Medical Minute: Fighting Drug Addiction in Southeastern Ohio - A Community Effort
Southeastern Ohio, particularly the Appalachian region, has become a focal point in the fight against addiction. Christopher Meyer, MD, an addiction medicine specialist at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, describes the area as a “hotbed of addiction,” with opioids and methamphetamine accounting for 70% of cases, while alcohol use has seen a troubling rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Meyer and his team are at the forefront of addressing this crisis, thanks to a $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. “We wouldn’t be operating this program at O’Bleness if it wasn’t for grant money,” Dr. Meyer explains. The funding has allowed the hospital to build a dedicated team, including addiction medicine specialists, nurse practitioners, substance use navigators, a counselor, and a therapist. This team is now active both within the hospital and in the broader community.
Inside the hospital, the team focuses on identifying patients with substance use disorders, many of whom go unrecognized. “About 20% of patients admitted to any hospital in the country are struggling with substance use disorders, oftentimes under the radar,” Dr. Meyer notes. The team also collaborates with emergency room physicians to assist patients dealing with overdoses or intoxication.
Beyond the hospital walls, the team partners with community organizations such as libraries, housing shelters, and domestic violence shelters to extend their reach. “We’re trying to become a partner with organizations that encounter folks with substance use disorders,” Dr. Meyer says.
The work is challenging, but Dr. Meyer’s passion for helping those struggling with addiction is evident. “We’re here to offer treatment and opportunities for recovery,” he emphasizes, underscoring the importance of community collaboration in tackling this pervasive issue.
The Addiction Medicine Team at O’Bleness Hospital provides evidence-based comprehensive treatment to patients suffering from substance use disorder (SUD).
Services:
- Medical management of alcohol/stimulant/opioid/benzodiazepine and other SUDs
- Medical management of withdrawal from alcohol/stimulant/opioid/benzodiazepine and other substances
- Pain management in the setting of opioid use disorder
- Substance use assessments
- Assessing readiness for change
- Linkage to residential or outpatient treatment facilities for follow up care
- Harm reduction discussion and services
- Patient centered plan and initiating treatment for substance use disorders
If you would like to talk about your options, please call our Substance Use Navigator, 614-398-5217.
