Monthly Archive for: ‘August, 2012’
Katie M. Testimonial
Helping people get their lives back from the clutches of addiction is what we do at the Pasadena Recovery Center. We make a real difference and even save lives. And while the work is rewarding in itself, it is still nice to hear from former residents about the impact we’ve had on their lives. For example, the note below we recently received from Katie M:
“Hello, my name is Katie M. and I was admitted to PRC in 2006. I was 18 and was suffering from kidney failure. I had my very first dialysis treatment while I was staying at the Pasadena Recovery Center and Will Smith was the one to drive me to the clinic. A few months later I had a kidney transplant that failed soon there after due to complications and medication negligence. As soon a I left the transplant hospital I came back to Pasadena to stay at a sober living house down the street and frequented PRC meetings. Butch was my counselor while I was there and both he and Will made a positive impact on my life. At this point I have been on dialysis for 6 years at age 24 but I have not used since leaving your facility six years ago. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you to Butch and Will and to let them know that I am sober, happy and optimistic. Thanks PRC!”
Meet The Staff: Bob Forrest
Bob Forrest (Addiction Specialist)
PRC Employee Since: 2008
Quote to live by: “The defining features of real and effective addiction treatment are genuineness, authenticity, compassion and understanding.”
Bio: Bob Forrest found sobriety in 1996 after attending 24 different rehab facilities. Over the last decade he has helped countless individuals achieve sobriety, including many celebrities. At Pasadena Recovery Center Bob leads group sessions twice a week — on Tuesday and Thursday.
Bob is, perhaps, best known for his work on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” series. Additionally, an award winning documentary about him titled, “Bob and the Monster,” was released in 2011.
Bob has also had a successful music career fronting the influential post-punk rock bands Thelonious Monster and The Bicycle Thief. Check out Bob Forrest Music for his latest and greatest work.
Quotes about Bob:
“Bob is the most talented chemical dependency counselor I’ve ever seen. Simple. Period.” – Dr. Drew Pinsky
VIDEO: Pasadena Recovery Center
The video above does an excellent job explaining the Pasadena Recovery Center in less than two minutes. PRC CEO and Co-owner, Mike Bloom, narrates the piece which covers many important topics.
Mike mentions that the center has always been a family run facility that got it’s initial inspiration from Mike’s father, world renown psychiatrist, Dr. Lee Bloom. While Dr. Bloom passed away a few years ago, his legacy continues to be felt throughout PRC — especially his compassionate approach to fighting the disease of addiction.
In addition to practicing compassion at every turn, we also adhere to the 12 Steps treatment philosophy. And we specialize in treating dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders.
Finally, Mike evidences some of the qualities – from our location in the Pasadena foothills to some of our weekly offerings like yoga, acupuncture and art therapy – that differentiates PRC from other facilities. And we do it all at an affordable price.
Be sure to watch the video for more information.
Guest Speaker Series: Jennie Ketcham
Former “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew” participant and Pasadena Recovery Center alum, Jennie Ketcham, returned to PRC to speak to the current residents about her experience with addiction on Wednesday, August 8, 2012. Ketcham, a former adult film star who went by the name Penny Flame, spoke about her inspiring transformation from porn star to the hostess, student, blogger and author that she is today.
In a brief interview, Jennie credits PRC’s role in her recovery:
“Pasadena Recovery Center was like ground zero for my experience in recovery and for the new life that I get to live today… it’s like the core of my earth”
Additionally, she sings the praises of PRC counselor Shelly Sprague:
“She had such solid boundaries and was really established in her sobriety and knew who she was and could identify herself very solidly in her program and that really helped me”
You can watch much of Jennie’s brutally honest talk – which was packed with residents, alumni, and staff – in the videos below:
Part 1
Part 2
Meet The Staff: Addiction Specialist Butch Warner
Butch Warner, MA, MFT, CADC-II, LAADC (Psychotherapist/Addiction Specialist)
PRC employee since: 2004
Quote to live by: “Don’t complain and don’t explain.”
Bio: George “Butch” Warner is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a licensed CAADAC drug and alcohol specialist. A multi-instrumentalist and composer, Butch runs the Music Therapy group for PRC clients and teaches communication skills. He is also a feature writer, with a host of articles published on addiction, music, penology, religion and pharmacology. Butch has been in recovery since August 23, 1998, and has been a PRC Case Manager since 2004.
He is also the successful player/coach for the Pasadena Recovery Center softball team.
In his spare time, Butch writes for many local newspapers on a wide-range of subjects including addiction, drugs, music, public policy and incarceration.
Finally, Butch is working towards his license in Marriage and Family Therapy which he expects to obtain by the end of 2012.
Quotes about Butch:
“Thank you for being the best counselor I’ve ever had. I honestly don’t know if I’d still be here without you. You have no idea how much I appreciate all you have done for me. Thank you!” – Katie
“Just wanted to say thank you again for being such a great counselor and making it comfortable and easy to talk and to keep up the GREAT WORK!! Help the newcomer! Love you” – Patrick S.
