Our Story & Mission
ARAT Helpline was founded in 2009 by a group of behavioral health professionals and community leaders who recognized a critical gap in addiction treatment services across southern Arkansas. At the time, individuals and families in Camden and the surrounding Ouachita County region were forced to travel hours to access quality substance abuse care. Determined to change that, our founders established a comprehensive treatment center right here at 525 Frazier Ave in Camden, AR, to serve as a beacon of hope for those struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
From our earliest days operating out of a small converted clinic, ARAT Helpline has grown into a full-service residential and outpatient treatment center. Our campus now includes modern residential quarters, dedicated therapy rooms, recreational spaces, and a medical detox unit staffed around the clock by licensed nurses and physicians. What started as a vision shared by a handful of committed professionals has become a vital community resource, serving individuals from Camden, El Dorado, Magnolia, Pine Bluff, and throughout the state of Arkansas.
Throughout our growth, one thing has never changed: our unwavering commitment to treating every person who walks through our doors with dignity, respect, and clinical excellence. We believe that addiction is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing, and we design every aspect of our programs to reflect that philosophy. Today, ARAT Helpline stands as one of the most trusted addiction treatment facilities in southern Arkansas, and we remain deeply rooted in the Camden community that inspired our founding.
Our Mission
To provide compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment and mental health services that empower individuals and families in Camden, Arkansas, and beyond to achieve lasting recovery, rebuild meaningful lives, and strengthen our community.
Our Core Values
Compassion First
Every interaction at our facility is guided by empathy and genuine care for our patients and their families.
Clinical Excellence
We adhere to the highest standards of evidence-based care, continuously updating our methods with the latest research.
Individualized Care
No two recovery journeys are the same. We tailor treatment plans to each individual's unique needs and circumstances.
Community Commitment
As a Camden-based treatment center, we are dedicated to strengthening our local community through education and outreach.
Integrity
We operate with transparency, honesty, and ethical responsibility in every aspect of our clinical and business practices.
Whole-Person Healing
We treat the mind, body, and spirit, integrating holistic therapies alongside clinical treatment for comprehensive recovery.
ARAT Helpline By the Numbers
Our Approach to Treatment
Treatment Philosophy
At ARAT Helpline, we believe that effective addiction treatment must address the whole person, not just the substance use. Our clinical philosophy is grounded in the biopsychosocial model of addiction, which recognizes that biological, psychological, and social factors all contribute to the development and maintenance of substance use disorders. By addressing each of these dimensions, we help our patients build a strong, multifaceted foundation for lasting recovery.
Our treatment team employs a collaborative, patient-centered approach. From the moment you arrive at our Camden facility, you are an active participant in shaping your treatment plan. We combine the latest evidence-based therapies with compassionate, individualized attention to create a treatment experience that is both clinically rigorous and deeply personal. Our goal is not simply to help you stop using substances, but to equip you with the skills, insights, and support systems you need to thrive in long-term recovery.
Evidence-Based Treatment Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Identifies and restructures negative thought patterns and behaviors that drive substance use, replacing them with healthy coping strategies.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Teaches mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to manage intense emotions without turning to substances.
Group Therapy
Facilitated group sessions provide peer support, shared accountability, and the powerful experience of knowing you are not alone in your recovery journey.
Individual Counseling
One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist allow for deep personal exploration of trauma, triggers, and the underlying causes of addiction.
Family Therapy
Addiction affects the entire family. Our family therapy sessions rebuild trust, improve communication, and establish healthy boundaries for long-term recovery support.
12-Step Facilitation
Structured introduction to 12-step principles and local community meetings, building a recovery network that extends well beyond our facility walls.
Holistic Therapies
Yoga, meditation, art therapy, mindfulness training, and nutritional counseling complement clinical treatment for comprehensive mind-body-spirit healing.
Our Continuum of Care
Recovery is not a single event but a journey that unfolds over time. At ARAT Helpline, we offer a full continuum of care designed to support you at every stage, from the initial crisis of active addiction through the ongoing work of sustained recovery. Our seamless transitions between levels of care ensure that you always receive the right intensity of support.
Medical Detoxification
Medically supervised withdrawal management in a safe, comfortable environment with 24/7 nursing support and physician oversight to ensure your safety and comfort.
Residential Treatment
Immersive, structured inpatient programming including individual therapy, group sessions, skill-building workshops, and holistic activities in our Camden campus.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Intensive daytime programming that allows patients to return home or to supportive housing in the evening, maintaining high-level clinical support while building independence.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Flexible evening and daytime sessions three to five days per week, enabling patients to maintain work, school, or family responsibilities while continuing active treatment.
Aftercare & Alumni Support
Ongoing recovery coaching, alumni events, relapse prevention support groups, and community connections to sustain your recovery long after completing formal treatment.
Our Leadership Team
Our multidisciplinary team brings together decades of combined experience in addiction medicine, behavioral health, and clinical counseling. Each member of our leadership team is deeply committed to the mission of ARAT Helpline and to the individuals and families we serve here in Camden, Arkansas.
Dr. Marcus L. Whitfield
Executive Director
Dr. Whitfield has over 20 years of experience in behavioral health administration and was instrumental in founding ARAT Helpline. A Camden native, he holds a Doctorate in Health Administration from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and has dedicated his career to expanding access to quality addiction treatment in southern Arkansas. Under his leadership, ARAT Helpline has grown from a small outpatient clinic into a comprehensive residential treatment center serving patients across the region.
Dr. Priya Nandakumar, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Nandakumar is a board-certified addiction medicine physician and psychiatrist with over 15 years of clinical experience. After completing her residency at Baylor College of Medicine and fellowship training in addiction psychiatry, she joined ARAT Helpline to lead our medical and detoxification programs. She oversees all medication-assisted treatment protocols, medical detox procedures, and psychiatric evaluations, ensuring every patient receives safe, comprehensive medical care throughout their treatment journey.
