At their open house and ribbon -cutting ceremony on January 8th, Avenues Recovery Center at South Bend welcomed local news station ABC 57 for an inside look at their new facility. Local journalist Annie Kate chatted with facility leadership as well as alumni, getting a feel for the vision and vibe of the new 120-bed facility.
Madeline Smous was among the first class of graduates of Avenues Recovery Center at South Bend, and graduated just a week before the official ribbon-cutting and open house of the facility.
"I was one of the first 16 people to come as a patient," she shared. "I spent 30 days here, and it's been a really great experience. This was actually my third time in treatment. I entered recovery seven years ago but relapsed last year, and the other two facilities I attended didn't really compare to what I learned at Avenues."
Madeline lived at the facility and attended individual and group therapy for 30 days. She now says she's in a better place.
"I just found peace in my recovery for the first time," she said. "I have a son that I get to go home to and be with, and I do a lot for him."
Avenues at South Bend had a soft launch in November and is now officially open. They are located next door to the troubled—and now shuttered—Praxis by Landmark Recovery facility. Praxis was shut down by the state after three patient deaths and multiple incidents of malpractice and abuse.
"When Praxis was here, we had multiple issues, not only with surrounding businesses but our neighborhoods close by," shared St. Joseph County Sheriff William Redman. "Our calls for service were so high."
Avenues Recovery Center at South Bend is the seventeenth location in the Avenues national network, and their fourth facility in the state of Indiana. They maintain that they are different than Praxis, and that difference will be proven by the quality of their treatment outcomes.
"Not all facilities are the same. We are run by a completely different entity. We have zero affiliation with the company next door. We have a different approach," said Nicole Smigielski, Avenues' Regional Supervisor of Community Outreach. "We are 'slow-rolling' our clients into our facility, which means that we are not taking our maximum capacity all at once. We are ensuring that we can keep our clients safe, and that our staff are trained."
"They have assured me that things are going to be done differently," Redman said.
Avenues staff and leadership is working to restore trust with the Mishawaka and South Bend communities. Lead Therapist Yessica Lawson says Avenues is meeting a massive local need.
"There is nobody in Michiana who is not affected by addiction, whether it be directly or indirectly," she said. "During treatment here, week one focuses on the physical symptoms, the detox; giving clients the time and space to heal. The second week is when the emotional part comes in, and it can be a little overwhelming. But weeks 3, 4 and on is when we really get to do the work of recovery."
Avenues Recovery Center at South Bend offers hope and healing from addiction with this new intensive inpatient resource.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, please reach our 24/7 at 260-800-6060 to speak to our skilled and friendly admissions representatives. Hope and healing are always possible, and you can find your way home today.