Addiction Archives | Page 2 of 3

Hamilton Center Announces New Team For Health Clinic

Grace Clinic Health Professional

Hamilton Center, Inc. would like to announce the additions of the following staff of Grace Clinic Health Professional, Hamilton Center Inc.’s new health clinic.

DJ Rhodes, PhD., Chief Officer of Health Clinics and Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), comes to Hamilton Center with a variety of healthcare experience including hospice, home health, hospital administration as well as OTPs and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Before making the career shift to healthcare, Dr. Rhodes spent over 15 years in military intelligence, including serving as the Technical Director of Air Force Space Command and Missile Defense System Command overseeing two weapon portfolios. In addition, he works as an adjunct professor at various universities teaching healthcare administration, leadership and critical thinking courses.

Nichelle Washington, B.S., Executive Director of Health Clinics, has been employed at Hamilton Center, Inc. for 12 years. Ms. Washington obtained her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Human Services in 2018. Previously, she has held management positions as a Program Manager of Employment Solutions and Project SEARCH. Through her work at Employment Solutions, she led a team of employment specialists who assisted individuals with barriers to employment seek and obtain jobs.

Russel Coutinho, MD, has served the Terre Haute community for nearly 15 years. Graduating from Pune University, in India, as a pediatrics physician, he has held several leadership positions across a variety of hospital settings. Prior to joining Hamilton Center, Dr. Coutinho was a neonatologist at Terre Haute Regional Hospital and Union Hospital, Terre Haute. He has worked as an educator at local colleges including Indiana State University and Indiana University – School of Medicine (Terre Haute), in the field of neonatology, nursing, and medicine. In addition, Dr. Coutinho is the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics at Regional Hospital, and in 2009 was locally honored as a March of Dimes Medical Honoree.

Robin Smiddy, NP, has 16 years of experience in acute care nursing and nursing leadership. She graduated in 2019 from Indiana State University with a master of science in Advanced Practice Nursing, and soon after became board certified. As a family nurse practitioner she focuses on preventative health, education, and women’s health.

Joy Whitt, NP, is a family nurse practitioner who has served Hamilton Center consumers’ primary healthcare needs since 2017. Her practice emphasis includes preventative health, education, and managing complications specific to behavioral health conditions.

Grace Clinic Health Professional, a primary and behavioral health clinic and community wellness provider, serves Vigo and Putnam Counties. Located at 620 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN, the Vigo County clinic is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the Putnam County clinic, located at 239 Hillsdale Ave. in Greencastle, IN, is currently opened Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A focus of the clinic is to provide compressive health services to Hamilton Center consumers currently receiving behavioral health and addiction services. The clinic offers medical and dental care to all ages through a sliding fee scale based on federal poverty guidelines. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Patients who do not have insurance can access a clinic navigator who are available on-sight to assist in finding a health plan that best meets the patients’ needs.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Expands Primary Care Services

Opens Grace Clinic Health Professional

Hamilton Center, Inc. – Hamilton Center is proud to announce the opening of Grace Clinic Health Professional, a primary and behavioral health clinic and community wellness provider serving Vigo and Putnam Counties. Located at 620 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN, the Vigo County clinic is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the Putnam County clinic, located at 239 Hillsdale Ave. in Greencastle, IN, is currently opened Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A focus of the clinic is to provide comprehensive health services to Hamilton Center consumers currently receiving behavioral health and addiction services. The clinic offers medical and dental care to all ages through a sliding fee scale based on federal poverty guidelines. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Patients who do not have insurance can access a clinic navigator who are available on-sight to assist in finding a health plan that best meets the patients’ needs.

Grace Clinic Health Professional will be overseen by DJ Rhodes, PhD., Chief of Opioid Treatment Programs and Health Clinics. In addition, the day to day operations will be managed by Hamilton Center’s Executive Director of Health Clinics, Nichelle Washington. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners and others will offer services that include health screenings, immunizations, treatment for minor illnesses, management of chronic conditions, laboratory and pharmacy services, and referrals to outside specialists including dental.

