Dawn Farm in the News - Part 2

Jim's comments made Salon too:

The Detroit Free Press was among the few who put Lohan's rather spectacular relapse in the context of real-life recovery. For one thing, relapse is common to begin with, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. "It's tough enough to recover from an addiction. To have to do it in a fishbowl, it's daunting," said Jim Balmer, president of Dawn Farm, a treatment center in Ypsilanti, Mich. "Celebrity stints in rehab centers often seem to be little more than public relations stunts, more geared toward rehabbing a star's image than dealing with an addiction. That doesn't help with public understanding of addiction recovery," the Freep added. (Some people also question the effectiveness of resortlike rehab centers; L.A.'s ABC affiliate pointed out that fancy digs are usually the only way to prune away excuses and lure celebrities in. That way they can't say, "I can't go there because it's a dump," said one facility director.) The Freep also makes clear that people don't leave treatment centers "cured." Rather, that's when the process of learning to manage their problem in the real world begins.

[hat tip: Jo]

Dawn Farm in the News

From the Detroit Free Press:

Lohan relapse typical, says addiction expert

July 25, 2007

BY CECILIA OLECK

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan's fresh-out-of-rehab relapse set tongues wagging and Internet message boards hopping Tuesday.

To many, the 21-year-old actress' arrest in Santa Monica, Calif., on suspicion of drunken driving and cocaine possession is yet another example of the shenanigans of the rich and famous. To others, it raises questions of the effectiveness of alcohol and drug treatment centers, as Lohan's recent woes come less than two weeks after the end of her second stint in a rehabilitation facility since January.

But those familiar with addiction and alcohol dependence say Lohan's troubles are similar to those of many others struggling with the diseases, including people in metro Detroit.

High-profile situations like Lohan's underscore how difficult dealing with an addiction can be, says Jim Balmer, president of Dawn Farm, a treatment center in Ypsilanti.

"It's tough enough to recover from an addiction. To have to do it in a fishbowl, it's daunting," he says.

Many of those recovering from addictions will relapse, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Most effective treatment programs usually use medication or behavioral therapy, or sometimes a combination of both, to help with recovery.

"A good treatment center should shine a bright light on the dishonesty, on the incongruities," says Balmer.

Celebrity stints in rehab centers often seem to be little more than public relations stunts, more geared toward rehabbing a star's image than dealing with an addiction. That doesn't help with public understanding of addiction recovery.

People don't leave treatment centers cured of addiction or alcoholism, says Balmer, but they can learn how to deal with their disease, which is influenced by both genes and lifestyle.

"People have to learn to change the way their brain responds," says Balmer. "They learn how to cope in healthier ways."

Some will turn to exercise or endorphin-boosting spicy foods. Many immerse themselves in 12-step communities for support.

Balmer says he hopes Lohan will find hope and help.

"I think people in the recovering community by and large feel sad for her," says Balmer. "A lot of people feel like it's one of our brethren that's suffering."

Contact CECILIA OLECK at 313-223-4286 or coleck@freepress.com.

Copyright © 2007 Detroit Free Press Inc.

Dawn Farm Friendship Tour 2007

Another summer and another wonderful visit from our wonderful friends and colleagues Japan. This is the 4th year in a row that they've visited and it has become one of the highlights of the year for us.

As usual, this year's group included addiction professionals, other health professionals, and recovering people. We spent the week touring our facilities, visiting Hutzel Hospital's high-risk pregnancy unit, and training them on the history of Dawn Farm, addiction 101, gender specific treatment, and our EDEN groups.

We also had a lot of fun at a Detroit Tigers game (Cleveland won. Boo!), the Ypsilanti 4th of July parade, Greektown, and a picnic at Dawn Farm.

We look forward to the Dawn Farm Friendship Tour 2008. (That's the name they've given their visits.)