Hil Ohrstrom joins local addiction recovery practice

Hil Ohrstrom, LCPC has joined the practice of Robert Rust, M.D., ABAM FASAM,to provide outpatient substance use, mental health, and general counseling services for adolescents and adults.

The practice is located at 1301 N. Division Ave. in Sandpoint.

Ohrstrom is a licensed clinical professional counselor with additional certifications in substance use disorder counseling and counselor clinical supervision. He earned a graduate degree from Antioch University in 1979 and has 40 years of counseling experience, the last 16 of which have been in North Idaho. He has served as a clinician, clinical supervisor, counselor trainer, program evaluator and researcher, clinical director, and as a program director.

In addition, Ohrstrom has taught sociology, substance use treatment, and alcoholism epidemiology college courses. He is a trainer and contact for implementation of “Recovery Training & Self Help,” an evidenced based treatment model for people suffering with opioid and cocaine use disorders.

“I appreciate the opportunity to work more closely with Dr. Rust because I know of his compassion for individuals and families suffering from substance use disorders, chronic pain, and co-occurring mental health disorders,” Ohrstrom said. “Some of the most courageous and resilient people I have ever met were those individuals and families that I had the privilege to serve as their counselor.

“People can and do attain recovery through many different paths. It is unfortunate that more people don’t understand the benefits of MAT (medication assisted recovery) and other effective forms of treatment. I have seen a great many people enter recovery and stay in it over time.

“People who are having problems with alcohol or other drugs often don’t believe they can recover,” Ohrstrom added. “We know they can. If you are someone who doesn’t believe recovery is possible for you, you can borrow our belief that you can and will recover until that time when you believe it on your own. You can do this.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the practice at 208-263-1345.