“Wait Times Can Equal Death” – CleanSlate Expands Addiction Treatment in Cincinnati, Ohio
Many communities across America have no local treatment options for people suffering from addiction. Cincinnati, Ohio, is not one of those communities. The city has many treatment providers, and yet the numbers are still inadequate to handle the local need in the third-largest city in one of states hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.
Despite the gradual increase of addiction treatment providers in Ohio, many organizations leading the state’s efforts to address the epidemic – including the State Attorney General’s Office and multiple health systems – agree that Cincinnati continues to experience a shortage of providers delivering evidence-based, outpatient medication-assisted treatment services.
In response to the continued demand for high-quality outpatient addiction treatment, CleanSlate expanded its presence in Ohio with two centers in Cincinnati. CleanSlate Cincinnati, located at 10475 Reading Road, Suite 206, opened its doors July 31, 2019, and serves the northern part of the city. CleanSlate West Cincinnati will open December 9, 2019, and at 3654 Werk Road.
“Cincinnati has been overwhelmed by the opioid epidemic, with thousands of residents forced to wait weeks to receive addiction treatment,” said Anthony Belott, Chief Development Officer of CleanSlate. “Patients in Cincinnati deserve sufficient high-quality treatment options to quickly pursue recovery. CleanSlate is eager to be there for the people of this great city the minute they’re ready for help.”
Removing barriers to connect directly with patients
Hamilton County ranks second out of 88 counties for overdose fatalities in the state, and over the past five years has experienced a 1,000% increase in fatalities from synthetic opioids. In January 2019, Hamilton County was wracked by 10 overdoses in less than 24 hours.
Experts agree, a critical step to combating the addiction epidemic is increasing access to MAT, with wraparound services to address other obstacles to recovery, including behavioral health and legal issues. Above all, treatment needs to be quickly available for those in critical need.
“Wait times can equal death for patients, and we’ve heard about patients in this area waiting as long as six weeks or 60 days to see a provider,” said Joan Erwin, CleanSlate’s Senior Vice President of Business Development. “Less than half the people in Cincinnati who suffer from addiction are in treatment. With this many options in the city, that tells us there is a problem with accessing services. It’s a challenge that CleanSlate is determined to overcome.”
Cincinnati patients will be able to receive treatment without incurring significant – or any – financial burden. Driven by a mission to increase access to affordable, evidence-based addiction treatment, CleanSlate participates in-network with most Medicaid and commercial providers in Ohio.
“We have a different approach than many MAT providers,” said Dr. Robyn Chatman, Medical Director of CleanSlate Cincinnati. “We try to remove every barrier so that we can connect directly with the patients who need us most. Cincinnatians are desperate for more options, and the people we have met are excited to have us in town.”
More than 50,000 patients treated
CleanSlate currently operates five other centers in Ohio with more scheduled to open this year. The company is actively growing its footprint to expand much-needed access to outpatient medication treatment for addiction and now has close to 70 centers across the country. Over the past decade, the company has treated more than 50,000 patients in 11 states.
CleanSlate’s program of care includes appropriate medication treatment prescribed by licensed medical providers, as well as clear accountability, supportive counseling and care coordination.
“Addiction isn’t a battle that can be won alone,” said Michael Cloughessy, Center Manager of CleanSlate Cincinnati. “We’ve found many willing collaborators in Cincinnati who recognize the quality of our evidence-based programming and are eager to complement this approach with their existing efforts. CleanSlate is grateful for the partnership of leaders in this community, because it is together that we succeed.”
“At the end of the day, our mission is simple: meet patients where they are and connect them with the care they need and deserve,” said Cloughessy. “We’re here to help.”
To make an appointment at CleanSlate’s West Cincinnati addiction treatment center, please call 513-250-4242 or walk into our center at 10475 Reading Road, Suite 206. For CleanSlate West Cincinnati, call 833-505-4673 or visit 3654 Werk Road. To find out more about CleanSlate’s Ohio centers, click here.
For media inquiries, please contact Carol Fite-Lynn at cflynn@cleanslatecenters.com.
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