Beit T'Shuvah: The Evolution of Addiction Treatment
Beit T'Shuvah has announced their new medical director, the renowned Garrett O'Connor MD. Dr. O'Connor is one of the world's foremost authorities on addiction and recovery. The healing community of Beit T'Shuvah continues to grow and what was once touted "the last house on the block", has remarkably become the first.
Beit T’Shuvah, the Los Angeles based non-profit addiction treatment center, that integrates psychotherapy, Jewish principles and the 12 steps of AA has increasingly been making headlines and attracting national recognition. In the last few years, the 26-year-old organization has grown exponentially. They are currently in the midst of a 25 million dollar capital campaign, and have fundraised over 10 million dollars thus far.
Beit T’Shuvah is far different from the average treatment center. They attribute much of their success to the philosophy of "turning the problem into the solution." An impressive 80% of the staff are former residents of the program; a statistic that illustrates the value and vital nature of the work that the organization does. Last month, they announced their new medical director, Garrett O’Connor MD.
Dr. O’Connor, was both President of the Betty Ford Institute and Chief Psychiatrist at The Betty Ford Treatment Center. Beit T’Shuvah’s unique model for treatment of addiction is in direct alignment with Dr. O’Connor’s philosophies. During his tenure as President of the Betty Ford Institute, the consensus definition of addiction recovery was formed and has since been adopted in the US drug policy. Dr. O’ Connor is currently on his way to London for Europe’s largest conference of addiction treatment, UKESAD [the United Kingdom/European Symposium on Addictive Disorders}. He is scheduled to speak at both the opening plenary and has been asked to address the All-Party Parliamentary Drug Misuse UKESAD where founder, the Rt Hon Lord Mancroft, will chair. Dr. O'Connor will discuss the evidence base for 12-step recovery programs and community models of addiction treatment; a talk that is significantly based on his recognition of the success Beit T’Shuvah has had.
The once obscure small facility in downtown Los Angeles has evolved into nothing short of a movement that transcends treatment and produces cutting edge curriculum. Countless individuals seeking healing or a way to lead a more meaningful life have become a part of the community. Their use of both traditional and non-traditional treatment methods are proving to change stereotypes and stigmas that surround the growing epidemic of addiction.
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Founded in 1987 by Ms.Harriet Rossetto in downtown Los Angeles, the original mission was to provide transitional living and reentry services to Jewish men being released from jails and prisons. The program broadened in scope over the years to reach out to men and women struggling with a wide range of addictive behaviors. Now housed in a facility at 8831 Venice Blvd., Beit T’Shuvah is both a synagogue and a nationally recognized leader in the field of faith-based recovery. As Beit T’Shuvah celebrates its 26th year in existence one thing has remained constant – no person has ever been turned away due to their ability to pay.
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