heroin overdoses,mass heroin overdose,fentanyl overdose,carfentanil overdose,heroin addiction,needle exchange,opioid overdose,opioid treatment, addiction education

Surge of heroin overdoses hits Kentucky county

By Addiction News No Comments

A sudden spike in heroin overdoses was reported in Montgomery County, Kentucky, on Wednesday. The surge in overdoses came shortly after similar outbreaks in cities neighboring Kentucky, in Ohio and West Virginia.

The number of overdoses in the Kentucky county rose to 18 in one day, and one of the victims has died. The proximity to mass heroin overdose reports in nearby cities has led officials to wonder if Kentucky may be at the epicenter of an extremely dangerous supply of heroin.

Overdose-reversing drug saves lives in Cincinnati heroin outbreak

Only one day prior to the overdose outbreak in Kentucky, more than 20 people in the Cincinnati area survived heroin overdoses within the span of just two hours. This shows how fast an outbreak of drug overdoses can occur, with the potential to overwhelm emergency responders. Fortunately, first responders carry naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of overdose. But public officials have noted that a single dose of naloxone may not always be effective in reviving an overdose victim, especially when there is an unusually powerful opioid present, often unsuspected by the drug user. That’s why health officials have recommended giving multiple doses of naloxone until it succeeds in reviving the victim, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Alarmingly, the overdose count from Cincinnati, from Tuesday through Wednesday, has now reached 78 overdoses. Officials in the Greater Cincinnati area were aware that a powerful opioid called carfentanil had entered the drug supply in the region. It was noted in the Cincinnati Enquirer only two days before the surge of heroin overdoses took place. The story notes that this substance is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl. To put that in perspective, drugs laced with fentanyl already make for an increased likelihood of overdose. Kentucky officials suspect the rash of heroin overdoses on Wednesday also involved the presence of these potent opioids in the supply of drugs.

Mass heroin overdoses in WV create national headlines, local dialogues

Last week officials from surrounding regions met in Kenton County, Kentucky, for a task force meeting around the heroin and opioid epidemic. In attendance was the mayor of Huntington, West Virginia, where a spike in heroin overdoses—26 total—had made national headlines earlier in the week. Officials have been at a loss for how to combat the sudden surges in overdose. However, comments from community members at a Huntington City Council meeting indicated that many think wider availability of treatment services is the greatest current need.

These events also highlight the need to educate individuals and communities about the dangers of drug supplies, tolerance, and overdose. While heroin is already deadly enough, those who buy it off the street are often unaware that it might be laced with an even more dangerous substance like fentanyl or carfentanil. Public health education initiatives and quick reporting of overdose spikes could help communities be aware of when particularly dangerous drug combinations are in the region.

In addition, more education is needed about drug tolerance and associated overdose risks. Those who have built up a high tolerance for opioids through continued use are at risk, especially if they have recently stopped using for a period of time. During that time their tolerance decreases, meaning that if they go back to using the amount they formerly did, their body might not be able to handle it. This is a common mechanism for how people suffer an overdose.

The mass heroin overdose reports out of West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky, in just over a week have thrown a spotlight on how desperate is the need for more education and more treatment options. With such high numbers of overdoses, time is of the essence.

Top image by lyd_f is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
stepworks elizabethtown ky

Stepworks of Elizabethtown facility opens today

By Stepworks of Elizabethtown No Comments

Stepworks of Elizabethtown treatment center is now accepting admissions, and we’re already filling up fast!

Today marks the opening of Stepworks of Elizabethtown, a truly state-of-the-art treatment facility that will provide immediate relief to Kentucky families struggling with addiction. We couldn’t be more excited to offer our evidence-based drug and alcohol treatment to more people in the state. This facility provides 32 treatment beds to help close the treatment gap that continues to be a barrier in Kentucky.

Stepworks of Elizabethtown offers programs of treatment that are evidence-based and that adhere to the highest standards of client care and accommodation. Clients at Stepworks can expect to arrive at an understanding of how addiction works as a brain disease and how they can manage it through relapse prevention. Families can expect professional client supervision from a compassionate team of treatment providers. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think our program was the best choice for our own loved ones as well as yours!

