GLASGOW, Mont. (PRWEB)
March 14, 2022

Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient treatment for addiction to fentanyl, methamphetamine, alcohol and polysubstance, is now welcoming patients from the Wolf Point, Fort Peck, and Glasgow areas. The new clinic, located at 74 4th Street N., will provide evidence-based, FDA-approved treatment with medications such as Suboxone.

Due to the severe economic and emotional hardships imposed by the pandemic, substance use and overdose deaths have increased nationally, and Montana is no exception. According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, there were 164 drug overdose deaths reported in MT during the 12-month period ending in March 2021, a 16% increase from the 141 deaths reported during the same period the year before. On top of that, as reported by SAMHSA, 92% of Montanans with a substance use disorder are not receiving treatment.

According to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), overdose deaths involving methamphetamine have nearly tripled in recent years, with studies showing the greatest increases among American Indians/Alaska Natives. One of the authors of the study, NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. stated, “Public health approaches must be tailored to address methamphetamine use across the diverse communities at risk, and particularly for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, who have the highest risk for methamphetamine misuse and are too often underserved.”

By expanding into Glasgow, Ideal Option will make addiction treatment more accessible for residents of Wolf Point, the largest community on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

“Among our Montana patients, about 50% consistently tested positive for methamphetamine at enrollment in 2021,” stated Victoria Collier, NP, an Ideal Option addiction medicine provider in Montana. “Due to lack of resources and transportation, many people on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation have not been able to get the help they need. Opening in Glasgow allows us to expand access to low barrier medication-assisted treatment to a population that desperately needs it.”

The new Ideal Option clinic in Glasgow is open Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and is located at 74 4th Street N., Glasgow, MT 59230.

Most forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, and patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, alcohol or other substances within 1-3 business days.

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 more than 50,000 patients through a network of over 70 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, 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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BALTIMORE, Md. (PRWEB)
March 02, 2022

The lack of drivers has delivered a blow to the nation’s supply chain and economy. However, there are thousands of drivers ready to go back to work if given a second chance. In the face of this reality, employers are rethinking about giving employees another opportunity for both Department of Transportation (DOT) and non-DOT drivers because this allows them to retain the value of a skilled employee. This shift in perception and purpose of a second chance program drives the motivation for employees to continue to stay on course after completing the DOT Return to Duty process or another program in the case of non-DOT. This can change the trajectory for safety sensitive workers and employers working to turn around the nation’s need for those that deliver the nation’s supplies.

DOT Second Chance Policy

Companies with DOT employees are required to have a DOT drug and alcohol testing policy that maintains the guidance for a drug free workplace. Including a second chance program within the policy decreases workplace accidents, reduces workers’ compensation claims, guards against liability exposure, and improves employee morale. As part of this process, the Designated Employee Representative (DER) is the first line of defense for enforcing the policy and holding an employee responsible when in violation. In 2021, according to ASAP statistics, an increase of 22% of DERs were involved in helping DOT employees get a second chance at their employment. This means more drivers on the road faster by supporting employees’ productivity.

Non-DOT Last Chance Policy

For non-DOT companies, the value of retaining a driver after a positive drug test saves on costs of recruiting and hiring by reducing the turnover rate. For the employee, there is value to them to stay clean and maintain their flow of revenue. In 2021, the industry saw an increase of 35% of companies that were involved with employees and willing to give them a last chance. This statistic shows that companies are finding value in trying to help their employees stay on course after testing positive for drugs and alcohol, saving time and money while keeping drivers on the road.

Self-Referrals and Management Referrals

Another aspect of helping employees retain their employment is a self-referral or management referral program. This type of program allows employers to be proactive before an accident occurs by reacting to the signs and symptoms of potential drug abuse or alcohol use. In 2021, the industry saw an increase of 22% and 21% respectively among non-DOT employers. Although the employee may still be subject to disciplinary action, there is a financial benefit to the employer of retaining that employee and providing the employee an opportunity to retain their employment and financial viability as well as receiving the help they need.

