BrightView addiction treatment center helping patients on their path of recovery
Zach Tuggle
A sunny glass foyer welcomes patients as they enter the new BrightView addiction recovery and treatment center in Mansfield to start the next chapter of their lives.
Professionals there have been busy the last nine months helping folks of all ages and from all walks of life escape the clutches of addiction. They see about 20 new patients each month.
Whether it's drugs or alcohol that plagues them, staff help customize a treatment plan for each patient, according to Shannon Ramey, the location's clinical supervisor.
"One of the phrases that's been coined is that substance abuse doesn't discriminate," Ramey said. "It knows no boundaries."
Arrests drop as patients recover
BrightView was formed six years ago in Cincinnati to help people on their path of recovery. Now it's in four states.
The company uses medication-assisted treatment programs to help patients manage their brains' cravings for dopamine.
"There's not a cure, but there are coping strategies," Ramey said. "What we try to do here is give people those skills for lifelong recovery and stability."
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The company has noticed that in the first 90 days of treatment, patients see a nearly 60% decrease in arrest. After a year, arrests drop 93% compared to when patients started.
The Mansfield clinic opened in February at 580 Park Avenue West. It's open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Walk-ins are welcome every day until 3 p.m.
Patients must be at least 18 years old in order to be helped by the BrightView team.
Woman unknowingly took heroin
Ramey has been helping patients escape addiction for 17 years. In that time, she's seen and heard just about every scenario imaginable.
The stories range from scary, to sad, to even frustrating.
"It's called a struggle for a reason," Ramey said.
There was once a teenager who had smoked synthetic marijuana, then woke up in a hospital three days later.
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What might be even more frightening are the cases in which patients weren't purposefully taking drugs for recreation, like the lady in her 70s whose doctor had to quit prescribing the pain medication he had been giving her after an injury.
The grandmotherly figure was told by a family friend that they had something that would help her feel better, so she accepted the offer.
"She said it wasn't until after she had used it that they told her it was heroin," Ramey said. "That's when she panicked and realized she needed help. It's heartbreaking."
Pandemic was bad for relapsing
Opening an addiction treatment center in the middle of a pandemic had its challenges, but it proved to be a blessing for patients.
Anonymous patient surveys revealed 90% of those treated felt the programs had been helping.
The Mansfield clinic had given them a safe community during a time of complete loneliness. That companionship is important for those in recovery.
"We always try to get people to not self isolate," Ramey said. "They need to get out and get to meetings and be around people."
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The mantra during the COVID-19 scare, though, was to isolate as much as possible.
"That really took a toll on people," Ramey said. "It took away all of their support. I think it increased the relapse rate."
Fortunately, BrightView offers remote access to groups of all types for those who are not able to meet in person. Patients from across the country meet online at all hours of the day — some of the meetings are just for veterans, just for men, or even just for pregnant women.
"Pretty much if there's a topic, there's a group," Ramey said.
That community seems to be exactly the support patients need in order to overcome their addictions at least one more day.
Clinic is a safe place from judgement
Relapse is a part of life for those who have substance abuse disorders, but it has no effect on their treatment plans at BrightView.
"If recovery was easy, everybody would do it," Ramey said. "We will keep working with people as long as they keep coming in."
The company has a strict policy of not judging anyone for their past failures.
"When you walk in these doors, you're in a safe place," Ramey said. "We're not going to judge you because of your past or for the things you've taken or for any reason."
No matter where in their journey someone finds themselves on a specific day, they are always encouraged to take part in recovery. Sobriety sometimes last years, but it can be measured in months, weeks, and days as well.
"That's what we're here for, we're here to help you along the way," Ramey said. "We're not going to say, well you messed up, so you're not going to get your medication this week. That's the whole premise of the harm-reduction model."
Those who would like to learn more can either call the clinic at 419-359-8723 or visit the company's website at www.brightviewhealth.com.
ztuggle@gannett.com
419-564-3508
Twitter: @zachtuggle