FOR A GOOD CAUSE:A tradition of changing women’s lives

Susan came to New Directions for Women — a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment facility in Costa Mesa — to avoid jail time related to her daily drug habit.

Fourteen years later, she still comes to the New Directions campus twice a week, though she long ago got a handle on her addiction. As an alumna of the organization’s treatment program, Susan now serves as a care coordinator and president of the alumnae association.

“I took it one day at a time,” the 52-year-old said about her treatment at the facility. “It’s about wanting to be sober and wanting to be clean, and I wanted it.”

Founded in 1977, New Directions for Women offers gender-specific, holistic treatment to women suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, and the disorders that often come with those problems, such as trauma and anxiety. The facility is also open to pregnant women and those with dependent children.

“Our goal is to transform women, one at a time, back to their everyday lives,” said Sandy Collom, director of finance and human resources. “We are teaching them that you can go out and have fun without incorporating drugs and alcohol.”

The facility is one of the oldest female-only treatment centers in the country, established at a time when women did not feel free to admit to alcohol and drug dependency, said Becky Flood, New Directions for Women executive director and chief executive.

With about 35 staffers and several volunteers, the one-acre, live-in residential facility can house and provide care to 30 women, with child-care services and parenting classes available to women with dependent children.

“We assist in starting a journey of lifelong, responsible recovery for not only the woman, but their children and families as well,” Flood said.

Most residents are referred to the organization by doctors, psychologists and social service providers, though some come on their own. They can stay for up to six months. Upon entering, they immediately begin a 30- to 90-day recovery program, which costs between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on the length of stay.

The program — based on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous — incorporates physical and mental therapy, such as rock climbing, daily meditation and grief and anger management workshops.

To prepare for an application for international accreditation, New Directions recently contracted with Dual Diagnosis Management, a company that assists in the administration of behavioral healthcare facilities. Also, the organization appointed three new members to the board of trustees — Dorothy Rausa, Kim Cartwright and Mary Crosson — all of whom hope to generate increased awareness of the organization as a community resource.

“We are trying to strengthen the organization and assure its sustainability into the future so we can continue to serve women effectively for another 30 years,” Flood said.

With more than 20 years of experience as a marketing professional, Kim Cartwright hopes to bring additional funding to New Directions, specifically through corporate donations, to finance its new master plan. The plan includes a renovation of the entire Costa Mesa site, which will make it possible for more women and their families to take advantage of the treatment offered there.

“The new plan will offer more women a safe place to recover with their children,” the Costa Mesa resident said. “Having children there in the recovery process provides resources for the whole family to heal, breaking the generational cycle of addiction.”

Generational healing is one of the organization’s main goals. Flood recalled a New Directions alumna whose daughter later went through the program while pregnant, representing a multi-generational success story.

“We have a grandmother who is still well today, a mother who is still well today,” she said, “and for the third generation, having been born on campus as a girl, our hope is she will never have to be a patient.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: New Directions for Women’s third annual Chrysalis Ball

WHEN: March 28

WHERE: Joe’s Garage Automotive Museum, 36 Auto Center Drive, Tustin

INFO: (949) 548-5546, ext 502 or https://NDFW@newdirectionsforwomen.org