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Children Services Packet Please complete the electronic packet below. All fields marked ( * ) are required fields. All information submitted on our website is private and confidential. Your treatment experience is strictly private and confidential, protected by federal and state law. If you need assistance in filling out our intake paperwork call 406-541-0024 ​ To complete the application by hand: Please call 406-541-0024 to request a paper application be mailed to you. You may also download this application, scan and return by Email: referrals@wmmhc.org or Mail to: Western Montana Mental Health Center 1321 Wyoming St, Missoula, MT 59801 Please wait while we load your application

Prevention Specialists Prevention specialists work with communities to reduce youth substance use or misuse through education on risk and protective factors that affect youth development and through the planning, implementing, and evaluating policies and programs that promote protective factors and reduce risk factors. Everything is done to encourage our youth's health and well-being and provide them with opportunities for success. ​ To request a presentation or to learn more about prevention services in your area, contact a Prevention Specialists in your County. Learn About Prevention Services Prevention Toolkits

Get The HelpYou Deserve Finding help may seem difficult, and we're here for you. High-quality, caring, compassionate, and confidential care is available to you. Get Help Now If you are having a medical emergency call 911. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call 988. Help Begins Here ​We are here to support every person’s potential to dream, achieve, and be more.​ We provide access to hope, meaningful life choices, and better outcomes.​ At Western Montana Mental Health Center, we meet people where they are and do not turn away. What We Help With How We Help Where We Help Who We Help Our treatment programs provide comprehensive assistance to individuals seeking recovery. Taking the first step toward recovery can be challenging, so we offer personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual's needs. Our facilities cater to diverse requirements, including community-based services, outpatient services, inpatient addiction recovery services, and housing options. Contact us to explore how we can assist you on your journey to well-being and recovery. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Get Help Now W e serve over 15,000 children, teens, and adults annually, from Libby to Bozeman and Kalispell to Hamilton. We understand that mental health and substance misuse challenges can affect individuals from all walks of life. Our treatment programs ensure that you receive individualized care and support. Whether you have insurance coverage or not, we are here to assist you in finding the proper treatment for your situation. Contact us today to learn more about how our services can benefit you. Get Help Now We ensure easy access to treatment with 21 clinics across 8 western Montana counties. We offer personalized care plans – including virtual appointments. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Find A Location ​Western Montana Mental Health Center helps adults and children with mental health challenges and addiction treatment. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals is committed to assisting Montanans from diverse backgrounds, ages, and ethnicities on their path to recovery. We understand the difficulties of seeking help and successfully support more than 15,000 individuals each year to live fulfilling lives. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Get Help Now Our Stories Experience the stories of people like you and how they overcame crises to find hope and recovery. Read George's Story > Great Care Begins Here Western Montana Mental Health serves patients, clinicians, communities, and partners across western Montana. Improving To Transform Care in Montana We pursue partnerships that advance quality care, enhance patient experiences, and improve access to care. Learn More > Partnering to Shape the Future We explore and implement innovative ideas, partnerships, and technologies that meet our patient population and clinician needs while advancing our mission in western Montana and beyond. Learn More > Pursuing a Common Mission Our dedicated employees live out our mission to build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care — every day. Learn More >

