History

COPAC was established in 1979. COPAC has treated thousands of patients, from all walks of life, from all 50 states and 14 foreign countries. COPAC provides a variety of programs for the treatment of addiction including alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorder, compulsive gambling, and sex addiction. Our focus at COPAC is on healing the whole person, not just the problem.

With more than 30 years of service under our belt, we take a look at some of COPAC’s milestones:

  • The year was 1979 when COPAC began as Caduceus Out-Patient Addiction Center. Patients lived in leased apartments and were provided day treatment. The program was developed by a group of recovering physicians headed by Doyle P. Smith, M.D.
  • After moving to Gallatin Street in Jackson and then to the Hooker House, COPAC arrived at its present location in November 1983. The facility was known as the Cane Creek Motel and was used primarily as a destination for fisherman using the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The ten rooms of this motel was the first housing for COPAC patients.
  • As our patient numbers grew, a building program was launched and in 1987 the new Men’s Units were finished. A new administration building was also completed during that time.
  • In 1989, as a result of research done by the staff on the needs of our patients, COPAC’s programs became gender specific. The women’s programs were moved back to Jackson and men stayed at the Cane Creek location.
  • In 1990, the Sexual Compulsivity Program was developed and designed to meet the needs of patients who experienced multiple relapses due to this co-morbid condition. In 1990, COPAC also instituted an adventure-based treatment module with the addition of a ropes course.
  • COPAC is certified by the Department of Mental Health and in 1991, the program added JCAHO accreditation for the first time.
  • In 1994, a new Women’s Unit was added, so that the female patients could be moved back from Jackson. The Women’s Unit is located on the back of COPAC’s 23 acre facility.
  • To meet the needs of the Mississippians who were, for the first time, exposed to legalized gambling, a new gambling track was instituted in 1995.
  • Two years later the Dual Diagnosis program began. At that time, 24-hour nursing was also started along with an addition of full-time psychiatric services.