Cenikor

Waco

3015 Herring Avenue
Waco, TX 76708

Insurance or self-pay

Recovery, Your Way: Local Healing at Cenikor Waco

Nestled in the heart of Waco, this location offers a full continuum of integrated care to support individuals on every step of their recovery journeys.

Integrated Services in Waco

“Several clinical indicators point to inpatient treatment as the appropriate level of care. A history of severe or complicated withdrawal — especially involving alcohol or benzodiazepines — is a primary medical indicator. So is a pattern of failed outpatient attempts, which suggests that the client needs a more intensive and controlled environment to break the cycle. Significant psychiatric instability, homelessness or an unsafe living environment, and high cravings with limited coping resources are also strong clinical indicators. We use a comprehensive intake assessment to evaluate these factors and match every client to the level of care that gives them the best chance of sustained recovery.” – Dr. Acebo

Our 55-bed facility starts clients on their path to sobriety through detox and residential services in a safe, structured environment.

“Detox and residential treatment are designed to be clinically continuous at Cenikor’s Waco facility. Detox addresses the acute physiological dimension of dependence — it’s a medical process focused on safely managing withdrawal and beginning stabilization. Residential care picks up immediately after, addressing the behavioral, psychological, and social dimensions of the disease. There is intentional overlap in our clinical approach: the medical team communicates with the clinical counseling staff throughout, and the client’s individualized treatment plan evolves as they transition from detox into residential. Without that continuum, detox alone leads to very high relapse rates.” – Dr. Acebo

For those completing inpatient or needing ongoing therapeutic support, we recommend a lower level of care, such as outpatient, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), aftercare (recovery coaching and alumni), and recovery housing.

“Physical dependence and psychological patterns are two sides of the same coin in addiction treatment, and we address them simultaneously at Cenikor. Medical management — including MAT with buprenorphine when appropriate — addresses the neurobiological dimension, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms so clients can be fully present in therapy. Psychotherapy, particularly CBT and trauma-informed care, targets the thought distortions, emotional triggers, and behavioral patterns that sustain addiction.” – Dr. Acebo

Our dedicated team—many of whom are in recovery themselves—is what makes Cenikor Waco different. Connection is at the heart of recovery, and working with people who understand firsthand what it takes to live sober can make all the difference.

“Shared experience is uniquely powerful: hearing from someone who has walked the same path and come out the other side reduces shame, builds hope, and creates genuine community. In residential treatment at our Waco location, peer accountability structures are built into the daily program. Clients hold each other responsible in group settings, celebrate each other’s milestones, and challenge each other’s rationalizations in ways that are harder to dismiss than clinician feedback alone. Those peer bonds often become the most durable element of a person’s recovery network.” – Lindsay Smith, LCDC

Reach out today to learn how our team can help you or a loved one take the next step toward lasting recovery — because we were built to treat people others turn away.

Meet Our Regional Team

Our Waco, Texas team is made up of licensed clinicians, medical professionals, and support staff who are deeply committed to compassionate, evidence-based care. Together, they work closely with each individual to create a safe, respectful environment where healing and long-term recovery can begin.

Medical Director

Dr. Acebo

Dr. Acebo has been the Medical Director of Cenikor Corpus Christi (formerly Charlie’s Place) since 2007. He is a Texas native from Hebbronville, before moving to Austin, Texas to obtain his B.S. in Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin.

He continued his education at the UTMB Medical School at Galveston while working as an outpatient clinic pharmacist. After graduation, he proceeded to practice family medicine residency training at Memorial Medical Center in Corpus Christi Texas.

Senior Regional Director

Crystal Aguilar

Crystal Aguilar is a dedicated professional with a deep commitment to substance abuse treatment and recovery. She began her career as a licensed LCDC and was promoted to Compliance Manager at Charlie’s Place. Following the acquisition of Charlie’s Place by Cenikor in October 2018, Crystal joined the Cenikor Family as Compliance Supervisor.

She later transitioned into the role of Process & Performance Improvement Supervisor/Compliance Supervisor before being promoted to Facility Director for the Corpus Christi facility. Currently, Crystal serves as the Senior Regional Director, overseeing operations for both the Austin and Corpus Christi Cenikor facilities.

Regional Director

Lindsay Smith

Lindsay Smith is an accomplished behavioral health leader with ten years of experience in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health services. Currently serving as a Regional Director of an inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation program, Lindsay has built a career grounded in ethical leadership, community collaboration, and client-centered care.

Beginning their professional journey as a part-time behavioral health technician while pursuing higher education, Lindsay steadily advanced through clinical and leadership roles, earning licensure as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor intern in 2016 and becoming a licensed (LCDC) in 2019. Their academic background includes multiple associate degrees in Mental Health Substance Abuse, Youth Counseling, Social Work, and General Academics, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Addictions, completed in 2024.