References Learn About Prevention Services Find A Prevention Specialists Prevention Toolkits WMMHC Prevention Services Team has developed evidence-based toolkits to help parents, caregivers, and friends identify the signs of substance use in someone they care about and what they can do to help, as well as contact information for your local Montana prevention specialists. References are provided below: 1 TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT OPIOIDS: Keeping Your Kids Safe - Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/TTHY-Opioid-Broch-2020.pdf Accessed 28 Feb. 2022. 2 TIPS for TEENS: Methamphetamine- The Trun About Methamaphetamine (Meth)-Samsha.gov https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/pep18-03.pdf Accessed 28 Feb. 2022. 3 TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT VAPING: Keeping Your Kids Safe - Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/TTHY-Vaping-Broch-printable-2020.pdf Accessed 28 Feb. 2022. 4 TALKING WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT MARIJUAJNA: Keeping Your Kids Safe - Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/TTHY-Marijuana-Broch-2020.pdf Accessed 28 Feb. 2022. 5 NIDA. "What is marijuana? ." National Institute on Drug Abuse, 13 Apr. 2021, https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-marijuana Accessed 28 Feb. 2022. 6 BRINGING DOWN BINGE DRINKING - Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/nation_prevention_week/data-binge-drinking.pdf Accessed 28 Feb. 2022. 7 "Understanding Binge Drinking.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/binge-drinking 8 “Binge Drinking.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Jan. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm 9 UNDERAGE DRINKING PREVENTION NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN: HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CHILD IS DRINKING ALCOHOL - Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tell-if-child-is-drinking_0.pdf Accessed 28 Feb. 2022. 10 Dir, A., Bell, R., Adams, Z., & Hulvershorn, L. (2017). Gender differences in risk factors for adolescent binge drinking and implications for intervention and prevention. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 8(289), 1 – 17. Frontiers | Gender Differences in Risk Factors for Adolescent Binge Drinking and Implications for Intervention and Prevention | Psychiatry (frontiersin.org) ​ Marijuana Toolkit I mages [Isolated Communication Bubble Icon Flat Design By iconsy ] (https://www.canva.com/icons/MADpjiV7Gpc-isolated-communication-bubble-icon-flat-design/ ) [Teen Indian Hiker Guy Vector By sketchify ] (https://www.canva.com/icons/MAEAn_54z3E-teen-indian-hiker-guy-vector/ ) [Mobile Musical Note Icon By Delwar Hossain ] (https://www.canva.com/icons/MADAm14nEZ4-mobile-musical-note-icon/ ) [Teen Girl Taking Photo of Pet Cat Vector By sketchify ] (https://www.canva.com/icons/MAETjftSBVU-simple-minimal-social-media-icon/ ) [Two Women Jumping in Joy and Hi Fiving By sketchify ] (https ://www.canva.com/design/DAE8U30AAAc/84k2cYHr-oKVmKUvv5DNeA/edit ) [Simple Minimal Social Media Icon By sketchify ] (https://www.canva.com/icons/MAETjftSBVU-simple-minimal-social-media-icon/ ) [Teen Boy Streaming Video Games Vector By 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(https://www.canva.com/icons/MACo5zpzpLE-teens-winter-back-view/ ) ​ For questions on toolkits, to request guidelines for other conditions, or to request specific lectures or training sessions, please contact us. Back to Prevention Toolkits

Peer Advisory Council (PAC) ​ Would you like to see changes to Mental Health and Substance Abuse treatment in your community? WE WOULD TOO! ​ Western Montana Mental Health Center invites you to be a part of our Peer Advisory Council. For more information, please download the informational brochure below or contact Nikki Hamilton at: ​ Email: pac@wmmhc.org Tel: 406-546-0521 ​ PAC Informational Brochure ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Meeting Tuesday, July 23, 2024 Libby, Montana 1:00pm-3:00pm ​ Refreshments will be served Meetings are open to the P ublic ​ To Join Us Remotely Join Zoom Meeting https://wmmhc.zoom.us/j/2926586829 Zoom Room: 292 658 6829 ​ ​ 2024 Schedule ​ July 23rd: Libby September 24th: Hamilton November 19th: Kalispell ​ ​ All meetings will be at 1:00pm until 3:00pm, some will be held in person and via Zoom. ​ ​ ​ ​ Meet Our Staff About Contact Us

What We Treat Finding help may seem difficult, and we're here for you. High-quality, caring, compassionate, and confidential care is available to you. Get Help Now If you are having a medical emergency call 911. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call 988. Mental Health Conditions Western Montana Mental Health Center provides comprehensive treatment programs for adults, adolescents, and children with mental health conditions who live in Montana. Common conditions include depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, borderline personality, and most other disorders. Treatment programs include an in-depth assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, residential housing, jail diversion, psychiatric/medication management, and peer support services. ​ We also specialize in integrating vocational support into the treatment process. Substance Use Western Montana Mental Health Center offers substance use treatment programs for adults, adolescents, and children living in Montana. Substance