Nicole Michaud, kneeling right, and friends pause during decorating the dining room. “I want to cheer up people who are going through a rough time,” says Nicole Michaud. With that thought in mind, the San Antonio interior designer asked her friend, Amanda Antonini, if there was something that she could do at La Hacienda for the Christmas season. Amanda, a … Read More
Programs Association Honors Rep. Andrew Murr
Photo: Ivonne Tapia, CEO of Aliviane, Inc, and Board President for Association of Substance Abuse Programs (ASAP) (left) and Eric Sanchez, CEO of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley and Immediate Past ASAP President (right) with Rep. Andrew Murr and Sherri Layton. District 53 State Representative Andrew Murr recently received the Association of Substance Abuse Programs (ASAP) … Read More
Carrying the Message is Important
Photo—Chris Raymer holds his 32-year chip. “Act as if what you do makes a difference. Why? Because it does.”–William James By Chris Raymer, Recovery Community Director Near the end of November 1934, Ebby Thatcher, an old school friend, visited Bill Wilson. Ebby was a terrible drunk who had finally gotten sober using the Spiritual principles of the Oxford Group. Ebby … Read More
Alumni Christmas Gatherings Start This Week
Dale, Sabine, Chris and Clay check the map for travel routes to alumni Christmas parties around the state Ten regional Christmas gatherings for La Hacienda alumni are scheduled around the state starting this week! For more information on each gathering, click on the city, listed in chronological order. Alumni or Business Development representatives who will be present are also named. … Read More
Thankful Knowing Who is in Charge
By Art VanDivier, Executive Director There are the usual things people say they are thankful for this season, but what about those who aren’t having such a good year? Is it possible to be thankful for both the good and bad things that are happening in our lives? When I was hired by La Hacienda back in 2002, I temporarily … Read More
’Tis the Season to Recover
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