The Basics
Right Turn was founded in 2003 in the Boston suburb of Watertown, Massachusetts by acclaimed percussionist, LADC and certified interventionist Woody Giessmann. Right Turn provides Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and outpatient treatment for men and women suffering from chemical dependency, as well as transitional living for men. Giessmann, who was the drummer for the 1980’s rock band, The Del Fuegos became an addiction specialist in 1993. Right Turn specializes in helping artists and musicians by utilizing various forms of art and music therapy.
Treatment and Staff
Treatment at Right Turn takes place inside a quaint grey Cape Cod style house. Prior to admission, clients undergo comprehensive assessments with a counselor, and receive individualized treatment plans. Right Turn’s MAT program provides medication-assisted treatment with Vivitrol, Suboxone or Methadone for alcohol and opiate withdrawal. Clients visit the office from nine am to one pm to receive their medication and to be assessed by clinical staff, and a physician. MAT clients are also required to attend the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Medication management is also provided for those with co-occurring disorders.
IOP treatment length is typically between three and six months. Treatment includes daily group therapy Mondays through Fridays, individual therapy (usually once), case management, and attendance at recovery support meetings. A unique mixture of 12-step meetings are provided on-site during the evenings and include Marijuana Anonymous, Artists in Recovery, Al-Anon and family support groups. At Right Turn, expressive therapy, as well as traditional psychotherapy are modalities utilized during treatment. Expressive therapy includes drumming, journaling, music workshops and art. Group topics include relapse prevention, anger management, wellness, medication and recovery, living in recovery, goals and addiction education, stress management and weekend goals. Groups range between 12 and 20 clients and clients participate in gender-specific group therapy on Wednesdays. The outpatient program parallels the IOP curriculum but is less time intensive.
Besides CEO Geissmann, the remaining staff of 21 employees includes a yoga teacher, psychotherapists, administrative support, Master’s-level LADC’s, MFTs, a Right Turn radio producer, addiction counselors, art therapist, psychiatrist, medical director and a clinical director.
Extras
On Saturday evenings, from eight pm to 10 pm, the facility transforms into a performance venue, as well as a sober café. Artists who are in recovery, as well as visiting rock stars or local poets play in an intimate space, which allows interaction between the audience and the talent.
Right Turn Radio is a nationally acclaimed radio program produced on-site that discusses addiction and mental health.
The male-only transitional living program has a 16-bed capacity, and clients are split between two homes. Typical length of stay is between four and six months. Besides attending IOP, clients learn budgeting, housekeeping, self-care, menu planning and healthy meal preparation. The men receive gym memberships at the local YMCA, and both houses feature work out rooms.
In Summary
Right Turn is a really cool place for creative clients who seek comprehensive treatment, as well as opportunities to heal through music, art or writing. The concept that they can still remain creative, even after getting clean and sober, is extremely beneficial to many artsy types, who often believe that their substance addiction fuels their artistic genius. For those who are eager to pound away on conga drums or draw while working on recovery, Right Turn sounds like the perfect venue.
Right Turn, Inc.
440 Arsenal St
Watertown, MA 02472
Right Turn Cost: $3,800 (IOP, 30 days). Reach Right Turn by phone at (877) 556-2058 or by email at info@right-turn.org. Find Right Turn at YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Google+
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Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
