When Lancaster County’s drug court first opened its doors in 2005, no one knew whether the pilot program would meet its many goals or head to the scrap heap of well-intentioned, but unworkable initiatives. Expectations were high. Drug court promised to improve public safety, save taxpayer dollars, and reduce drug and alcohol recidivism among repeat...
Category: Alcoholism
Entering Recovery: Lori’s Story
Why can’t you put the bottle down, stop drinking, and take care of your responsibilities? Growing up, that’s what Lori Fallon remembers thinking about two of her family members who suffered heavily from alcoholism. At the time, she just could never understand how a bottle of alcohol could control someone’s life. It wasn’t until the...
Addiction Through the Eyes of the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission
Over the next few months, The GateHouse will be taking a look at the opioid crisis from the perspective of the public officials who are working to eradicate it through funding, public awareness, and education. We kick the series off with an interview with Rick Kastner, executive director of the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol...
What Goes into a Drug and Alcohol Assessment at The GateHouse?
Entering treatment can seem like a vast and mysterious process, which is why we’re here to break it down for you. We want you to feel confident and knowledgeable when it comes to your treatment plan and overall health. Here’s what you can expect when you come to The GateHouse for an initial assessment. Why...
Staying Healthy in Recovery: Are there Alternatives to Drugs and Alcohol?
After entering recovery, one of the hardest things to do is fill the leftover space in your mind and in your daily life. Spending so much of your time using drugs or alcohol can leave you feeling bored and unsatisfied throughout recovery, and it can often lead to relapses and addictive behavior. This is why...
How to Talk to Your Teen About the Dangers of Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol and substance abuse are touchy topics to begin with, but having a conversation with a teenager about them can be downright unnerving. How will they react? Will they argue? Will they take you seriously? Will they shut you out? Despite these concerns, the bottom line is the conversation is too important not to have....
Choosing the Best Treatment Center For Addiction
You or a loved one have taken the first, most important step toward recovering from drug or alcohol dependence—recognizing the need for professional help. The next step is choosing the best treatment center for addiction—one that can help with the dependence issues and map out a road to recovery. This handy checklist should help you...
Impact of Addiction on Families: Addiction and Financial Problems
Addiction and the financial problems it causes can ruin lives. When someone in your home is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it can add stress to the entire household not only emotionally but financially, as well. Behavior Associated with Addiction and Financial Problems Addiction and withdrawal can put your loved one in...
Impact of Addiction on Families: Addiction and Abuse
Substance addiction and verbal, emotional, or physical abuse too often go hand-in-hand. The connection between addiction and abuse is complex, no matter the relationship between you and the person you love, whether you’re a parent emotionally abused by an adult child or a partner physically assaulted by a significant other. You deserve to live a...