Health: Addiction

Ideal Option and Peak Behavioral Health Host Open House & Community Forum on International Overdose Awareness Day

Leave a comment



LAS CRUCES, N.M. (PRWEB)

Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment for addiction, and Peak Behavioral Health Services, a private hospital that specializes in treatment for mental health and chemical dependency needs, have come together to host an open house and community forum in Las Cruces. The event will take place on International Overdose Awareness Day to remember those that have lost their lives to addiction and discuss fentanyl, the new driver behind the opioid crisis.

Fentanyl, a highly dangerous and addictive synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin, has caused overdose deaths to skyrocket across the nation, including New Mexico. According to the NM Department of Health, fentanyl-related deaths more than doubled in 2020 from the previous year. Ideal Option’s own lab data showed a 104% increase in fentanyl use among enrolling patients nationwide from January 2020 to June 2021.

On Tuesday, August 31, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., all members of the community are invited to gather at the Ideal Option clinic located at 532 N Telshor Blvd, Suite G, for this special event.

The event will kick off with an open house from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. where attendees can enjoy refreshments and learn more about the services provided by Ideal Option, Peak Behavioral Health, the Las Cruces Fire Department, NM Department of Health, Doña Ana County Health and Human Services, the Unified Prevention (UP!) Coalition and ALT Recovery.

At 5:30 p.m., City Councilor Kasandra Gandara will give an official proclamation, talk about the opioid crisis in Las Cruces and introduce the following speakers:


  • Naomi Suazo, FNP-C, Addiction Medicine Provider at Ideal Option

  • Gustavo Garay-Vidal, LCSW, Director of PHP/IOP at Peak Behavioral Health Las Cruces

  • Janette Espinoza, DNP PMHNP-BC, Certified Nurse Practitioner at NM Department of Health

  • Thomas Hart, EMT Paramedic at Las Cruces Fire Department

  • Dr. Luis Escobedo, MD, Medical Director at ALT Recovery

The community forum will be followed by a live Q&A and networking session.

For questions about this event, email Senior Marketing Manager Olivia Easly at oliviaeasly@idealoption.net.

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 70 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 10 states, including 26 locations in WA state. 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.

About Peak Behavioral Health Services

At Peak Behavioral, we believe in meeting the patients where they are in their mental health journey. Our evidence-based treatment and carefully selected professionals incorporate group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, case management, mindful medication management, and recreational therapy to assist each patient in reaching their peak potential. Our end goal is to help our patients live a healthy and productive lifestyle by improving social, coping, and life skills. Our areas of specialization include, but are not limited to suicidal or homicidal ideations, hallucinations, mood dysregulation, anxiety, grief, depression, PTSD, anger, ADD/ADHD, and conduct disorder.

The populations we serve at Peak include Active-Duty Service Members, Veterans, General Adult, Senior Adult, and Adolescents ages 12-17. Peak Behavioral is fortunate to offer a full continuum of care for both Adults and Adolescents. Services range from Inpatient Crisis Stabilization and Residential Treatment to Outpatient Day Programming and Assertive Community Treatment. We accept all major insurances in New Mexico and all surrounding states. FREE, confidential mental health assessments are provided at Peak Behavioral 24/7 by master’s level therapists who will determine the most appropriate level of care for each individual.

Call today to schedule your free assessment today – 575-589-3000.

Share article on social media or email:

Leave a Reply