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About Us
Company History
A History of Treatment Success
At the core of the success of Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers from our
very beginning is the coming together of two revolutionary ideas. The
first idea is an entirely new medical model, that addiction is a
primary, progressive, and entirely treatable physical illness. The
second is the comprehensive application of this clinical model in a
broad-based continuum of care for patients and their families and
communities.
First advanced in the late 1960s by Dr. James R. Milam, the research
director for a large pharmaceutical company, the disease model of
addiction counters and discredits the tragic, fundamental error in our
worldwide cultural conception of addiction as a moral "weakness" or
psychological "defect." Through the 1970s and early 1980s, Dr. Milam
tested and developed his original nationwide clinical treatment
program, headquartered at the present-day site of LMRC. His landmark
book, Under the Influence, was published in 1981. It endures as the
definitive publication for lay readers and clinicians alike. Having
sold over one million copies, it is classified by Bantam Books as "a
classic."
Early in the same period, Charles H. Kester, head of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Services for Seattle-King County, Washington from
December 1969 to April 1983 became acquainted with Milam's successful
model. Mr. Kester recognized its potential for revolutionizing
addiction treatment, and he expanded its application by introducing it
in publicly administered, community-centered treatment programs for
Washington State residents. He was an early proponent of the network
concept and first to build a network of outpatient clinics in King
County. The Carter administration later studied the new network as a
successful model of effective, community-based treatment.
A key component, in Mr. Kester's view, is the involvement and
education of family, friends, and communities in every patient's
recovery. The next step was to broaden the application of the new
treatment strategy and longer treatment period. This would be
accomplished via a network of fully-functioning community clinics for
complete outpatient treatment programs and for residential follow-up
care. These satellite clinics would surround a central facility
providing intensive inpatient programs for patients in need of
residential treatment.
Delivering care that utilizes the same philosophy and medical model in
all clinics and treating patients to the extent possible on an
outpatient basis in their own communities proved both clinically
successful and cost-effective. Results for patients were remarkable,
and in 1983, these pioneering men together established the Milam
Recovery Centers. Later, Mr. Kester assumed full stewardship and the
successful 30-year evolution continues forward today with
Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers.
The foundations of Lakeside-Milam's growth and success is our
nationally recognized clinical program, which cooperates completely
with such 12-Step programs as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics
Anonymous. Our experience with the disease concept of addiction is
unsurpassed in the field and is unique in emerging directly from its
source. Ours is the only program in the region praised in both The 100
Best Treatment Centers for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and Rehab: A
Comprehensive Guide to Recommended Drug-Alcohol Treatment Centers in
the United States. We are fully certified at the highest level by CARF,
the internationally recognized Commission on Accreditation for
Rehabilitation Facilities. We have been the object of a three-month
study by visiting Russian physicians and treatment specialists who
need successful and cost-effective means to address their country's
serious and geographically widespread problems with addiction.
Lakeside-Milam's message and treatment model is now highly regarded
and relied upon by public and private organizations as a key adjunct
to their own services. LMRC works with major Washington hospitals to
assist with addiction emergencies and the triage of patients. We
deliver training for doctors, nurses, and other professionals in the
field. We provide drug-free workplace services including policy
development, program coordination with unions, and supervisory
training programs. We work with justice systems and their
representatives in court-monitored treatment programs. LMRC counselors
work onsite with children in schools, and we assist with training and
educational seminars for school counselors, administrators, and
parent-teacher organizations.
Most important to the people we serve, though, and a fundamental
strength that sets our program apart, is our history of abiding
commitment to providing effective treatment based on the disease
paradigm of addiction. Again and again, our patients prove that
bodies, spirits, and lives are healed when rid of the cultural
accusations of guilt and shame and when supported by good nutrition,
reeducation, medical care, and dedicated multidisciplinary teams of
LMRC treatment professionals, 90% of whom are themselves in recovery.
Since treating its first patients in 1983, Lakeside-Milam has helped
nearly 50,000 addicts and alcoholics, far more than any other
Northwest treatment provider. We serve patients from every state in
the region and throughout the country. Beginning as two revolutionary,
synergistic ideas, the Lakeside-Milam treatment model has evolved to
become the largest private provider of alcohol and drug treatment in
the western United States.
We believe we offer the finest, most effective treatment available
anywhere. Our history attests to it and to the belief that any still
suffering addict or alcoholic will find hope and help at
Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers.
Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers. (800) 231-4303.
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