Category: Life Skills

Open post Declutter for Better Mental Health In Recovery

Spring Cleaning Your Life: Decluttering for Better Mental Health in Recovery

As the seasons change and we welcome the renewal that spring brings, it’s a perfect time to consider not just the physical clutter that might be filling our spaces but also the mental clutter that can occupy our minds and derail our recovery.

In the journey of recovery, every step counts, and decluttering can serve as a powerful metaphor for shedding the unnecessary burdens we carry, both physically and emotionally. This process can significantly impact our mental health, providing a clearer, more focused path to personal growth and healing.

The Impact of Clutter on Mental Health

Research has shown that physical clutter can significantly impact stress levels, sleep quality, and overall mental well-being. In the context of recovery, where maintaining mental health is paramount, the effects of clutter can be even more pronounced.

Physical clutter can serve as a constant reminder of the tasks we have left undone and contribute to feelings of anxiety and despair. It can also make it challenging to relax, both physically and mentally, and can hinder our ability to focus on our recovery journey.

Mental clutter has an equally deleterious effect on those recovering from substance use disorder. Mental clutter can manifest as persistent worries, regrets, unresolved emotions, and the mental replay of past mistakes or traumatic events. These unsettled thoughts can significantly exacerbate the day-to-day challenges of recovery, sometimes acting as a barrier to the mental clarity necessary for healing and reviving the feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation commonly experienced during active addiction.

Decluttering Your Physical Space

Beginning the journey of decluttering your physical space can be an exhilarating step towards enhancing your recovery environment.

  • Start small: Choose one area or room to begin with and work your way through your space methodically. This approach can prevent feelings of overwhelm and give you a sense of accomplishment as you make progress.
  • Make it a mindful activity: Approach decluttering as a form of self-care rather than a chore. Consider each item’s presence in your life and whether it serves a positive purpose in your recovery journey.
  • Create a serene environment: Aim to create a space that promotes relaxation and reflection. This might mean embracing minimalism or simply organizing your space in a way that feels calming and purposeful.

Applying order and tranquility to your physical space reduces the number of distractions around you and makes clearing your mind of unhelpful thoughts all the more easier.

Decluttering Your Mental Space

Just as tidying your physical surroundings can usher in a sense of calm and order, decluttering your mental space can help you nurturing a serene and focused mindset for your recovery journey.

  • Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices can help clear your mind of the clutter of unhelpful thoughts and worries. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling can be excellent tools for mental decluttering.
  • Set boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments that do not serve your recovery or well-being. This helps reduce the mental clutter of overcommitment and stress.
  • Prioritize self-care: Ensure that your daily routine includes activities that nurture your mental health, such as exercise, reading, or spending time in nature. These activities can help keep your mental space clear and focused on recovery.

The Long-Term Effects of Decluttering

The act of decluttering extends beyond just the physical and mental realms. It can improve relationships as well. A decluttered physical space naturally becomes a more welcoming and peaceful environment, making for better interactions with friends and loved ones.

And since the process of physical decluttering forces you to make intentional choices about what to keep in your life and what to let go, it can also enhance your self-esteem and hone your decision-making skills, both necessary traits for improving mental health in recovery.

Embracing Renewal as You Recover

Decluttering your life can be a cathartic step towards healing and recovery. It’s about more than just tidying up; it’s a commitment to fostering an environment, both internally and externally, that supports your mental health and recovery.

As you embark on your spring cleaning this season, remember that each item discarded, and each negative thought released brings you one step closer to a clearer path to a healthy life.

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The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For 50 years, we have helped individuals in our community restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps them break the cycle of substance use disorder and put them on the path to recovery. The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support,transitional living, or residential extended care programs. If you’re looking for help now, give us a call at 717-393-3215 or reach out to us today to get started.

Open post

The GateHouse Turns 50: An Anniversary Story Featuring Judy Bohner

In December 2022, The GateHouse celebrated its 50th year of offering people a meaningful path to recovery. As part of this celebration, we are spotlighting prominent staff, leaders, and alumni and sharing their stories of their time at The GateHouse.

This month, we’re featuring Judy Bohner, a former resident at The GateHouse who is celebrating 33 years of recovery this month.

Judy Came to The GateHouse Later in Life

Judy Bohner arrived at The GateHouse when she was 46 years old.

While she was certainly not old in a big-picture sense, she was entering the program later in life than most residents.

“I came with a long history of drinking and drug use,” she said. “Nearly 32 years.”

Judy had also already experienced many of life’s milestones, including becoming a parent and being married multiple times. She believed this life experience set her apart, and thus was skeptical of her fellow residents.

“I was going to show everyone how to do this,” she said.

She soon realized, however, that her hubris was keeping her from doing the actual work. When she was encouraged to actually look at herself and her own patterns, she began to recognize that perhaps she was not so above other people’s struggles.

“I had to look at myself honestly,” Judy said. “I started to see that everything I thought other people were doing wrong … I was actually doing myself.”

Bruce Caldwell Held Her Accountable

It was a former Executive Director of The GateHouse, Bruce Caldwell, who wound up playing a pivotal role in Judy’s recovery.

“He is the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “He believed in me while also calling me out on my stuff.”

