As we approach the fifth anniversary of Herren Wellness, I can’t help but reflect on the many individuals and families we have been blessed to work with over the past years.
When we first opened our doors in 2018, we had a clear mission: to treat individuals and families with dignity and respect, provide families a parallel support process and never waiver from our belief that no struggle is too small. Five years later, our mission remains at the core of everything we do.
We have seen first-hand the power of recovery and that innovation in programming is essential in adapting to the changing landscape of addiction and mental health struggles. We have also witnessed the absolute power of hope and the longevity of connection.
Over the past five years, our team has seen an increase in alcohol use disorder, marijuana psychosis, cocaine use and with fentanyl found in almost all substances, the tragedy of unintentional overdose. We are committed to educating each guest and their families on the risks associated with ALL substances including drugs and alcohol, as well as the treatment of depression and anxiety in our culture of “more” and “it won’t happen to me”. We are committed to prevention as Chris continues speaking across the country to students, athletes, faculty and communities on the current state of substance use, emotional well-being and prevention.
Welcoming over 575 guests to our campuses since 2018, we are grateful to bear witness to growth and transformation each and every day. Struggle replaced with hope, healing, and a sense of purpose. We’ve seen families come together and support each other in ways they never thought possible. We have seen the broken become whole again, celebrating over 140,883 days of sobriety.
In addition to our programs, our alumni program has grown tremendously with on-line and in person weekly meetings, outings and retreats. Our alumni understand that recovery is a lifelong journey, and they are as committed as we are to their alumni community. We are so inspired by what they do for us and each other every single day, providing support, building connection and bringing hope to the Herren Wellness community and beyond.
As we look back and ahead, there is so much to be grateful for from our team, who truly is the heartbeat of our program, to continuing our unwavering commitment to our mission, program and community.
Chris, Heather and I look forward to continuing to watch individuals and families grow, transform, and embrace a life in recovery. It is truly a gift, walking side by side our guests as they take that next step forward, making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Together We Recover.
Lori McCarthy
Herren Wellness
Executive Director
