Getting sober and staying that way is hard. Chris Raymer, our Recovery Community Director, knows; he’s been there. “I spent seven years trying to get sober–meetings, therapy, meds, church–nothing seemed to work consistently,” says Chris. “I’m always amazed me how some folks seem to get well so quickly, while some of us continued to struggle.” For him, the answer came … Read More
Alumni Support Staff on the Road in August
Our Alumni Support Representatives will be on the road meeting with former patients in Fort Worth, Tyler, College Station, Austin, Houston and Midland this month. Sabine Kuenzel will be in Fort Worth on Tuesday, Aug. 13; in Tyler on Wednesday, Aug. 14; and in College Station, on Thursday, Aug. 15, for the regular alumni meetings in those cities. The Tyler … Read More
Helping Young Adults Through Treatment and Scholarships
Photo: Sherri Layton and Sierra Castedo de Martell hold the ARHE Philanthropist of the Year Award presented to La Hacienda during a ceremony at Boston’s Fenway Park. For young people in their late teens and early twenties with their adult lives ahead of them, recovery means a chance to fulfill dreams. That’s why helping them recover from substance use disorders … Read More
Kratom: Not Worth the Risks
The unregulated drug known as kratom is in the news as the general public, scientists, and health officials debate its benefits versus its risks. Dr. Katie McQueen of the La Hacienda medical staff urges potential users to refrain from taking this “natural” drug until more scientific research is done to prove what it does and in what form or dose … Read More
Get Out and Find Excitement in Life
By Chris Raymer Hardly a day goes by that I don’t talk to a friend in recovery or an alumnus that’s gotten to a bad spot. Folks in early sobriety often struggle with feelings of discontent. Sometimes it looks like anxiety, sometimes it presents itself as boredom. However it looks, its uncomfortable. We all have bad days. I’m not talking … Read More
Working the La Hacienda Night Shift
Photo: Night Charge Nurse Joe Trejo on the steps to the Special Care Unit. As the sun sets and the Hill Country darkens, human activity winds down at La Hacienda. In the Special Care Unit, a smaller nighttime crew replaces the daytime nursing staff. From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. they tend to patients in the detox unit and respond … Read More
Alumni Reps Coming to a Group Near You in July
Photo: Alumni Support Representatives Dale Trees and Sabine Kuenzel. Alumni support representatives will be out and about during July. Dale Trees will meet with the Fort Worth alumni group on Tuesday, July 9, at 7 p.m. in the La Hacienda Community Outreach Office, 4255 Bryant Irving Rd., Suite 109. The following week, Sabine Kuenzel will attend two East Texas alumni … Read More
Hobbies in Recovery are Rewarding in Many Ways
Photo: Jeremy Sosa, second from left, with the cast and crew of Playhouse 2000’s production of The Pretty Trap. (Photo courtesy Playhouse 2000) As with many people in recovery, Jeremy Sosa was looking for a hobby, something to keep him busy. He’d done theater work as a youth, so the La Hacienda Business Development Specialist stopped by Kerrville’s community theater, … Read More
Dr. James Boone to Talk in Kerrville about Addiction
Dr. James Boone will speak on “Is Addiction a Disease? Substances, Gambling, Food, Sex and Technology –Why Can’t They Just Stop?” during a free public lecture in Kerrville starting at 6 p.m. Monday, July 1 in the auditorium at Kerrville Church of Christ, 1900 Loop 534. Dr. Boone, the Medical Director at La Hacienda, has practiced addiction medicine with his … Read More
Dr. McQueen Teams with Her Legendary Father
Photo: Dr. Katie McQueen, second from left, with her father, attorney Michael Tigar, third from left. Also in photo are Jeremy Sosa, left, and Cade Saurage, right, of the La Hacienda staff. In a “once in a lifetime presentation” — fittingly made on Father’s Day weekend — Dr. Katie McQueen of our medical staff teamed with her father, famous defense … Read More