In This Issue:

Dilworth Center: A ‘FoRSE’ to be Reckoned With
Dilworth Center Launches New Outdoor, Experiential Therapy Program
Family Is Everything: The Leon Levine Foundation Invests in Dilworth Center’s Enhanced Family Program
Phenomenal Philanthropists: Ashley Wardell and Talea Sturdivant
Did You Miss It? Dilworth Center’s 2021 Gratitude Report
Dilworth Center Earns 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency
Dilworth Center & the Charlotte Knights: A Winning Team!
Dilworth Center Key Club
The 6th Annual Christina Browning ‘Key to Recovery’ Scholarship Breakfast
Outdoor Therapy

Dilworth Center: A ‘FoRSE’ to be Reckoned With

Treatment works. I can prove it.

 

“What is your success rate?” This is a question I’ve been asked countless times over the years regarding the effectiveness of addiction treatment at Dilworth Center. One answer can be found in measuring the outcomes of people’s treatment experiences. For example, of those who have successfully completed treatment at Dilworth Center, how many are clean and sober one year following discharge? Can this be measured? The short answer is, absolutely. 

The medical community has always done a good job in determining what type of treatment works the best for various diseases. For example, if you developed diabetes, you physician would be able to tell you precisely what treatment will work the best for you and why. Unfortunately, this type of data has historically been absent in the field of addiction treatment. This research gap has created uncertainty in the minds of medical professionals and consumers alike when deciding where to go to get help. All that is now changing. 

Dilworth Center is currently involved in one of the most important research projects our field has ever known. The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) has launched the Foundation for Recovery Science and Education (FoRSE) that is measuring treatment outcomes across the entire country. Currently, we have 54 treatment centers across 20 states participating in the FoRSE Treatment Outcomes Program as Data Sites. Our goal is to have hundreds more, all measuring treatment outcomes in a standardized, uniform, and replicable format. Dilworth Center was the first outpatient treatment center in the country to join in this historic effort. 

For the first time, medical professionals will now be able to say, based upon valid research, what type of treatment works the best in achieving long-term, robust recovery. Components of treatment (i.e. group therapy, family therapy, 12-Step facilitation) will be more effectively measured. Treatment centers will be able to compare their programs to others and improve their programing based upon the data. Treatment can then be can be more individualized to meet the specific needs of patients and families.

 All of this means that treatment programs across the country will improve and more people will get well. The legitimacy of addictions treatment will be bolstered in the minds of helping professionals and of those seeking help. More people than ever will begin realize what many of us have known for a very long time. That is, that treatment works. 

The difference now, is that we can prove it. 

*Dilworth Center’s cutting-edge Outcomes Measurement Program (OMP) received a second renewal grant from the Mecklenburg ABC Board this Spring. The OMP continues to yield valuable data and insight to strengthen our treatment program. Until now, there has been no centralized and standardized measurement system for treatment outcomes, unlike other health care fields. A nation-wide view will yield a much more valuable quality assessment of our treatment success. We look forward to sharing with you the specifics of Dilworth Center’s treatment outcomes in future issues of our newsletter. Stay tuned!

“The importance of this work cannot be overstated. At a time when our country’s addiction crisis continues to worsen, we must be engaged in the business of rigorous scientific study that will identify long lasting solutions. ” Charles Odell, CEO, Dilworth Center

Charles Odell

Charles Odell is the CEO and President of Dilworth Center. Charles also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.

Dilworth Center Launches New Outdoor,

Experiential Therapy Program

Outdoor Therapy

With the support of a grant from the Mecklenburg ABC Board, Dilworth Center recently began offering a new Outdoor, Experiential Therapy to its existing treatment program. Both patients and families will benefit from this component of treatment. Outdoor therapy takes place at Greatwoods Nature, a non-profit 28-acre natural forest preserve located in eastern Mecklenburg County. 

Outdoor Experiential Therapy provides an alternative environment for psychodynamic group therapy that is an essential part of our addiction treatment. This outdoor program puts group members into a setting with new, basic challenges they face together and require teamwork, trust, and communication. Interventions include achieving specific wilderness survival goals and using 

fun activities to stimulate and learn. Group members discover new ways to deal with relationships, communication and emotional management in recovery. The utilization of this experiential therapy provides basic, outdoor scenarios that require group members to participate and evaluate their actions. They learn healthier ways to deal with challenges and opportunities in a sober life outside of treatment.

