UNC Horizons
Overview
UNC Horizons is a specialty drug misuse treatment program created to help women who are pregnant, mothers, and their offspring who have experienced trauma, abuse, or substance use problems. The program, which is housed at the UNC School of Medicine, employs a trauma-informed approach of treatment that prioritizes mother and child healing and fosters family rehabilitation. The strategy is based on the idea that meeting the special needs of women and their kids opens the door to long-term healing and maintaining family harmony.
The program provides a full range of outpatient treatments, such as medication-assisted therapy for opioid dependency, mental health services, individual and group counseling, and prenatal and OB-GYN care. Understanding that recovery entails more than simply treating the addiction, UNC Horizons offers comprehensive support including aid with budgeting, financial literacy training, job placement, and building wholesome, long-lasting relationships. The emphasis on fostering self-sufficiency and life skills is intended to enable women to reconstruct their lives while recovering from prior traumas.
UNC Horizons was founded in the early 1990s in response to the state of North Carolina's growing drug crisis among expectant and nursing mothers. The program was started as a tiny project inside the UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, but it has now expanded into a full, all-inclusive service that takes use of the vast resources of one of the top research institutions in the country. Since its launch, the program has influenced over 5,000 lives and now serves over 250 women yearly. With integrated care that blends family-centered therapy, trauma-responsive techniques, drug abuse treatment, and prenatal services, Horizons has emerged as a ray of hope for women who want to better their own and their children's lives.
In order to ensure that the healing process reaches the youngest members of the family, the Horizons Program also includes a five-star child development facility that offers care for the children of women participating in the program. The center's main goal is to provide a loving, caring atmosphere where kids may flourish and their moms can concentrate on their rehabilitation. Dr. Hendrée Jones and her colleagues at Horizons have done research that has influenced international norms for the treatment of women and children with drug use problems, serving as a model for similar initiatives throughout the globe.
UNC Horizons is distinguished not just by its creative and multidisciplinary approach to healthcare but also by its dedication to furthering the field's body of knowledge. In addition to teaching the next generation of medical professionals—including students in psychiatry, obstetrics, social work, and nursing—how to use the program's evidence-based practices, the program places a strong emphasis on producing and utilizing scientific research to enhance the lives of women and their children.
The program's accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is evidence of its commitment to quality and excellence. It highlights UNC Horizons' mission to provide women and their families with the highest caliber of compassionate care as they navigate the difficulties of substance use recovery.
UNC Horizons at a Glance
Payment Options
- Private health insurance
- Sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors)
- Cash or self-payment
- Self-pay options
- Medicaid
Assessments
- Comprehensive mental health assessment
- Comprehensive substance use assessment
Age Groups
- Children/adolescents
- Young adults
Operation
- Private non-profit organization
Accreditations
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF):
Established in 1966, the non-profit organization known as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has a dedicated focus on accrediting rehabilitation organizations. CARF's primary mission is to assist service providers, particularly rehabilitation facilities, in upholding and promoting the highest standards of care.
Treatment At UNC Horizons
Conditions Treated
Mental health treatment:
Mental health treatment involves a range of therapeutic approaches, provided by licensed professionals, to address mental health challenges. It includes psychotherapy, medication, and holistic practices to help individuals manage conditions, improve coping skills, and enhance overall well-being. The goal is to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
Alcoholism:
Alcohol addiction is a condition where a person's brain gets used to having alcohol, making it hard for them to control their drinking. This can lead to feeling down, acting without thinking, wanting alcohol strongly, and feeling sick if they don't drink. To help with this, treatment programs are available. These usually include a guided process to safely stop drinking, talking with professionals to work through problems, and joining support groups with others facing similar issues. While these treatments can't fully cure the addiction, they provide tools and support to help individuals live a better life and keep their drinking under control.
Opioid Addiction:
Opioid addiction rehabilitation is a specialized treatment process tailored to address the unique challenges and complexities of opioid dependence, including drugs like heroin and prescriptions like oxycodone. The process typically begins with a medical detox to ease withdrawal symptoms, followed by therapeutic interventions to address the root causes of addiction. This holistic approach aims to provide individuals with the skills and support needed for long-term recovery from opioid use.
Substance use treatment:
Substance use rehabilitation represents a holistic treatment strategy tailored to aid individuals grappling with drug or alcohol addiction. This comprehensive rehabilitation method encompasses two key aspects: first, addressing the physical dependency, often commencing with detoxification, and second, tackling the psychological triggers through a range of therapeutic techniques. The ultimate aim is to empower individuals to attain and sustain sobriety while providing them with the necessary skills and coping mechanisms to successfully reintegrate into society and lead a life free from substance abuse.
Co-occurring Disorders:
Dual-diagnosis rehabilitation centers focus on treating individuals with simultaneous mental health and substance use disorders. The intertwined nature of addiction and mental health issues can intensify each other's symptoms, complicating recovery. These centers provide a holistic treatment strategy addressing both conditions together, often encompassing thorough evaluations, a blend of therapeutic methods, family counseling, and post-treatment care.
