DO YOU

CONTROL

YOUR MEDICATION

OR DOES IT

CONTROL YOU??

Access Health Louisiana recognizes that our community’s health relies on offering services to meet our patient’s unique needs which also includes substance use, misuse or dependence. While, some individuals may require a higher level of care, AHL has developed a Medication Assisted Treatment Program that provides access via virtual visits to support our rural communities and individuals who may have difficulty attending visits in person.

Access Health LA’s Medication Assisted Treatment Program not only includes the use of medications, but combines this with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.

Medications used are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s needs. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders. Medications are also used to prevent or reduce opioid overdose.

The ultimate goal is full recovery, including the ability to live a self-directed life. This treatment approach has been shown to:

+   Improve patient survival

+   Increase retention in treatment

+  Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders

+  Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment

+  Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

Research also shows that these medications and therapies can contribute to lowering a person’s risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis C by reducing the potential for relapse.

AHL’s approach includes establishing care with a primary care provider in a clinic nearest to the client with the mission to support physical health needs, meet timely screenings, and support acute illness when needed. Our primary care providers work to provided non-judgmental care.

Behavioral Health Access includes Substance Abuse counseling, referral and treatment for co-occurring BH conditions, such an anxiety, depression, bi-polar, ADHD, and other BH diagnosis that can impact one’s ability to maintain their sobriety.

Harm Reduction with access to Narcan and education on avoiding overdose.

Referrals to a higher level of care are made as part of an ASAM Risk Assessment with support provided to prepare a person to achieve readiness.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

+  Must establish care with a primary care provider

+  Must be able to participate virtually with a smart phone or ability to go into a clinic to use a computer.

+  Must be able to attend nurse visits for routine Urine Drug Screens

+  Must participate in virtual individual counseling at least once weekly for the first month, then as determined by your counselor, including attendance to on-line groups twice monthly over the course of 10 weeks. (AA/NA is encouraged as well)

+  Must be able to attend MAT provider appointments virtually as one visit per week the first month with schedule MAT nurse visits at your nearest clinic for drug screen, and then visits as determined by your provider.