What CleanSlate is Doing to Address the Epidemic Claiming the Lives of Three Virginians Per Day
The opioid epidemic continues to plague cities across the country. In Virginia, an average of three residents die daily from opioid overdoses. The state continues to outpace the national average for drug overdose deaths involving opioids, with numbers increasing nearly tenfold from 2012 to 2017.
In the Richmond, Virginia, area, opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Many people who become dependent upon them start with a prescription for a medical condition, then have a hard time weaning off the drugs. Others obtain them easily from a friend, family member or acquaintance.
Since opioids are prescribed by medical professionals, many people don’t think they can be dangerous, said Lynn Taylor, center manager for CleanSlate Mechanicsville Addiction Treatment Center. Part of addressing the opioid crisis is increasing awareness of medication misuse before people become dependent but those who are already struggling need to know that they are not alone. There are many treatment options available to help them overcome the disease of addiction.
CleanSlate’s newest center in Mechanicsville, Virginia, hopes to bring relief to the greater Richmond area. Hanover County has a severe shortage of medical addiction treatment providers with only one facility reporting medication-assisted treatment earlier this year.
Medication for addiction treatment has been demonstrated as a safe and effective method for treating opioid dependence by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and deemed the gold standard for treatment by the U.S. Surgeon General. CleanSlate offers medication-assisted treatment and additional medical services to provide an integrated approach to fighting opioid and alcohol addictions using the highest quality, evidence-based practices.
To truly overcome the opioid crisis, we need to address the full scope of its impact on patients, including the symptoms that lead people to form an addiction in the first place, said Dr. Tracey Cohen, Chief Medical Officer for CleanSlate. Our treatment program offers behavioral health therapies, routine vaccinations and other medical care to address the full scope of the disease’s effect on the body.
CleanSlate was founded in 2009 in response to the country’s growing opioid epidemic. Over the past decade, the company has provided drug rehab and alcohol treatment services to more than 53,000 patients in 11 states. CleanSlate currently operates three centers in Virginia (see Norfolk addiction treatment & Richmond addiction treatment).
CleanSlate Mechanicsville is accepting new patients. Those interested should call the center at 833-505-4673 to schedule an appointment. For more information about CleanSlate, visit cleanslatecenters.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Carol Lynn at cfitelynn@cleanslatecenters.com.