For example, Judy came to The GateHouse with a history of false check scams. When she applied for a job during her time at The GateHouse, Bruce Caldwell called the employer and told them she would be a good hire, but to also keep an eye on her when it came to finances. It was this honest advocacy intertwined with strict accountability for her past actions that made a big difference in her life.

Judy got the job and wound up working there for 12 years.

The bond between the two continued well after Judy graduated from The GateHouse. She even became friends with Bruce’s wife. When Judy celebrated five years of sobriety, Bruce offered her a position on The GateHouse board.

“At a certain point, most people had written me off,” Judy said. “Not Bruce. Bruce became my family.”

The GateHouse Taught Judy How to Build a Life for Herself

Judy’s biggest takeaway from her time at The GateHouse is the independence she gained. She not only learned to be independent from drugs and alcohol, but also to build a life on her own.

“The GateHouse made me grow up,” she said.

When she first arrived, Judy was practically estranged from her family and had had multiple failed marriages. Her substance use disorder left her without a strong community or a sense of purpose. The consequences of this went well beyond her own situation.

“My children did not grow up with a real parent in their household,” Judy said.

Yet through her work at The GateHouse, Judy was able to start over.

“At 46, I learned to be responsible for myself,” she said. “I got both a job and an apartment.”

One of Judy’s most profound memories of her early recovery journey is the night before she left the program. That evening, her father passed away and her counselors at The GateHouse allowed her to go visit him one last time. Judy recalled how healing it was to see him.

“He had written me off a long time ago,” she said, “but now, he could pass peacefully because he knew that I was going to be okay.”

After leaving the GateHouse, Judy remarried but her husband soon passed away. She has now been a widow for 15 years and the independence she cultivated during recovery has been crucial to her building a fulfilling life on her own.

Today, Judy plays an active role in the Alcoholics Anonymous community and has served as a sponsor for 26 years.

“My AA home group has become my chosen family,” she said. And on May 28, Judy will be celebrating 33 years of sobriety with her chosen family.

Now 79 and living in Ocean City, MD, Judy said she is living her best life.

What’s the secret? Something she said she learned at The GateHouse.

“A sense of humor,” she said. “I learned to not take myself so seriously.”

***

The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited addiction recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For 50 years, we have helped individuals in our community restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps them break the cycle of substance abuse disorder and put them on the path to recovery. The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living conditions, or resident treatment programs. Reach out to us today!

Open post The GateHouse 50th Anniversary - Dan Schultz

The GateHouse Turns 50: an Anniversary Story with Dan Schultz

In December 2022, The GateHouse celebrated its 50th year of offering people a meaningful path to recovery. As part of this celebration, we are spotlighting prominent staff, leaders, and alumni and sharing their stories of their time at The GateHouse.

When Dan Schultz first came to The GateHouse, he was broken.

“My bottom led me to a straitjacket in a hospital,” he said. “I arrived at The GateHouse a defeated individual … alcohol had defeated me”.

With the help and guidance of The GateHouse and its team, Dan’s recovery journey would take him from the depths of despair to the promise of a meaningful life. Now a veteran alumnus of the program, Dan continues to see this promise fulfilled by giving back to the recovery community in every way he can.

This is his story.

Dan Arrived at The GateHouse Looking for Change

On May 6, 1982, Dan Schultz crossed the threshold of The GateHouse and embarked on his journey through recovery.

At 34, he was searching for a way to transform his life. Alcohol, his substance of choice, had riddled him with personal issues, legal troubles, and a complete lack of structure and stability.

His first stop was the Caron Foundation in Wernersville, PA, where he completed rehab. The Foundation recommended The GateHouse. In 1982, the typical program stay at The GateHouse was about 90 days, but Bruce Caldwell, the executive director of the organization at the time, made an exception for Dan. Dan had pending court dates for a series of DWIs back in his hometown of Rochester, NY, and needed the time to move through the process before he could fully settle into his recovery plan.

On November 11, 1982, a Rochester court sentenced Dan to 60 days in county jail. After doing his time and serving his sentence, Dan returned to The GateHouse, the best place he believed for him to transition back into a sober community post-incarceration.

“I felt safe there,” Dan said. “I knew if I stayed in Rochester, I would have never stayed sober.”

The Foundation for A New Way of Life

The GateHouse provided Dan with a completely new way of living his life.

“I was given a sense of structure,” he said.

Part of that structure was attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings regularly. This offered Dan access to the recovery community he was so sorely needing.

In AA, he became acquainted with the concept of “People, Places, and Things,” a general idea that stresses the importance of recognizing the “people, places, and things” that are typically the drivers of alcohol and drug cravings and replacing them with something else. With The GateHouse, he had the opportunity to do just that.

“I had never lived with 18 men before,” he chuckled, remembering the sober group outings that were part of the program. “They gave us the opportunity to feel somewhat normal … to learn that it’s possible to live without alcohol.”

Another part of Dan’s recovery structure was his relationship with his counselor, Rick Reed. The two men were close in age and thus held a certain kinship in common. Dan could relate to Rick.

“He helped me realize that your mind is a very very complex thing,” he said. “But also, that things weren’t always as earth-shattering as I thought them to be.”

Counseling sessions at The GateHouse gave Dan the opportunity to really look inward and begin the journey of rebuilding his self-esteem. Eventually, he rediscovered religion, brought it back into his life, and started mending relationships within his family.

