Chapman said. “But marijuana addiction still leads to employment problems, alienation from family members and other mental health problems.”
Addiction to prescription painkillers is also becoming an increasing problem, Chapman said, citing A Better Tomorrow’s clinical experience as well as a recent statistics compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which found that nonmedical use of prescription drugs among young adults had increased from 5.4 percent in 2002 to 6.4 percent in 2006.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow or A Positive Outcome, the clinic’s intervention division, please contact Dan Chapman at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
(800) 757-9867
HOLIDAY BLUES TRIGGER INCREASED ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2007 ― A Better Tomorrow has seen a 50 percent increase in requests for drug and alcohol interventions across the country since October, a spike clinic therapists attribute to the holiday blues.
“Families are usually the biggest stressors around the holidays because mental health problems often have their roots in difficult family relationships,” said Dan Chapman, director of A Positive Outcome Intervention Services at A Better Tomorrow in Murrieta. “People use more alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism, and that sets the stage for a crisis. We see this happen every year as we approach the holidays. It’s a good thing people are calling, of course, because this means more people who need help are getting into treatment.”
Addicts usually deny that they have a problem, even when their addictions are tearing apart their families or leading them down a path toward unemployment or financial ruin. Addicts typically will not listen to advice from their families, either. That’s why a professional interventionist is often needed to convince the addict to seek professional counseling and treatment.
A Better Tomorrow provides professional intervention services as well as residential and outpatient treatment programs for alcohol abuse as well as addiction to illegal and prescription drugs.
“People often try to minimize the significance of marijuana addiction as if it’s less damaging than cocaine or methamphetamines,” Chapman said. “But marijuana addiction still leads to employment problems, alienation from family members and other mental health problems.”
Addiction to prescription painkillers is also becoming an increasing problem, Chapman said, citing A Better Tomorrow’s clinical experience as well as a recent statistics compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which found that nonmedical use of prescription drugs among young adults had increased from 5.4 percent in 2002 to 6.4 percent in 2006.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow or A Positive Outcome, the clinic’s intervention division, please contact Dan Chapman at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Christian-Based Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program
Jerrod Menz NEWS RELEASE
(800) 757-9867
A BETTER TOMORROW LAUNCHES A NEW DRUG AND ALCOHOL RECOVERY PROGRAM BASED ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2007 ― A Better Tomorrow has added a new Christian-based drug and alcohol treatment program to its portfolio of treatment services.
The Christian program, launched earlier this month, is a 12-step program based on eight biblical principles. The program is modeled on the Celebrate Recovery curriculum, which was developed by Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.
“The 12-step treatment programs that most people are familiar with was originally based on Biblical principles, but people got away from this when efforts were made to reach out to people who were not Christian,” said China Long, a Better Tomorrow therapist.
And while many churches throughout the Temecula Valley offer Christian-based recovery programs, none of them have the ability to accommodate recovering addicts in a protective residential setting. “We offer both residential treatment and Christian-based drug and alcohol treatment programs for those who feel most comfortable with this approach,” Long said.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Jerrod Menz at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
(800) 757-9867
A BETTER TOMORROW LAUNCHES A NEW DRUG AND ALCOHOL RECOVERY PROGRAM BASED ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2007 ― A Better Tomorrow has added a new Christian-based drug and alcohol treatment program to its portfolio of treatment services.
The Christian program, launched earlier this month, is a 12-step program based on eight biblical principles. The program is modeled on the Celebrate Recovery curriculum, which was developed by Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.
“The 12-step treatment programs that most people are familiar with was originally based on Biblical principles, but people got away from this when efforts were made to reach out to people who were not Christian,” said China Long, a Better Tomorrow therapist.
And while many churches throughout the Temecula Valley offer Christian-based recovery programs, none of them have the ability to accommodate recovering addicts in a protective residential setting. “We offer both residential treatment and Christian-based drug and alcohol treatment programs for those who feel most comfortable with this approach,” Long said.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Jerrod Menz at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
Friday, December 7, 2007
VETERANS RETURNING FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN - FREE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES
Charles Anderson NEWS RELEASE
(800) 757-9867
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DRUG REHAB CENTER IS OFFERING FREE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES TO VETERANS RETURNING
FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2007 ― A Southern California drug and alcohol rehab center has begun offering free outpatient treatment services to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We think this is the right thing to do, particularly given the strong correlation between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and drug or alcohol addiction and the fact that the federal government is failing to take care of its wounded veterans in a timely manner,” said Charles Anderson, CEO of A Better Tomorrow, a drug and alcohol treatment center based in Murrieta, Calif.