use treatment is focused on those struggling with alcohol, heroin, opiates, prescription drugs, methamphetamine, cocaine, and most other substances. Treatment programs include an initial assessment, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), residential housing, individual therapy, group therapy, and community support. Treatment Program Overview Click on the treatment services you would like to learn more about Adults Mental Health Treatment Adults SUD Treatment Child & Adolescent Mental Health Treatment Child & Adolescent SUD Treatment Adults MH Adult Mental Health Treatment Programs Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. Child MH Child & Adolescent Mental Health Treatment Services Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. Adults SUD Adult SUD Treatment Programs Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. Child SUD Child & Adolescent SUD Treatment Programs Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. Adult Day Treatment | Adult Group Homes | Crisis Stabilization Facility | Client Housing | Drop-In Center | Emergency Services | Jail Diversion | Outpatient Therapy | Peer Support Program Of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) | Psychiatric/Medication Management Services | Vocational Services ​ Comprehensive School and Community Treatment | Home Support Services | Individual and Family Counseling | Psychiatric/ Medication Services | ACT (DUI) Program | Misdemeanor Dangerous Drug (MDD) Services | Outpatient Programs | Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) | Inpatient Substance Use Disorder | Community Prevention Services ​ Outpatient Programs | Community Prevention Services

Prevention Toolkits WMMHC Prevention Services Team has developed evidence-based toolkits to help parents, caregivers, and friends identify the signs of substance use in someone they care about, what they can do to help, and contact information for your local Montana prevention specialists. ​ These toolkits are free for distribution and can be used by anyone, with attribution. Toolkits are intended only as a guide and are not a substitute for emergency, clinical, or professional care. No toolkit can cover every scenario or be specific to any person. For questions on toolkits, to request guidelines for other conditions, or to request specific lectures or training sessions, please get in touch with us. BINGE DRINKING Download METHAMPHETAMINE (CRYSTAL METH) Download OPIOIDS Download CANNABIS (MARIJUANA) Download VAPING Download Prevention Services Home >> Tool Kit References >> Parent Resources Parent / Caregiver Resources Youth Connections Youth Connections Lincoln County Unite for Youth Coalition Lincoln County Unite for Youth Coalition MT Prevention Needs Assessment MT Prevention Needs Assessment BRFSS Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Youth Risk Behavior Survey Youth Risk Behavior Survey CONNECT Electronic Referral System CONNECT Electronic Referral System PAX Tools PAX Tools SAMHSA (Talk. They Hear You.) SAMHSA (Talk. They Hear You.) NIDA NIDA Parenting Montana Parenting Montana DPHSS DPHHS Prevention

Release of Information-Mental Health Please complete the electronic form below. All fields marked ( * ) are required fields. All information submitted on our website is private and confidential. Your treatment experience is strictly private and confidential, protected by federal and state law. If you need assistance in filling out our intake paperwork call 406-541-0024 ​ To complete the form by hand: Please call 406-541-0024 to request a paper form be mailed to you. You may also download this form , scan and return by Email: referrals@wmmhc.org or Mail to: Western Montana Mental Health Center 1321 Wyoming St, Missoula, MT 59801 Please wait while we load your form

Adults Living with a Mental Health Condition in Montana Western Montana Mental Health Center is an integrated community-based mental health center offering a comprehensive range of services to adults living with mental health conditions in Montana. Adult Mental Health Application Mental Health Conditions Can Be Managed ​ Common mental health conditions include: Anxiety spectrum disorders. These include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Bipolar Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Depression Schizophrenia ​ Western Montana Mental Health Center's personalized therapeutic treatment programs include an in-depth assessment, inpatient crisis stabilization, individual therapy, group therapy, residential housing, jail diversion, psychiatric/medication management, school-based programs and peer support services. Our programs are designed to help manage mental health conditions and overcome the lack of direction that may accompany it. Get the help you deserve. Request a free confidential callback within 1 business day. Get Help Now If you are having a medical emergency call 911. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call 988. Adult Treatment Services Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. How do you know if you or someone you care about has a mental health condition? Contact us to for a free confidential assessment. Our team will contact you within 1 business day to discuss the issues you or your loved one are experiencing and how Western Montana Mental Health Center can help. Get Help Now Mental Health Facts 1 in 5 1 Americans live with a serious mental health condition or long-term recurring major depression 1 in 25 2 Americans experience some form of mental illness in any given year Recovery is not only possible, it is essential. Get the help you deserve. Mental Health Application Insurance & Payment What to Expect Get Help Now All information submitted is 100% confidential. 1. Any Mental Illness (AMI) Among Adults. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2019, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml#part_15478 2. Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Among Adults. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2019, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml#part_154788 ​ Adult Day Treatment | Adult Group Homes | Crisis Stabilization Facility | Client Housing | Drop-In Center | Emergency Services | Jail Diversion | Outpatient Therapy | Peer Support Program Of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) | Psychiatric/Medication Management Services | Vocational Services ​ ​

Children & Adolescents Western Montana Mental Health Center (WMMHC) offers comprehensive services to children and adolescents living with substance abuse or mental health conditions in Montana. WMMHC offers school-based programs, prevention services, and comprehensive school and community treatment programs in multiple public school districts. Children & Adolescents Application All information submitted is 100% confidential. WMMHC Prevention Services was developed to teach Montana's youth skills for resisting social influences, impacting drug-related attitudes and norms, and promoting personal management skills. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of youth throughout Montana. ​ Learn More Get the help you deserve. Request a free confidential callback within 1 business day. Get Help Now If you are having a medical emergency call 911. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call 988. Child & Adolescent Substance Use Treatment Services Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. Child & Adolescent Mental Heatlh Treatment Services Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. Get the help you deserve. Chidlren Services Application Insurance & Payment What to Expect Get Help Now All information submitted is 100% confidential. ​ Comprehensive School and Community Treatment | Home Support Services | Individual and Family Counseling | Psychiatric/ Medication Services ​ Outpatient Programs | Community Prevention Services ​ ​

Get the help you deserve. Request a free confidential callback within 1 business day. Get Help Now If you are having a medical emergency call 911. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call 988. Adults Living with Substance Use Disorders Western Montana Mental Health Center offers programs and treatment options for adults suffering from addiction to alcohol or drugs, also known as Substance Use Disorders (SUD). All SUD services use evidenced-based interventions to promote a healing recovery process for clients and their families. ​ ​ Adult Substance Use Application The Journey to Recovery Begins Here Western Montana Mental Health Center treats clients struggling with substance use involving: Alcohol Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam, diazepam) Heroin and prescription opioids (oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and fentanyl) Marijuana Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) methamphetamine) ​ Treatment programs include an initial assessm ent, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), residential housing, individual therapy, group therapy, and community support. ​ Adult Treatment Services Mission, Vision, and Values Our Mission: To build thriving communities through compassionate, whole-person, expert care. Our Vision: We are the premiere community provider, employer and partner in comprehensive behavioral health services. Our Values: Empathy. Integrity. Respect. Growth About Since we opened our doors in 1971, we have been driven by the unwavering goal of providing behavioral healthcare that meets the needs of the people we serve throughout Western Montana. We’ve stayed true to our commitment to providing person-centered and evidence-based care in community settings. We’ve remained dedicated to doing what is right, not what is easy or profitable. We have fulfilled our unique role – as a licensed community-based mental health center – to be Western Montana’s behavioral healthcare “safety net." We tirelessly advocate for the rights of individuals to have access to integrated services that help