Next up was repairing his sense of responsibility and purpose. During his time at The GateHouse, he found meaningful work in maintenance in the local community. Throughout his time at The GateHouse, his job gave him a sense of stability; so much so that he remained with the company long after his exit from the program, ascending to the management level, where he remained until his retirement in 2016.

“Keep It Simple”

Community. Structure. Self-respect. These are the tools Dan was given at The GateHouse. These are the tools that have helped him sustain his recovery since he left. A year ago this month, he celebrated 40 years sober.

From that first broken day in 1982, Dan has come a long way, having built a meaningful life for himself. In 1987, he remarried and became the parent of two stepchildren. He’s also a grandfather to five grandsons, who he says are “a real blessing and a wonderful reward of sobriety.”

He’s never too far from The GateHouse, either. He is literally a 15-minute walk away. And he remains very involved in the recovery community. He speaks regularly with groups in the senior recovery program at the Caron Foundation. He also serves on the board of the 521 Club, a non-profit recovery community organization in Lancaster.

“I try to give back to the community,” Dan said. “I try to help them when I can.”

Asked to pinpoint what most helps him maintain his recovery, he says it’s all about keeping it simple.

“I want to be sober more than I want to drink,” Dan said. “I want the life I have today. In early sobriety, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed. Keep it simple. Don’t drink. Go to meetings.”

It’s the meetings, Dan said, where people are reminded that they’re not alone in their journey.

“If you keep going long enough,” he said, “you’re going to hear your story from someone else.”

***

The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited addiction recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For 50 years, we have helped individuals in our community restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps them break the cycle of substance abuse disorder and put them on the path to recovery. The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living conditions, or resident treatment programs. Reach out to us today!

Open post GTL Connections Program

The Connections Grant Program Brings Case Management to Clients in Transitional Living

How the new Transitional Living Grant Program, Connections, is supporting the needs of clients beginning their recovery journey

Transitioning back into your community after completing residential treatment creates change across every aspect of life. While it’s an important step forward in the recovery journey, we know it can also be a stressful time, especially for clients without many resources or a strong support system.

Our GateHouse Transitional Living houses are one of the many tools we have at The GateHouse to support clients in recovery as they leave residential treatment. They give our clients the ability to ease their way back into the community as they look for employment, an apartment, and any other essentials they need to begin life in recovery.

This past spring, our transitional living program received a boost of support from a grant to begin our new Connections Program. This program incorporates a transitional living case manager dedicated to supporting our clients as they transition. The grant also includes funding to help us provide rent reductions for GTL residents, as well.

The Connections Program Provides Financial Stability as Clients Transition

To be successful in early recovery, clients need assistance in many areas, including financial security. They must have the basics covered, like paying rent and food, if they’re going to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  The beauty of the Connections program is it covers the cost of rent for transitional living clients for the first two months of their stay. From there, the cost of rent is tiered, increasing slightly each month until they reach the full cost of rent at 12 months, and if a client receives a successful discharge, the program offers them financial assistance for their security deposit on their own apartment.

Micayla Roberts is the transitional living case manager overseeing the Connections program and she’s already witnessed the impact the program is having on her clients.

“Through the Connections grant, we’re alleviating a lot of the financial stress our clients would otherwise face at the beginning of their recovery journey,” Micayla said.

She is largely interested in using the program as a tool to help clients focus more on their treatment needs and build a solid foundation for recovery.

“By alleviating financial stress, we’re able to tackle mental health and wellness challenges our clients face; challenges that can prove to be major barriers to recovery if left unmanaged,” Micayla said. “It’s much easier to work through stress, anxiety, and depression when your rent payment isn’t looming over your head.”

How the Connections Case Management Program Works for Clients

Upon entering the program, Micayla takes an inventory of the client’s needs starting with the essentials – employment, doctor’s appointments, dental exams, transportation, etc. Next, they develop a plan to address all the needs of the client – outpatient counseling programs, mental health resources in the community, and many others.

She then creates a plan to get the client the resources they need, including access to support services. She’ll take into consideration whether treatment is within walking distance of clients, and which accept medical assistance when she’s setting up appointments. Most importantly, though, Micayla learns the client’s individual needs and matches them with the right outpatient counselors and ancillary services.

Connections is Already Making a Big Impact in Recovery for Clients in Transitional Living

In just the first several months of the program, Connections is already helping individuals meet their treatment needs and prepare for a life in recovery.

“The Connections program is already providing significant benefits to our transitional living clients,” Micayla said. “I can see the relief on clients’ faces when they can focus on their recovery and not their first couple of rent payments. They know they have me there to support them – they’re not alone. It makes a difference in recovery when you feel like someone’s in your corner.”

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The GateHouse offers transitional living services for long-term addiction recovery to clients throughout Lancaster County, PA. We help our clients access the services and resources they need to return and contribute to their communities.

Micayla and our entire team at The GateHouse would love to help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

Open post Develop Healthy, Positive Habits in Recovery

The Power of Daily Routines and Positive Habits in Recovery

Humans, by nature, are creatures of habit.  We crave personal structure and routine.  It is the small choices we make each day that create our path in life.  Just like in recovery, habits and daily routines are a practice. It takes work and dedication for them to become a more natural part of daily life.

