Ribbon Cutting for Groups; A New Opiate Treatment Center
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff, Ambassadors and supporters welcomed Groups to Wells County on October 17 with a Ribbon Cutting at their new location, 2035 Commerce Drive, Bluffton. Groups started four years ago in New Hampshire and is now nationwide with over 50 facilities serving over 4,000 members.
Groups is an outpatient opiate addiction facility that is low-cost ($65 a week for all services rendered) and combines AA-style group therapy with medication assisted treatment in a community-based model. Outcomes for Groups model has been impressive reducing drug dependence and empowering people to resume their work and family commitments.
“The Groups model combined with medication assisted treatment and group therapy to build social support and make members more accountable for achieving recovery goals,” said Whitney Kirkland, Indiana and Michigan Regional Manager.
Individuals can contact or walk-in to the facility for assessment and within 7 days they will meet with a licensed clinical physician and admitted into care. The treatment is a combination of group therapy, individual therapy for a period of 18-24 months and medication is administered during that time. “We are excited to be in Wells County and help a community that is struggling with opiate use.” Kirkland explained.
The policies and procedures are strict in the program and offer additional options after people graduate to have the support needed. Groups offers 24 hours a day, 7 days-a-week call center for those struggling and needing assistance to talk with someone. The Bluffton location will officially open on November 5. “The group sessions are scheduled all throughout the day to accommodate work and family schedules,” added Kirkland.
“I came to Groups because of the mission and I believe in the method of recovery and how to empower a member; and I stand behind that process,” said Kirkland. “Groups aligns with my personal mission and what is going to work the best for recovery. I have worked in other programs and Groups truly believes in their members and I have not seen any other facility empower the staff to be as great as they want to be.”