Texas' Two Largest Non-Profit Drug and Alcohol Treatment Providers Merge

Austin Recovery and The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston have Joined Forces to Expand Treatment Resources

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Austin Recovery, the largest non-profit provider of residential drug and alcohol treatment in Texas, has merged with The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, the largest non-profit provider of outpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment services in the state. The merger, which was approved unanimously by both organizations' Boards, became effective on January 1, 2013.

The partnership will bring an enhanced continuum of recovery services, while fulfilling both organizations' common mission of offering affordable care at the highest standards.

The complementary strengths of each organization's staff, facilities and services will come together to create an even stronger healthcare environment for Texas' recovery community.  Austin Recovery brings expertise in detoxification and both short- and long-term residential programs through their innovative and evidence-based treatment models. The Council brings expertise in outpatient and co-occurring behavioral healthcare, with specialized programs developed by the Center for Recovering Families, including Healing Choices© (its flagship intensive outpatient program), as well as Kids Camp at The Council, the Behavioral Health Training Institute, and an extensive range of prevention, education and recovery support programs.

"Austin Recovery and The Council are among Texas' oldest institutions dedicated to recovery. Both are equally committed to providing high-quality care at affordable rates," said Steve Hicks, Austin Recovery Board Chairman. "The extended continuum of care this partnership represents, from prevention through intensive outpatient and family services, will change the lives of countless Texans, freeing families from the chains of active addiction."

Mel Taylor, President and CEO of The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, has assumed leadership as CEO of both organizations.  Taylor has led The Council for 20 years, and has many additional years of nonprofit leadership experience.

"This partnership will provide a greater continuum of recovery services to both organizations while raising the standard of care in both communities," said Mel Taylor.  "Joining our two cultures makes sense: Combining systems and coordinating treatment services that complement each other, we will strengthen the overall range and impact of care that supports our common mission: to provide best-in-class care while turning no one away."

Currently, services in both Austin and Houston are continuing as they have in the past, with no interruption in existing services. Each organization will also retain its own name and identity for the foreseeable future.  Leaders of both organizations are currently exploring how the partnership can better address the needs of both the Austin and Houston communities through addition of services in the coming year.

About Austin Recovery: Since 1967, Austin Recovery has provided effective and compassionate chemical dependency treatment at very affordable rates. Non-profit and CARF-accredited, its transformational treatment model brings about in-depth cognitive, behavioral and spiritual changes essential for overcoming addiction through counseling, evidence-based practices, experiential therapies, and 12-Step work. Austin Recovery offers a number of programs including medical detox, separate men's and women's 30-day and 90+ day residential programs, and Family House, which provides a minimum of 90 days of residential drug and alcohol rehab to mothers of young children and women in their third trimester of pregnancy, allowing them to bring up to two children under the age of six with them into treatment. Austin Recovery also offers outpatient services, alumni support, family programs, aftercare and community education. For more information about Austin Recovery, please visit www.austinrecovery.org.

About The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston: The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, founded in 1946, is committed to keeping our community healthy, productive and safe by providing services and information to all who may be adversely affected by alcohol and drugs, impacting over 365,000 annually. The Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives funding from the United Way of Greater Houston and the Texas Department of State Health Services as well as from private foundation, corporate and individual contributions, special events and program fees. For more information, visit www.council-houston.org.

CONTACT: Ramona Cruz-Peters
Director of Marketing & Communications
Austin Recovery
512-697-8506
[email protected]

SOURCE Austin Recovery