Kendrick Westmoreland knows the power of routines in recovery first-hand. Kendrick is the Clinical Director of Outpatient Services at The GateHouse, and he helps clients develop and maintain healthy habits to help sustain long-term recovery.

“I remember early on in recovery; I was sitting in a meeting where no one knew me,” Kendrick said. “At that moment, I realized that I could be whoever I want to be. I had a clean slate. I decided in that meeting that to become the person I wanted to be, I had to act like that person. I had to adopt the qualities of the person I wanted to become. That mindset changed everything for me.”

That mindset, for Kendrick, came down to the discipline of maintaining a healthy routine and holding himself accountable to see it through.

“For me, it started with making my bed every morning,” Kendrick said. “Years later, I still make my bed every morning. It’s a small routine but it’s been an important part of my recovery. It’s proven to me that I can make a change and stick to it.”

Sticking to Healthy Routines in Recovery Gets Easier When You Find the Right Routine for You

Recovery is different for everyone. The Outpatient Services team at The GateHouse helps clients determine the types of routines that will work best for them, then helps them create a plan to make the routine stick.

Here are a few of the practices that Kendrick and his team work through with our outpatient clients.

Choose Routines that Interest You

If you don’t like a routine, you aren’t going to stick with it. Start with your hobbies and interests. Choosing to practice and learn about a personal interest is a great foundation for a new daily routine.

“We each have different needs and interests, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all routine roadmap,” Kendrick said.  “Take the time to think about your interests and what’s going to motivate you to keep your routines going.”

Focus on Routines that Can Support You Now and Down the Road

In recovery, you’re always evolving.  Look to add in a practice that supports your evolution.  Journaling, learning a new skill, meditation, and reading are a few practices that are relatively easy to implement and can become lifelong hobbies.

Set Realistic Expectations

Our outpatient teams are always reminding our clients that routines, like long-term recovery, are a life-long practice.

There is a theory that if you commit to doing a task every day for 21 days it will become a habit, and if you commit to continuing that practice for 90 days you have created a routine.  Sometimes it can be hard to envision life 90 days from now. Kendrick and his team suggest starting with what is in reach: tomorrow. 

“Get started, then assess as you go,” said Kendrick. “If getting into the new routine went well for the first week but then dropped off, step back and look at whether you’re interested in what you’re doing and whether it’s benefiting your recovery. If it is, then make small adjustments so the routine becomes easier for you.”

Know That There Will Be Setbacks, and That’s Okay

Clients need to know that forming routines in long-term recovery isn’t easy. According to Kendrick, setbacks are a part of the process. The key is to have a plan for how to deal with them and reestablish the routine you started.

“Habits don’t develop overnight just like the disease didn’t,” Kendrick said. “It’s about consistency over time.”

Switching up the time of day could help check new habits off the list. Try adjusting routines into higher energy times rather than waiting until the last minute or pushing for the first thing in the morning.

Ask for accountability from a family member, mentor, or friend. Tell them about the new routine and talk about the plan.

Establishing a Routine is an Important Next Step in Your Recovery Journey

The GateHouse now has a case manager dedicated to our outpatient services clients; one more resource to help you discover and develop positive habits in recovery. To learn more about our outpatient services, call 717-393-3215 to speak with one of the team members.

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The GateHouse offers outpatient services for long-term addiction recovery to clients throughout Lancaster County, PA. We help our clients access the services and resources they need to return and contribute to their communities. Kendrick and our entire team at The GateHouse would love to help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

Open post PARR and NARR recertification

GateHouse Transitional Living Earns PARR and NARR Recertification

Thank You to Our Transitional Living Team for Their Hard Work in Achieving This Recognition

Our transitional living team works incredibly hard to make sure that every one of our transitional living recovery houses is giving our residents what they need to live a safe and healthy life in recovery.

Thanks to our team, GateHouse Transitional Living has achieved its recertification from The Pennsylvania Alliance of Recovery Residences (PARR) and the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) – the organizations setting the standards of care for recovery houses across our state and the nation.

Recovery Residences Must Meet a Series of Standards to Be Eligible for Certification

Achieving PARR and NARR certification takes the dedication of an entire team to pull off. There are 38 standards spread across 4 domains that a recovery residence must meet to be eligible for national and state certification. The four domains are:

  • Administrative Operations
  • Physical Environment
  • Recovery Support
  • Good Neighbor

Together, these standards check to see that transitional living facilities are operating with integrity, upholding residents’ rights, providing a home-like environment, facilitating active recovery, and much more.

Our Transitional Living Team Surpassed PARR and NARR Standards to Help Us Achieve Recertification

Leigh Chapman

Receiving recertification for all PARR and NARR standards across all eight transitional living residences at GateHouse Transitional Living is a true achievement and not easily accomplished. It took the hard work of our transitional living team made up of Leigh Chapman, Transitional Living Coordinator; Keith Stoudt, Director of Support Services; and Jim Marshall, Facilities Manager.

This was the first time through the recertification process for Leigh Chapman.

“It takes a lot of work and dedication to ensure our transitional living houses are meeting PARR and NARR standards,” Leigh said. “Doing the work to achieve recertification demonstrates that The GateHouse does whatever it takes to provide quality care to our residents.”

