Mary Hall Freedom Village

T heresa Ward, the connections coordinator for admissions, completes screenings and does biopsychosocial assessments. When Theresa was living in New York, she knew a thing or two about substance abuse. “It's very personal for me because my mother was a recovering addict, and my brother was as well. So, in dealing with addictions, I had to learn that it’s not their choice, it’s the addiction. It’s a disease that takes over. I had to learn that on my own so I could get a better understanding of why addicts struggle the way they do. That’s what motivated me to start my journey working in the field of substance abuse. It changed my perspective.” So, what is Theresa’s day

like when a participant comes to see her? Theresa answers, “I do the biopsychosocial assessments, so it gets really personal. I hear their traumas and their stories. I try to keep themmotivated and encouraged. Sometimes they are ready to walk out the door, and I say, ‘Give it a shot before you give up!’” Theresa explains what happens, soon after the participant enrolls. “Their attitude changes. It’s the nerves. In the beginning, they’re kind of hesitant— it's something new. Once they come in and get adjusted, then their whole perspective starts changing. They walk a little differently, their head is up higher. They start to believe in themselves.”