Levels Of Care
Intensive outpatient treatment:
Intensive Outpatient (IOP) is a specialized level of care aimed at assisting those on their recovery journey from addictions or mental health disorders. Unlike the inpatient or residential treatments where attendees reside within the facility, IOP offers a robust therapeutic experience while enabling participants to stay home and continue their daily routines. Generally, individuals in IOP engage in several sessions weekly, clocking in at around 9-20 hours or even more. These sessions encompass individual counseling, group sessions, familial guidance, and instructional classes that equip attendees with the tools and methods to manage symptoms and avert relapses.
Detoxification:
Detoxification, often just called "detox", is like giving the body a deep clean from harmful substances like drugs or alcohol. When someone decides to stop using these substances, their body might react with tough symptoms. Detox helps to handle these reactions safely. Think of it as helping the body reset after too much exposure to harmful stuff.
Halfway house:
A sober living residence provides a nurturing atmosphere where individuals in recovery offer each other mutual support while sharing household duties. Residents actively engage in 12-step programs and hold one another accountable for maintaining sobriety. To continue residing in either a men's or women's sober living environment, individuals must stay free from drugs and alcohol, actively contribute to household responsibilities, attend support group meetings, and contribute to the living expenses of the home.
Outpatient:
Outpatient treatment at rehab centers provides adaptable therapy schedules, usually spanning 1-3 hours weekly, enabling participants to maintain their everyday routines while undergoing treatment. On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs require a more dedicated time investment, frequently around 9-15 hours a week, delivering a deeper therapeutic experience without the commitment of inpatient residency.
Outpatient detoxification:
Outpatient Detoxification denotes a medical procedure wherein individuals grappling with substance dependence undergo a systematic and secure withdrawal from these substances while receiving medical oversight without the need for hospitalization or admission to an inpatient facility. This method empowers patients to detoxify from drugs or alcohol within a less confining setting, often permitting them to uphold important daily obligations like work or familiar responsibilities, in addition to being more cost-effective compared to inpatient detox.
Treatment Modalities
12-step facilitation:
Recovery models grounded in 12-step programs prominently incorporate peer coaching, strongly emphasizing personal growth as the pathway to enduring sobriety. Regular participation in 12-step meetings, known for their anonymity, cost-free access, and daily availability, is encouraged. The 12 steps of recovery, anchored in spiritual principles, guide participants in unraveling the core issues of their addiction, taking accountability for their decisions, and coming to terms with aspects beyond their control. Chosen by the individuals themselves, sponsors offer personalized one-on-one mentorship, aiding in navigating through the recovery journey.
Individual psychotherapy:
Individual therapy is a one-on-one therapeutic interaction between a therapist and a client to address personal challenges, foster self-awareness, and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral growth. This setting provides a confidential and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, identify goals, and develop coping strategies. Individual therapy can be beneficial for a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress management, relationship issues, and life transitions.
Group counseling:
Group Therapy is a therapeutic space where individuals battling addiction come together to share experiences, gain insights, and support one another on their journey to recovery. Facilitated by trained professionals, this setting fosters communal healing and empowers participants to overcome the challenges of addiction through collective strength and understanding.
Life Skills:
Life Skills is a crucial component of rehabilitation that focuses on equipping individuals with the practical abilities necessary to maintain sobriety and lead fulfilling lives. These skills encompass a wide range of capabilities, including but not limited to time management, communication, problem-solving, stress management, and financial literacy. By acquiring and honing these essential life skills, individuals in addiction treatment gain the tools and confidence needed to navigate the challenges of daily life, reduce the risk of relapse, and ultimately achieve lasting recovery.
Family counseling:
Family Counseling is a therapeutic approach that seeks to address and resolve conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen relationships within the family unit. By providing a safe space for family members to express their feelings and concerns, a trained counselor facilitates understanding and collaboration among members, promoting healthier dynamics and enhancing overall family well-being.
Trauma-related counseling:
Trauma-related counseling addresses the deeply rooted psychological wounds and distress that often coexist with substance use disorders. Recognizing that past traumatic experiences can play a significant role in the onset and persistence of addiction, this therapeutic approach aims to help individuals understand and process their trauma, develop coping skills, and work towards healing. Individuals are better equipped to achieve long-term recovery and improved mental well-being by simultaneously addressing both trauma and addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the critical role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. It aims to identify and challenge distorted or negative thought patterns and behaviors, teaching individuals to replace them with more constructive and rational beliefs. CBT is evidence-based and has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and phobias, among others.
Ancillary Services
Languages
- Spanish
- Sign language services for the deaf and hard of hearing
Special Programs
- Children/adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED)
- Pregnant/postpartum women
- Clients who have experienced trauma
Additional Locations
Contact Information
DISCLAIMER: The facility name, logo and brand are the property and registered trademarks of UNC Horizons, and are being used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, logos and brands shall not imply endorsement. BetterAddictionCare.com is not affiliated with or sponsored by UNC Horizons.