Meeting the standards for certification also required our team’s attention to the smallest details.

“I made my way down a long list of maintenance standards to ensure the facilities were ready for certification. I made sure the windows in each facility had screens, that all appliances were cleaned, that there were no fire hazards or leaks in any of the houses,” Leigh said. “It was a big job.”

Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall regularly maintains each of the transitional living houses at The GateHouse and handled the updates and repairs needed at each house to ensure they met PARR and NARR standards.

When asked about his contribution to the PARR and NARR recertification, Jim said, “It fulfills me to be a part of the experience and success.”

Keith Stoudt played a large role in helping The GateHouse achieve recertification in 2020 and was able to use that experience to help us meet the standards again this year.

“Meeting PARR and NARR standards proves that you’re providing the highest quality transitional living homes to your residents,” Keith said. “These standards hold all transitional living recovery houses accountable for operating with integrity. They require that we uphold a culture of empowerment and respect for our residents’ rights so they can actively engage in the beginning stages of their recovery journey.”

Keith Stoudt

Leigh, Jim, and Keith all agreed that the accreditation process took the entire team working together and that achieving the accreditation was only possible because of their dedication to excellence year-round.

“I appreciate and value the fact that all of us here at The GateHouse work together and hold one another accountable to high standards of work ethic that align with our mission, vision, and values,” Keith said.

“With this being my first accreditation, I relied on the team for support and guidance,” Leigh added. “We came together to get the job done. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Thank you, Leigh, Jim, and Keith for your hard work in achieving this accreditation and for your dedication to our clients in recovery.

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When you or your loved one is ready to begin life in recovery, our transitional living homes are here to support you on your journey.

The GateHouse offers substance abuse treatment services for long-term addiction recovery with locations throughout Lancaster County, PA. We create a support system for each of our clients to break the cycle of substance abuse and get them on a path towards recovery. Whether they need a transitional living environment, residential treatment services, or outpatient support, it’s here for them.

We’d love to help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

 

 

Open post Looking Back on Four Decades of Substance Abuse Treatment at The GateHouse

The GateHouse Through the Years: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Looking Back at Over Four Decades of Substance Abuse Recovery Services as We Look Towards the Future of The GateHouse

The legacy of The GateHouse was built by a small group of men and women determined to create a support system for members of their community suffering from substance abuse. The group grew from a few founding members to a team that today continues to carry out that mission.

Two members of that team include two of our longest-serving board members: Dr. Kathy Gregoire, LSW, Ph.D., retired professor of social work at Millersville University, and Dr. John Conahan, LCSW, CADC. Ph.D., Associate Professor at Kutztown University.

Both share a unique perspective on the history of The GateHouse, as well as how it’s evolved over the years. And both believe that the common thread between the impact The GateHouse made then and now is rooted in the devotion of the staff and volunteers who serve.

Perseverance and Grit Propelled The GateHouse from a Single Halfway House to the Substance Abuse Treatment Center it is Today

Dr. Kathy Gregoire
Dr. Kathy Gregoire

The founding members of The GateHouse first connected through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Together, they recognized the need for a halfway house in the Lancaster area.

“It was a very grassroots effort. Very hands-on,” said Kathy. “The Board members did all of the work. They painted the house, refurbished it—everything. They were incredibly dedicated.”

Kathy remembers the early days of The GateHouse. She became involved with the organization in 1979, shortly after its founding.

“The staff and team just kept taking steps forward, one thing at a time, and the program grew,” she said. “Their initial focus was alcohol abuse and supporting men and women in AA. Then it evolved to drug abuse and supporting those in NA, Narcotics Anonymous. Later, we incorporated mental health services to take on people with multiple diagnoses such as substance abuse and depression.”

Pioneering a Path for Women to Seek Substance Abuse Treatment

In the 1980s, The GateHouse recognized the need not just for expanded services to treat various types of substance use disorder, but for greater access to care for women across the board. As a result, The GateHouse decided to create a women’s house—a revolutionary step at the time.

As a social worker who made house calls throughout the community, Kathy understood the real need for female recovery services first-hand.

“People didn’t think, or want to admit, that women struggled with addiction, too,” Kathy said. “Before The GateHouse, there were very few treatment options available to women suffering from substance abuse, which led many to suffer alone.”

The GateHouse Eventually Expanded its Services Further to Support Other Client Needs that Weren’t Being Met

Dr. John Conahan
Dr. John Conahan

In 2004, John Conahan joined the board alongside Kathy and the other members. A few years into his tenure, John realized that in order to continue to serve, The GateHouse needed to grow.

“It became clear that we needed to grow our services to sustain ourselves financially and continue to be there for the clients who needed us,” John said. “‘What services should we offer? How big should the organization become? What is a healthy financial growth plan?’. These were the questions I started asking.”

John and the other board members developed a strategic plan, putting systems in place to grow the organization and make treatment for substance use disorder more accessible throughout the community.

First, they worked towards and achieved CARF accreditation, an international accreditation for rehabilitation facilities and service standards.

“The CARF accreditation gave us even more legitimacy which helped us grow,” John said.

Next, John and The GateHouse board started looking at outcome data to learn more about their clients, better understand their needs, and discover what their lives looked like after treatment. As they piled through the data, John said a trend emerged.

