FORT SMITH, Ark. (PRWEB)
June 04, 2021
Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioids, alcohol, methamphetamine and other substances, opened its first Arkansas clinic in Fort Smith in June of 2020, shortly after the start of the pandemic.
As the pandemic worsened last year and residents suffered personal hardships such as illness, isolation, and loss of income, the opioid epidemic was also worsening in Sebastian County. Opioid-related overdose deaths increased by 220% from 2019 to 2020 – one of the sharpest increases in the state according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
Now that the pandemic is winding down and demand for treatment is rising, low-barrier access to evidence-based addiction medicine services in Fort Smith and surrounding communities is urgently needed. According to the Arkansas Opioid Response Dashboard, only five addiction treatment facilities are located in Sebastian County with just two locations offering medication-assisted treatment.
“Fentanyl has just surpassed methamphetamine as the leading cause of overdose death in Arkansas. Our own lab data confirms a steady increase in the use of fentanyl beginning shortly after the pandemic disrupted the normal supply chain of illicit drugs,” stated Tim Kilgallon, CEO of Ideal Option. “Fentanyl use disorder is one of the most complicated to treat, requiring advanced clinical protocols and medical expertise. We are excited to provide such a specialized treatment program for fentanyl to the community of Fort Smith.”
Conveniently located less than a mile from Baptist Health Hospital, Ideal Option is one of the only MAT providers in the area to accept Medicaid and BCBS.
The clinic is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and is located at 1100 Lexington Ave, Suite 400 Fort Smith, AR 72901. Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com.
About Ideal Option
Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped nearly 45,000 patients through a network of over 65 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 10 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available.
Ideal Option’s team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, OB/GYN, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism.
In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support.
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