StepOne Service St. Joseph Medical Center

04/18/2026

Addiction -What’s going on in the brain?©

Research has shown that addiction is not a matter of an individual’s strength, moral character or willpower.

Instead, it can be attributed to the way an individual’s brain becomes “wired.”

Long-term use of alcohol, other drugs and behavioural or process addictions change the brain.

Substance use increases the release of a powerful chemical called dopamine.

Over time, if dopamine is routinely in abundance, the brain attempts to balance things out by producing less dopamine naturally.

At that point, the brain is relying on substances to trigger the release of dopamine.

That is when individuals start to use alcohol and other drugs just to feel “normal.”

This all takes place in an area of the brain we call the reward center – the same place that regulates and reinforces natural rewards that are vital to our existence, such as food and s*x.

This is why the addicted brain can pursue alcohol other drugs and other addictions as if they are needed for mere survival, and why people with addiction can place that pursuit irrationally above almost all other priorities.

[Info: with thanks to the Betty Ford Clinic] Actually

04/17/2026

Eleanor Byrd is such an amazing asset to StepOne Service! Her commitment to the recovery community is invaluable!!
Congratulations on your amazing achievement! 🥳💚

We are thrilled to spotlight Board Member Eleanor Byrd!

Eleanor has dedicated her life to supporting recovery. As the Service Coordinator for StepOne Service at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, a short-term inpatient medical stabilization program for adults, Eleanor helps ensure people receive the support and connection they need during critical moments.

A Certified Peer Support and Harm Reduction Specialist, she is passionate about improving access to substance use treatment and trains first responders and service providers on best practices for assisting individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Eleanor also serves on several boards focused on strengthening collaboration and advancing behavioral health initiatives across the St. Louis and Jefferson County regions.

In addition to her advocacy work, Eleanor supports nonprofits through freelance graphic and web design. Having found healing through connection, art, and music in her own recovery journey, she deeply believes in the power of creativity to inspire joy, connection, and new possibilities in recovery.

04/16/2026

So excited to have Todd on our team! Congratulations on your launch today! 🥳🥳

Todd Burleson brings nearly four decades of experience in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) field. A person in long-term recovery with over 39 years of sobriety, Todd began his career as an apprentice wilderness guide working with adolescents in treatment in Montana. What started as an opportunity quickly became a calling, leading to a diverse and impactful career supporting individuals across multiple levels of care.

Throughout his professional journey, Todd has worked in inpatient SUD treatment, long-term residential programs, gang intervention initiatives, correctional settings as an SUD Manager in a state prison, community-based prevention, and urban harm reduction efforts.

In addition to his clinical and programming expertise, Todd brings strong leadership and operational experience. As an Executive Director, he successfully expanded a youth camp into a 350-bed facility through strategic community partnerships, fundraising, and outreach.

Outside of his professional work, Todd is a devoted husband and father, with a large and close-knit family that includes four children, four stepchildren, and six grandchildren. He is also an avid outdoorsman who finds renewal and connection through wilderness backpacking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and off-grid building and gardening.

Todd is excited to join the StepOne team and looks forward to introducing the much-needed StepOne Service to the Colorado River communities in northern Arizona.

To meet Todd, reach out at:

tburleson@ehp.care
928-224-9597
https://steponeservice.com/valley-view-medical-center/
https://www.valleyviewmedicalcenter.net/

04/10/2026

If we can be of any assistance please reach out to us. Our intake line is: 816-226-7586.

Recovery doesn’t just remove substances; it reveals everything that’s been waiting.

Co-Occurring Medical Conditions with Substance Use Disorder

💭 StepOne Service becomes a key part of your local recovery community, because many people don’t realize in early recovery how critical it is to address underlying medical conditions—something other treatment facilities often can’t manage.

🩺 During acute withdrawal, our patients are admitted to a hospital where co-occurring medical issues can be diagnosed, monitored, and treated.

⚕ Ignoring these conditions can put recovery at risk, because managing your health is just as important as managing cravings.

🫀 Taking care of your body from the start sets the foundation for a longer, healthier, and more sustainable recovery.

04/08/2026

Wonderful news!

Bluebox is now open in Lee’s Summit—just in time to celebrate National Public Health Week!

Today’s topic is how data drives lifesaving decisions, which is exactly how Bluebox ended up in Green Street’s parking garage. According to data collected in our opioid dashboard, zip code 64063 is among the highest rates of opioid overdose fatalities—and more than two times higher than other zip codes in Lee’s Summit.

By providing 24/7 access to naloxone where people need it most, we can lower overdose rates and save lives. That goal led us to more data collection: where do people need naloxone most in zip code 64063? Our staff visited community events and focus groups to gather input on which neighborhood would be most impactful.

The road to Bluebox was driven by data and supported by the Greater Lee's Summit Healthcare Foundation and the City of Lee's Summit Government.

Find more opioid data: www.jcph.org/opioids
Bring Bluebox to your community next: www.jcph.org/bluebox

04/08/2026

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04/06/2026

We currently have beds available this week for acute withdrawal management at our Kansas City location. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or opioid use, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

📞 Intake line: 816-226-7586

04/06/2026

What is Acute Withdrawal Management. There can be confusion between detox and acute withdrawal management. Our patients are at typically at the highest level of acuity for withdrawal from alcohol and opioids.
The chart below is very helpful. We are here to help or answer any questions: 816-226-6656

My cell is: 816-226-6656.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has a comprehensive set of standards and criteria for the levels of care in addiction treatment.

As a medically-managed inpatient care facility, StepOne Service offers the highest level of care available. We truly care about our patients and are dedicated to check-ins and follow ups to support long-term recovery success.

If you or a loved one needs help, request a pre-screening at https://steponeservice.com/addiction-recovery-step-one/T

04/05/2026

Happy Easter!

Wishing you a day filled with fresh starts, bright moments, and a little extra joy.

Here's to new beginnings, hope, and ham. 🍖🐣

04/03/2026

These are some amazing people helping others every day! Thank you for your collaboration! So great to see everyone!!

04/02/2026

Come work with us!!

Join Us for Walk-In Wednesday Hiring Event, Wednesday, April 8th, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at St. Joseph Medical Center.

Meet our hiring managers on the spot. No appointment needed to discover a variety of roles across our hospital system, from nursing to support staff and specialized medical services.

Learn about our comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, professional development opportunities, and sign-on bonuses.

Highlight your skills and experience by bringing an updated resume! We look forward to meeting you at Walk-In Wednesday!