“We saw that clients leaving The GateHouse needed transitional living services,” he said. “They needed a safe place to live and continue to get better. So, we bought a home in Lititz and turned it into our first transitional living home.”

The Lititz transitional living home was a success. It grew from one home to a transitional living program that led to The GateHouse opening a second home in Mountville. The GateHouse has since received a number of grants to continue its work and maintain the homes.

John and the board moved next to add additional services including outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization. The idea was to further support their transitional living clients in recovery.

“We went into the outpatient business in 2010,” John said. “It’s an area of our model that we’re still growing. So far, we’ve been able to grow it and provide a lot of added support to our transitional living clients and those leaving one of our recovery houses.”

Around this time, John and the board also recognized that growing the organization and fulfilling their mission wouldn’t happen by simply adding more services. For some victims of substance use disorder, cost remained a barrier. Fundraising presented a large, untapped opportunity to help more clients afford treatment services. So, John and the board began fundraising.

“In recent years, we’ve gotten involved with Lancaster County’s Extraordinary Give, applied for grants, and reached out to the community for support to make our services more accessible to everyone who needs them,” he said. “Fundraising has proven very effective for us.”

And most recently, The GateHouse implemented its third residential care facility; a beautiful home in Marietta for women in early recovery. Restoring the home and opening the The GateHouse at Riverview Tower was a collaboration with the state and, so far, it’s made a big impact.

The GateHouse is Building its Future with the Same Devotion it Used to Build its Very First House

The next chapter of The GateHouse legacy is being written now by a deeply dedicated team focused on removing barriers to treatment and treating the whole client.

“There are many services we want to bring in and many more substance abuse victims we know we can help,” John said. “But to do that, we first have to attract more staff who share our mission and passion to serve men and women with substance abuse disorder in our community.”

John and Kathy both believe that by offering opportunities for professional development and shining a light on why The GateHouse is a place people want to work, they can grow a team that can continue the legacy.

A large long-term goal is to expand on the work The GateHouse has already started and provide a full continuum of services to treat the whole client.

“The GateHouse isn’t just a place to stay in early recovery,” John said. “It’s a social approach to delivering our services and other resources our clients need for continued recovery. Our clients often need help with employment, daycare, credit, and housing. Addiction doesn’t live in a vacuum. We need case managers and the resources for continued follow-up so we can also help with long-term, sustained recovery.”

Programs and services that support women suffering from substance use disorder are also a major focus for The GateHouse in the years ahead.

“We’re exploring services that would house women in early recovery with their children,” John said. “There are a lot of hurdles we’d need to navigate to create this type of program. But we know that one of the barriers for women seeking treatment is the lack of safe childcare. If we can remove that barrier, imagine how many more women we can support.”

The GateHouse owes its success to the men and women who have worked hard for more than 40 years to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from substance use disorder.

“Over the years, I’ve felt so proud of the work we’ve done at The GateHouse,” Kathy said. “We’ve had incredibly committed board members and staff who have made good decisions to keep the organization stable, yet always maintained a willingness to take risks to get people what they need.”

John agrees.

“Our services and homes represent the dignity of the people we serve,” he said. “Our mission is to be that bridge back to society and give people a safe place to continue to recover. That’s what we’ve done and will continue to do. There’s a lot of pride associated with that by both the Board and our staff.”

When you and your loved one are ready to discuss a treatment plan for long-term substance abuse recovery, our team will be here ready to support you on your journey. The GateHouse offers services for substance abuse recovery with locations throughout Lancaster County, PA. We’d love to help you or a loved one with the next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

 

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The GateHouse Alumni & Friends Association: Why Graduates of The GateHouse Should Get Involved

Recovery from substance use disorder doesn’t occur once treatment ends. It’s a lifelong journey, and the road can get bumpy – especially without the support of other men and women who understand where you’ve been.

That’s where Steph Prete and The GateHouse Alumni & Friends Association come in. Today, Steph–a former client at The GateHouse–helps to oversee the alumni association and bring graduates of The GateHouse together with current clients, building a support system for men and women entering recovery.

And along the way, the association has not only helped clients find a community of support, but it’s helped Steph and other alumni along their own recovery journeys, as well.

We sat down with Steph to learn more about the association and why graduates of The GateHouse should get involved.

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Steph Prete
Steph Prete

Q. How is the association serving clients in substance abuse recovery, and how has it helped you on your journey?

A. When leaving The GateHouse, many, if not most, of us begin our recovery journeys away from home knowing no one.

When I left The GateHouse after my time in treatment, I decided to remain in Lancaster County. I’m originally from Delaware County. That meant that I was beginning a new chapter in my life in an area where I knew no one.

A lot of clients from The GateHouse are like me–they move to Lancaster County from other areas to begin their recovery journey. Most stay in the area because they have nothing to go home to–there’s no sober support waiting for them. You either move into a recovery house in Lancaster and do something with your life or move back home where there’s nothing for you.

When I moved into my recovery house, I realized how big the recovery community actually was. But, what I also found was that the women I had the greatest connection with were those who went through The GateHouse like I did.

They became my support system. The GateHouse Alumni & Friends Association helps you surround yourself with other people like you who know what you’re going through in all phases of recovery.

