Howard C. Samuels

Howard Christie Samuels
Born March 29, 1952
New York City, New York, USA
Alma mater Ryokan College, Antioch University Masters Program
Occupation CEO of The Hills Treatment Center, Licensed therapist, Addiction Therapist
Spouse(s) Gabrielle Samuels

Background

Howard Christie Samuels (born March 29, 1952) from New York, New York has had experience in the substance abuse treatment industry for over 19 years and is currently the CEO and Founder of The Hills Treatment Center located in Los Angeles, California. Howard C. Samuels also sits on the executive board for Project SAM(Smart Approaches to Marijuana) with founders Patrick Kennedy and Kevin Sabet, as a strong advocate against the legalization of Marijuana in the U.S.

The Hills Treatment Center is known throughout the recovery community for treating a large number of media celebrities for substance abuse and many other process disorders. The Hills Center is catered to those accustomed to a more "plush" environment, in order to provide comfort and familiarity, while undergoing therapy in treatment. This contributed to nationwide media exposure for the facility, in which Howard C. Samuels was the focal point. While most clients elected their identities to remain confidential, there was a major shift throughout the recovery community, as many high profile celebrities began to publicly announce their decision to undergo treatment for drug addiction and/or alcoholism. Shortly after, many "high-profile" clients who were seeking addiction/alcoholism treatment, were willing to do so without fear of public opinion, such as Academy award winner Tatum O'Neal, former heavyweight champion boxer, Mike Tyson,[1] and many more.

Howard C.Samuels has a first-hand experience with substance abuse, alcoholism, and the drug rehablilitation process. In 1984, Samuels was committed to his last substance abuse treatment center called The Phoenix House, located in New York. After spending a year in Phoenix House, Howard C.Samuels decided to devote his life to helping others suffering from alcoholism/addiction and went to train as a counselor and eventually got a job working at the Phoenix House's branch in New York.

Pursuing his education to become a counselor in 1990, Samuels worked at the Promises Treatment Center in West Los Angeles, CA as a counselor and later became the program director. Howard Samuels also collaborated with the owner of Promises Treatment Center, Richard Rogg, to open up another treatment facility in Malibu where he helped coordinate and develop the clinical program.

Today, Howard C.Samuels continues to provide counseling and therapy to individual clients in his private practice. He continues to run therapy groups, oversees The Hills Treatment Center, and appears in the media often for his education and experience with addiction and treatment.

Education

Howard C. Samuels is a licensed therapist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, which was received in 1996. Shortly after, Howard Samuels earned his MFT-(Marriage and Family Therapist), specializing in addiction from Ryokan College in 1998. Samuels had spent three of his adult years in rehabilitation centers for various stints relating to alcoholism and/or substance abuse prior to any formal education.

Family

Howard C. Samuels is the second son of the late New York state political figure and co-founder of the Kordite Corporation Howard J. Samuels. His elder brother, Bill Samuels is also a Co-Founder of The Hills Treatment Center.

Howard C. Samuels has fought his own personal battle with drugs and alcohol in his youth and his drug busts received major media exposure on the front pages of both the New York Post and New York Daily News. His court cases were covered in Rolling Stone magazine and Newsweek, mainly due to the status and position of Samuels’ father.

History

At age 17, Howard C.Samuels Jr. had been charged with a Class A misdemeanor from drug possession on his first arrest on November 2, 1969.[2]“Young Samuels was referred by the court to the county’s Youth Counsel Bureau” due to his age as a minor, but his legal troubles continued. Only two years later,[3]“Howard C. Samuels was arrested at Kennedy International Airport on October of 1971 with 10 bags of heroin in his possession”. His father simultaneously was known for taking a proactive stand against incarceration for heroin addicts, instead of medical care and treatment in his 1966 campaign for Governor.

The judge gave Samuels the option to undergo incarceration for his crimes or enroll himself into a substance abuse treatment facility, in which he chose the latter. 30 years sober, Samuels provides therapy to other addicts and alcoholics.

Howard Samuels, Andrew Spanswick, Alan Jason Coe executed an asset sale of Wonderland Treatment Center in November 2008. The State Court of California honorable Judge Chalfant on March 27, 2009 in case BC401271, overturned the asset sale. Judge Chalfant states "The Plaintiffs are likely to prevail on their claim of fraudulent transfer".[4]

In the Media

Samuels has been labeled throughout the media as the expert in alcohol and drug addiction treatment,[5] and an addiction specialist.[6] Samuels has also been featured on Fox News with Piers Morgan,[7] CBS Early Show, Larry King Live, ABC's Good Morning America, and the Today Show on NBC [8] as an addiction specialist. He appears regularly as an addiction specialist on CNN [9][10] with Jane Velez Mitchell.

Notably, Howard C. Samuels was called to testify before the California Senate Public Safety Commission which resulted in legislation prohibiting the purchase of the hallucinogenic drug known as Salvia to minors.[11]

Awards

In November 2010, Howard C. Samuels was presented with the Hollywood Arts Inspiration Award, by actress Tatum O'neal, for his accomplishments in the drug treatment and recovery field.

References

  1. ↑ Eisele, Andrew. "Mike Tyson checks into Rehab". About.com. about.com guide. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  2. ↑ Oelsner, Lesley (31 January 1970). "Counseling Ordered for Samuels Son in Drug Case". The New York Times.
  3. ↑ Schmidt, Dana Adams (19 July 1972). "Samuels Urges Addicts Program". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Department 85, on 3/27/09, Case #BC401271
  5. ↑ Inspiration Award granted to Samuels
  6. ↑ Velez -Mitchell, Jane. "Was Michael Jackson an addict?". Transcripts from "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell". Transcripts. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  7. ↑ Piers Morgan on YouTube
  8. ↑ Today Show on YouTube
  9. ↑ CNN on YouTube
  10. ↑ CNN on YouTube
  11. ↑ Salivia

External links