Page 28 - Susan Taylor

McALISTER

INSTITUTE

OF SAN DIEGO

COUNTY

By Jeani Zuber Photo Credit: Jeani Zuber
McAlister Institute is a non-profit organization with multiple Regional children while the mother is in recovery. Teen Outpatient Treatment
Recovery Centers. It specializes in the compassionate care and Programs, including detox programs, which are very unique. The
treatment of individuals and families suffering from drug and/or McAlister Institute is the only facility in the State of California that of-
alcohol addiction. I arrived at the corporate office of the McAlister fers detox treatment to adolescents. In addition there is Adolescent
Institute with great anticipation. I was very excited to meet and talk Residential Housing Programs as well as programs for pregnant
to a person who, at age 24, was addicted to alcohol and who has women, ex-offenders, homeless men, and individuals dealing with
been sober for the past 57 years. She is a well- known pioneer in their co-occurring past as well as their current addictions. I asked
the field of recovery. I was greeted by a petite, energetic, down to her from her years of experience in this field what helps people the
earth and stylishly dressed woman. She warmly invited me into her most. Jeanne believes, “One thing all agencies have in common
office. The first thing she said was “I’ve been sober for 57 years and is that we only have a short period of time to help someone. So
I know what it takes to stay sober and I want to touch other people’s McAlister Institute’s whole thrust is to get a person hooked-up with
lives.” a lifetime support system. We are very particular about a person’s
Founded in 1977 by Jeanne McAlister, the McAlister Institute has after care. In recovery you have to find the support system that
earned recognition as one of San Diego County’s leading resources helps a person stay clean because alcohol and drugs are very in-
for helping people restore their lives and return to a more produc- sidious diseases. These addictions will come back around to haunt
you when a thought comes back into your mind to take a drink or do
28 tive and meaningful way of life. Jeanne McAlister remembers her drugs. You have to be on your guard the rest of your life.”
drinking days well, waking up after a black out and not knowing
where she had been the night before. Deep depression consumed Jeanne McAlister (in 2010) was the first Alcohol and Other Drug
her. Many times she had a recurring dream feeling like she was in (AOD) specialist to be named Mental Health Person of the Year for
a tunnel with an opening at the top, but it kept getting smaller and championing programs that address co-occurring disorders and
smaller. Jeanne would wake up screaming, recalling how she felt integrate substance abuse and mental health treatment. I asked her
during this nightmare, trapped and not able to get out of the tunnel. about receiving this award. Her response was, “What an honor it
She was afraid she was losing her mind and knew she had gone was personally as well as an honor to my field. It was the first time
over to the dark side of life. These occurrences brought her to a crit- in 25 years that someone was recognized representing Alcohol and
ical point: She had to make a decision to quit drinking and get her Other Drugs. Today people’s drug and alcohol use is much more
life back. She met a friend who introduced her to a recovery pro- complex. Our programs integrate the mental health aspect. Part of
gram where she had a new beginning. Jeanne states, “I overcame recovery is learning to forgive yourself. “
alcohol when it wasn’t really popular for women to actually admit Jeanne gives her phone number to everyone and you can call
they were alcoholics.” Not only was she a female, but she was the her on her cell phone anytime. This lady is truly exceptional! She
youngest out of only three women who were attending the recovery received a text message while being interviewed. She read it to me,
meeting. The rest were all men. On one occasion while she was in “My daughter overdosed and was revived; her friend was not so
one of the recovery meetings, a man pointed his finger at her and fortunate. Finding your cell phone number, she called you at seven
told her to go back out in the world and drink, since he had drank a.m. on a Sunday morning and you answered. You graciously
longer than she was old; she was 24 at that time. That kind of ridi- asked her to call back on Monday that you would find a bed for her.
cule was only one of many hurdles Jeanne had to overcome. She She came to your program for several months and completed it.
says, “I was so down and wanted so desperately to get out of the Next Thursday she celebrates her one year anniversary.” This text
way I was living. I fought and stayed in recovery. I recognized I was message deeply touched Jeanne. This is what she lives for, to help
in some kind of trouble. I didn’t know what it was but I knew my life others regain their lives.
and my way of thinking were messed up. Actually, it was horrible.” Jeanne’s granddaughter, Marisa Varond, works with McAlister In-
Jeanne states, “There is still a stigma about alcohol as well as stitute as their Director of Development. Marisa coordinates events
drugs; no one wants to talk about it. People rally behind curing for the Institute as well as other outreach programs. An upcoming
cancer and cancer awareness as well as other diseases, but our annual event Walk for Sobriety is scheduled for June 21, 2014.
disease kills just as many people. It affects just as many people Further details can be accessed at Walk for Sobriety.com. Marisa
if not more and yet no one ever mentions us until some famous also has utilized YouTube as a resource for McAlister Institute to
person dies of an overdose of drugs and alcohol.” educate and reach out to people seeking information about drug
The McAlister Institute (over the years) has developed and offers and alcohol addiction. As this attractive and charming young woman
25 programs that represent a complete continuum of care for the spoke with great admiration about her grandmother, she made a
prevention and treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction. These comment, “She will love you until you love yourself.”
programs have been tailored to meet the needs of individuals, fami- You can reach McAlister Institute at www.mcalisterinc.org to locate
lies, and communities that have been affected by substance abuse. a Regional Recovery Center near you or call their corporate office
They include Adult Outpatient and Adult Residential Programs; one at (619)442-0277.
of the first in the nation to provide housing for women and their