Hamilton Center has offered primary care services since 2017 through a grant through the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction. The development of Grace Clinic Health Professional aligns with Hamilton Center’s strategic initiative to expand integrated health and wellness services.

“We often hear of the mind body connection and that one’s mental health can affect other parts of their body, and vice versa,” said Rhodes. “By offering a community wellness center focused on delivering primary care and behavioral health services all under the same roof, we simplify the process of seeking treatment for any condition, mental or physical,” he added.

“Those with serious mental illnesses die many years prior to those without these illnesses,” said Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s CEO. “It is our hope to address that statistic by helping make primary care easily accessible and integrated with behavioral health services,” he added.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

WIN Recovery Offers Help, Hope, and Healing

Terre Haute – “One hundred and ninety; that’s the number of lives lost to overdose every day in the United States,” said Natasha Newcomb, Executive Director of Addictions Services, Hamilton Center, Inc. “WIN Recovery works every day to lower that number, and we are here to show our support to those families most affected by it,” she added.

On August 30th, 2019, WIN Recovery, Hamilton Center’s certified opioid treatment program, gave community members an opportunity to recognize struggles of addiction and the many lives lost to overdose in our community. The event featured the release of 190 butterflies, symbolic of the 190 lives lost, in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, set for August 31, 2019. The organization also celebrated the kickoff to September as Recovery Month with a testimony of recovery and a message of hope from community members who have previously struggled with addiction.

In 2017 it was reported the U.S. experiences one of every four overdose deaths in the world, with an estimated 20 million people, five percent of the global adult population, in need of some form or substance use treatment. With opioids playing a huge role accounting for 70 percent of all global drug use disorders, WIN Recovery is doing its part to serve the local needs of community members and their loved ones struggling with addiction.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with an opioid use disorder, contact WIN Recovery at (812)-231-8484. Regain Something Lost.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

Opioid Addiction & Pregnancy

Contributed by: Jessica Nevil, LMHC, Clinical Director at WIN Recovery, and Zach Jenkins, Public Relations Specialist at Hamilton Center, Inc.

Here’s what you need to know.

Opioid addiction during pregnancy is treatable and here’s what you need to know.

First, addiction to opioids can happen to anyone at any point in life. The fact is addiction of any kind is a physical and behavioral disorder and should be recognized as such. The act of seeking help takes great courage, and is one that requires fostering support; without a strong system of support the likelihood of treatment and recovery dramatically decreases.

Opioid drug use, and certainly drug abuse, can cause significant health risks to an unborn child, however, abruptly stopping the use of opioids can also be dangerous, even life threatening.

When a pregnant women uses an opioid her baby is exposed to the drug as well as the “highs and lows” of chronic use, including dependency and withdrawal. There is a common misconception that babies are born addicted to a substance, which is incorrect and misleading. Addiction is a physical, mental, and emotional cycle of behaviors that effects an individual often times over the span of a lifetime. Babies born during addiction are not guaranteed to experience addiction later in life; other environmental variables lead to this.

When consuming high doses of opioids the risks of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) greatly increases. NAS is a condition that requires medical attention for the symptoms of withdrawal and often appears as rapid shaking or sucking of the fists. These symptoms are managed through breast feeding, strengthening of the mother-child bond, and medical treatment.

With the opioid epidemic sweeping the country many federal, state, and local funds have been granted to community health centers across the state to develop opioid treatment programs (OTP). Indiana has opened nearly 20 opioid treatment programs in areas of the state hardest hit by the opioid issue. These programs offer medication assisted treatment (MAT) in several forms including buprenorphine, vivitrol, and methadone, some of which are coupled with comprehensive behavioral health services. Many programs are working closely with local hospitals to connect pregnant women to treatment. The collaboration of medical and behavioral health services found in opioid treatment programs is recognized as the most effective form of treatment when compared to abstinence or other programming options.

So what is the best drug option?

Today methadone is used as the gold standard for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) for most populations, including pregnant women. Used only for the treatment of opioid related addictions methadone is administered in daily dosing with mandatory addiction counseling. With the primary goal of harm reduction pregnant mothers will experience decreased risk of transmittable diseases including HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis-C, decreased risk of overdose, and increased employability and social engagement.