ASAP provides Second Chance Programs for DOT and Non-DOT employers with the same nationwide evaluation, case management and testing monitoring services that federally-regulated employers rely upon to return employees safely to work. ASAP programs work with the SAP Providers to enhance the CM process and maintain employee accountability with a success rate of 85% for individuals who successfully complete the program and return to work safely. For assistance with maintaining your drug-free workplace, call 410-366-3899 x607 to speak to an ASAP Advisor today. #WorkSafely

American Substance Abuse Professionals, Inc.® (ASAP)

ASAP offers Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Substance Abuse Expert (SAE) and substance abuse evaluation services to all employers with drug use employment policies and specializing in companies regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ASAP services protect public and workplace safety while promoting treatment and recovery. Our success rate in returning employees back to work drug-free is 86%. Visit http://www.go2asap.com for more information. #worksafely

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MONTCLAIR, N.J. (PRWEB)
March 01, 2022

At the PAINWeekEnd (PWE) series of regional conferences—brought to you by PAINWeek, the National Conference on Pain for Frontline Practitioners—1-day pain management education is presented in a creative, innovative manner. On March 12, PWE comes to the Sheraton Boston Needham, 100 Cabot Street in Needham, and will be comprised of certified and noncertified activities that address a range of clinical and practice management areas of interest.

Charles Argoff, MD, stated about his course, Clinical Update: Utilizing Topical Analgesics for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, “As many as a third of those with diabetes experience peripheral neuropathy, and over half have unresolved pain. My course, and the others at PAINWeekEnd Boston, will help attendees return to work better informed and better able to tackle pain management issues.”

Presenter Paul Mathew, MD, DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS, DNBPAS, of Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham Health Care Center at Foxborough, commented, “Pain management is an important component of nearly every specialty in medicine. PAINWeekEnd Boston is an opportunity to attend a live didactic program presented by nationally recognized experts in a convenient local location.” Dr. Mathew will be presenting two courses: Awkward Conversations: Managing Patients with Chronic Pain; The Diagnosis in the Back of Your Head: Occipital Neuralgia vs Cervicogenic Headache.

Dr. Courtney Kominek will present See, Be, Deceived…or Relieved? Evaluating CBD for Pain Management, about which she commented, “CBD is everywhere! I know I get asked about CBD by my patients on a weekly basis. Come learn more about the risks, benefits, and evidence, so you know what to say when your patients ask.”

Dr. David Glick: “‘Education is the best analgesic’ is one of the themes consistently represented at PWE. If you are involved with treating patients with pain, this conference in Boston will be rewarding whether you’re a primary care/frontline clinician or pain specialist.” Dr. Glick’s courses are Pain Pathways Made Simple; Clinical Pearls: Unraveling the Secrets of Imaging Studies.

Click here to see full agenda and to register: PAINWeekEnd website.

Commercially supported activities—addressing a range of product, disease state, and medical information topics—will also be presented.

Remember, education is the best analgesic!

For more information about this or other regional conferences, and to register for $129, go to the PAINWeekEnd website. BONUS: PAINWeekEnd registrants may register for the 2022 PAINWeek National Conference, September 6-9, in Las Vegas, for $200 off the regular online published price.

PAINWeekEnd is provided by Global Education Group. About Global Education Group:

Global Education Group focuses on producing partnership-based CME for healthcare practitioners. The Global team works with a select group of medical education companies, associations, academic institutions and healthcare facilities to develop and accredit live healthcare conferences and workshops as well as online activities. With each partnership or joint providership, Global brings accreditation expertise, project management excellence and grant funding intelligence. Based in Littleton, Colo., Global has accreditation with commendation from the ACCME. Global also holds accreditations to offer continuing education for nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dietitians, dentists and psychologists. Global is a division of Ultimate Medical Academy.

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PALO ALTO, Calif. (PRWEB)
February 22, 2022

Today’s college students are facing a serious mental health crisis, driven in part by the pandemic. After nearly two years of remote schooling, restricted gatherings, and constant COVID-19 testing, many students are anxious, socially isolated, depressed — and are overwhelming campus mental health centers.

According to a nationwide survey of college students conducted by the Healthy Minds Network and the American College Health Association, the pandemic has intensified a decade-long trend of increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and serious thoughts of suicide.

On Monday, February 28, from 11 a.m.-12;15 p.m. (PST), an expert panel of psychologists will examine what is causing this mental health crisis, what is being done, and tips on how to identify the symptoms of depression and anxiety and how students and their families can find the support they need to build resiliency to lead a mentally healthy college experience. The webinar is free and open to the public. Register here.

