Ideal Option Opens Specialized Addiction Medicine Clinic in Tacoma
TACOMA, Wash. (PRWEB) July 10, 2023 -- Ideal Option, a national leader in evidence-based outpatient treatment for addiction to fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol and polysubstance, is now welcoming new patients in Tacoma. The new low-barrier clinic, located in downtown Tacoma at 1702 Tacoma Ave S, Suite A, provides primarily buprenorphine-based medication-assisted treatment to help individuals reclaim their lives.
According to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl-related overdose deaths have surged across the United States in recent years, reaching unprecedented levels.
In Washington state, the problem is particularly acute, with a sharp increase in fentanyl-related fatalities. In Pierce County alone, opioid-related overdose is now the most common cause of accidental death, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, outnumbering motor-vehicle collisions and firearm deaths. In addition, fentanyl-related deaths in Pierce County increased by 81.8%, comparing the first half of 2022 to 2021.
Fentanyl is regularly mixed with other illicit drugs to make them more addictive, often without the user knowing. Polysubstance use disorder is therefore now the most common diagnosis at Ideal Option. According to their 2022 Annual Patient Outcomes Report showing aggregated lab testing results for more than 7,000 patients in Washington state, 63% of patients tested positive for more than one substance at enrollment, and 27% tested positive for three or more substances.
The report does offer hope, however, by showing how effective medication-assisted treatment is for reducing isolated and poly-substance use. For patients who remained in treatment with Ideal Option during 2022, lab testing shows:
- 94% less total opioid use
- 98% less fentanyl use
- 95% less heroin use
- 88% less methamphetamine use
- 84% less cocaine use
The new clinic, located just two blocks from St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, is Ideal Option’s third location in Pierce County and is opening at a time of desperate need for expanded access to evidence-based treatment from experienced providers. Ideal Option has been specializing in addiction medicine using buprenorphine-based medications such as Suboxone® for 11 years and currently operates 92 clinics in 11 states.
“I am thrilled that Ideal Option is expanding our evidence-based services to downtown Tacoma. Having grown up in this city, it’s heartbreaking to see how hard it has been hit by the fentanyl crisis," said Rebekah Cantrell, peer outreach specialist for Ideal Option. "As someone who is in recovery myself, I know how important it is to have easy access to low-barrier, non-judgmental treatment.”
The new outpatient clinic in Tacoma is open Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 1702 Tacoma Ave S, Suite A.
Most forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, and patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, alcohol or other substances within 1-3 business days.
Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com.
About Ideal Option
Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped more than 70,000 patients through a network of 92 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 11 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts most forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available.
Ideal Option's team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism.
In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support.
Olivia Roe, Ideal Option, http://www.idealoption.com, 1 9199466644, [email protected]
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