October 24, 2024

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, traumatic experiences such as violence, abuse, neglect, and family or social conflict is linked to the risk of developing a substance use disorder. That’s why it isn’t surprising that some of the young people who come to Mercy Home having had these experiences also struggle with substance abuse and seek help to overcome it.

Fortunately, we have outstanding clinicians at Mercy Home who are certified as Alcohol and Other Drugs counselors: Tim Devitt and Francisco Adame, (pictured with Alban Fisher and Joi Basley), and Edward Meredith.

“He’s been a great mentor on how to work with these kids who suffer from substance use issues,” Meredith said. He’s really good to learn [from about] how to best approach a certain youth, certain [substances], and how it impacts the body, the system, and how it interacts with medication.”

One approach the two therapists implement to help their clients decrease their drug and substance use is the harm reduction approach, which identifies their triggers, and allows the therapist to find new ways for them to cope.

In addition to using the harm reduction approach, Adame incorporates motivational interviewing.

“Motivational interviewing has many different approaches,” Adame said. “It means you’re approaching the client with compassion. You’re approaching them with empathy, [and] you’re trying to motivate them by identifying challenges.”

Adame has seen success with this approach. One of the youth he worked with was using drugs when he came to Mercy Home. Adame worked diligently with him, and ultimately, he stopped using them to make his mom proud.

Every year, Community Care has an event to celebrate and encourage those in active recovery. And last year, they welcomed two guest speakers who shared their story of addiction and how they overcame it.

Meredith believes its possible for our young people to change their life with the support of communities like Mercy Home.

“It’s very much possible with the help of a supportive network around you,” Meredith said.

We are so grateful for coworkers like Devitt, Adame, and Meredith who find dynamic solutions for our kids to heal, develop self-worth, and purpose.