July 26--Tabatha Weeda knows what it's like to deal with substance abuse in a family.
Weeda grew up in the Merced area, and after attending Merced Junior College and then getting her master's degree, she realized the area needed some help she might be able to provide.
Weeda is the owner of Stepping Stone Recovery Options, and she's dedicated her life to help people who have substance abuse and mental health problems.
"I have a family history of substance abuse and recovery," Weeda said. "After I got my degree in psychology, I wanted to move back to Merced and provide services in the community where I was brought up."
Weeda opened her business in December 2009, and although she has a full-time job, she sees patients in the evenings and on weekends.
The recovery center also has an alcohol and drug counselor, Genieveve Dunlap, who is Weeda's partner.
"She has been in the forefront of really trying to help people with alcohol and drug problems," Weeda said.
The recovery center tries to help people who find themselves stuck in the middle of trying to get help from local services.
"There are a lot of people who need help who don't have a severe mental illness," Weeda said. "They may not be able to receive assistance or aid because they don't have a severe illness. Those are the people we are trying to help."
Weeda said in the private-practice sector, people may not be able to afford the out-of-pocket expenses that come with the help they need.
"We are trying to provide an opportunity for help for those people," Weeda said. "We want to try and work with them to make sure they get help."
Weeda said her business uses a sliding scale to bill patients.
"We want to try and work with people to at least get them in the door," Weeda said. "We want to help them get treatment, and then move on to helping them get employment and stable housing."
The economy has been stressful to a lot of people who may now need some mental help, Weeda said.
"People are losing their jobs, families end up arguing -- it's a bad time," Weeda said. "I can help families, individuals and children."
Weeda said business has picked up since she opened.
"We are happy that we can be part of the community and help people recover from substance abuse or mental health disorders," she said.
Unfortunately for her clients, but fortunately for her, substance abuse is a growth industry.
Reporter Carol Reiter can be reached at (209) 385-2486 or creiter@mercedsun-star.com.
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