ABOUT US
History
Mission Statement
Heart River Alcohol and Drug Services was founded in 1991 by Marsha Wieglenda, whose vision was to create a compassionate, effective, and client-centered approach to addiction recovery. A year later, John Wieglenda joined the practice, bringing additional expertise and passion for helping individuals and families heal. From the beginning, our business philosophy has focused on discovering and implementing programs and educational resources that are both doable and useful—tools that truly work in real life.
Our primary goal has always been to achieve 100% placement for individuals seeking treatment, ensuring every client receives the level of care best suited to their needs. Over the years, we’ve continued to innovate and adapt to changing times. When COVID-19 reshaped healthcare, and telehealth became covered by third-party payers, we embraced this opportunity to expand access for clients who could not attend in-person sessions.
In 2021, we incorporated Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)—a gentle, evidence-based approach that helps individuals resolve trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, PTSD, and cravings through rapid eye movement therapy for lasting relief. By 2022, we integrated Brain Health Coaching through Amen University and Dr. Daniel Amen’s Bright Minds Program, allowing us to serve individuals seeking to enhance their mind, memory, mood, focus, energy, habits, and relationships—not just those in recovery, but anyone striving for optimal brain and mental wellness.
Today, Heart River Alcohol and Drug Services continue to evolve as a whole-person recovery and brain health center, blending neuroscience, therapy, and compassion to support lasting change and personal growth.
Heart River Alcohol and Drug Abuse Service, Inc. is a private and confidential personal growth center committed to providing thorough and accurate chemical dependency assessments and treatment to the individuals we serve. We aim to provide recommendations that are both realistic and helpful for the clients we serve, and we work to get 100% placement for individuals seeking treatment at our agency or elsewhere. We strive to provide individualized treatment programs that are appropriate for our clients' personal needs and goals.
WHO WE ARE
Marsha Wieglenda, Founder, Consultant
John Wieglenda, LCAC, Owner
Marsha grew up in Columbus, ND. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from North Dakota State University and a Secondary Education degree in Jamestown. After working in public schools and writing a grant for a Nutrition Program for K-6 students, she joined the North Dakota State Hospital's Chemical Dependency Unit. She obtained her North Dakota Addiction Counselor License and focused on geriatric patients, helping many people in her long-term recovery. In 1991, Marsha began working at St. Joe's Alcohol and Drug Program in Dickinson. After it closed, she founded Heart River Alcohol and Drug, where she worked until retiring in 2018. She taught addiction, codependency, and DUI classes and remains a part owner and consultant. Since retirement, Marsha has worked with residents at Hope's Landing sober houses in Dickinson. She enjoys sewing, traveling, biking, and table tennis.
John is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor with over 30 years of experience in alcohol and drug abuse recovery. He earned his degree from Dickinson State University and the University of Mary and trained at the North Dakota State Hospital and Badlands Human Service Center. In 2024, he and Marsha Wieglenda will celebrate 32 years in private practice at Heart River. As a long-term recovery individual, John utilizes various therapies tailored to each client, with a core focus on 12-Step recovery. He is also certified as a Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy Practitioner and a Brain Health Professional through Amen University. John has served on multiple boards, including the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counselors. He lives on his Centennial Farmstead southeast of Gladstone with his family, where they practice conservation. His hobbies include biking, traveling, metalworking, and table tennis.
Mattie Miller, Office Manager, PRI Instructor
Mattie is the office manager at Heart River Alcohol & Drug. Since moving back to North Dakota in 2022, she has embraced the opportunity to serve our community in various ways. In her role as Office Manager, Mattie supports individuals facing substance use challenges, a mission that resonates deeply with her. She also has the privilege of serving as a Certified Prime for Life Instructor, where educating others and empowering them to make low-risk choices is a rewarding aspect of her work that she is passionate about. Outside of work, Mattie enjoys baking and crafting, often involving her daughter in these activities. She believes in the importance of family time and strives to balance her education and career with being the best mom she can be.
