Rehab facility makes UNITE presentation

Isaiah House President Michael Cox addressed the Whitley County UNITE Coalition Monday afternoon.

Members of the Whitley County UNITE Coalition heard from a representative of a Willisburg rehabilitation facility Monday that utilizes an electrotherapy device to ease withdrawal symptoms for clients.

Isaiah House President Michael Cox was the keynote speaker for Monday’s monthly Whitley County UNITE Coalition meeting, which was held at the Whitley County Health Department.

One unique aspect of the program is that it utilizes NeuroElectric Therapy, which is a form of Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation that eases withdrawal symptoms.

“Basically, it stimulates the neurotransmitters to start producing dopamine or serotonin that is the good feeling chemicals in our brain. Those transmitters have been hijacked because of their addiction,” Cox noted. “It has just been an incredible device. They wear the device for three, four or five days. It doesn’t take it all away. I have asked guys if it helps. Many of them say it reduces it down to a third of the withdrawal symptoms.”

Isaiah House opened in 1999. It is a Christ-centered 72-bed men’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that takes a holistic approach and tries to address every area of life. The program is nationally accredited, joint-commission accredited and state licensed.

It offers a 100-day program that is utilized by many people paying with vouchers from Operation UNITE, but it also has an eight-month residential program that includes three additional months of follow-up counseling.

Isaiah House has been partnering with Operation UNITE for about 10 years.

Isaiah House also runs a 30-day 16-bed treatment facility for Medicaid only patients. Cox noted that the reason for this is Medicaid will only pay for 30 days of treatment and won’t pay at facilities larger than 16 beds.

About 48 percent of the Isaiah House clients are court-ordered, and 76 percent of clients completing the program have not re-offended legally.

Also during Monday’s meeting, Whitley County UNITE Coalition President Amber Owens noted that the take home oral drug testing kits that Unite Coalition partners started handing out recently have proven to be a big hit. The Williamsburg Police Department alone has already distributed about 50 kits to parents.

In addition, Owens noted that sponsors are still needed for Camp UNITE, which is held annually at the University of the Cumberlands.

UNITE, which stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigation, Treatment, and Education, holds free, weeklong camps annually to educate young people on how to say no to drugs and how to make wise decisions through life.

Last year 192 children participated. This year the camp will be held July 26-29.

In order to attend the free camp, a student must have completed either the sixth, seventh or eighth grade this past year.

Owens noted that not many Whitley County children have taken part in the program but efforts are being made to change that through working with local schools.

The deadline for applications to Camp UNITE is July 1, but officials noted those interested in attending should apply as quickly as possible because the camp fills up early.

For more information about attending Camp UNITE or being a sponsor, contact Owens at 549-6000.

Next month’s Whitley County UNITE Coalition meeting will take place on June 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the basement of the Whitley County Health Department in Williamsburg.