Michael Cartwright

Infobox Person
name = Michael Cartwright
birth_date = birth date and age|1968|5|22
birth_place = Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
occupation = CEO of Foundations Associates
spouse = Tina Cartwright (1999–present)
children = Two
residence = Franklin, Tennessee
alma_mater = Trevecca Nazarene University (graduated in 1997)
website = [http://www.avondalepartnersllc.com/about/BehavioralHealthcareConference/ Biography]

Michael Cartwright is the founder and CEO of Foundations Associates, an organization for treating persons with addiction and mental health disorders. [ [http://www.avondalepartnersllc.com/about/BehavioralHealthcareConference/ Michael Cartwright Bio ] ]

Early life

As a teenager, Cartwright struggled with addiction as well as psychosis. When he sought help, psychiatrists told him to get sober before they could help and addiction agencies told him he was too mentally ill to benefit. [ [http://www.coce.samhsa.gov/about/nsc.aspx#bookmarker11 ] ] At that point he discovered the gap in treatment for people who are dually diagnosed. [ [http://www.usjt.com/DistanceLearning/Individual/ceu_details.aspx?ceuid=6125b7bb-fb8c-4acb-befc-6fa592d50dee Bio ] ] Through his journey of recovery, Michael Cartwright realized the need for an integrated system of treatment to help people who suffer from addiction and mental health problems. In 1995 he modified his professional direction to address the gap in treatment and create an integrated system. [ [http://coce.samhsa.gov/about/nsc.aspx ] ]

Founding of Foundations

Cartwright’s vision was birthed as an 8-bed residential facility in Nashville, Tenn. From there he established Foundations Associations on a simple dedication to improving the recovery of persons with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. [ [http://www.mhsip.org/MHSIPPRES02/ThomasDoub02.pdf ] ] Cartwright iniated Foundations Associates to provide a continuum of care for the dual diagnosed. The treatment program incorporates the 12-step philosophy of Dual Recovery Anonymous while utilizing motivational interviewing techniques. [ [http://dualdiagnosis.org/research/executive-summary-of-foundations-associates-residential-integrated-treatment-program-evaluation Treatment Programs ] ] In November 2007, Sterling Venture Partners invested $22 million in Foundations Associates. Foundations Associates owns 5 addiction treatment centers, four in California and one in Tennessee. The Canyon at Peace Park in Malibu, Michael's House and Michael's House Retreat in Palm Springs, Alta Mira in Sausilito and La Paloma in Memphis, Tennessee. Foundations also has offices in Santa Monica and Atlanta for Outpatient and Alternative Sentencing Services. [ [http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/12/03/story12.html ] ]

Michael appeared on the Bradley Quick show, KRLA NewsTalk 870 [ [http://www.bradleyquick.com/subjects/DualDiagnosis.htm ] ] ]

Awards and Recognitions

Michael Cartwright has been acknowledged for his expertise in integrated service development, and his programs have attained national recognition as recipients of finalist status for the APA Gold Award, the Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Company’s Lilly Reintegration Award, an invitation by SAMHSA as one of two agencies in the country to be featured in the pending TIP on co-occurring disorders, and selection by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors as one of the seven dual diagnosisagencies in the country for on-site study. Mr. Cartwright is a member of the national steering committee for SAMHSA’s Co-Occurring Center for Excellence (COCE). [ [http://coce.samhsa.gov/. ] ] He was also involved with the development of SAMHSA’s expert consensus guidelines on the treatment of co-occurring disorders. Mr. Cartwright’s agency published a quarterly journal on co-occurrence and conducts national conferences on co-morbidity. [ [http://coce.samhsa.gov/about/nsc.aspx Accomplishments ] ]

Quotes and Commentary

Interview by Perez Hilton on Britney Spears' condition. [ [http://perezhilton.com/2008-01-06-headline-of-the-week-weak-69] ] ]

References