www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 9 Beating addiction is a lifelong, often arduous journey, but, thanks to a partnership between the MUSC Wellness Center and Lantana Recovery of Charleston, that journey is filled with hope for many people. The partnership enables participants who have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder to belong to a community of people committed to healthier habits rather than damaging addictions to alcohol, drugs and an array of other dependencies. Participants, who tend to be between the ages of 18 and 30, come to the Wellness Center and participate in team sports, walk the track, shoot hoops, play pickleball, take yoga classes and work with a nutritionist. The rooftop, with all the fresh air and sunshine it brings, is a welcome relief as well. “The Healthy Habits Program is many beautiful things,” said Sheila Dawson, a personal trainer who co-leads the program with Galen Bennett and experts from Lantana Recovery, including Warren Phillips, its co-founder. “I love seeing their lights shine as participants enjoy team sports or are just having fun in general.” Each day, the Wellness Center portion of the program usually begins with the group gathering for deep breaths and serenity prayers. After Dawson talks to participants about the importance of gratitude, everyone splits off to enjoy the Center’s resources that thrill them the most. Later, the group reconvenes to talk about healthy habits and what they enjoy most at the Center and to share what they are thankful for. Lantana Recovery brings comprehensive clinical treatment to the Healthy Habits partnership. Each participant has an individualized treatment team consisting of a therapist and a peer support specialist who acts as a case manager, as well as a medical professional. Participants also benefit from diverse treatment modalities, including various holistic and experiential therapies. “Outside of our clinical programming, clients are introduced to multiple pathways that can serve as continued support after completion of treatment,” Phillips said. “Some of these pathways include 12-step recovery, Christian-based support groups, Buddhist-based support groups, SMART (Self-Management And Recovery Training) Recovery and a variety of exercise and holistic wellness activities.” “Usually, folks attach to several paths, and the MUSC Wellness Center is a huge piece of the puzzle,” he added. The shared goal of the Wellness Center and Lantana is to give participants hope and long-term recovery. “We want to create a space where individuals can achieve personal and professional growth, self-discovery, confidence, self-reliance, resiliency and independence,” said Phillips. Lantana clients who participate in Healthy Habits are outpatient – or day – clients, as well as full-time clients who live in recovery residences that include 24/7 mentorship. Lantana provides transportation to and from the Wellness Center, as well as supervision. “It’s not uncommon for Lantana clients to schedule times at the Center beyond planned programming to use the gym a few nights a week,” Dawson explained. The Lantana-MUSC Wellness Center partnership is a win-win for people who need hope as they fight addiction, Dawson and Phillips noted. “We do a lot of research and check data often,” Phillips added. “This partnership is a real, viable solution for people in recovery. Outcomes have improved significantly because of this partnership.” ◆ By Lisa Moody Breslin HEALTHY HABITS HOPE BLOSSOMS HERE Learn more: Sheila Dawson - [email protected] Warren Phillips - [email protected]
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