A Better Tomorrow will provide free outpatient treatment services as space permits on a first come, first served basis an act of community service, Anderson said, adding that the service will be offered to veterans on an ongoing basis. The clinic’s typical outpatient treatment program includes three, three-hour sessions of treatment per week for six weeks.
“It’s unfortunate that veterans are still unable to get the timely healthcare services they need from the VA,” said Velma Hart, chief financial officer for AMVETS, one of the nation’s largest veterans service organizations. “But we are grateful that clinics like A Better Tomorrow are reaching out to veterans to help them in their time of need. We hope other drug and alcohol rehab centers across the country follow A Better Tomorrow’s example.”
Anderson said A Better Tomorrow decided to start offering the free service after a recent series of network news reports documenting a growing incidence of addiction to illegal drugs among veterans returning from service overseas.
The Pentagon also issued a report last month indicating that nearly a third of returning U.S. troops had signs of depression, PTSD, conflicts in relationships or other problems within six months of completing their service. It has also been widely reported that between 30 and 60 percent of people with PTSD will abuse drugs or alcohol to seek relief from their depression, anxiety and other ill feelings.
“Given these statistics, we think our outpatient treatment services will be very helpful to veterans who can’t get the mental health treatment they need because of the incessant bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies and staffing problems involving medical facilities operated by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs,” Anderson said.
Indeed, the VA’s healthcare system has been overwhelmed by veterans returning from service overseas for many years, yet neither Congress nor the VA have committed the necessary resources to address these problems. Congress, in fact, has yet to even provide mandatory funding for VA healthcare. Consequently, the VA is forced to ration healthcare rather than provide it as needed to every veteran who requires it.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Charles Anderson at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
(800) 757-9867
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DRUG REHAB CENTER IS OFFERING FREE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES TO VETERANS RETURNING
FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2007 ― A Southern California drug and alcohol rehab center has begun offering free outpatient treatment services to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We think this is the right thing to do, particularly given the strong correlation between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and drug or alcohol addiction and the fact that the federal government is failing to take care of its wounded veterans in a timely manner,” said Charles Anderson, CEO of A Better Tomorrow, a drug and alcohol treatment center based in Murrieta, Calif.
A Better Tomorrow will provide free outpatient treatment services as space permits on a first come, first served basis an act of community service, Anderson said, adding that the service will be offered to veterans on an ongoing basis. The clinic’s typical outpatient treatment program includes three, three-hour sessions of treatment per week for six weeks.
“It’s unfortunate that veterans are still unable to get the timely healthcare services they need from the VA,” said Velma Hart, chief financial officer for AMVETS, one of the nation’s largest veterans service organizations. “But we are grateful that clinics like A Better Tomorrow are reaching out to veterans to help them in their time of need. We hope other drug and alcohol rehab centers across the country follow A Better Tomorrow’s example.”
Anderson said A Better Tomorrow decided to start offering the free service after a recent series of network news reports documenting a growing incidence of addiction to illegal drugs among veterans returning from service overseas.
The Pentagon also issued a report last month indicating that nearly a third of returning U.S. troops had signs of depression, PTSD, conflicts in relationships or other problems within six months of completing their service. It has also been widely reported that between 30 and 60 percent of people with PTSD will abuse drugs or alcohol to seek relief from their depression, anxiety and other ill feelings.
“Given these statistics, we think our outpatient treatment services will be very helpful to veterans who can’t get the mental health treatment they need because of the incessant bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies and staffing problems involving medical facilities operated by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs,” Anderson said.
Indeed, the VA’s healthcare system has been overwhelmed by veterans returning from service overseas for many years, yet neither Congress nor the VA have committed the necessary resources to address these problems. Congress, in fact, has yet to even provide mandatory funding for VA healthcare. Consequently, the VA is forced to ration healthcare rather than provide it as needed to every veteran who requires it.
Based in Murrieta, Calif., A Better Tomorrow has the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by a drug or alcohol treatment center. The clinic is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), placing it in the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol treatment clinics in California. For more information about A Better Tomorrow, please contact Charles Anderson at (800) 757-9867. Additional information is available on the clinic’s website at http://www.abttc.com/.
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