Q. Why was having support from other clients of The GateHouse so important for you during the start of your recovery?

A. When you’re in recovery, it’s hard to talk to other people who don’t understand what you’re going through. Not only did the women from The GateHouse understand me, but there was even more understanding because of our shared experience.

We could talk about what it was like to live in the house and go through the different treatment phases. There’s a bonding that occurs when you can relate on that level.

Q. How does that level of connection translate over to your support of current clients through the alumni association?

A. All of the alumni involved have a unique perspective of what clients are experiencing. I can ask a client what phase of treatment they’re in. Do they have their phone yet? I can let them know that whatever they’re going through, it’s normal – I’ve been there.

That connection we create also, I like to think, creates trust in us as a support system. Clients can look to us as people who have gone through the program and are building healthy lives in recovery.

Q. How does the alumni association get clients at The GateHouse involved in the recovery community?

A. We plan events throughout the year that bring alumni and clients together. COVID has, of course, changed some things. But typically, we have our annual summer softball tournament which clients love. We also host a lot of picnics at each of the houses where we grill food and spend time together as a community.

There’s something about getting outside and spending time together that really unites us all. It’s a lot of fun. Hopefully, we’ll get back to our picnics and softball tournaments soon and continue to grow the alumni association so we can host even more events.

Q. What would you say to a graduate who’s considering joining the alumni association?

A. To every graduate, I’d ask them to remember where they were and how they felt when they first began recovery. Remember how uncomfortable you were as you set out to begin a new life not knowing very many people like you. Now you have an opportunity to help someone like you and support them as they begin their journey.

I’d also tell them that being a part of the alumni association and helping clients of The GateHouse begin their recovery has been one of the main reasons I’ve stayed sober. Paying it forward comes full circle.

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The GateHouse Alumni & Friends Association has become an incredible resource for clients and graduates of The GateHouse, helping them maintain connections and support one another in recovery.

Getting involved in the alumni association is as easy as attending a meeting and learning more about the organization. Join the association every first Wednesday of the month in-person or via Zoom at 6 p.m.

The GateHouse Alumni & Friends Association

Meeting Held Every First Wednesday of the Month

In-Person:

The GateHouse Behavioral Health Center

817 North Cherry Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

OR

Via Zoom:

Zoom Meeting ID: 927 6549 2074

Passcode: 419132

The GateHouse offers services for long-term substance abuse recovery with locations throughout Lancaster County, PA. We’d love to help you or a loved one with the next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

 

 

 

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‘Giving Extra’ by Breathing Life Back into Others: Kristi’s Recovery Story

Kristi knows how debilitating addiction can be.

“Living with addiction is like living a walking death,” she said.

Kristi Martarano BS, CADC, CCPG, is Clinical Director at The GateHouse. Like many of her colleagues, she was also once a client at The GateHouse working toward her own recovery. She’s been in the same shoes as each client she serves and knows exactly how it feels to battle addiction.

Her journey brought her back to The GateHouse to support men and women just like her. Today, she’s restoring our clients’ spirits by breathing life back into each one of them.

Even Before Addiction Treatment, Kristi Knew She Wanted to Help Others Like Her

Kristi spent years in and out of addiction treatment before finding her way to The GateHouse in 2004. When she arrived, she went through each phase of the treatment program, found a sponsor, and got a job. Suddenly, she was held accountable for doing the hard work necessary for success in recovery.

“While in recovery at The GateHouse, more was expected of me than in just about any other time in my life,” Kristi said. “I discovered that I was capable of much more than I realized.”

Before treatment, Kristi had a desire to someday be a counselor. Working with her counselors and other clients in the program during her time in addiction treatment reignited her passion to help others on their own journey towards recovery.

“Spending time with counselors was a very powerful part of my journey,” she said. “And, going through the program with other strong recovering people, like my now-colleagues Cyndi and Kendrick, helped me get through. I had this recurring feeling that I could help other people find recovery, too.”

She Didn’t Realize Then That She was Learning the Life Skills She Would Eventually Use to Help Others

When Kristi left The GateHouse after treatment, she knew helping others in recovery was meant to be her life’s work. So, she went to school – studying alongside our Clinical Director of Outpatient Services, Kendrick Westmoreland.

“After school, I found my way back to The GateHouse,” she said. “They hired me, and I began working my way up. They gave me several opportunities to grow within the organization, including the chance to be a counselor.”

Breathing Life Back into Each Client by Giving Them a Voice

Addiction Treatment Clinical Director Kristi MartaranoToday, Kristi is the Clinical Director who oversees the programs at The GateHouse Mountville and The GateHouse Marietta. She’s still involved with counseling, running the Seeking Safety group meetings, and working with clients to get feedback on the programs offered by The GateHouse.

“I’m always looking for ways to better support our clients,” she said. “I give them a chance to provide input on the programs, suggest different activities, and listen to any other ideas they have about how we can best provide support.”

Intentionally listening to every one of her clients at The GateHouse is what’s allowed Kristi to make such a big impact in their recovery and their lives.

“When you’re struggling with addiction, you don’t have a voice,” she said. “There’s a stigma attached to addiction and no one cares what you have to say. In a lot of cases, our counselors are giving our clients a voice for the first time.”

She explained that when you have a voice, you feel alive and have hope.

