Rootstown – Addiction has become rampant in our region and has kept our first responders busy saving lives. Addiction comes in many forms, it is not necessarily just the junkie or drunkard we see lying in the ditch or on a city street. It can be a person who is very high functioning, one who can keep a job and go on with life, and many are none the wiser. Just because no one knows, doesn’t mean there isn’t a crisis brewing inside of that person. Such was the case for Ted St. John of Windham Township.
Ted grew up in Windham, attended Windham Schools and lived life to the fullest. Like many young folks, he was looking for excitement and found it in the form of alcohol & marijuana. Before too long, what started off as a thrill, soon became an addiction to hardcore drugs. When he first started using, it was for a thrill, then it became a habit and before too long, it was a necessity. Ted needed them every day to survive.
Ted wasn’t the ordinary addict. In fact, some might call him a closet addict, one who kept it a secret for a long time. He was a successful man, a competitive bodybuilder, power lifter, who owned a health club and eventually became a salesman in the steel industry making six figures annually, but he had a $200+/ day addiction, an addiction that ate up most of his income.
St.John finally revealed he had an addiction problem to his mom because he saw his life spiraling out of control. He had a young daughter, a long-term relationship, a house, new cars and a good job, but was borrowing money from his mom to make ends meet. Before too long, he was borrowing more money than he could pay back. That started the spiral.
He looked into the face of his preschool daughter and realized he was repeating the story of his own father and became committed to breaking the cycle. She needed him to be drug- free and deserved to have a father who was clean and putting her first. Between owing his mom money and wanting a better life for his daughter, he chose the road to recovery.
Recovery wasn’t easy, it never is, Ted checked himself into Glenbeigh, an inpatient detox center. There he went through detox, committed to a 12-step program and is now in recovery. His personal story on recovery inspired him to want to help those suffering with addiction. Today he is 10 years clean and credits his daughter as the incentive to stay clean. It is still a challenge, he has new coping skills, and is just taking it one day at a time.
St. John ended up landing a job at Glenbeigh and began learning the ropes of the treatment industry. He has since worked in leadership positions at other treatment facilities, gaining experience and accumulating knowledge along the way. This caused him to develop a passion for others suffering from addiction.
He began doing research on how to start, plan and bring an addiction facility to Portage County. He had developed a solid plan and all he needed was some financial backing. He was approached a few times to start an agency, but he needed the right fit. After a few years, he found the right partner, who helped finance what is now known as Hope Village Recovery Center in Rootstown. Ted is the co-owner and CEO.
Hope Village opened in April 2018 and is an outpatient addiction recovery center, that is helping folks get into recovery and begin living again. “They provide a solution-based innovative model of recovery services to those who are affected by addiction” Hope Village offers comprehensive assessments, individual counseling, group counseling, intensive outpatient services, aftercare services, transport services, case management, peer support, family education and more. Relapse therapy is also available. There are many pathways to recovery and the path chosen is personalized and caters to the specific client. They also serve those who are addicted to any substances, including alcohol.
When one first arrives at Hope Village, the staff will do an assessment to develop an individualized program to get the client on the road to recovery. If a person needs detox and inpatient services, they will be referred to the appropriate facility.
Workshops are being held at Portage County jail; a more comprehensive re-entry program preparing those with addiction for release is starting. Plans for “clean-functioning” can be prepared. In the future, they hope to have a facility for detox/inpatient services as well.
They have many partners in the community that they work with, to help clients get on the road to recovery and get back to living a fulfilled life. They find solutions and help with housing, transportation, shelter, jobs and more. They work with the judges, probation and, most recently, were invited to participate with Hope Drug Court in Portage County.
Hope Village’s staff holds various licenses, such as Ohio Counselors, social worker, and marriage and family therapist board, Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board; Hope Village was certified last year by OhioMHAS. The center offers hope to those who are struggling with addiction and their families. They accept private insurances and Medicaid.
One thing everyone needs to remember before judging someone who struggles with addiction, they could be your child, brother, sister, mother, father, aunt or uncle. Many didn’t choose this path, but it did happen. They need help, love, treatment, understanding and clear boundaries to get into recovery.
Hope Village offers hope for those who have addiction problems. One can contact the center at (330) 850 – 5141or email them at info@hopevillagerecovery.com to set up an appointment. Hope Village is located at 3975 Kenneth Dr. in Rootstown.
