Addiction Rehab Center
A wing and
a prayer. That's how Jerry Spruce describes the process of opening the
new residential outreach center in Dublin. Located inside the old nursing
home building on Sheehan Street, Spruce is hoping to have the center at
full capacity by the end of the year. Spruce and his business partner,
who wishes not to be named, began accepting patients July 1 and have
admitted 24 people so far. Those living at the center are there on a
voluntary basis, seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction. "We opened
the center for the sole purpose of meeting the needs of these people,"
Spruce said. "The need for addiction treatment is growing faster than
our industry can respond," Most of the patients that have been admitted
into the center have come from the Dallas‑Fort Worth area. According to
Spruce, the center is serving as a stepping stone back into the real
world." A lot of these people have gone through the mandated 30 day rehab
but still don't feel confident enough to be on their own," Spruce said.
"For the most part, they have nowhere to go. Residents are encouraged
to stay as long as it takes to prepare them to return to society
productive citizens," he continued. Spruce said a resident will usually
come and go within three months, making room for another patient and
continuing the cycle. "Tire unfortunate thing is that the need for the
center will never end," he said. The center works with patients using
the 12‑step, faith building program, offering counseling twice a day.
The sessions include group and individual counseling." We try to help out
patients with self development, helping Them find out who they are,"
Spruce said. According to Spruce, what sets this center apart from other
rehab facilities is that they can provide treatment to those who might
not be able to afford other centers. Residents of the center are asked
to participate in a work program and pay $150 a week to help cover
expenses. Currently 16 of the 24 admitted have been able to find work,
mostly in Stephenville. Spruce said he would like for some of the
residents to be able to work in Dublin. Most of them (center residents)
are very skilled workers," he said. The money generated from admission
fees as well as donations will be used for future expansion of the
center. Currently two wings of the 18,000 square foot building are open
and being used. Spruce said the third of five wings Will open soon." We
had to open the facility with two wings. One for males and one for
females," he said. The third wing will be another section for males."
According to Spruce, the city has granted him a certificate of occupancy
and is allowing him to renovate and bring the building up to code one
wing at a time. Hopes are high that Spruce and his crew will have the
entire building open and housing 80 people by the end of December." So
far we have been welcomed with open arms into the community,” he said.
"The response has been tremendously great." Along with himself and his
business partner, Spruce said the center employs two licensed
counselors, a full‑time maintenance worker and a full‑time cook." Our
staff collectively has 56 years experience in the addiction treatment
industry," he said. "We have agreed not to take salaries until the
center is financially stable. "For Spruce, who currently works as a
business consultant for a company in Stephenville, the decision to open
the center was a personal one. He nearly lost his son to drugs and has
seen first hand the effects it can have." Drugs are a terrible thing," he
said. “They basically just destroy a person from the inside out. "Not a
licensed counselor himself, Spruce says he is happy just running the
business aspect of the outreach center. However, he knows and
understands that the recovery rate for addicts is very low but still
hopes the center can help as many people as possible. Once the center is
more established, Spruce said he hopes to work closely with local law
enforcement agencies to be able to house and counsel addicts from