Statement From Industry Leading Treatment Provider Morningside Recovery

NEW YORK, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- General Counsel of Morningside Recovery, Mary Helen Beatificato, issued the following statement today in response to mistaken media reports:

"Media reports this week that Morningside Recovery has no license/certification to provide drug and alcohol treatment are absolutely and completely false. We have successfully treated thousands of patients through our program and our proven model of treatment is in fact more successful than more traditional programs. We are well recognized and respected as one of the industry's leading treatment providers.

We, as well as countless medical professionals, believe in Morningside's mission of improving and saving the lives of those afflicted with addiction and mental illness.

We take personal pride in what we do and media reports this week have had countless mistakes in them.  We will move forward in what we do best - providing exceptional care for men and women who are chemically dependent or suffering from mental illness or co-occurring disorders.

Many of our patients have been ordered to us by state and federal courts due to the success of our programs. Our clinical team is highly specialized in the treatment of substance abuse and more importantly, the psychiatric illnesses which often accompany individuals suffering from with chemical dependency issues

Our clinical facility is certified by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs as meeting all standards of care and treatment. Our clinicians are licensed and in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and include individuals with varying levels of academic credentials including: MD, Ph.D., MFT, MA, CADC, CACDC, CCGC, CEDC, CET, Adventure Therapy, and other treatment specialties.

If Morningside was operating without a license as the ADP suggests, then the ADP would get a court to stop Morningside from providing treatment.  

The ADP has alleged since April 2012 that Morningside's operation of structured sober living homes and a clinical facility require an additional residential treatment license. However, this issue has been litigated on at least 3 different occasions. First, at an administrative law hearing on May 20, 2012, and at two subsequent Orange County Superior Court hearings in November 2012 and March 2013. The ADP has not prevailed on this issue in any of these proceedings.

At the two most recent court hearings, the ADP requested a shut-down order as well as an alternative order which would have prevented Morningside Recovery from admitting any new clients. In both instances, the ADP's requests were denied.  Morningside will continue to work hard to ensure that those who seek recovery can find it.  We look forward to helping Morningside continue to provide exceptional care and treatment to individuals seeking help for drug, alcohol and mental illness."

SOURCE Morningside Recovery