What kind of treatment does Stepworks of Elizabethtown provide?

Stepworks offer 30-day residential treatment that includes professional therapeutic services and an extended program of addiction education. This includes many important addiction services, so here’s a breakdown of what we provide:

  • Evaluation and assessment for substance use disorders
  • 30-day residential rehabilitation for alcohol, opiates, and other substance use
  • Detoxification including supervision and some medication where medically appropriate
  • Individual counseling with a licensed therapist
  • Therapist-led group meetings
  • Family therapy to help with addiction, codependency, and support
  • Aftercare and referral services

A new chapter in Stepworks’ recovery story

The opening of the new treatment facility in Elizabethtown, KY, marks an important waypoint for Stepworks Recovery Centers. When the company began, its first treatment facility was located in Elizabethtown. At that facility, the company operated for 10 years with a proven record of client success. The guiding practices of education and compassionate client care were developed over those crucial years of treatment. Although that facility eventually closed its doors, Stepworks reopened last year in London, KY.

Stepworks of London quickly established itself as a trusted addiction treatment facility. That facility was awarded the full three-year accreditation from CARF International for every addiction service it provides. The same high level of adherence to professional care and health standards will be present at Stepworks of Elizabethtown.

We simply can’t wait for new clients to see our modern facility at Stepworks of Elizabethtown. Many people across the state remain in desperate need of treatment of some kind. The opening of Stepworks of Elizabethtown more than doubles our treatment capacity, but we’re not stopping there. After the planned opening of a third facility in Bowling Green, KY, Stepworks will have a combined treatment capacity of over 70 beds. And you’ll find the same high standards of care no matter which Stepworks facility you choose. Learn more about our newest addition, Stepworks of Elizabethtown, here.

Are you ready to find out how Stepworks can provide a foundation of recovery for you or your loved one? Call us today: (800) 545-9031

 

kentucky NAS, neonatal abstinence syndrome, opioid dependent mother, prenatal addiction treatment, opioid crisis ky, drug treatment pregnancy

Kentucky NAS incidence among the highest, study shows

By Addiction News No Comments

Kentucky NAS rates continue to increase, consistent with a multi-state trend of greater numbers of infants born with this opioid-related medical condition. Neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, produces painful withdrawal symptoms in some infants birthed by women who use opioid drugs. A study newly reported by the CDC has shown that incidences of NAS in 28 states have skyrocketed over the last decade and a half. Reporting of this medical condition quadrupled from 1999–2013. This shows us that many states have an urgent need for new measures to prevent and treat a condition affecting the most vulnerable among us.

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Stepworks, Stepworks of Elizabethtown, KY, residential treatment, detox, Stepworks of Elizabethtown is coming soon

Stepworks of Elizabethtown Coming Soon

By Addiction News, Stepworks of Elizabethtown No Comments

Stepworks of Elizabethtown will soon be able to open its doors to more people looking for help for addiction. If you caught our recent announcement, you know that the company is set to open new facilities in Elizabethtown and Bowling Green, KY. Stepworks of Elizabethtown is coming soon, and we wanted to give you a sneak peek at the exciting work in progress!

In this first look, our corporate administrator and long-time Stepworks staff member, Sherry Coomer, talks about the preparations being made at Stepworks of Elizabethtown. The facility will provide 32 beds for residential treatment, and construction has been ongoing since the beginning of this year. What was once a physician’s facility has been remodeled to become a welcoming and comfortable treatment center for our clients.

Stepworks of Elizabethtown will be ready to open in the coming weeks. That means there will soon be 32 new treatment beds in the state of Kentucky, with even more on the way in Bowling Green. We can’t wait to offer expanded access to treatment to central Kentucky and surrounding regions. Look for more information as we post it here and at the Stepworks Facebook page!

Stepworks to open two more KY treatment facilities this year

By Stepworks Press Release No Comments

Stepworks Recovery Centers is preparing to open a 32-bed, full-service residential treatment facility in Elizabethtown, KY, during the first week of August 2016. This is the first of two KY treatment facilities the company plans to open this year. Stepworks will bring an additional 24-bed treatment center to Bowling Green later in the year. These two facilities will add a total of 56 new treatment beds to the state, where many Kentuckians are in real need of options for substance use recovery.

