Our belief
The idea that addiction is a chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease with a biological basis has been an accepted part of orthodox, mainstream medical education for decades. Yet, the world of addiction treatment has always existed outside of the interconnected system of mainstream medical practice. Inspired and guided by the American Society for Addiction Medicine, our center was created to step into that gap and bridge the divide. And we believe it to be just the right thing, just in the nick of time.
Mission and values
Defining excellence and compassion in treating those suffering from addiction by providing personalized comprehensive outpatient care. We bring the power of evidence-based care to addiction treatment, creating a bridge from medical stabilization to long¬term recovery.
Leadership
We strive to be the leader in addiction treatment, each of us takes ownership in providing the best possible care for our patients and is accountable for doing our best work to support the Addiction Recovery Center’s mission. We lead by holding ourselves to the highest standards of quality care to help our patients achieve the best possible outcome.
We create an environment of trust with each other and with our patients. We hold each other and our patients to the highest standard of ethics and integrity in all that we do
Compassion
We treat each other and our patients with compassion: dignity, and respect. We draw on our own experience to be empathetic and understand the challenges our patients face in their pathway to recovery.
Teamwork
We are collaborative in our approach; respecting each other’s contributions and focusing our efforts on providing holistic care and patient well-being. Each of us takes ownership of the Addiction Recovery Center ‘s success and continually works toward achieving our mission.
Innovation
We continually evolve our approach to patient care as we learn and strive to evolve our model to provide the most extensive, state-of-the-art continuum of care in an outpatient setting. We are open to continually improve our model of care to help our patients to heal and to achieve long¬term recovery beyond harm reduction, inspired by our own recovery experience.
Diversity
At Addiction Recovery Center we recognize that diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all forms creates a stronger workplace and enhances the quality of care for patients. We strive to empower our employees to provide excellent care while creating an inclusive environment for employees and patients alike regardless of protected identities, such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Douglas A. Brown, M.D. is board certified in family medicine and specializes in the treatment of substance use disorder. With over 30 years of experience as a physician, Dr. Brown successfully helps patients overcome substance use disorder. Addiction Recovery Center of Virginia is an Intense Office Based Outpatient Treatment Program, using Medication Assistance Treatment for Substance Use Disorder. Recently completed a one year Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine in primary care psychiatry
Trained and certified in buprenorphine treatment by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Dr. Brown combines the latest pharmaceutical approaches with therapeutic counseling to treat opioid addiction. Opioids, which include the street drug heroin and prescription painkillers such as Oxycodone (OxyContin®) and Hydrocodone (Vicodin®) are an epidemic in this country.
Buprenorphine is a medication that suppresses the debilitating symptoms of opioid withdrawal. This pharmaceutical assistance is used in conjunction with therapeutic counseling and social support groups at Addiction Recovery Center of Virginia. To further assist long-term success, Dr. Brown uses naltrexone (Vivitrol), a drug which blocks opiate receptors in the brain so to suppress any craving for opiates. This drug is used once a patient is off buprenorphine.
“I am dedicated to helping people who are serious about getting free of their opiate addiction get their lives back,” says Dr. Brown. “I have heard Suboxone referred to as “the miracle drug” because of its amazing results…We don’t think of it that way. We think the miracle is within you, and our dedicated program just helps you find that again.”
Dr. Brown received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in 1986, followed by a residency in family medicine at St. Clare’s Hospital, Schenectady, New York. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and an active member of American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Certifications
Meet Our Team
Gloria Brown, R.N.
“As the patient advocate for this program, I feel honored to witness our patients making their journey to freedom.” Associates Degree...
Read MoreGloria Brown, R.N.
“As the patient advocate for this program, I feel honored to witness our patients making their journey to freedom.”
Associates Degree & Applied Science, Nursing degree as R.N., J. Sargeant Reynolds Registered Nurse, 24 years
Laura Cisewski, Executive Director
“I am passionate about this program because it gives hope and healing to families that are suffering.” B.S. Degree in Chemistry, Jame...
Read MoreLaura Cisewski, Executive Director
“I am passionate about this program because it gives hope and healing to families that are suffering.”
B.S. Degree in Chemistry, James Madison University
MBA program, University of Richmond
Real Estate sales, 20 years
She manages financial and operational issues.