Few Christmas wish lists include spending the holidays in treatment for addiction, but some should, says Dr. James Boone, Director of Medical Services at La Hacienda. “When I started working here in November 2004, I had little personal experience with persons suffering from addiction. Going into that first holiday season, I remember thinking, ‘Gosh, I would hate to be away … Read More
Celebrating New Life in Recovery Through Baptism
Clay Eaton smiles after performing baptisms at La Hacienda’s riverfront on the beautiful Guadalupe River. In the Christian faith, baptism is the act of committing one’s life to Jesus Christ. It is also recognition of the start of a new life. Both meanings are relevant to the sacrament as practiced at La Hacienda. Shortly after noon on Wednesdays, a dozen … Read More
Chris Raymer to Lead Amarillo Workshop
Recovery Community Director Chris Raymer will lead a Sobriety for Keeps workshop for alumni and the recovery community on Saturday, Nov. 9, at First Christian Church in Amarillo. The event, which is open to anyone in recovery, is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. in the church’s Snodgrass Hall with fellowship and then the workshop at 6 p.m. The church … Read More
Digital Addiction Creating a Looming Crisis
Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, Ph.D. (center) was at La Hacienda Solutions in Austin recently to talk about Tech Addiction. Business Development Representative David Hutts is at left. Allowing a generation of children to get hooked on technology—around-the-clock use of smartphones and other devices, especially for games—is “priming their brains for drug addiction,” says Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, Ph.D. “We’re compromising their ability … Read More
Staff Flu Vaccination Day Sets New Record
Evening Counselor Ed Johnson holds up his sleeve as Nurse Cara Thomas prepares to give him a flu vaccination. A little stick is better than being seriously sick. Sixty-three La Hacienda staff members who agree with that philosophy received their annual free flu vaccinations on Thursday, Oct. 17, during Flu Fest 2019. “We beat last year’s record of 57 and … Read More
Flowering Hope for Recovery
The bright yellow blossoms of an Esperanza bush outside the Dining Room at La Hacienda Treatment Center. La Hacienda’s 40-acre Texas Hill Country campus is naturally attractive, and over the years management and grounds crews have worked to enhance that asset. In addition to the beauty of the cedar and oak covered hills, hardy and colorful native plants are strategically … Read More
Globe Life Park Closes, but Recovery Softball May Return
Photo: Cade Saurage, Director of Utilization Review and Strategic Partnerships, with Tzvi Heber, CEO of Ascendant New York, at Globe Life Park in 2018. When the Texas Rangers played their final game in Globe Life Park on Sunday, Sept. 29, it held a special meaning for addiction treatment professionals around the region. For three years, 2016 to 2018, the Rangers … Read More
Tech Addiction Talk is October 11 at Solutions in Austin
La Hacienda Solutions in Austin will host a presentation on Tech Addiction: Clinical Impacts and Treatment by Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, Ph.D., on Friday, Oct. 11. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. at the Solutions office, 11110 Metric Blvd., Building Braker 8, Suite B, Austin, 78758. Kardaras is a licensed psychotherapist, author, consultant and lecturer in … Read More
Working Together for Our Patients
Photo: Utilization Review Specialist Ryan McBride, Case Manager Dana Muhlberg, and Continuing Care Coordinator Linda Bertel share information which will help guide a patient toward a successful recovery after leaving La Hacienda. Rounding out the monthlong observance of Recovery Month and its theme, “Together We Are Strong,” let’s look at how the La Hacienda staff collaborates to best serve the … Read More
Family Program Helps Heal Families
PHOTO: Family Program Director Martin Garcia explains the guidelines for a communication exercise between patients and relatives, a part of Family Week at La Hacienda. Alcoholism and addiction affect not just the patient but also their families. But just as they can be negatively impacted by the disease, family members can also help make sustained recovery more likely. They are … Read More