Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness recently received a grant from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for treating opioid abuse, according to a news release.
The grant funding will provide treatment for people suffering from opioid use disorder who are without insurance or lack the ability to pay for services, the release said.
The funds will cover expenses including the cost of medication, hiring peer support specialists, providing treatment services and travel costs for patients using medication-assisted treatment.
"Our plans for the future are to focus on underserved and rural communities to ensure they know that help is here, if they need it, and no one has to be turned away because of their inability to afford treatment," Renee Bartholomae, director of marketing, said in the release.
"This grant covers travel assistance to those who need it so there's no excuse not to get treatment now," she said.
Medication-assisted treatment involves the use of medication to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms along with counseling and support to overcome the use of opioids. Research has shown that a combination of medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapy can successfully treat opioid use disorder ad help sustain long-term recovery, the release said.
For more information, contact OBHAW at 501-624-7111.