Dr. John MacDougall spent 30 years drinking alcohol and using drugs every hour of the day before being sober became a reality in 1989. He worked at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for two decades as the director of spiritual guidance and now works as the spiritual care coordinator at The Retreat, a treatment center grounded in the 12-Step principles. He will…
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Completing treatment and returning to everyday life might seem like the most difficult thing you’ve ever done, but right now — as you are reading this — 10% of Americans are one some stage of their recovery journey. You can join them. As challenging as it may be for those in the beginning stages of recovery, there…
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Now more than ever, TV series and movies have been showing characters coping with mental illness while a growing list of celebrities have been speaking out about their own struggles with mental health disorders, helping to continue the national conversation and to change the stigma of mental health. Changing the Stigma of Mental Health Though mental…
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Suburban Survivor of the Opioid Epidemic Speaks Out in Alumni Success Story There is a thief hiding in the shadows of today’s suburban lifestyles. It’s called addiction, and it is stealing the identities, families, careers, and lives of people who might otherwise appear to “have it all together.” This is my alumni success story. You’ve heard the…
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More than 23 million Americans struggle with drug or alcohol use disorders, yet only about 25 percent receive any treatment. This stems, in part, from society’s misconception of substance use disorder as a moral failing. This attitude can result in shame, or stigma, reducing the chance people struggling with substance use disorder will reach out for help. Following treatment,…
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Beacon House of Pacific Grove, CA is now a Gateway affiliate. The nonprofit partnership expands Gateway’s national alcohol and drug treatment programs to the west coast. The agreement will serve more Californians with the highest quality of addiction care. How Addiction Impacts Our Country In 2017 alone, more than 60,000 people died from increased opioid use. This past year, the Trump…
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Mikes Success Story: Starting from the Bottom Shelf Drinking began for Mike when he was working at a liquor store at age 13. His friend’s father owned a store, and Mike was responsible for stocking the shelves and checking inventory. It was easy to steal a bottle here and there because he was the one in…
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Regaining Control: A Young Mens Success Story Feelings of isolation, fear, lack of control and failure were all too familiar for Mariusz. When attempts at creating an idealistic world to escape his reality fell short, Mariusz found comfort in alcohol and drugs at age 15. Like many young men, Mariusz began drinking on the weekends with a new group…
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Gateway President and CEO Dr. Thomas Britton and Gateway alum Nick spoke to Niala Boodhoo on Illinois Public Media’s The 21st show to discuss the current opioid crisis and Nick’s journey to recovery. To listen to the podcast, click here. “It destroyed everything.” Nick’s addiction had severe consequences. It damaged his relationships with family and loved ones. He found himself in…
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Gateway Swansea is now officially offering acupuncture every Tuesday evening as part of its regular addiction treatment programming. Dr. Eric Waltemate will provide free acupuncture to every patient who signs up. What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that has gained popularity in the United States over the past decade. Historians believe the practice originated in China…
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