If you are struggling with opioid use disorder during or after pregnancy it is important for you to seek medical help and have open and honest communication with your provider about past, current, and future drug use. Continued use will increase health risks for both you and your baby. WIN Recovery, the first OTP of its kind in the area, offers medication assisted treatment in the form of methadone, coupled with individual and group counseling, and case management. For more information about opioid use disorder, treatment, and recovery please contact 1-812-231-8484 or visit www.winrecovery.org.

www.drugabuse.gov
www.samhsa.org

“The opioid epidemic is impacting more than just the lives of those struggling with addiction”

Co-authored by: Anastasia Godsey, M.S. LMHC, Director of Child and Adolescent Services and HCI West at Hamilton Center, Inc. and Zach Jenkins, Public Relation Specialist, Hamilton Center, Inc.

With 52 percent of children removed from a home due to parental substance abuse and 51 percent of displaced children living with a relative who may struggle to support them, issues, like the opioid epidemic, are impacting more than just the lives of those struggling with addiction.

For children and youth being separated from family and familiar surroundings can be traumatizing. Separations that are sudden, unexpected, or prolonged can interfere with a child’s ability to develop healthy coping strategies, putting them at increased risk of social and behavioral issues later in life. Unfortunately, children are impacted by both witnessing the parental substance use as well as their parent’s decreased ability to provide for their needs due to their altered state of being. Children who witness parental substance use are put at higher risk for future substance abuse which can lead to multigenerational cycles of addiction.

In the event of child displacement as a result of abuse or neglect, a child is placed with a family member, often referred to as kinship care. These types of displacements are typically categorized as informal, formal, and voluntary. Child welfare services are involved in both formal and voluntary kinship care. In these arrangements many cite more access to services but less overall flexibility. Informal kinship care is the most common form of child displacement, with grandparents most commonly receiving placement of the child without involvement of child welfare services.

Recent data suggests grandparents, as kinship care givers, may face additional emotional and financial challenges that other care givers involved with child welfare services do not. Of grandparents who are responsible for their grandchildren 41 percent are older than 60 years of age, 43 percent received Supplemental Security Income, public assistance income, or Food Stamps/SNAP Benefits, and 22 percent live in poverty. All of these factors contribute to financial burdens most commonly associated with receiving custody of a child. Furthermore, the majority of grandparents receiving placement of a child are not licensed in the foster care system and therefore may not be eligible for the same services and financial support as licensed foster parents, further complicating the issue.

The good news is that there are ways to break the cycles of multi-generational addiction. Kinship care promotes family bonds, stability, as well as a sense of belonging for children, all of which are considered risk factors when absent during a child’s earliest years of growth and development. Utilizing community resources for parental support and trauma related to parental substance use as well as seeking treatment for the child/children involved can minimize the risks associated with childhood displacement.
Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system serving central and west central Indiana. The organization is “building hope and changing lives” through a broad array of behavioral health services for adults, children, adolescents, and families. Services are individualized, trauma informed, and evidence-based. Needs and strengths are assessed and utilized to develop a person-centered treatment plan.

Hamilton Center provides Infant and Toddler Services programs especially designed for children from birth until three years of age and their families. These services include: Healthy Families and Early Head Start. Admission criteria is different for each program, but all services are free of charge to families. Infant and Toddler Services’ programs are operated by Hamilton Center, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Both programs are offered in Vigo County; the Healthy Families program is also offered in Greene County, Sullivan County, and Vermillion County.

Hamilton Center also offers treatment services for adults and children who are impacted by trauma including: individual, crisis, family, school based therapy, and group therapy. Hamilton Center also offers skills training, case management, and wraparound services in the community and home as an opportunity to meet the needs of the consumers in multiple areas of their lives. Hamilton Center is currently a DMHA grantee for the Transition Aged Youth Grant which provides funding for ages 14-26. This grant focuses on helping individuals in being able to successfully navigate into early adulthood.

