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Addiction Medicine Clinic breaks down barriers to offer treatment for substance use disorder

For release on May 16, 2023

Indiana’s Drug Czar visits clinic at Community Fairbanks Recovery Center

Community Fairbanks Recovery Center has established an outpatient Addiction Medicine Clinic to offer an alternative approach to treatment for those suffering from opioid use disorder and get them the help they need immediately.

Doug Huntsinger, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment, & Enforcement and Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder Chair, visited the clinic at Community Fairbanks Recovery Center to see this treatment option at work.

The Addiction Medicine Clinic allows patients to take the first step toward recovery and get immediate help. Often treatment programs have rigid requirements including a commitment to counseling before allowing access to consistent medication. This alternative approach takes down the barriers to treatment by meeting patients where they are.

Gretchen Johnson, DO, says patients going through withdrawal need help immediately. The clinic can get the patient started on medication the same day they arrive, which is vital. “It protects against overdose. It protects against withdrawal symptoms. It protects against cravings…It’s really hard for someone to squash that down by themselves without the assistance of medication.” Doug Huntsinger says, “Our low threshold clinics to help provide medication for opioid use disorder and...engage individuals into the treatment process is so important in taking that first step.”

The clinic is funded by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction through the State Opioid Response Grant.

For more than 75 years, the name Fairbanks has been known for being the best in evidence-based drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Fairbanks integrated with Community Health Network in 2019, broadening the scope of services available to patients. For more information on Community Fairbanks Recovery Center, go to eCommunity.com/fairbanks.

About Community Health Network
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Community Health Network has been deeply committed to the communities it serves since opening its first hospital, Community Hospital East, in 1956. Community Health Network puts patients first while offering a full continuum of healthcare services, world-class innovations, and a new focus on population health management. Exceptional care, simply delivered, is what sets Community Health Network apart and what makes it a leading not-for-profit healthcare destination in central Indiana. For more information about Community Health Network, please visit eCommunity.com.

Bobbie Brooks, Communications Manager
Bobbie Brooks
Communications Manager