Health department offering outpatient detox program

SANDUSKY — The Erie County Health Department is offering a new option for people who want to deal with their substance abuse problems. The department, which for years has offered inpatient detox for people with alcohol or drug problems, has now launched a new outpatient detox program for people who need to maintain their normal day-to-day lives while getting treatment. Inpatient detox means that patients are expected to stay inside a facility for several days and are not allowed to leave. Outpatient detox means patients can now obtain treatment without being admitted into a setting similar to hospitalization. Health department employees have noticed that some people have not begun inpatient treatment because they can't leave their jobs or they have children to take care of, said Stephanie Salyer, a registered nurse and chief of behavioral and mental health services at the health department. "They still have lives they need to attend to," Salyer said. The inpatient detox facility, which opened in 2018, provides medical supervision for patients who are withdrawing from a drug or alcohol addiction. The inpatient stay usually lasts for five to seven days and is considered the first step in recovery, as patients then go on to obtain further treatment. The census for inpatient detox, which used to run about 12 to 13 patients a day, recently has had an average census of about seven patients — and that's believed to be partially because many potential patients can't take time off for inpatient treatment, Salyer said. This new outpatient program has similarities to the inpatient program. The patient will: • Meet with a medical provider during the initial visit, which goes over the patient's medical history and history of substance abuse to determine whether outpatient treatment is a realistic option • Receive drugs to help them deal with the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal • Return to the health department every day for five to seven days, checking in with a nurse and a substance abuse disorder counselor When the withdrawal is completed, then the health department works with the patient to determine the next step for recovery. Outpatient detox treatment is offered for patients who are dealing with the abuse of opioids like heroin, fentanyl, kratom and stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Alcohol withdrawal is considered dangerous, withdrawal can result in seizures and even death, so it is only offered as an inpatient option. People dealing with substance abuse problems who are ready to begin going into recovery may call the health department's treatment number at 419-624-3353. While the health department accepts Medicaid and many forms of insurance, treatment is still offered for patients who do not have health insurance, cannot afford their large deductible or who are not eligible for Medicaid. The health department receives funding from the Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board of Erie County to cover the costs for such people so that everyone can obtain treatment, Salyer said. Salyer said that while substance abuse remains a big local problem, despite the fact that overdose deaths have dropped both locally and nationwide, she has noticed a shift in which substances are being abused. More people are using stimulants, she said. Methamphetamine use is particularly a problem. Some jurisdictions have reported rising cocaine use, but cocaine is expensive, so meth use seems to be more prevalent locally, Salyer said. Alcohol abuse remains a big local problem, she said.