ALAMOSA — Valerie Gurule-Duran, Clinical Director from the Hope in the Valley recovery center in Alamosa briefed county commissioners on June 26 regarding progress the addiction treatment facility has made recently.

Gurule-Duran told the commissioners, "We are a community-led program, we currently offer a detox that is a social, medical withdrawal detox. We don't carry narcotics onboard, but we have nurses on staff 24-7. Our doctors can call in and prescribe [meds] we are trying to get patients medications like Suboxone [opioid dependence treatment medication] we can definitely do that.

"We also have a partial hospitalization program, that is five hours a day, five days a week where they participate in groups. We are using a curriculum out of a company based in Los Angeles that is evidence-based and it covers many aspects [of recovery.]  We also have outpatient treatment, which is three hours a day, three days a week.

"Our goal is we are trying to create this continual treatment, if somebody comes in, we are trying to not let them go out on the street. We use the encouragement to ask, 'What is your goal, what needs to happen, do you have adequate housing, do you need in-patient treatment? Do you need sober living?’

"We have been open since May 22, and we have had a handful of people come into the facility and the transformation we are seeing is amazing."

Commissioner Lori Laske said, "I am glad you are looking at residential in-patient because that is the gap we have in the San Luis Valley, and we appreciate you are working toward that.

"Thank you guys, this is a resource that is needed," said Commissioner Vern Heersink.

Commissioner Arlan Van Ry said, "I can speak from experience, I've never been shy about my recovery. As a Veteran, it is extremely hard to get any kind of treatment. Luckily, I was able to do it on my own. For the other Veterans who struggle with PTSD, one of the side effects is turning to dependency on alcohol or other drugs. If there is any way I can help, and assist with getting Veterans Affairs TRICARE, I am more than willing to help volunteer my time."

Van Ry added he just celebrated 1,500 days of sobriety and offered he is willing to talk with any Veteran who is experiencing addiction. TRICARE is the Department of Defense health care program for uniformed service members, their families, and retirees. 

According to the website of the organization, "Hope in the Valley is more than a rehabilitation center; it's a haven built on empathy, understanding and the unwavering belief in the transformative power of recovery... Hope in the Valley stands tall, not just as a rehabilitation center, but as a living testament to the possibility of transformation, a testament that no matter how challenging the journey, hope can be found, and recovery is within reach."

On July 11, Hope in the Valley will hold an open house and ribbon cutting. Details will be in the Valley Courier when they are known.

Hope in the Valley can be reached at 719-206-4673 and www.hopealamosa.org. For information regarding meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous in the San Luis Valley, visit www.slvaa.org.