people overcome despair and choose hope. The only thing that has changed since our inception almost 50 years ago is how much we’ve grown. From service delivery provided in 5 counties by 20 staff, we now have almost 800 employees serving over 15,000 clients in 15 counties. We have a much more comprehensive offering of services, with 25 programs to meet the needs of people across the continuum of age and need. And, since 2016, we now have the capability of providing services using telemedicine technology, meaning better access for clients and more effective use of scarce resources. All clinical services are reviewed and licensed annually by the State of Montana. Special grants are available to offset the cost of services for consumers who are financially eligible. Services are billed to Insurance, Medicaid, Grants, and self. Governance Western Montana Mental Health Center operates as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, public purpose corporation (501)(c)(3). The Board of Directors meets monthly to assure effective governance and administration of all Center interests. The public is invited to attend meetings. Participating counties include: Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Gallatin, Madison and Park. History Originally, the State Department of Institutions funded and administered five community mental health clinics in the state. One of the clinics was located in Missoula and was housed in the basement of the Student Health Center at the University of Montana. This clinic, with a staff of six, was responsible for serving the counties of Western Montana. Services were almost exclusively outpatient and, due to the limited staff, outreach efforts throughout the Region were very minimal. The expectation was that clients would commute to Missoula where services would be provided within the clinic. There are old records suggesting that the clinic opened in 1942. Employees of this clinic were all staff members of the State of Montana and they answered directly to the superintendent of the Warm Springs State Hospital. There was considerable isolation of the staff as direct contact with the State Hospital was minimal. Federal Involvement Montana's interest in the development of comprehensive community mental health centers was sparked by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health that was established by Congress under the Mental Health Study Act of 1955. Montana received funds to study its mental health needs and resources, and for a five-year period, effort was devoted towards the development of a plan which would provide effective services to the residents of Montana. With the passage of federal staffing and construction grant programs by Congress in 1963, the Montana State legislature passed complementary bills which enabled the State to become a responsible partner with the federal government in the establishment of regional mental health centers. Five mental health regions were established within the state and Boards, comprised of a county commissioner from each county within the Region, designated as the authority for governance of the community-based mental health programs. On July 15, 1969, the Western Montana Regional Community Mental Health Center Board submitted to the National Institute of Mental Health an application requesting federal staffing grant funds under the provision of Public Law 89-105. The program was approved on September 1, 1969. Western initiated services on January 1, 1971, utilizing local, state, and federal funds. Offices were opened in Ravalli, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, in addition to the existing Missoula-based outpatient office. The original (1971) staff numbered 20 including: 11 clinicians; 7 clerical workers; a business manager, and regional director. Billing and Financial Services For information on treatment costs, insurance, resources if you are uninsured, and payment options, click here. How do you know if you or someone you care about has an addiction? Contact us to for a free confidential assessment. Our team will contact you within 1 business day to discuss the issues you or your loved one are experiencing and how Western Montana Mental Health Center can help. Get Help Now Substance Use Facts 1 in 7 Americans will misuse alcohol and/or drugs in their lifetime 3 Recovery is not only possible, it is essential. Get the help you deserve. Substance Use Application Insurance & Payment What to Expect Get Help Now All information submitted is 100% confidential. 3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Surgeon General, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. Washington, DC: HHS, November 2016. https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-generals-report.pdf ​ ACT (DUI) Program | Misdemeanor Dangerous Drug (MDD) Services | Outpatient Programs | Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) | Inpatient Substance Use Disorder | Community Prevention Services ​ ​ Outpatient Programs | Community Prevention Services | Missoula Flagship Program ​