“This is a new project for the Dilworth Center. Outdoor experiential therapy is evidence-based and perfectly aligns with our current, focused treatment approach. It also adds a more impactful, observable and fun treatment component that significantly strengthens our treatment overall.” Tammy Hanson, COO, Dilworth Center

Family Is Everything: The Leon Levine Foundation Invests in Dilworth Center’s Enhanced Family Program

Family programs for recovery

The Leon Levine Foundation has partnered with Dilworth Center for a second year to support our Enhanced Family Program. Addiction is a disease that impacts the entire family system. It is therefore important that all family members have an opportunity to gain information and knowledge about the disease. Dilworth Center offers a comprehensive Family Program at no charge for family members of our patients so that they may begin their own journey of healing from the impact of addiction. Dilworth Center also offers a separate introductory education on addiction and its impact for family members ages 7-14. This extensive array of support maximizes the potential for successful long-term recovery for the patient while teaching family members how to support their loved one in recovery. 

Dilworth Center offers a comprehensive, 16-18 week Family Program at no charge for family members of our patients so that they may begin their own journey of healing from the impact of addiction. The overall strategy of the Family Program is to educate family members regarding the disease of addiction; work through family disagreements and related issues; and increase healthy family communication patterns. Families learn to work through the chaos they have experienced, set healthy boundaries and rebuild trusting relationships. 

The program is comprised of group therapy, educational lectures and family conjoint sessions. Families have access to over 160 hours of free treatment for themselves, resulting in improved patient outcomes as well as improved family systems. We also offer telehealth format for those family members not in close proximity to Charlotte. These family services are critical in helping patients and their families maintain robust recoveries. 

Benefits of family counseling include greater awareness about feelings and behaviors and how these may contribute to substance abuse; healthy stress coping devices; tools to improve the quality of a relationship, including healthy communication skills; education on codependence and behaviors that may enable addiction; greater understanding about addiction as a family disease and necessary components of a healthy family system that deters substance abuse and motivates recovery; lowered risks of passing on addiction to future generations; lowered risk of relapse; and reduction in co-occurring mental illness that affects nearly half of all people with addiction and is closely lined with substance abuse. 

Without treatment for both the addicted person and family members, the cycle of deeply ingrained patterns may not be broken and relapse can occur. Similar to a business trying to optimize its success, family treatment is vital in assisting those suffering from addiction achieve long-term recovery.

“The benefits I have received from Dilworth Center’s Family Program have been essential, not only to my son’s recovery, but the recovery of our entire family.”   Ana K., Family Member

Phenomenal Philanthropists: Ashley Wardell and Talea Sturdivant

 

Social media fundraising provides a powerful opportunity to be a ‘key to recovery’ in our community! Recently, two community members did just that to support Dilworth Center’s mission to provide effective and affordable treatment services for individuals and families affected by alcoholism and drug addiction.

 

Ashley Wardell

For Ashley Wardell, sobriety has been an incredible gift that she wants to pay forward and she credits Dilworth Center for being there for her when she was ready to get sober.  For her 50th birthday, she recently created a birthday fundraiser on Facebook to benefit Dilworth Center knowing the money raised could help others seeking treatment find a new way of life. With her help, she raised over $2,000 for the Center! She is grateful to the many friends and family, near and far, who contributed. 

“I am especially grateful to Dilworth Center – the counselors gave me recovery tools, compassion and understanding to help me pave the road to a successful life without alcohol.  I’ll be celebrating 6 years of sobriety on June 10th…I couldn’t have done it without them!”  Alumnus, Ashley Wardell

 

Talea Sturdivant

For Talea’s 30th birthday, she created a Facebook fundraiser highlighting Dilworth Center’s mission and services in honor of her brother that has struggled for years with alcoholism. She enjoys organizing fundraisers, gathering family and friends for volunteer opportunities and sharing information about non-profits so people she cares about know where to reach out for help. Talea and her supporters helped raise over $1,200 to support Dilworth Center’s mission! 

“My inspiration behind this fundraiser was my passion in healthcare – I want my friends and family to be aware of nonprofits in our community like Dilworth Center that provide critical resources to our community.”  Talea Sturdivant, Community Member

Want to create a Facebook fundraiser for Dilworth Center? Try these links!