Our Services
Chemical Dependency Evaluation
Take the first step toward lasting recovery with a confidential, compassionate Chemical Dependency Evaluation. This professional assessment is designed to help you identify the most effective path forward. During your 1–2 hour session, we’ll explore your unique history, patterns of use, and overall well-being to determine the best level of care and support. Whether you’re seeking guidance for personal growth, meeting a legal or workplace requirement, or exploring treatment options, our goal is to help you gain clarity, direction, and hope for a healthier future. Each evaluation is personalized, respectful, and focused on helping you move confidently toward recovery and stability.
Prime for Life DUI Education Classes
For more than 35 years, Heart River Alcohol and Drug Services has proudly offered the Prime for Life education program a proven, evidence-based course designed to help individuals make low-risk choices regarding alcohol and drug use. The program explores personal attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors while providing practical tools to prevent future problems and promote positive change.
Classes are available in both group settings and individual online sessions, offering flexibility to meet your schedule and learning style. Whether you’re fulfilling a court or DMV requirement or seeking personal insight, Prime for Life provides a respectful, engaging environment focused on education, self-awareness, and lasting behavioral change.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
ART is an evidence-based therapy that uses gentle eye movements to help the brain quickly process and resolve distressing memories and emotions. Unlike traditional talk therapy, ART works rapidly—often in just a few sessions—without requiring clients to re live painful details. Many describe it as a “miracle therapy” for its speed and effectiveness in bringing relief from anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, PTSD, and relationship issues. John is a Master-level ART Therapist, trained in advanced and enhanced techniques, providing clients with the highest standard of care and results. For more information, visit www.is-art.org.
Outpatient Group Program
Evening outpatient treatment groups offer significant advantages for clients by providing greater flexibility for those who work, attend school, or have family responsibilities during the day. These sessions make recovery more accessible without requiring individuals to disrupt their daily routines or income sources. Additionally, evening groups often attract peers with similar schedules and life circumstances, fostering strong support networks and camaraderie. The relaxed, end-of-day timing can also allow clients to process their experiences from the day and engage more reflectively in treatment.
Recovery + Therapy
Recovery + is a combination of our traditional 12-step recovery along with some new and innovative practices. We are looking at wellness in the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual realm. New research has shown 80% of individuals with substance use disorder, have ADHD or traumas that often block or limit recovery.
The program includes testing instruments and practical adjuncts that enhance recovery including such things as diet, exercise, supplements, ART and brain exercises. Clients learn how to change automatic negative thoughts and develop positive thinking.
This program is appropriate for people new in recovery, as well as individuals seeking continual personal growth post treatment. Individuals appropriate for this treatment program would need to have accepted their addiction and desire tools for recovery.
Brain Health Coaching
Offered through Amen University, Brain Health Coaching is based on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Daniel Amen and focuses on improving the most vital organ in your life—your brain.
Brain Health Coaching helps you strengthen and optimize your brain using Dr. Amen’s four circles of health—biological, psychological, social, and spiritual. John has been integrating brain health principles into his therapy groups for several years and is now offering this powerful approach to the public as Brain Health Coaching. Coaching is available in individual sessions, group formats, or professional presentations, helping you enhance focus, mood, memory, energy, habits, and relationships.
The Process
We begin by sitting down together to design a personalized plan focused on the goals you truly want to achieve. The program starts with a thorough, collaborative intake that helps us identify your strengths and any obstacles that may be standing in the way of your success. You may complete one of our online or written assessments to gain deeper insight into your needs and potential. From there, we move into action—using practical handouts, meaningful assignments, and personalized recommendations for nutrition, exercise, and supplements—to help you build lasting habits that support a healthier, more focused, and fulfilled life.
INSURANCE & PAYMENT OPTIONS
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BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ND
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MEDICAID EXPANSION ND
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ND MEDICAID
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SUD VOUCHER
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CHECK
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CASH
*There must be a SUD Diagnosis for insurance
OPEN HOURS
Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday: 9am-1pm
Friday-Sunday: Closed
“Happiness depends upon ourselves”
Aristotle
CONTACT US
30 7th St W
St Joe's Plaza
Dickinson, ND 58601
Enter on the South end of the building thru Island Cuisine door/outside reddish stairs, go down the short hall and take a left.
PH 701-483-0795
FAX 701-483-0947