Joe's Story I grew up in Shelby on Montana’s Hi-Line. We still have a ranch up there. It is very cold, very beautiful and very windy. I never felt like I fit in. I was not an athlete. When you have a town with 3,000 people and a gymnasium that seats 5,000, you have a sense of priority. Like many people, alcohol helped me fit in in late middle school, early high school years. And certainly, there were no consequences for my alcohol use except for the positive ones of being able to suddenly be kind of cool and have friends. ​ In high school, that was kind of the scene, but in a sense, mine is one of those “if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone” stories. I wanted out of my little hometown, and so I became a very serious student, one of just a few recruited out of high school for non-athletic purposes. I was the worldwide President of Key Club International, a National Merit Scholar, Valedictorian, and so on. I won quite a few awards, because what mattered to me most was getting into a good college. So, on the one hand, I would go to keggers and drink and try to fit in, but on the other, I wanted to get out of there. ​ I ended up going to Stanford, and once I got there, it was a whole new world. What had worked before was alcohol, so in college it was “just add drugs” – take it up a notch. I did get into some trouble, but I was always able to mimic the old Warren Zevon song, “Send lawyers, guns and money! Dad, get me out of this!” Definitely a white privilege thing. I had a successful career there. I graduated with honors in Political Science, specializing in strategic weapons systems there under professors such as Condoleezza Rice. ​ Next came three years at Georgetown Law School, where I focused on international law and diplomacy. I was very serious my first year, as one should be in law school, although I did get a DUI regardless. But through a program called “probation before judgment,” once again, there were no real consequences. The last two years though, I drank myself stupid every single night. It was never anything that seemed problematic, just the pressures of being a student, so you drank. There were a lot of people like me, or maybe it just seemed like it. Maybe there were only a few people like me, be we were always all together. ​ After law school, the Berlin Wall fell, and my planned career path suddenly seemed untenable. World peace having seemingly screwed me, I decided just to make as much money as I could. I moved back to San Francisco and got a job in a big law firm, for a while continuing to drink myself to sleep every night. Eventually, however, I acknowledged that I had a drinking problem, so I tried a cold turkey break from alcohol, which I was able to sustain for over a year, leading me to believe, of course, that I wasn’t actually an alcoholic. I could manage my drinking. ​ The law firm I had joined, Pettit & Martin, would tragically become better known as the site of the 101 California shooting in 1993, still the largest mass murder in San Francisco history. People were shot where my office had been as well as the conference room next door. I lost friends and colleagues. It was a seminal event in my adult life, as well as in the lives of many others, and it hit me harder than I might have expected. It was quite traumatic for many people. ​ My initial reaction was to quit practicing law and join a rock band, which seemed rational at the time. Of course, that’s a really suspect path for someone with a self-diagnosed alcohol issue, and it wasn’t long before our success brought us a Jaegermeister sponsorship, and from there it was off to the races again. We weren’t successful enough to make a full-time career out of music, but I was able to turn my experience in the business into a solo career as an entertainment lawyer, and I also started a record label, sensing impending doom for what I felt had become the plastic disc selling business, rather than one centered on art. I also became the entertainment law professor at UC Hastings Law School right as the Napster-fueled dot-com boom hit, which led to working with many pioneering digital media businesses. I did that for a long time. ​ Between my law practice and record company, I was living a pretty high life throughout the 90s. In 2000, however, realizing that premature digital media madness was just about to ruin the American economy, I fled to Los Angeles and I got into the movie business. So that added cocaine to the booze intake I had watched steadily and uncontrollably rise once I brought it back from its hiatus. By the time I moved to LA, I had already begun to arrange my life around drinking so that I wouldn’t have to drink and drive. Then I started arranging everything else around my drinking or in a way that could incorporate my drinking, as there were still three martini lunch producers back then (maybe still are…). Anyway, it was all well and good… until it wasn’t. ​ After about five more years of the high life, the strain of my addiction began to show in my daily life. I wasn’t holding up my part of the wonderful law partnership I had helped to found, we weren’t getting any more movies made, and my screenplays were all trapped in development hell. Not to mention that my girlfriend had decided she had better things to do with her life than tend to a drunk. A very nice drunk, but a drunk nonetheless. I figured a good geographical change would reset things, and I was pretty sure the real estate market was going to crash in any event, so selling my house and going on walkabout seemed like a good idea. ​ After a few false starts and lots of bar stool declarations of greatness to come, I finally decided that what I really wanted was to write something actually meant to be read. So I moved to wine country and wrote a novel about the music business starring, what else, a middle aged alcoholic. My days blurred into a pathetic slog of waking up, throwing up, drinking a red beer (which nobody in California had ever heard of), and then “working” from home. It became pretty easy to isolate. I’d go out for lunch in a bar for a while and be “hail fellow, well met,” but then I’d go home and continue to drink until I passed out. ​ That went on for several years until I got involved with an actress, and we decided to move back to LA. She was considerably younger than I and had a fondness for opiates. I didn’t have much awareness at the time of the incredible dangers involved there, but after we moved to LA, her actual opiate addiction became evident. We went through a terrible period of it getting worse, getting her into treatment, and then coming home and relapsing, in large part because I wasn’t staying sober myself. It was an impossible situation for us both, and the only surprise in retrospect is that our shared addiction didn’t kill us both. Opiates were terrible. With drinking I had always felt I could deal with it eventually. But with opiates, we suffered a downward spiral for 3-4 years, and it just worse and worse. There seemed to be no hope. I blew a small fortune and basically ran out of work and couldn’t be counted on to do anything. We pulled various con jobs on my sainted mother and others and spent a lot of money on rehabs, as much or more than on drugs. We sent her to very Hollywood kinds of places, more like spas than what was probably really needed, but regardless, neither of us truly had the willingness to surrender and get serious about living clean and sober. I learned a lot from that experience. I went to AA and NA some, and so did she. I had a real issue that I now recognize as my own lack of willingness, but part of it was also that I was in LA. LA is a different place. I have considerable respect for people who get sober there, but I do now believe you can do it anywhere if you’re willing. ​ Toward the end she was in rehab, and I went to Mexico for a so-called “silver bullet” treatment known as Ibogaine, which turned out to be a wicked, evil, African root bark that is basically a psychotropic that occasionally has the side effect of relieving withdrawal symptoms in some people. It’s not at all what they make it out to be, and it’s just an example of how lost and desperate I was that I would even think of doing something that insane and ridiculous. But I did, and it turns out it essentially paralyzes you from the neck down for several hours, and then there are usually some hallucinatory effects. I’d done lots of acid, but I was not prepared for this. First, the paralysis, and second, it felt like I was lying naked on a stage under a blindingly hot spotlight with a voice screaming at me about what a horrible person I was and how it would be better for all if I were dead. Eventually I started to vomit while lying paralyzed on my back, and I thought well, here we go, it’s Jimi Hendrix time, and I can finally be done with all this. And then I felt a shove in my back from behind me, but there wasn’t anyone there. Nobody noticed what was happening until I flopped over and threw up, clearing my throat and windpipe. Only then did the attendant come over, and it was clear that there wasn’t anyone there to touch me. However you want to look at it, that’s what happened. I was out of my mind for weeks afterward. I couldn’t distinguish reality from what happened in my head. It was a very bad experience. ​ I finally came out of it and decided, okay, we have to move because we can’t pay rent next month. So, I was basically ready to just OD and die. This from somebody who was given everything. I was dealt a handful of Aces, and when I misplayed them, they kept giving me wild cards, but here I was ready to fold. Obviously, there are people that had much worse things happen to them, but for me, it was a pretty big fall. So eventually I called my sister and asked for help. She looked at a bunch of Betty Ford-like places, and those were an option, but I knew what kind of option that was. She lives in Kalispell, and