Dependency & Addiction

A thin but visible line.
As a society we know that medications are a necessity. Antibiotics fight infections; specialized medicines treat unique conditions; chemotherapy medication destroys malignant cancer cells; pain medications block acute and/or chronic pain. Of this list, pain medications are unique in that they carry a level of social stigma that is uncommon when compared to medications used to treat other health issues.

The fact is pain is one of the most powerful forces in human physiology. It can lead to depression, a loss of mobility, decreased cognitive function, and in some cases, thoughts of suicide. For many, this reality leads to a dependency on pain medications, which is often the only viable solution for the “pursuit of happiness”. It can however lead to health risks and even dangerous behaviors like addiction. This evolution of dependency and addiction is preventable with open and honest communication with your prescribing doctor.

Acknowledging the difference between dependence and addiction is an important component of this communication. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) views substance use disorder as a spectrum disorder in which there is a thin, yet visible, line between dependency and addiction; one that is easily misplaced in the absence of mindful consumption. Someone who is dependent on pain medication may actively follow dosing prescriptions, be more likely to have a moderate or low tolerance for the drug, and even seek to lower or stop dosing all together. Someone who is addicted to pain medication will exhibit compulsory behaviors, tendencies to hide consumption behaviors, a change in personality, and an especially high tolerance for the drug coupled with a desire for a higher dose. The DSM-5 also clarifies the point that to be addicted to something you must experience dependence. Dependence is, in fact, a symptom of addiction. Conversely, dependence does not equal addiction, which is a fundamental concept easily missed in our social discussions related to drug use and abuse.

This distinction is relevant because the transformation from dependency to addiction is preventable, and, most importantly, observable. We know that medications are useful, but they can also be dangerous when consumed outside of the parameters of a prescription. Whether you are the person prescribed the highly addictive medication for your now injured leg, the unfortunate product of an accident, or you are a witness to such, it is important to note that changes in behavior may be a distinct indicator of addiction and should be investigated. While it is the responsibility of the person prescribed the medication to monitor their own consumption, it is imperative that we, as a society, are aware that the evolution from dependency to addiction is not one that happens overnight, nor is it one that knocks at the door. As keepers of ourselves, our bodies, and that of our brothers and sisters we should all keep a watchful eye, with patience and vigilance, so as to prevent the unnecessary suffering of addiction.

If you believe that you, or a loved one, have transitioned from dependence to addiction there are resources available to you. WIN Recovery, formally known as Western Indiana Recovery Services, is an opioid treatment program (OTP) in West Central Indiana. The program is the first of its kind in the area and offers medication assisted treatment, in the form of methadone, to treat the disease process of opioid use disorder by offering daily medication, group and individual counseling, and case management services. For more information about services visit www.winrecovery.org. To set up an assessment, call 1-812-231-8484 or stop by the facility at 88 Wabash Court in Terre Haute, IN. Walk-ins are welcome.

Hamilton Center, Inc. also offers behavioral health services including addictions counseling and case management. For more information on services call 1-800-742-0787 or visit www.hamiltoncenter.org.

Peer Recovery

Lived Experience Informing Support

Peer Support Specialists (PSS) can be the keystone of an effective holistic treatment program for those struggling with a mental illness or addiction. Often acting as a navigator of community support systems and informed by lived experiences, someone struggling with a mental illness or addiction can be guided throughout the entire process of recovery increasing the likelihood of progressive treatment.

So how does the experience of a diagnosed mental illness or addiction help those who treat said illnesses? Working in conjunction with clinical staff, Peer Support Specialists fill a large gap in rapport that many clinical professionals of recovery programs cite as a barrier to progressive treatment. While mental health professionals are trained and certified in various forms of treatment, many lack the lived experiences that inform their empathy and sympathy, two of the most crucial characteristics in the health profession. Patients often cite feeling more confidence and comfort while pursuing treatment if they know recovery is truly possible, and if someone who has been in their shoes is willing to walk them down the all too scary, uncertain path of recovery.

