Corewell Health opens new addiction clinics in Ludington and Fremont
The Corewell Health Dependent Drug Stewardship Program continues to address increases in overdose rates across the state of Michigan. There has been a concerning trend related to increases of drug overdose emergency department visits and EMS responses to drug overdoses in the Ludington and Fremont communities. While these increases are demonstrated in other communities as well, partnerships with the emergency departments in Ludington and Gerber have allowed Corewell Health to quickly increase the addiction medicine footprint to address those needs. As a result, Corewell Health will be opening addiction medicine clinics at the Ludington Visiting Specialty site on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, and at the Gerber Visiting Specialty location on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. We caught up with Dr. Colleen Lane, medical director for Corewell Health’s addiction medicine program, posed a few questions. If I understand correctly the clinics will be primarily providing Medication Assisted Treatment. What are the main benefits of MAT? The Addiction Clinic at Corewell Health can treat many different types of substance use disorders. This includes any person who is living with opioid use, alcohol use, stimulant use or a combination of multiple different substances being used at the same time. Our addiction medicine specialists have expertise in managing medications that help treat people who are struggling with symptoms of withdrawal or cravings from certain substances. We know that medications for opioid use disorder saves lives. It helps prevent accidental overdose deaths and helps people improve their overall quality of life. We know that the medications that we use to treat alcohol use disorders can decrease use of alcohol or episodes of binge drinking and help lead to an overall improvement of mental and physical health. There is access for walk-ins to the clinic. Any requirements? Are patients required to be active in a recovery program? Our walk-in clinic is for anyone new to our clinic, or anyone who has been out of care for more than 6 months. It is meant to be low barrier and easy to access. The only requirement is that you are someone wanting to learn about your options for changing your relationship with a substance that is affecting your life, health, or relationships. There is no requirement for you to be in a recovery program if you participate. Will the clinics offer counseling or will this be referred to other programs? We will offer connections to counseling, peer recovery groups and other community resources if that is something that is helpful as a part of a person’s recovery process. However, this is not a requirement to be seen by our medical provider team and discuss medications. Are Substance Use Disorder agencies in Mason County and Newaygo County on board? We have been introducing ourselves and talking to the other substance use disorder agencies in Mason and Newaygo Counties. As we come into the area, we are hoping to add more choices for people who are looking for substance use treatment options. The clinics are looking to be open at all the regionals in addition to downtown. Is this initiative tied into opioid settlement dollars? This is not connected to the opioid settlement dollars. This expansion is something that Corewell Health invested in based on the need in the community. What is the hope attached to this (much needed) strategy? We hope this will make it easier for people to access addiction care closer to home. And to reduce stigma around the treatment of substance use disorders. By expanding access to addiction medicine specialty care we will be saving the lives of our friends, family and neighbors. Here’s the skinny: Corewell Health Addiction Clinic – Ludington 7 Atkinson Drive, Suite 302 Ludington, MI 49431 Corewell Health Addiction Clinic – Fremont 230 W. Oak St. Freemont, MI 49412 Both locations will be open from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and will have provider access to see immediate same day walk-ins. If walk-in access is needed on another day during the week, the clinic also offers an urgent referral line (616-391-6120 - press 1) that can be accessed to engage a patient with same day telehealth addiction medicine access.
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April 2024
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