Those who need addiction-treatment services now have another local option with the opening of the Stepping Stones to Recovery residential facility in Great Bend.
Referrals are being accepted for the eight-man, faith-based residence that is licensed by the State of Kansas.
“Too many people are outsourced to other communities,” said Charity Muth, Stepping Stones owner. “And when they are sent out-of-town, they could be on a waiting list for weeks or months.
“This new option offers the opportunity to stay close to home, which will help with re-integration into the community. This is just one more local avenue to recovery, which adds to the many valuable existing services in our central Kansas community.”
Plans for the Stepping Stones residence were intentionally designed for a small group.
“We value close relationships between clients and staff,” Muth said. “No one here will be anonymous. You will be seen, heard and understood. In some out-of-area facilities, you might go through a 28-day treatment program without building any real relationships.”
The new facility offers one-on-one interaction with staff members, which include at least one clinician, peer mentors, dietician and others. Currently, seven people are on staff.
“These men and women have years of sobriety behind them,” Muth noted. “They are doing this because we all believe people are capable of change. This is what drives us. Anyone can change their behavior if they are offered professional recovery services.”
Stepping Stones residents must pledge to support local charitable causes and attend the church of their choice.
“I understand the science behind addiction but faith makes more things possible in life,” Muth said.
Another benefit to the new option is the inclusion of family services.
“Addiction is a family disorder that impacts loved ones in a variety of ways,” Muth explained. “Since families inadvertently stand in the way of treatment success through enabling, support for the client and family is crucial.
“It is imperative for the family to get support to help re-define roles and behaviors, while establishing boundaries and improving communication.”
Muth emphasized that she is thankful for the local support she has received in this venture from many individuals.
“But I am especially grateful for Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kopke and their family,” Muth said. “I am so blessed to have people who support this effort to help people on their road to recovery.”
More details
The facility is licensed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and approved by the Kansas Sentencing Commission.
It accepts only residents who are sentenced by the court under Senate Bill 123 and have prior authorization that confirms they meet the criteria for this level of care.
The state statute provides financial resources for a certified substance-use-disorder treatment program to eligible adults convicted of drug possession, cultivation or distribution, and other non-drug, non-person felonies.
“Senate Bill 123 is phenomenal because it eliminates financial barriers to recovery programs,” Muth said.
Stepping Stones residents are required to participate in a structured daily schedule that supports cognitive and behavioral change.
Expectations include:
• Daily attendance and active participation in the cognitive-based, evidence-based curriculum
• Engagement in programming that addresses the unique challenges of men in recovery
• Participation in lectures, workbooks, structured assignments and daily tasks
Responsibilities include:
• Preparing meals and completing kitchen clean-up
• Housekeeping of personal and shared living spaces
• Laundry
• Full participation in all scheduled program activities
“Stepping Stones to Recovery promotes structure, accountability and personal responsibility in a supportive, faith-based environment designed to help men build skills for long-term recovery and successful re-integration,” Muth summarized.
She also noted that all existing substance-use-disorder treatments offered at the Stepping Stones office, 1916 16th, remain unchanged.
