A long-term residential treatment center that helps pregnant women, mothers, and their children overcome drug abuse, announced it will expand its outpatient services as opioid abuse continues to claim lives across Tennessee.
The Renewal House is able to house 15 women and their children at a time, while offering group therapy, life skills support, and sober living.
At any given time, more than 60 women are on the organization's wait list to get help.
"I had a baby who was completely dependent on me and I was addicted to drugs," said Christina Gray, who entered treatment at the Renewal House in 2010, just months after giving birth. "I wanted help, but I had no one to keep my child."
Treatment programs for women with children or who are experiencing high risk pregnancies are scarce. Yet, experts at the Renewal House said treatment options that keep families together have many benefits.
"Having a mom and child together is critical in terms of a mother bonding with her child," said Pamela Session, CEO of Renewal House. "Even though a mom might experience some challenges while going through treatment, there is still potential for her to be a good parent if she has support."
The Renewal House has partnered with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to open an outpatient location, called Recover Together, in an effort to reach more women and families. Recover Together will offer assessments and screenings, group therapy, and referrals and will specifically target women struggling with addiction who are pregnant.
For more information on Recover Together, contact the Renewal House at (615) 255-5222.