One of the more valuable services a PSS can provide is daily communication and motivation, especially in times of relapse or crisis. PSS are often the first line of contact and support during the toughest of times and offer emotional and motivational backing for clients when they need it the most. They will coordinate transportation to and from treatment, help individuals through the process of reintegrating with friends and family, and help link them to a variety resources with a primary goal of increasing quality of life.

Perhaps the highlight of the Peer Support Specialist’s relationship with someone in recovery is the reciprocity of support and the role that the responsibility of mentorship can play in their own journey of recovery. In the case of mental illness and addiction, recovery is a lifelong process with highs and lows. While PSS can be an example of successful treatment and recovery, they too struggle with these highs and lows and can even find themselves in relapse or crisis, sometimes years after exiting treatment. Even so, many cite a greater sense of intrinsic motivation towards maintenance and recovery that can be directly attributed to the mentor/mentee relationship. One of the most profound forms of leadership a PSS can offer is to “walk the walk” they so zealously advocate to their clients.

Where can you find a Peer Support Specialists to support you through your journey of recovery? PSS can be found in hospitals, community mental health centers, as well as private health organizations. Some of their clinical responsibilities include working with other clinicians to coordinate care, creating and implementing social activities for consumers, and even assisting in securing housing and/or employment.

The fact is we need more Peer Support Specialists. With concerns for mental health becoming a staple in the public conversation on what it means to live a healthy and happy life, more and more demands will be placed on the already overburdened system of mental health services in our communities. For rural areas this will prove to be an even more challenging problem, not to mention the hold that taboo and stigma have on these isolated communities.

Peer Support Specialists can certainly play an important role in treatment and help to turn a good program into a great one. For additional information on Peer Support, go to: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org.

Hamilton Center Developing Addictions Workforce

Awarded $20,000 from State Opioid Response Grant

Hamilton Center, Inc. has received a grant from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions (DMHA) that will allow the organization to offer four paid summer internships to graduate level students in the field of behavioral health. In 2018, DMHA was awarded the State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), a federal relief grant, to address needs related to the opioid epidemic. One of the primary areas of need identified is a shortage of qualified addictions providers within the state. As such, Indiana is dedicating SOR funds to assist Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) with adding or expanding their addiction workforce through stipends for addiction interns. As summer semester interns, students will learn valuable clinical skills and gain experience in addictions services and programs. At the completion of the internship the students will be awarded a $5,000 stipend, which can cover tuition, housing, and basic living expenses.

Internship locations are targeted for Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (MHPSA), as identified by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Hamilton Center currently serves 10 counties in west central Indiana and seven of the ten counties are classified as MHPSA including Greene, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Hendricks Counties. The overall purpose of this State initiative is to increase the number of licensed clinicians in our state by 10% over the next year with the addition of 50 individuals enrolling in an addiction internships.

Hamilton Center was the first certified site for The Matrix Model in the State of Indiana in early 2018, one of only 17 sites in the United States. This certification assures Hamilton Center referral sources, and the State, that the Matrix treatment program is delivered with fidelity. The Matrix Model is a style of treatment designed to aid in recovery from stimulant substances like methamphetamine and cocaine. The method was created in the 1980s and has seen widespread success. The ability of the Matrix Model to bring together the most effective facets from the most effective styles makes it a successful treatment type for people new to recovery, as well as those who have not found success previously.

Hamilton Center is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

WESTERN INDIANA RECOVERY SERVICES ACHIEVES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE

Terre Haute, IN – Western Indiana Recovery Services (WIRS), an opioid treatment program of Hamilton Center, today announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval^®is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.

Western Indiana Recovery Services underwent a rigorous onsite survey on November 15^th and 16^th of 2018. During the review, compliance with behavioral health care standards related to several areas, including care, treatment, and services; environment of care; leadership; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm was evaluated. Onsite observations and interviews also were conducted.

Established in 1969, The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program currently accredits more than 2,250 organizations for a three-year period. Accredited organizations provide treatment and services within a variety of settings across the care continuum for individuals who have mental health, addiction, eating disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, and/or child-welfare related needs.