“The new Stepworks facilities in Elizabethtown and Bowling Green will allow us to expand access to treatment services and help more people in Kentucky recover from the disease of addiction,” says Andrew Ingram, Chief Operating Officer of Stepworks.

Both of the new treatment facilities will offer detoxification as part of a 30-day residential program for women and men. The program focuses on evidence-based addiction education, individual & group therapy, and family therapy services. These services mirror what Stepworks already provides at its premier treatment facility that is currently open in London, KY.

New facilities will build on Stepworks’ reputation for compassionate care

Stepworks has provided treatment for addiction in the state for more than a decade. It was recently granted full three-year accreditation from CARF International, the leading standards body for health services organizations. The accreditation covered the full-range of addiction treatment services that Stepworks provides, in recognition of Stepworks’ commitment to professional, compassionate client care.

We can’t wait to offer our time-tested program of education and treatment for addiction to more people in the state. The company’s hope is to meet the tangible need for greater access to treatment in Kentucky. Keep up with our progress on our Facebook page! We’ll be posting more information about the openings, the facilities, and the great staff who will be helping our clients find renewed hope in recovery.

Stay tuned for photos and video of the new facilities!

mat drugs,jail substance abuse treatment,kentucky heroin,kentucky opioid

KY & NH weigh using Vivitrol to treat those incarcerated

By Addiction News No Comments

Inside jails and prisons, many people who are in need of treatment for addiction have few options but to wait. For those who are addicted to heroin and opioids, medication-assisted treatment is simply not available. Or at least it hasn’t been. Some states are now looking at the drug Vivitrol as a possibly safer alternative to opioid medications like methadone that have a potential for misuse. Kentucky is one of them.

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Stepworks is now CARF accredited in KY drug treatment

By Stepworks Press Release No Comments
stepworks london ky

Stepworks Recovery Centers was awarded a Three-Year Accreditation for its comprehensive addiction treatment services by CARF International, the leading standards body for health services organizations. Having worked tirelessly to create a truly excellent client-centered program, the Stepworks team is eager to let the Kentucky treatment community know that it is now CARF accredited.

So what is CARF accreditation, and what did Stepworks do to become CARF accredited? This post will answer those questions and show what Stepworks’ recently granted Three-Year Accreditation status means for its clients and the recovery community at large.

What does it mean to be CARF accredited?

CARF International has been providing accreditation to health programs around the world since 1966. Think of accreditation like an official stamp of approval: it means that the CARF-accredited program has met or exceeded a variety of standards for providing care to clients. Not only that: it also means that program has shown a dedication to improving its quality of service.

Does being CARF accredited mean that a program can rest on its laurels? Not at all! After the period of accreditation is over, Stepworks will go through another CARF survey to keep its accredited status. In addition to that, Stepworks must prove that it is continuing to refine the quality of its services based on recommendations from CARF surveyors. To sum it up, Stepworks’ CARF accreditation means that Stepworks provides excellent client care and is continuing to make it even better.

Three-Year Accreditation? Does that mean there are different kinds?

There are different levels of accreditation that a program can receive. The Three-Year Accreditation that Stepworks received is the highest level of accreditation that CARF awards. This means that Stepworks staff will not have to spend time going through the evaluation process again after only a year. Instead, Stepworks will continue to focus on serving its clients and improving its services until the Three-Year Accreditation period ends and a new evaluation is required.

CARF accreditation is awarded not only to the health organization, but to the specific programs and services it offers. Stepworks was granted the full Three-Year Accreditation for all the programs it currently operates. Specifically, Stepworks Recovery Centers and Stepworks of London were accredited for the following programs:

  • Assessment and Referral
  • Detoxification
  • Intensive Outpatient Treatment
  • Partial Hospitalization
  • Residential Treatment

You can now find Stepworks listed in the CARF International provider directory using the search function at their website, or using the following links:

Stepworks Recovery Centers, LLC

Stepworks of London

How did Stepworks become CARF accredited?

