Page 8 - Our Hands Spring 2020

CHILD AND FAMILY

Samaritas Expands Services with

New Substance Use Disorder Program

Services to begin immediately in Eaton counties, expand across Michigan, including therapeutic,
recovery and medicated treatment and professional training

e are expanding our commitment to positive change in conjunction with intensive counseling, case management and
for Michigan communities to include Substance recovery coaching.
WUse Disorders (SUD) treatment services, while also
addressing the opioid crisis with new community resources. “Last year, the Michigan Department of the Attorney General
identified opioids, both prescribed and illicit, as one of the main
Samaritas’ comprehensive SUD treatment program will be a stand- drivers of overdoses in Michigan, costing the state significant
alone service area, as well as integrated into the organization’s existing resources in crime prevention, treatment and rehabilitation,” said
programs. Services will begin immediately in Eaton county, but the Beals. “But more important than the cost to the state is the desperate
program will expand to reach all of the organization’s service regions. need for resources that will allow individuals and families to put
their lives back together. With our reach in the state,
“Though Samaritas has developed the largest we are confident we can create a ripple effect of
continuum of community-based services in “Substance use transformation in our communities.”
Michigan, with the public health crisis that is treatment is an urgent
substance use disorders, we determined a gap in need in our state, Anthony Muller M.A., L.P.C., CAADC, CCS,
our services. Substance use treatment is an urgent impacting many of SPADA, who joined Samaritas in January 2020,
need in our state, impacting many of those we those we serve in will serve as vice president of SUD services. In this
serve in profound ways,” said Sam Beals, CEO of profound ways.” role, he will oversee program development, contract
Samaritas. “The launch of our new comprehensive negotiations and the establishment of partnerships
Substance Use Disorder treatment services, managed Sam Beals – including with courts, Michigan Department of
by talented and experienced team leader Anthony CEO of Samaritas Health and Human Services county offices, schools,
Muller, will allow us to meet this need in meaningful health systems and SUD direct services providers –
ways for individuals and their families.” across the state.

Samaritas’ SUD program is built on an intensive model to allow “Samaritas’ Substance Use Disorders treatment services will be
individuals the ability to remain living at home and learning to available for individuals who struggle with these challenges,” said
live within their communities in a healthy way while receiving Muller. “Our goal is not only to alleviate the suffering of individuals
treatment. Individuals can receive intervention multiple days per facing this growing epidemic, it is also to become a leader in offering
week, complemented by significant therapeutic support and the training resources to other organizations so we can improve and save
development of goals and hope. more lives across the state.”

The SUD treatment services program is built on research-proven
techniques for adolescents and adults and includes:
Anthony Muller M.A., L.P.C., CAADC, CCS, SPADA
• Motivational interviewing to help individuals overcome internal has worked in the behavioral health field for
ambivalence. 23 years. Anthony has specialized in the
• Cognitive behavioral therapy to: change unhelpful thoughts, treatment and development of programs
beliefs and behaviors; develop coping skills; manage emotions and to serve those with Substance Use
triggers; and overcome trauma. Disorders. He has a long history of substance use disorder
developing a wide variety of behavioral
• Dialectical behavior therapy to manage emotions and thoughts.
health programs in 10 different counties
• Skills building support to manage immediate and present working with multiple funders. He is an
traumatic symptoms by establishing healthy relationships, coping experienced trainer with local, statewide,
mechanisms for triggers, boundaries and knowledge on how to ask national and international training In an effort to combat the serious public health crisis of substance abuse,
for help. experience. Anthony’s hobbies include
landscaping, swimming and coaching soccer. Samaritas is proud to launch Substance Use Disorder Services.
The program will also offer recovery coaching, recovery coach
interventions and case management. Medication assisted treatment He and his wife, Mandy, have been married for 23 years.
will be available for individuals struggling with Opioid Use Disorder, They have four sons ages 17, 14, and twin 10 year olds.
Contact: Anthony Muller, Vice President of Substance Use Disorder Services

8 AMull@samaritas.org | (616) 516 - 9985 9