Openings come just as people begin to emerge from isolation and the judicial system reports probation violations for addicts are high
Chattanooga, TN. April 31, 2021 – While many nonprofits across the U.S. scaled back their services to allow for distancing and/or isolation, Adult & Teen Challenge MidSouth (ATCM), a faith-based residential recovery program for men and women 18-50, continued services throughout 2020. The result is a number of these residents recently completed one or more tier of the program, opening up space for 33 men and 15 women in need of residential recovery counseling. “This is a remarkable opportunity given the impact of the pandemic on people who are suffering and self-medicating,” says Dr. David McNabb, president of ATCM.
McNabb goes on to mention two areas of impact – people in isolation and those who ran under the radar while courts were not in session.
“As we begin to turn the corner on the pandemic, we’re reminded that long before the pandemic, we were battling an opioid crisis,” says McNabb. “The crisis continues but, for the most part, it’s been in isolation.” He continued by saying researchers believe the fallout from the stress of the losses, including loss of loved ones, jobs, opportunities and social interaction, will mean more people struggling from addiction to alcohol and/or drugs.
In addition, 2020 saw a high number of probation violations by substance abusers by substance abusers during Covid that will likely cause a glut of cases before the courts and likely incarcerations, according to Richard H. Hughes, Public Defender for the tenth district made up of Bradley, Polk, Meigs and Monroe counties.
“Rather than spend the resources on jail time, the obvious answer is a residential recovery program,” says Greg Martin, District 3 Commissioner and Chairman of the ATCM Board of Directors. He points to the outcomes from a 2019 study that shows 78% of graduates, one and three years out, are sober and substance-free.
Martin explains the cost ratio of the judicial system over residential recovery is roughly seven to one. “It’s a better use of our money with greater outcomes,” he adds.
ATCM is approved by the Tennessee Department of Corrections for housing individuals from the judicial system in order to streamline the process, according to McNabb.
Agencies, Public Defenders and families wishing to refer to ATCM need only call the main line, 423.756.5558. “The process is pretty easy,” says McNabb. “We have a brief application and require a negative Covid test,” he says adding that people are generally in the program within the day, if seen early enough.
Adult & Teen Challenge MidSouth (ATCM) is a residential, faith-based nonprofit headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, serving adults 18-50 struggling with addiction. Since its beginning by founder David Wilkerson on the streets of New York in 1958, the mission of ATC is to provide freedom from addiction and other life-controlling issues through Christ-centered solutions. The result is radical life-transformation. A 2019 study showed 78% of program graduates were maintaining freedom from addiction. For more information on Adult & Teen Challenge MidSouth, visit tcmidsouth.org or call 423.756.5558.
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