Angela Harmon, LCSW, LCDC
Clinical Director
Angela Harmon brings 18 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and has specialized in dual diagnosis treatment and trauma-informed care. As Clinical Director, Angela leads our therapy team, designs individualized treatment plans, and ensures that every aspect of our clinical programming meets the highest evidence-based standards. Her warm, empathetic approach sets the tone for the therapeutic environment at ARAT Helpline.
Our Clinical Staff Credentials
The ARAT Helpline treatment team includes over 40 dedicated professionals, each bringing specialized training and credentials to support your recovery:
- Board-certified physicians specializing in addiction medicine and psychiatry
- Registered nurses (RN) with detoxification and behavioral health experience, on-site 24/7
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) trained in trauma-informed care
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC) with extensive substance abuse treatment experience
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) specializing in CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing
- Certified yoga instructors, art therapists, and wellness coaches for holistic programming
- Case managers and patient advocates who coordinate aftercare planning and community resources
Amenities & Facilities
We believe that the environment in which treatment takes place plays a vital role in the recovery process. Our Camden, Arkansas campus has been thoughtfully designed to provide a comfortable, safe, and healing atmosphere. From private residential rooms to sunlit common areas, every detail reflects our commitment to your well-being.
Private & Semi-Private Residential Rooms
Our residential accommodations include both private and semi-private rooms, each designed with comfort and recovery in mind. Rooms feature comfortable bedding, individual storage spaces, natural lighting, and a calming color palette. Housekeeping services are provided daily, and fresh linens are supplied regularly to ensure a clean, restful environment. Our residential wing is staffed 24/7 by trained support personnel who are available whenever you need assistance.
Common Areas & Therapeutic Spaces
ARAT Helpline's campus features multiple common areas designed to foster community, relaxation, and personal growth. Our spacious group therapy rooms accommodate sessions of varying sizes, while quiet individual counseling offices provide private settings for one-on-one work with your therapist. A comfortable lounge with seating areas, books, and games offers space for socializing during free time. Outdoor areas include a landscaped courtyard, walking paths, and shaded seating for reflection and fresh air.
Dining & Wellness
Proper nutrition is an essential component of recovery. Our on-site kitchen prepares three balanced, chef-crafted meals daily plus healthy snacks, with accommodations for dietary restrictions and preferences. Menus are developed in collaboration with a registered dietitian to support physical healing and mental clarity during treatment. Our wellness amenities include a fitness area with exercise equipment, a dedicated yoga and meditation studio, and an art therapy workshop space. These resources support the holistic therapies that complement our clinical programming, helping you rebuild physical strength and discover healthy outlets for stress and emotion.
What Our Patients Say
The stories of our patients and their families are the most powerful testament to the work we do at ARAT Helpline. Here are a few of the voices from our recovery community.
"When I arrived at ARAT Helpline, I had been struggling with alcohol addiction for over a decade and had lost nearly everything. The residential program at the Camden facility changed the entire trajectory of my life. From day one, the counselors treated me with dignity and helped me understand the roots of my addiction through individual and group therapy. The campus itself felt safe and peaceful, which made it easier to focus on my recovery. I completed the full 90-day residential program and have been sober for over two years now. ARAT Helpline did not just help me stop drinking; they taught me how to live again."- James R., Residential Treatment Graduate
"I was terrified of detox. I had been using opioids for years and the thought of withdrawal kept me from seeking help for so long. When I finally called ARAT Helpline, the admissions team walked me through every step of what to expect. The medical detox at their Camden facility was nothing like the horror stories I had imagined. Dr. Nandakumar and the nursing staff monitored me around the clock and kept me comfortable throughout the entire process. After detox, I transitioned seamlessly into their residential program where I worked with an incredible therapist who specialized in CBT. Today I am eight months clean and I owe that to the team at ARAT Helpline."- Michelle T., Detox & Residential Treatment Graduate
"As a working parent, I did not think I could take time away for treatment. The Intensive Outpatient Program at ARAT Helpline made it possible for me to get the help I needed without putting my family's life on hold. I attended evening sessions three times a week at their Camden location and received the same quality of care as any residential patient. The group therapy sessions were transformative, and the DBT skills I learned have become part of my daily routine. My counselor, who was part of Angela Harmon's clinical team, was genuinely invested in my success. Six months after completing IOP, I am still sober and stronger than I have ever been."- David L., Intensive Outpatient Program Graduate
"I had been in and out of treatment programs for years, but none of them addressed my depression alongside my substance use. ARAT Helpline was the first facility that truly understood dual diagnosis. At their Camden center, I received integrated treatment for both my addiction and my mental health, with a psychiatrist and therapist working together on my care plan. The holistic therapies, especially yoga and mindfulness meditation, gave me tools to manage my depression without relying on substances. For the first time in my adult life, I feel genuinely hopeful about my future. I cannot recommend ARAT Helpline highly enough."- Sarah K., Dual Diagnosis Treatment Graduate
"My son entered ARAT Helpline at what felt like the darkest moment of our family's life. We had tried everything and felt completely helpless. From our very first phone call, the staff made us feel like we were not alone. The family therapy sessions at their Camden, Arkansas facility helped us understand addiction in a completely new way and taught us how to support my son without enabling him. We learned healthy boundaries, improved our communication, and began healing as a family. My son completed the full residential program and is now thriving in the aftercare community. ARAT Helpline saved my son's life, and they gave our whole family a second chance."- Patricia M., Family Member of Residential Graduate