Meriter NewStart is primarily an outpatient rehabilitation program for individuals with substance abuse disorders. For more than 35 years, NewStart has helped individuals and families find a new life of recovery. NewStart's team of experts specializing in addictions--physicians, counselors and registered nurses--work with each individual and affect family members to develop a treatment plan.

Our Beliefs

A person with a substance abuse disorder needs support to recover. Because each person's needs are different, NewStart's professionals design programs and services to provide the help necessary for each person to more toward recovery. NewStart staff also recognize that caring for the family is as important as treating the person with the disease.

Assessing Your Needs

NewStart offers a range of services. Each individual will first meet with a NewStart addictions counselor to assess his or her needs. This may include counselor referral to a NewStart addiction medicine physician. NewStart’s physicians provide medical assessment and, if appropriate, recovery medications. NewStart’s counselors and physicians coordinate with the individual’s primary care physician and/or health professionals to manage health care needs.

Program Offerings

Care may include the following:

• Assessment
• Referral for detoxification, if necessary
• Intensive outpatient treatment requiring attendance four days each week
• Continuing care requiring weekly attendance
• Individual sessions
• An education program

Appointments for prescription recovery medications, such as Antabuse, Suboxone and Vivitrol are available.

Adult Detoxification

Alcohol detoxification is the abrupt cessation of alcohol intake, combined with prescribed medication meant to prevent the development of withdrawal symptoms. Detoxification may or may not be necessary, depending on an individual’s age, medical status and history of alcohol intake.

Outpatient Programs

Intensive Outpatient Programs
These programs provide education, therapy and support to motivate individuals to successfully navigate through the first month of recovery and make the changes necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Morning and evening groups are offered and meet for three hours daily, Monday through Thursday, for four to six weeks. Individual sessions with a counselor occur, as needed. Treatment is most successful when a family member attends weekly sessions with the
patient.

Continuing Care
After completing an initial rehabilitation program, an individual needs varying amounts of medical, social and emotional support to maintain sobriety and a positive recovery. Our team assists with setting up a continuing care treatment plan that suits the individual’s need for support.

Counseling Services
All NewStart counselors are prepared at the Masters-Degree level. They provide special support, including individual, group and family sessions, based on each individual’s unique needs.

Recovery Medications
NewStart physicians are all board certified addictionologists. They offer medication to support sobriety, when required.

Education Groups
Groups meet one time each week for six weeks. These groups are for individuals not dependent on substances.

Insurance

Insurance coverage for patients with substance use disorders varies among insurance carriers. Please contact your insurance carrier for questions about your coverage.

Accreditation

Meriter's mental health and substance abuse disorder programs are certified by The Joint Commission and by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division of Quality Assurance.