Getting CARF accredited means committing to transparency and accountability. In the accreditation process, Stepworks worked closely with CARF to take a critical look at its services and operations. CARF surveyors conducted on-site inspection and evaluation of Stepworks of London, the current residential treatment center in operation. The process also involved submission of internal policy and documentation operations. That means that CARF was given access to see exactly how Stepworks serves its clients, including the built-in policy protections for the rights of clients.

Over the course of its history, Stepworks has not wavered in its commitment to treating clients like family. The well-being of those served will continue to be the core driver of the company’s mission and conduct. Stepworks is honored to have received official recognition from CARF for its commitment to standards and excellent client care. The team hopes this news will help those in need to make their way to Stepworks’ addiction services or another CARF accredited provider.

“CARF standards are internationally recognized benchmarks for excellence in healthcare. We’re proud of our Stepworks team for exceeding these standards and receiving the maximum allowed 3-year accreditation. We look forward to continuing our mission of serving the addicted people of Kentucky.” —Andrew Ingram, Stepworks COO

Stepworks, science of addiction

Workplace addiction should be met with treatment-friendly policies

By Stepworks Connect No Comments

Workplace addiction was the topic of a Boyle County public forum in which Stepworks’ Dr. Tom Ingram was a featured speaker. Pam Wright of The Advocate-Messenger covered the forum and threw a spotlight on Dr. Ingram’s remarks about understanding addiction. Dr. Ingram emphasized that understanding addiction as a common brain disease is essential to helping employees get treatment for their condition.

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stepworks recovery centers,meth addiction,crystal meth abuse,methamphetamine abuse

How meth addiction makes it hard to escape drug abuse

By Addiction News No Comments

Addiction doesn’t recognize boundaries, whether they are the boundaries that separate one addictive drug from another or the differences between one person and another. Anyone can suffer from the disease of addiction regardless of biology or background. Any addictive substance can be the one that destroys a life. Writing in Esquire, Christine Suhan offers a powerful account of her struggle to emerge from the depths of a debilitating meth addiction.

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stepworks connect,addiction education,affordable care act,screening brief intervention and referral to treatment,addiction health

Medical Complications of Addiction: A Stepworks Speaker Series Event

By Stepworks Connect No Comments

Stepworks Speaker Series: Medical Complications of Addiction

Join Stepworks and Chrysalis House at the Chrysalis House Community Center for the next live presentation in our series of speakers on current topics in addiction.

Tuesday, November 10
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Chrysalis House Community Center
1589 Hill Rise Dr
Lexington, KY 40504

Our next speaker series event covers the intersections of addiction with other health issues. This educational forum is open to the public (please RSVP above) and will feature two speaker presentations. Shawn Ryan, MD, from Brightview Health, will speak first, followed by Jason Joy, LLPC, from UK Medical Center.

If you attended our first speaker series event with A. Thomas McLellan, PhD, you learned about the changes in healthcare law that are bringing addiction care into mainstream healthcare systems. In this upcoming presentation, we’ll expand on the relationships between diagnosing and treating substance use disorders and providing general healthcare services.

Part I: Insights from the ED: How to Appropriately Assess, Diagnose, and Refer Patients for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Shawn Ryan, MD, BrightView Health, Cincinnati, OH

Hospital emergency departments see a high volume of patients, many of whom are suffering from undiagnosed substance use disorders. However, in the past, emergency department physicians and nurses haven’t been adequately trained to diagnose underlying addiction disorders. Now that addiction treatment is being integrated into mainstream healthcare systems, it’s more important than ever for ED healthcare workers to know how to conduct screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment for substance abuse.

Part II: Medical Complications of Care for Those with Substance Use Disorders

Jason Joy, LPCC, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY

In part two of this speaker series event, Jason Joy will help us to step outside the emergency department to look at broader issues related to treating health conditions when a patient is also suffering from a substance use disorder. Health intervention outcomes and patient quality of life will be maximized only if healthcare workers address the substance use disorder that may be interfering with the patient’s health or treatment. This talk will also cover how a patient’s history of substance abuse can make certain medical procedures more difficult or problematic. For those in the field, it will offer practical suggestions to improve current treatment models.