News & Press
River Edge Launches Medication for Addiction Treatment Clinic at Macon-Bibb Location
Contact:
Jamie Dickson, River Edge Communications: 478.283-0138 (mobile)// 478.803-7707 (office) // jdickson@river-edge.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 25, 2018
MACON – In an effort to help combat the opioid crisis, River Edge: Macon-Bibb County (175 Emery Highway, Macon) has launched its first Medication for Addiction Treatment Clinic. Open four hours each Thursday, the Clinic will serve up to 50 individuals with opioid use disorder.
Buprenorphine (also known as Suboxone) diminishes the withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with opioid use disorder to help individuals reach and maintain recovery.
Individuals interested in receiving Suboxone must undergo an intake assessment and, once approved for treatment, adhere to the program’s guidelines, which include attending group counseling at River Edge as well as outside support groups, such as a 12-Step program.
“We know that treatment works, and recovery is possible,” said River Edge Chief Executive Officer Shannon T. Gordon, LCSW. “The United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration identifies many paths to recovery, including medication for addiction treatment. River Edge is happy to offer an additional route to hope, healing and wellness for those seeking recovery from opioid use disorder.”
From 2009 to 2014, Georgia’s rate of increase in the number of patient encounters related to opioids led the nation, according to findings made public during The University of Georgia’s College of Public Health annual State of the Public’s Health conference last fall.
Last year, President Donald Trump declared the country’s opioid crisis a National Health Care Emergency. In 2016 more than 64,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses - more than those who died in the Vietnam War - according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control. The number of drug overdose deaths in 2016 marks a 21 percent increase from 2015.
Dr. J. Paul Seale will administer Suboxone at River Edge. A family medicine physician, Dr. Seale is also certified by the American Society of Addiction. “The aim of this clinic is to help individuals get their lives back,” he said. “This evidence-based treatment is effective and transformative, and I’m honored to help Central Georgian’s with opioid use disorder reach and maintain recovery.”
River Edge’s Medication for Addiction Treatment Clinic is open every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 478-803-7670.
About River Edge Behavioral Health
The full continuum of River Edge Behavioral Health services provide state-of-the-art treatment and support services for more than 13,000 children, youth, families and adults annually, who experience mental illness, addiction, co-occurring disorders or developmental disabilities. River Edge services extend throughout Central Georgia, including Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Wilkinson, and Fulton Counties. Learn more at River-Edge.org. For help, call 478-803-7700.
About the River Edge Foundation
The River Edge Foundation, an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, raises private funds to help make life better for individuals who experience mental illness, addiction or a developmental disability, especially individuals served and supported through the robust, community-based offerings of River Edge Behavioral Health. The Foundation strives for excellence in fundraising, investing, stewarding contributions and assets, governing the Foundation, as well as forming lasting and mutual beneficial relationships with community partners, constituencies and stakeholders.
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