Hazelden expands

If you have passed anywhere near Hazelden on South Center Lake, it would have been tough to not notice the massive crane revolving above the treetops. Hazelden is demolishing buildings to be replaced by a pair of two-story housing units. The first of the two construction projects (in lower left of graphic) was getting steel delivered this week. The outlined white unit, right in the graphic, “Cronin,” also is to be replaced in Phase Two. John Driscoll, Hazelden Midwest Region Director, said Hazelden is “very much in a growth trajectory.” Driscoll walked a group of community leaders, including three district court judges and the sheriff, through massive projects Hazelden is commencing. Center City will remain “corporate” headquarters for the renowned treatment facility, which recently merged with Betty Ford Center, of California.

The landmark Hazelden sign on Highway 8 will be revised to read “Part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.” The merger will add some 300 to 350 jobs in total to the treatment providers’ U.S. network. In Center City there are currently 800 employees. County Commissioner George McMahon remarked that the county is fully supportive of Hazelden and its mission. He said the county will continue to be an ally for Hazelden to achieve goals and modernize treatment programs. The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is getting positioned to be able to a move towards enhanced outpatient treatment, Driscoll continued. California sites and numerous facilities Hazelden operates in the midwest will gear up for expected outpatient demand. There will also be a broadening of Hazelden’s chemical dependency graduate school. Grad school involves about 120 enrollees on campus in any year.

With an on-line Masters Degree program this is projected to be 300 per year. Driscoll said the idea is that masters degree candidates will do coursework on-line and finish clinical work at a facility near where they reside. And, speaking of Internet-based expansion, Driscoll said the concept of telemedicine is in its infancy as far as alcohol and chemical abuse treatment. It’s “early” yet, but generally accepted standards for remote treatment are being developed by the industry, and insurers are gradually coming on board. The door opened at Hazelden well over 50 years ago as a place for alcoholics to come and find their way again. Hazelden is now treating few people who have only alcohol as their addiction.

Driscoll said the basis of Hazelden’s success remains with the 12-Step method, but clients are now coming for help with combinations of controlled substance abuse and success is being achieved using medical practices as part of the treatment model. Through the Phase One and Phase Two construction and renovation projects and concurrent technological improvements to the campus here, Hazelden is “investing in Center City for another half-century,” Driscoll concluded.