(Harlan) Year after year, the local community names addiction as one of the top community health challenges.
In the 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment for Shelby County, alcohol and drug abuse ranked number one and three respectively as the top risky behaviors impacting overall community health. That same assessment found mental health therapy and substance abuse treatment to be two of the top three medical services most needed in the community. Local residents clearly feel the weight of these challenges, and now they have a new resource for support. Myrtue Behavioral Health announced the launch of a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program in January of 2024.
Brittany Miller, Mental Health Therapist, explained that this all started due to COVID when they decided to reevaluate the substance abuse program.
While Myrtue Behavioral Health has long treated issues of addiction within the scope of mental health services, the clinic began offering a dedicated substance abuse treatment program in 2017. Through the course of providing this treatment program, it became evident to the team that they needed to integrate more fully a structure to address the underlying causes of addiction. Addiction does not happen in isolation, and the need to have a truly co-occurring treatment model was evident. Co-occurring treatment addresses issues of substance abuse integrated with treatment of mental health conditions and trauma-related impacts.
After dedicating time for research and collaboration with the entire team, including therapists, psychiatric medication management practitioners, and community support staff, Myrtue Behavioral Health has created a new model for substance abuse treatment designed to address the needs of the whole person in recovery.
Britney Randolph, LISW, and Brittany Miller, LISW, are therapists specially trained in substance abuse treatment, and together they co-lead the program. However, Miller and Randolph are quick to point out that working with individuals in recovery involves the whole department.
Miller explains how individuals start the treatment process.
The Behavioral Health team notes that people come to treatment through many doors. Sometimes people recognize that drug or alcohol use has gotten out of control, and they are ready for help. Sometimes a critical incident, such as getting an OWI or becoming involved with DHS, can be the catalyst for change. Wherever someone is on their journey, the first step is calling Myrtue Behavioral Health at 712-755-5056 to schedule that substance abuse evaluation.
To learn more about Myrtue Behavioral Health’s substance abuse treatment and all services, visit their website at www.myrtuemedical.org/services/behavioral-health or call Myrtue Behavioral Health at (712) 755-5056. Behavioral Health is located at 1110 Morningview Drive in Harlan. The clinic also offers therapy for individuals of all ages as well as couples and families, therapy groups, medication management, and community support services.