“Joint Commission accreditation provides behavioral health care organizations with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas related to the care of individuals and their families,” said Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CSSBB, CPHQ, executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “We commend Western Indiana Recovery Services for its efforts to elevate the standard of care it provides and to instill confidence in the community it serves.

“Western Indiana Recovery Services is pleased to receive Behavioral Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Michelle Baker, PhD, Executive Director of Quality and Compliance at Hamilton Center, Inc. “Staff from across the organization continue to work together to develop and implement approaches and strategies that have the potential to improve care for those in our community.”

The Joint Commission’s behavioral health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, quality improvement measurement experts, and individuals and their families. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

“Western Indiana Recovery Services and Hamilton Center are committed to delivering excellence in behavioral health services,” said Melvin L Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center, Inc. “In completing this rigorous survey and accomplishing these standards of care we demonstrate the highest quality care for our consumers.”

WIRS is a certified opioid treatment program of Hamilton Center, Inc., a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. The program offers medication assisted treatment (MAT), group and individual therapy, and case management. Indiana Medicaid and self-pay options are available with no referral necessary. Western Indiana Recovery Services provides hope, help, and recovery for those suffering from opioid use disorder.

For information on Western Indiana Recovery Services, call (833) 232-0215 or (812) 231-8484.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

Knox & Hendricks Selected for OTP’s

State Awards Licenses to Hamilton Center, Inc.

On Wednesday January 23^rd, at Hamilton Center, Inc. in Terre Haute, IN, CEO Melvin L Burks was joined by Kevin Moore, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Addictions (DMHA), to announce the State of Indiana has awarded Hamilton Center two additional licenses to open opioid treatment programs (OTP) in both Hendricks and Knox Counties. These programs are the first of their kind in their areas, and will offer medical and behavioral interventions to those with opioid use disorder (OUD). Community members and local media from Hendricks, Knox, and Vigo Counties attended the event. The new clinics will be modeled after Western Indiana Recovery Services, an opioid treatment program of Hamilton Center that opened in May of 2018, located in Vigo County.

Hamilton Center applied for both licenses in August of 2018 and was notified in November of 2018 of their selection by the state. These clinics will open on or before December 31^st of 2019 offering medication assisted treatment (MAT) in the form of methadone, group and individual therapy, and case management services. Locations have not yet been identified, however referring organizations have been contacted for feedback and recommendations. Once a site has been selected, Hamilton Center will begin the rigorous process of achieving certification through various state and federal agencies including the State of Indiana, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and The Joint Commission (TJC).

Hamilton Center partnered with Sagamore Medical Recovery Services to open Western Indiana Recovery Services in 2018, the first OTP of its kind in Vigo County. The program delivers daily medical and behavioral interventions to those with opioid use disorder. Sagamore physicians and medical staff deliver medical services which include medication assisted treatment in the form of methadone, while Hamilton Center delivers behavioral interventions, including group and individual therapy, and case management. Medication assisted treatment is associated with a decrease in the spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, a decrease in criminality, and an increase in employability and overall functioning.

Opioids are a class of drugs that work to block pain receptors giving the user a feeling of calmness and happiness. Use of prescribed and illegal forms of opioids can lead to opioid dependency and opioid use disorder (OUD) after just a few days of regular use. Consequently opioid overdoses are a growing trend in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that more than 130 people die every day from an opioid overdose, while the National Safety Council found opioid overdose deaths to be more common than deaths involving motor vehicles. Furthermore, the cost of prescription opioid abuse alone is over $78.5 billion in the US annually, which has led to increased health care costs across the country.

Indiana has had its own unique struggle with opioids. With roughly 1,138 opioid related overdose deaths in 2017 alone, as reported by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDOH), Indiana Business Review reports an estimated cost of economic damages related to the opioid epidemic to be $43.3 billion dollars from 2003 through 2017.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to children, adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

Sagamore Medical Recovery Services, LLC, was formed in 2016 by Christian Shaw, MD, PhD, and his partners. Dr. Shaw is a leader in the field and has worked to develop the most successful, innovative and respected methadone based opioid treatment program in New Mexico.