so she also learned about Recovery Center Missoula, which was relatively new then, and she was able to get a bed for me fairly quickly. Somehow the idea of rehab in Montana made more sense to me given my previous experience. She retrieved me from LA in February 2016 on Valentine’s Day. I abandoned my still-suffering lover and left everything I owned behind. I didn’t know that I wasn’t coming back. I thought it would be 28 days and I’d be back. I agreed to go with my sister and a few days later, I was in RCM. I went through the whole detox thing. My health had deteriorated. I had deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. I was ill too on top of all of the alcoholic issues. ​ While I was here, I fell down and couldn’t get up. I was utterly powerless. Unable to even try to take on my problems myself. That was probably one of the real turning points in my recovery. I tried very hard to shut my mouth and do what I was told, regardless of what I thought, as my own thinking had proven ineffective time and again, and I had nothing less than an extraordinary experience at RCM as a result. My therapist Patrick met me on my level. He said, “Let’s just try and scratch the surface and get you ready to deal moment by moment to start,” which was a good approach. ​ My time with him was really well spent and helpful in that way, but at one point, he came back and said, “I want to go back to something you said earlier…. When you were 17, you were the worldwide president of Key Club?” I told him that I spent two-thirds of my senior year travelling all over the country and in other countries, giving speeches, talking to groups, and being the CEO of this huge high school organization. ​ He said, “That’s not really normal, you know. I suspect that you have no idea who you are and haven’t since you were 17 and adopted this approach to life. This persona has worked for you very, very well, but it’s a mask that has kept you from feeling connected to your own success, and that, along with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, has been ruining your ability to enjoy life and cope. I think when you are ready, going back and talking some of this stuff through would be a good idea.” ​ So, despite only trying to scratch the surface, his insights really gave me something to think about and opened up an opportunity for me to start over, thinking, acting, and being a revised version of what I thought I was supposed to be. For example, after I got out, Patrick suggested I move into Hands of Hope, the sober living house. And I said, “That’s not a very Joe thing to do,” and he said, “No, it’s not.” So, I knew it was the right thing to do. Fortunately, they had an opening just a week or so later, and I was able to get a room there. ​ First, however, I stayed with my mom for a little while. The first night I was out, I took the advice of virtually everyone, and went to that very important first AA meeting. It was St. Patrick ’s Day in Kalispell, and it turned out to be a really good meeting. I was still pretty raw, and I never really thought that for me AA would be a big part of my recovery. One of the things that was important to me about RCM was that it wasn’t foisted AA on me. It was just one of the choices. But I went, and I thought this was all right, and then I moved into Hands of Hope and continued to do aftercare at RCM, checking in once or twice a week. I stayed about five months at Hands of Hope, and it was a very good experience. I also did 90 in 90 for both AA and NA, which was one of the smartest pieces of advice I ever took, as I soon found how much I could get from the program. ​ I didn’t have to believe in someone else’s god or religion or even a highest power. I just needed to believe in a higher power than myself, and that I could do. As a result of that, I found a home group and have, over time, made AA a way of life in a way I never could have imagined. It taught me just how very few things in life are within my control, including absolutely everything in the past, everything in the future, and everyone else. About all I control are my own values, goals, and attitude, and to a lesser extent, what I choose to put in my mouth. But if I stay in touch with that reality and recognize my right-sized place in the Universe, no more or less, then I find I can have a conscious contact with a higher power that brings me peace of mind. ​ For this, I am grateful daily to the people who loved and didn’t give up on me, to the people and the organization (RCM) that provided such excellent care in my direst hour and set my on a road to recovery, and to AA the organization and AAs in my sober living facility, in my home group, in my present home, and everywhere for providing me with a program for living happy, joyous, and free. ​ At no point in all the high times of my prior life did I ever feel as happy, satisfied, content, or successful as I do each day now in general. That’s saying something indeed. < Previous Story Next Story>