By Matthew Paulding                             

As prescription drugs become more potent, and users form unique addictions from a multitude of drugs and alcohol, rehabilitation programs are staying ahead of the curve.              

Since 1967, Stutzman Addiction Treatment Center has provided care for people struggling with alcohol and drug problems.              

Stutzman is an inpatient residential rehabilitation program that can hold 33 live-in patients.  It provides group therapy and individual counseling.  The program typicallylasts two to four weeks, but some patients stay in excess of eight weeks.  

Stutzman has 30 counselors, most full-time, to give patients the private care they need.  Also, other counselors come in to conduct alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous meetings for patients and anyone else seeking help.              

The treatment program is free to all patients who are unable to pay, although those who can pay are subject to fees.  Stutzman patients come from a variety of sources, including detoxification programs, local hospitals such as Erie County Medical Center, and alcohol and drug dependency services.              

Buffalo State College lecturer Howard Henry worked at Stutzman from 1975 to 2001.  Group therapy seems to be the most effective treatment for people with addictions, Henry said.   

“Group therapy is where their fellow recovery persons can help each individual break through their denial about their addictions,” Henry said.  “They help them recognize that they have substance dependence, there is something they can do about it, and they help them find the courage to follow through.”

Family and friends are allowed to visit at the discretion of the counselors.  In some cases, a parent might have a baby or a young child stay with them at the facility. The family becomes involved in the rehabilitation process; not only do they support the patient; they participate in Stutzman’s family education series that helps them understand addiction and to develop their own recovery plan.              

It is difficult to gauge how successful treatment can be overall.  Counselors evaluate patients weekly, but addiction never ceases.  Some patients complete the program appearing to be healthy, but they relapse soon after; others fail the program or leave early, but they improve at another facility.              

Stutzman Director Susan Lisker believes we should view addiction as a disease; addicts may relapse, but it does not mean that they failed the program.              

“Our society thinks addicts get the cure and never use again,” Lisker said.  “I think that comes from a very stigmatized place in society.  Recovering addicts are always prone to using again.  We just hope that something we say or do will stick with them and maybe help them get through the relapse.”              

Stutzman is at 360 Forest Ave., next to the Buffalo Psychiatric Center.  The psychiatric center does not own Stutzman, but the two are linked.  They are known as co-located facilities, and the psychiatric center allows Stutzman patients to access their recreation room and provides their food.              

In their down time, patients have things to do.  The facility contains a recreation room and an occupational therapy room.  Patients watch movies, play board games, make crafts, exercise, play sports, and more.  Counselors also take patients out for group walks and to community outings such as museums and concerts.

Contact Matthew Paulding at Paulms75@mail.buffalostate.edu

Stutzman restricts patients from using tobacco during treatment