Health Center Provides Substance Abuse Treatment During Pandemic

One of the biggest challenges for persons struggling with substance abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic surrounds the reality that many treatment programs in the New Orleans area are not accepting new patients. It’s a problem that Mia Kacmarcik-Sanders, LCSW, substance abuse specialist manager at DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC), deals with daily.

“Understandably, adjusting to the new realities of treating patients during the pandemic has been tough for some local substance abuse treatment programs, but I’m thankful that we at DePaul haven’t missed a beat in terms of our ability to serve both current and new patients,” said Kacmarcik-Sanders. “Difficult times such as what we’re experiencing during this pandemic, unfortunately, can result in some individuals increasing their use of different substances to cope. We want the community to know that our doors are open to assist anyone seeking help.”

DCHC offers telehealth appointments for all patients, including new patients, who seek assistance with substance abuse. The holistic, outpatient medication assisted treatment options for opioid addiction, for example, include medication management and group therapy for both addiction and mental health. Patients also have access to basic medical and dental care, and DCHC processes all lab work.

DCHC accepts all insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare, and services everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. A sliding fee scale is available for self-pay patients. For more information, call (504) 207-3064 or visit www.DePaulCommunityHealthCenters.org.

 

07/07/2020