“Whether you’re feeling scared, sad, happy, or experiencing any other emotion, the fact that you’re feeling an emotion means you’re alive,” she said. “I’m a part of a program that gave me life. And, now I get to breathe life back into others.”

During this year’s Extraordinary Give, please join us in ‘Giving Extra’ to our community members as they embark on their journey to recovery and to living healthy, meaningful lives.

 

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Open post From recovery house to The GateHouse, this isKendrick's recovery journey

‘Giving Extra’ by Creating Recovery Support for Others: Kendrick’s Recovery Story

Kendrick spent years living in a vicious cycle of addiction.

“I’d use and lose everything,” he said. “Then, I’d get my life back on track for a few months only to lose it all again.”

Today, Kendrick Westmoreland is the Clinical Director of Outpatient Services at The GateHouse. He also knows what it’s like to be a client at The GateHouse and at the beginning stages of the recovery journey.

His journey is as much a story of his dedication to rebuilding his life as it is his passion for helping others do the same.

From Living the Dream to Surviving a Relapse

When Kendrick moved to Atlanta, Georgia, he was ready to start fresh and break his addiction cycle. He found a great job, bought a house with his girlfriend, and started a family.

“I was living the dream,” he said.

Then, everything changed. One day while filling up at a gas station, Kendrick saw a man along the side of the building looking around.

“I knew that look,” he said. “He came over and asked how much I wanted. My life spiraled down from there.”

Kendrick lost his relationship, his home, and his children. He went from living his dream life to living in a pay-by-the-week micro-motel.

“I started getting high all day, every day,” he said. “I ran out of money and was terrified.”

He called home to ask for money. His mother said, ”no.” Instead, she bought him a bus ticket to return home.

“She told me I had two choices: either get on that bus and get help or stay in Atlanta and get what I get,” Kendrick said. “I got on the bus and within two weeks I was in an inpatient drug addiction treatment facility.”

Building a Foundation for Recovery

Kendrick spent 30 days in inpatient treatment. Then, he came to The GateHouse. The transition wasn’t easy.

“I’ll admit that I wasn’t the easiest client at The GateHouse. I was defiant,” he said. “I thought I knew more than I did and thought I was superior to my counselors.”

When he arrived, his counselors at The GateHouse gave him his welcome packet. He couldn’t bring himself to open it and do the work. It took him over a month to finally complete the packet, but once he did, he started to make progress. He started learning things about himself and his addiction.

“I couldn’t see it then, but The GateHouse helped me build the foundation for my ongoing recovery,” Kendrick said. “I learned the fundamentals. And, I met lifelong advocates, including my mentor and my now-colleagues at The GateHouse, Kristi and Cyndi. Once I left, everything started to fall into place.”

Kendrick Began the Long Trek Toward Recovery & Found Ways to Help Others

He spent the next year in a recovery house going to three meetings a day. He later found a job and life began to improve. He began to blossom.

Life at the recovery house, however, was rough. Rules seemed to apply to different people differently and the house lacked structure. Kendrick believed that had there been more structure, more people would be successful.

“My mentor at the time held me accountable and gave me the mental structure I needed to be successful,” he said. “I thought that if having structure helped me figure this all out, then maybe I could do the same for others.”

Eventually, he did.

Kendrick Went on to Open his Own Recovery House, Providing Structure to the Addiction Recovery Process

“I began looking for a building for my recovery house,” he said. “As chance would have it, I was living in an apartment below the recovery house I attended. During that time, the existing owner announced she was closing the facility. The recovery house would be empty, so I jumped on it. Suddenly, I had my house.”

Kendrick’s former mentor from The GateHouse found him after learning about his recovery house and began referring clients to him. The recovery house grew and things took off for Kendrick. He began working full time and started going to school, eventually graduating with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral and addiction services.

He ran his recovery house until getting a job at a treatment center in York as a counselor’s assistant under his mentor.

“I was constantly looking for opportunities for promotion,” Kendrick said. “I worked hard and ended up as the Director of Outpatient Services. I did that job for three years. Then, one day, I received a call from The GateHouse.”

Kendrick’s Journey Brought Him Back to The GateHouse to Help Even More Clients on Their Recovery Journey

Kendrick ended up returning to The GateHouse, this time as a member of the team helping clients establish the same foundation that he once received.

Today, as Clinical Director of Outpatient Services, he pulls lessons from his time in treatment and from running his recovery house to help guide clients at The GateHouse toward their recovery.

“I came to The GateHouse focused on growing our outpatient services and making sure our programs were sustainable,” he said. “This meant creating procedures and policies. It also meant making sure we were using evidence-based programs, interventions and practices.”

When he reflects on his journey from addiction to this point in his recovery journey, Kendrick points to The GateHouse as a turning point.

“The GateHouse helped save my life,” he said. “They gave me the skills and abilities to navigate the recovery process and the life skills and tools to help me grow up. And now, as a member of the team, The GateHouse has given me a chance to give back and help others like me.”

Our incredible team at The GateHouse gives everything they have to support our mission and put our clients on a path toward lifelong recovery.

During this year’s Extraordinary Give, please join us in ‘Giving Extra’ to our community members as they embark on their journey to recovery and to living healthy, meaningful lives.

 

GIVE EXTRA
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