Arms Acres provides spring training for real life

 

Members of the Arms Acres administrative team met last week to discuss upcoming plans. The team includes (l-r standing) Barbara Klein, Sandra Lippman, George Ryer, Karen Palmeiro and Naura Slivinsky. Seated for the meeting were (l-r) Frank Farias, Joanne Elliott and 
John 0'Connor.

 CARMEL - It all started 19 years ago when the late Winifred Arms, cigar and all, announced the opening of Arms Acres, a residential facility dedicated to the treatment of chemical dependency.

Situated on 54 acres off Seminary Hill Road in Carmel, Arms Acres has grown during its nearly two decades of service by providing a wide variety of rehabilitative assistance that includes detoxification services, adult services, adolescent services, behavioral healthcare services, outpatient services as well as counseling and relapse prevention.

John O'Connor, adult program director, said Arms Acres was not a protective environment. "People recover here on real life's terms. Our patients see the news. There is outside communication with family, friends and co‑workers. Our patients face all of life's stresses. They receive a foundation. It’s like spring training for real life. Patients leave here and are ready to go back to the big leagues."

Frank Farias, associate executive director of Arms Acres, said the facility has grown as a result of the need for services. "Our out-patient clinic recently received state certification to service not only alcoholics but substance abusers as well," he said.

Mr. Farias said while numbers of out‑patients continue to increase, in‑patient therapy provided by the staff at Arms Acres remains as the institution's prime goal.

"When someone is admitted as an in-patient, the same procedures are followed as though a patient was admitted to Putnam Hospital Center for emergency surgery. At Putnam Hospital, a patient is assessed, medical procedures are performed and the patient remains in the hospital for a couple of days until enough strength is gained so the patient can return home. When someone is admitted as an in‑patient at Arms Acres, that person is assessed while a needs determination is made. Once the person reaches a point where he is medically stable, he is placed into a rehabilitation program for additional therapy," said Mr. Farias.

Average in‑patients stay at Arms Acres anywhere from 14 to 28 days.

Arms Acres contains 129 beds, which includes 25 detoxification beds, 84 adult rehabilitation beds and 20 adolescent beds. "A week doesn't go by when we are pretty much full," said Mr. Farias.

Naura Slivinsky, regional coordinator of Arms Acres, described chemical dependency as a disease with "far reaching and often tragic effects. Individuals who abuse alcohol and drugs endanger themselves and others, often without knowing, it. Over time, these individuals see their significant relationships with family, friends and fellow workers break down. Desperate attempts to maintain the addiction often lead to financial and legal problems."

Ms. Slivinsky said many individuals seeking recovery are "so overwhelmed by their problems that they can't take the first steps necessary for sobriety. Entering a safe and structured rehabilitative program enables them to focus on their recovery while receiving medical care, counseling and education."

Ms. Slivinsky said patients need help with identification of a "self blame and shame philosophy. Our goal is to find successful ways of keeping our patients to remain clean and sober once treatment is concluded so they can succeed in their everyday life."

Sandra Lippman, program director of the detoxification unit, said the majority of patients served at Arms Acres come from New York City, Connecticut and New Jersey although there is a substantial number from the immediate area.

Barbara Klein, director of nursing, said the acuity level and health needs of patients have gotten more severe over the years. "Patients are admitted with more and more health concerns. They have been out on the streets longer and come in here a lot more debilitated than they were. a few years back. Due to managed care, patients aren't staying as long as they once did. Despite this, we never compromise a patient's care," she said.

While Arms Acres continues to expand with the needs of the community, it’s adolescent outpatient services has grown in dramatic proportions.

George Ryer Executive Director of Out-Patient Services , said the adolescent afterschool program has 30 young people enrolled in the three-day a week seminar which runs form 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

We provide group counseling as well as individual services along with substance abuse education. One night a week is set aside for a family support group," he said.

The teenagers enrolled reside throughout Putnam, northern Westchester and southern Dutchess counties.

Mr. Ryer called adolescent drug abuse a "serious problem. Besides from tobacco, alcohol is the gateway drug. Young adults today are experimenting more and more and unfortunately are getting hooked."

Mr. Ryer said young people are taught that "prolonged use of alcohol and other drugs may cause heart disease, cognitive impairment, liver damage, birth defects and even death. We are talking about serious business here."

Executive Director Patrice Wallace-Moore said Arms Acres mission continues to provide "high quality, cost effective alcohol and drug treatment to all people and families suffering from the disease of addiction. This was the original mission of Mrs. Arms. It will remain in effect as long as a single case of drug or alcohol abuse exists."

Arms Acres provides a free and confidential information session every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for those who suspect a family, friend or loved one’s abuse of alcohol or substance abuse.

Additional information is available by calling Ms. Slivinsky at 845-225-3400.

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