CRC-owned facility will integrate Christian programming

 Comprehensive Christian-based programming is expected to be integrated into the service mix at a number of CRC Health Group facilities in the coming years, according to an addiction and mental health referral service that will begin working with a CRC-owned residential program in Tennessee.

Lighthouse Network, based in Philadelphia, announced this week that it has established an alliance with CRC’s New Life Lodge in Burns, Tenn., which offers both adult and adolescent treatment in addictions. The intent of Lighthouse Network’s overall work with CRC involves providing Christian program development, marketing, staff development, enhanced admissions processes, and discharge planning.

It is expected that New Life Lodge will house Christian-based programming that is delivered in an insurance payment environment—an often difficult-to-access option for patients and their families.

“Before New Life Lodge, a person wanting a Christian addiction residential treatment program [to] maximize their recovery but who also wanted to use an HMO or other insurance program to pay for treatment had precious few Christian options available, and most are extremely costly and required enormous out-of-pocket expense,” Lighthouse Network founder and executive director Karl Benzio, MD, said in a statement.

According to the Lighthouse Network announcement, many other CRC facilities will ultimately follow New Life Lodge’s lead in implementing Christian programs under this alliance. The program at New Life Lodge is being described as a specialty track, and will incorporate Lighthouse Network’s Within Reach and Stepping Stones curricula that integrate mind/body/spirit treatment with Christian programming.   

Lighthouse Network also operates a toll-free helpline designed to connect individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues to treatment options.