Suboxone available at Bon Secours Detox-rehab unit
New treatment for substance abuse offers significant advantages PORT JERVIS, N.Y. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction to heroin or “pain killers,” also known as opioids, Bon Secours Community Hospital’s New Directions Program utilizes a new medication along with a multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of psychiatrists, nurses, case managers, social workers, CASAC counselors and a certified occupation therapy assistant. The highly successful detoxification and rehabilitation program now offers patients Suboxone in place of previous treatment methods such as methadone. The active ingredient in Suboxone is buprenorphine, which suppresses withdrawal symptoms and cravings while producing a limited euphoria similar to the “high” achieved by the addictive drugs. “When we use Suboxone, the withdrawal symptoms are lessened and relieved quickly,” said Roberta Neary, RN, clinical nurse manager for the detoxification and rehabilitation unit and director of the New Directions Program.” That means the patient can soon participate, often within a day, in-group programs designed to help people recover from substance abuse.” And Richard Santiago, administrative director for Behavioral Health, added, “The patient will also be more comfortable and will feel better and more optimistic that he or she is on the road to recovery.” The treatment program, which only recently introduced the use of Suboxone, encourages recovery of dependence illness through daily educational and therapeutic activity groups, individual and group therapy, 12-step and relapse prevention, orientation and family/collateral involvement. All are geared towards greatly improving a patient’s chances for a sustained recovery. Medication monitoring, relaxation training, solution-focused approaches and spirituality combined with a competently trained staff reinforce the recovery process. The detoxification and rehabilitation unit is open 24 hours every day. Last year 444 patients were treated, Although patients must be 18 years of age or older, someone just under 18 may be admitted with parental approval. Most major insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, is accepted. For intake screening, call 845-858-7234. The New Directions Program is dually licensed by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse for inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation services. All of Bon Secours Community Hospital’s behavioral health services are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO).