Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council

The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, also known as CADA, wants to delve deeper into ARTS. Lest anyone think the seven-decade-old nonprofit is planning to build a theater or sponsor a series of rock concerts or dance performances, ARTS is short for CADA's Adult Residential Treatment Services; A residential treatment facility for men and women that provides 24-hour withdrawal management, support and supervision from certified alcohol and drug counselors and on-call medical providers, as well as treating co-occurring mental health issues.

The center opened just a dozen years ago in collaboration with the city of Santa Barbara, the county Alcohol and Drug Program and the Housing Authority. CADA's 12-bed center — in a new four-bedroom facility in downtown Santa Barbara — is licensed by the California Department of Public Health. The program's inpatient treatment, which lasts up to 90 days, begins with data-driven withdrawal management based on a comprehensive assessment by a physician, CADA's clinical director, therapists and treatment staff. Upon admission, a discharge plan is developed to serve as a roadmap for each client's personal path to recovery. During their stay at ARTS, clients are introduced to local peer support groups who can provide treatment services and begin aftercare for their clean and sober lifestyle upon completion of the program.

The problem is that the ARTS facility is bursting at the seams.

“There is a great need for such a facility in our community and we have a long waiting list,” he explained Victoria Rightmiresince this summer managing director of CADA. “Often people are pushed out of the community when we can't house them, and we really want to be able to meet the needs of our community within
the community.”

That's why CADA has launched a capital campaign to raise funds to expand the 12-bed facility into something significantly larger, Rightmire said.

“We are planning on 30 or even 36 beds to meet the need, which has only increased since the pandemic,” she said. “The campaign is one of our main focuses at the moment as having a roof over your head is crucial when embarking on the journey to recovery from addiction.”

CADA is committed to an improved facility that is both supportive and comfortable, providing a healthy space for residents that allows for on-site medication-assisted treatment and all other necessary services, Rightmire said.

“We are currently considering purchasing a new facility which would allow us to have a lot more space and more beds. We would have a large kitchen, a dining room, a nurses station and a place for people to really enjoy their first days of recovery in a larger, more spacious type of healthy recovery environment.”

Improving both bed space and treatment with client success in mind is part of the concept of making this level of recovery accessible to all.

“The people who come to our facility are Medi-Cal patients who definitely couldn’t afford this kind of care elsewhere,” Rightmire said. “What makes us so special and valuable is that we treat people whose resources are limited and who can come here to the city and get clean and sober.

“We hope the community will support us to make this dream come true.”

ARTS is just one program of CADA, which was founded in 1949 as the Santa Barbara Committee on Alcoholism with an enlightened early perspective on alcoholism as a disease rather than a “moral failing.” CADA is currently the leading provider of education, prevention and treatment for substance abuse and related mental health conditions affecting youth, adults and families in Santa Barbara County.

CADA operates both adult programs and youth and family programs. There are five programs in each category, spanning Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria. CADA's Project Recovery has been an integral part of the community for more than 35 years, providing safe, structured, and affordable outpatient treatment services for adults with alcohol and drug addiction problems. Each client has a primary counselor who develops and oversees their treatment plan, educates about addiction and its medical consequences, helps clients understand relapse triggers, builds communication skills and self-esteem, and identifies and treats co-occurring disorders.

Other programs include the Multiple Offender DUI Program, school-based therapy and the three Daniel Bryant Youth & Family Centers.

All CADA treatment centers are operated with a commitment to providing a welcoming, warm and soul-nourishing environment.

For details about the CADA program and how you can support the nonprofit organization – including the annual Amethyst Ball, scheduled for May of next year – call (805) 963-1433 or visit www.cadasb.org.