 Desktop:

https://www.facebook.com/fund/DilworthCenter/

 Mobile:

https://m.facebook.com/fundraiser/with_presence/create_dialog/?default_beneficiary_id=DilworthCenter

Did You Miss It? Dilworth Center’s 2021 Gratitude Report

Dilworth Center is grateful to be a part of such a caring community.  We exist to treat addiction and save lives. Your support enables us to continue to provide the highest level of addiction treatment services to all those struggling with substance use disorders in our community. The ongoing effects of the pandemic will be felt on the addiction epidemic for a long time. More people than ever before are reaching out for the strength and comfort of Dilworth Center’s services. Your support ensures that those searching for recovery will find it at our doors.

Thank you for your steadfast generosity and trust. You are a KEY to Recovery!

Dilworth Center 2021 Gratitude Report

 

VIEW 2021 GRATITUDE REPORT

Dilworth Center Earns 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency

Candid 2022 Platiunum Transparency

Candid platinum transparency 2022

We’re excited to share that our organization has earned the 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid! Check out our #NonprofitProfile to learn more and make a difference with your support:

https://www.guidestar.org/Profile/56-2130300

DONATE TODAY

Dilworth Center & the Charlotte Knights: A Winning Team!

Dilworth Center recently teamed up with the Charlotte Knights for a night of hope and mental health awareness! The event provided community members an opportunity to get to know leading local mental health providers. Dilworth Center was proud to sponsor a night of fun, fellowship and fireworks!

Charlotte Knights Mental Health Night with Dilworth Center

Dilworth Center’s Director of Business Development, Margaret Larrea, and counselors Dakeita Staton and Todd McLean hangin’ out with Homer, the Charlotte Knights mascot.

Dilworth Center Key Club

Dilworth Center is grateful for program alumni who wish to serve as volunteers to help bridge the gap between treatment and life in recovery for current patients. Known as the Key Club, members are peer mentors for those in treatment and thereafter, providing connection, fellowship and service with regular, communal events. 

The mission of the ‘Key Club’ is to support the successful, long-term recovery for patients and alumni of Dilworth Center.

Dilworth Center Key Club

 

Key Club meetings are Twelve-Step oriented. Whether you are just beginning your journey or thriving in long-term recovery, we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meeting.

Come join us Tuesdays 8pm – 9pm at Dilworth Center Auditorium!

 

JOIN US! | 9.8.22 | 8AM | STREAMING LIVE

The 6th Annual Christina Browning ‘Key to Recovery’ Scholarship Breakfast

The 6th Annual Christina Browning ‘Key to Recovery’ Scholarship Breakfast

Mark your calendar! Dilworth Center’s 6th Annual Christina Browning ‘Key to Recovery’ Scholarship Breakfast will take place Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Quail Hollow Club. Dilworth Center is honored to present Chef Sam Diminich as this year’s keynote speaker. You may not know Chef Diminich but there’s a good chance you’ve tasted his food.

Named Charlottean of the Year in 2020 by Charlotte Magazine, Diminich has cooked at many of the top restaurants in Charlotte; experienced national fame on Food Network’s ‘Beat Bobby Flay’; is the personal chef for Panther’s running back Christian McCaffrey; the owner of the successful meal delivery service Your Farms, Your Table; and plans to open Restaurant Constance, named after his daughter, later this year.

Diminich will share his incredible struggle with drugs and alcohol in the underbelly of the food and beverage industry and take us on a journey which truly displays the power of addiction. Those who are fortunate enough to hear him will not soon forget his incredible story of despair, inspiration and hope.

Proceeds from Dilworth Center’s only major fundraiser support the Christina Browning Scholarship Fund which diminishes financial barriers to treatment, allowing addicted individuals and their families to receive support and achieve recovery.

RSVP for ‘Key to Recovery’ Streaming Event

Donate to this Scholarship Fund

Current Sponsors:

Dilworth Center Breakfast Event Sponsors Recovery Treatment

Dilworth Center Breakfast Event Sponsors Recovery Treatment

 Dilworth Center Breakfast Event Sponsors Recovery Treatment

Dilworth Center Breakfast Event Sponsors Recovery Treatment