Since 1875, Heartland Family Service has been strengthening individuals and families in our community through education, counseling, and support services.

Addictions

Addictions

In addition to poor parental care, children of addicts have a four-fold increase in their chances to develop an addiction. It is important for parents to get their addictions under control so they can provide a better life for their children. Alcohol, drug and gambling treatment programs are designed to address the needs of family members in addition to the person in treatment. The program is designed around best-practice research that increases the chances for success. In addition, outpatient treatment enables the client to continue to meet job, school and family obligations.

Children suffer most when a parent is addicted. Your donation will help ensure that:

  • Babies are born drug-free
  • Youth get help before their bad habits become addictions
  • Mothers can get residential treatment without having to leave their children
  • Parents in treatment can continue to provide for their children
  • Family relationships are repaired

Programs in this category

 

Classes and Seminars

Minor in Possession (MIP) Class

This education class for young adults, age 12-19 years, supports drug awareness and addiction prevention. Classes are conducted by two licensed CADAC counselors. The interactive format incorporates two respected programs – the Hazeldon “Alternate Roots” program and the “Prime For Life” program of the Prevention Research Institute. Guest speakers include young adults who have been though an MIP program and have effectively moved forward with their lives. Youth from Douglas, Sarpy and outlying counties who have been cited with an MIP are eligible. Referrals are accepted from parents, educational institutions, private physicians, etc. One 8-hour session on Saturdays is offered once monthly at either the Heartland Family Service West Office or Central Office. Tuition is $60 per participant. A limited number of sliding-fee slots are available. Call (402) 552-7400 or email info@heartlandfamilyservice.org.

DUI/OWI

Our DWI/OWI course is appropriate for court referrals for adult DUI/OWI offenders and may be used as a preliminary to primary treatment. The course fulfills the requirement of a 12-hour DUI course as required by Iowa Code. Nebraska residents may also utilize this course for satisfaction of DWI-related court requirements. The class incorporates lecture session and self-assessment activities to inform participants of the social, mental, physical, financial, psychological, and spiritual impacts of alcohol and drug use. The participants will also learn about the dynamics of progression to addiction, and about the addiction recovery process. Call (402) 552-7400 or email info@heartlandfamilyservice.org.

Compulsive Gambling Classes and Seminars

For most people, gambling is simple entertainment. But for some, it becomes an addiction that can ruin families and destroy lives. Choose a brief educational session to help you understand more about compulsive gambling as it occurs in the home, at the workplace, on the internet or at gambling establishments. A more in-depth one-hour training is available with one CEU for mental health and social work staff. Either session can be provided at your site or ours. Call (800) 422-1407 in Southwest Iowa or (402) 552-7400 in Omaha to request a speaker or trainer.

 

Evaluations

Substance abuse and compulsive gambling evaluations are provided to both adults and adolescents.

 

Compulsive Gambling Treatment

24-hour Gambling Crisis Line: (800) 422-1407

Our outpatient treatment enables the gambler to continue to meet job, school and family obligations while managing his or her financial situation. In keeping with the agency’s mission, treatment focuses on the needs of the entire family, as well as the gambler’s individual needs. Evaluations are offered at no charge. Following the evaluation, results are explained in detail and recommendations are made. Services include individual counseling, group treatment, family therapy, couples counseling and referrals to budget counseling services. Read our helpful Q&A: How to Help a Compulsive Gambler.

Since 1986, Heartland Family Service has been the leading provider of comprehensive outpatient gambling treatment in the metro area. We provide full-time compulsive gambling counselors in both Omaha and Council Bluffs. The Iowa program is funded by the Iowa Department of Human Services, and the Nebraska program is funded by the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services. Our staff serves on both the Nebraska and Iowa Committees for Gambling Counselors.

For those who live in designated counties in Southwest Iowa, Distance Treatment for Problem Gamblers is available. This option is for persons who live more than 60 miles from the treatment facility, or who would otherwise have physical barriers to attending counseling sessions at the treatment facility. Treatment is provided via phone calls, email and online. Call (800) 422-1407 in Southwest Iowa or (402) 552-7400 in Omaha.

 

Substance Abuse Treatment – Adolescents

In our continued commitment to provide an integrated and advanced approach to treatment of substance abuse and co-occurring conditions, we implemented the Teen Matrix Model. This approach is adapted from the original Matrix Treatment Program, which the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) lists on its national registry of evidence-based programs. It is the only comprehensive program noted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) as a scientific-based approach.

Individual and Family Sessions

Clients and their families are involved with a counselor in addressing issues throughout the treatment process.

Early Recovery Skills Group

The goal is to orient, engage and commit the youth to the treatment process. Sessions meet at least four weeks, twice a week.

Relapse Prevention Group

The goal is to give the young client the knowledge, structure and support to evaluate the significance of his or her alcohol/drug use, move him to a place of abstinence and provide support for recovery. Included is an introduction to the 12-step recovery process. Sessions meet twice weekly.

Adolescent Education Group

This group bolsters alcohol and drug education with peer support and video programs. Sessions meet once a week for twelve weeks.

Family & Adolescent Therapeutic Support Group

Family members and clients participate in counseling groups to obtain knowledge of the effects of alcohol/drug abuse. Our supportive environment discussions include improving communication, building trust and addressing parental challenges. Individual family therapy sessions are still held throughout the treatment process. Meets once weekly.

Aftercare/Social Support Groups

Clients learn and practice refusal skills, identify stress reduction activities, continued practice with assertive communication and work on increased empowerment as they respond to life choices in healthy ways. Clients develop a recovery support system both at YSA and in the community. Sessions are ongoing.

 

Substance Abuse Treatment – Adults

The Heartland Family Service Addictions Program is a progressive behavioral health program complemented by a full array of services that support family life.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment consists of individual and group therapy sessions that meet two to three or more times weekly, as determined by individual needs. Spouses, significant others and/or family member(s) are invited to participate in the treatment process. The length of treatment is tailored to the needs of the individual. A typical course of treatment may last from 16 to 20 weeks, but successful completion is primarily a matter of individual progress. Aftercare services are also available to support individuals and families in sustaining the changes they have made. Daytime and evening programming is available to accommodate a variety of work and family schedules.

Family Works Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

The Family Works program allows mothers to keep their children with them as they go through an intensive residential program lasting 4-6 months. It is a unique arrangement that keeps families intact while giving mothers the intensive, professional support they need to get clean and stay sober. The program preserves and strengthens the mother-child attachment that is so critical to the child’s safety, health and lifelong well-being. Priority is given to pregnant women and women with children under three years of age. Facilities in Omaha and in Council Bluffs provide housing, treatment, therapy and support to help mothers make long-term changes and ensure that babies are born drug-free. Read more.
Watch Zabrina’s story.

Family Connections

This Program provides therapists and social workers who go into a family home to help parents learn stronger personal and parenting skills, also extends services to women who are incarcerated in the Douglas County Corrections Center (DCCC). “Real Life Connections” offers professional therapy and transitional skill-building to the women to better prepare them for the skills they will need when they are released.