The Moderator

M. Dolores Cimini, PhD, Director, Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, University at Albany-SUNY, and Director of the nationally recognized Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program. Dr. Cimini has led comprehensive efforts in research-to-practice translation at the University at Albany for the past 30 years with over $910million in support from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Justice, and New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The screening and brief intervention program developed by Dr. Cimini, the STEPS Comprehensive Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Program, has earned 13 national awards for best practices and innovation in behavioral health care. Dr. Cimini has co-edited two books, including a volume focused on college student health and well-being entitled Promoting Behavioral Health and Reducing Risk Among College Students: A Comprehensive Approach (2018).

The Panel

Amie Haas, PhD, Dr. Haas is a professor at Palo Alto University in the Department of Psychology with a specialization in college student substance abuse issues. Her research focuses on the identification of high-risk drinking and drug use practices in college students and the development of targeted interventions using a harm reduction model. She worked in collaboration with Santa Clara University for several years developing new programs for alcohol prevention and education and has consulted with other universities to guide campus prevention programming. Her work focuses on behaviors like pregaming (i.e., drinking before students go out to consume alcohol at a function), co-occurring cannabis and alcohol use, overdoses, and factors related to alcohol-induced blackout and sexual risk-taking. In her career, she has received funding through NIDA and the U.S. Department of Education.

Donna Sheperis, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, CCMHC, Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Provider Dr. Sheperis is professor and associate chair of PAU’s Department of Counseling. In addition, Dr. Sheperis is Director of the PAU eClinic, which partners with college success agencies to provide mental health support to their students. Sheperis has 30 years of experience in clinical mental health counseling settings. Her work focuses on tele-mental health, internet interventions, technology & mental health, and adult mental health. She is past president of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling and on the Ethics Appeals Committee for the American Counseling Association.

Predair Robinson, PhD [Predair Robinson, PhD __title__ https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/people/predair-robinson Director of Academic Satellites, UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services Dr. Robinson is a clinical psychologist who directs the counseling and outreach services for eight academic satellites for UC Davis community students; this includes the four undergraduate dean’s offices, Veterinary Medicine, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Graduate Studies. In addition to managing programming, development, and personnel, he supervises and trains counseling staff, doctoral interns, and postdoctoral residents and provides short-term therapy and crisis intervention services for students. Prior to joining UC Davis, he served as Interim Director of the Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic (SGIC), a specialty training clinic affiliated with Palo Alto University. In this role, he provided clinical supervision to second-year doctoral trainees who treated LGBTQ+ folks in the Bay Area.

Palo Alto University (PAU) is a private, non-profit university located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling that meet the needs of today’s diverse society. PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs that are led by faculty who make significant contributions in their field. Online, hybrid, and residential program options are available. PAU was founded in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology and re-incorporated as Palo Alto University in August 2009. PAU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). PAU’s doctoral programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), and its master’s in counseling programs by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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SAN DIEGO (PRWEB)
February 07, 2022

SAN DIEGO, CA (February 7, 2022) Northbound Treatment Center continues to promote long-term healing opportunities even after they have completed their inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program. Aftercare solutions, such as 12 Step Programs, work exchange programs, and sober living arrangements provide individuals with continued support and healing that is necessary for long-term sobriety.

“It’s not about whether or not you completed your addiction treatment program. It’s about whether or not you continue your healing journey once your program is complete,” says Ryan Snodgrass, Clinical Director of Northbound Treatment Center. “Starting recovery is challenging. What is even more challenging is maintaining sobriety when you no longer have the support of the treatment team. Our aftercare services allow individuals to develop a plan post-treatment with access to resources and a support community while they continue to heal.”

Northbound Treatment Center in San Diego prioritizes levels of care so patients can continue to receive support while increasing flexibility and independence. Aftercare programs such as sober living options and job support allow individuals to create a proactive plan once they leave the facility. Additional programs such as alumni-supported initiatives and 12 step programs ensure that these individuals have resources to turn to when challenges arise after treatment.

Relapse prevention groups are another popular aspect of aftercare that help individuals learn to use their newly found coping skills and stay focused on sobriety. “Aftercare not only provides resources, but it also provides a community,” Snodgrass continues. “If an individual is feeling triggered or going through a rough patch, it is important for them to know that resources are still available and they still have a network to rely on.”

If you are interested in Northbound Treatment Center, or the aftercare options they provide, you can reach out to them at any time at (858) 295-1752 or on their website at https://www.northboundtreatment.com/.

https://www.google.com/maps?cid=63985994510896986

Northbound Treatment Center | Alcohol & Drug Rehab San Diego

7924 Ivanhoe Ave Suite 7, La Jolla, CA 92037

(858) 295-1752

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