By Mike McKenna
As the story goes, Archie Walker was a local legend around Gooding, but not for all the right reasons.
Archie was a successful farmer and businessman. He was also an alcoholic. Archie eventually realized that alcoholism had led him to wreak horror on the town and the people he loved long enough, so in 1976 Archie teamed up with Dr. Douglass Smith to found The Walker Center in the heart of Gooding. It was the first facility of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
Nearly 50 years later, the nationally-accredited nonprofit has helped thousands of people find a way to recover from alcohol and drug addictions.
“Recovery is possible. There is a different path,” Christine Standlee, the Director for Community Relations for The Walker Center, said. And she knows first-hand.
Christine has successfully gone through programs at The Walker Center herself, before being offered a job there.
“My mess became my message,” Christine said. “I got my purpose and a new perspective. Recovery is possible. There is a different path.”
It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, especially if you’re battling substance abuse issues. But they are challenges that are all too common and will impact everyone in some way, shape or form.
“This doesn’t just happen to other people. We all know and care about someone who is struggling with addiction or mental health issues,” said Debbie Thomas, The Walker Center’s CEO. “It’s not about what or how much you use, it’s about what happens to you when you use it. You have to have the courage to be willing to look at yourself and say, ‘I need to change,’ and the courage to accept some help.”
One of the keys to The Walker Center’s success is that back in 1983, Dr. Smith became the first addictionologist in Idaho. He focused the Center’s programs around a person-first approach, adhering to more socially-based philosophies heralded for treating individuals with support and dignity.
“Every recovery pattern is going to be a bit different,” Christine said. “It’s not just a matter of will power. It’s a matter of willingness. You have to be willing to make that change, to make a difference, and the staff we have is so remarkable, so caring.”
“We meet the person where they’re at,” Debbie said. “Often, there’s a sense of hopelessness, but we’re here to talk to anyone. You can change and we’re here to help.”
The other key to success for The Walker Center is that they also provide help and guidance for the family members who often struggle psychologically, physically and financially as well.
“We know that these evidence-based practices work,” Debbie said. “Anything is possible if we have meaningfulness, purpose and quality connections with others.”
As their social media hashtag reminds us, it’s never too late to start #WalkingSober.
The Walker Center has a main treatment facility in Gooding and outpatient location in Twin Falls. Find out more at TheWalkerCenter.org or call 800-227-4190.