Press Release - Alegent Health Expands Chemical Dependency Services in Southwest...

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Alegent Health Expands Chemical Dependency Services in Southwest Iowa

Release Date: 07/06/2006

Council Bluffs, Iowa -Alegent Health Psychiatric Associates is expanding their Chemical Dependency Services to address the growing need for substance abuse treatment in Southwest Iowa. This expanded service will treat patients with mental health and substance abuse issues simultaneously. The Alegent Health Psychiatric Associates Addiction Recovery Center opens July 10, 2006 and is located at 411 E. Broadway in Council Bluffs. This new facility is in addition to the current office at the 801 building on the Alegent Health Mercy Hospital campus and allows for additional providers, easier access and improved availability to the community.

'Drug and alcohol abuse among teens and adults is on the rise in our community,' said Bruce Myers, clinical manager of the Alegent Health Psychiatric Associates, Council Bluffs. 'This new location helps combat this issue by providing us with more space to accommodate both additional patients and staff.'

The expanded facility is conveniently located near downtown Council Bluffs and features two large group rooms and additional office space. Myers says Geney Branigan LISW, ACADC and Carol Kuncl, ACADC are being added to the existing staff at the center. Both have more than 15 years of direct experience dealing in chemical dependency issues, and Myers said there is the possibility that two additional dually credentialed therapists will be hired in the future.

The Psychiatric Associates Addition Recovery Center deals with teen and adult chemical dependency issues including alcohol, drugs, prescription drugs and pain medication. Programs include group and individual sessions, along with family support groups. But Myers said therapists at the expanded facility will focus on treating chemical dependency and mental health simultaneously using a Co-Occurring Treatment Model. In the future, the Psychiatric Associates Addition Recovery Center will also begin using the preferred program for patients dealing with methamphetamine use. For more information on chemical dependency, please call the referral line at (402) 717-HOPE and choose option two.