Ideal Option Addiction Treatment Now Available Inside Safeway
Ground-breaking partnership signals a shift toward acceptance of addiction as a chronic disease and the urgent need for low-barrier treatment.
VANCOUVER, Wash., June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ideal Option, a national leader in evidence-based medication-assisted treatment, has partnered with Safeway, one of the largest grocery retailers in the U.S., to provide services to patients inside the store's wellness center located at 6701 E. Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA.
With this partnership, Safeway becomes the first national retailer to complement their in-store pharmacy services with an addiction medicine provider – a bold and progressive move that reflects both a decrease in the stigma traditionally surrounding addiction, and the urgency to counter the surge in substance use during the pandemic.
According to preliminary federal data released by the CDC last month, more than 87,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in the 12 months leading up to September 2020 – a 29% increase from the year prior and greater than any 12-month period since the opioid epidemic began.
"We have so much respect for Safeway's courage and vision for making treatment for substance use disorder as broadly available as any other medical service," said Tim Kilgallon, CEO at Ideal Option. "It's past time for society to accept substance use disorder as a chronic condition, just like diabetes, and refrain from judging those who are afflicted with it. In welcoming Ideal Option into their stores, Safeway is helping to shape the future of recovery from this disorder and in doing so, will save countless lives."
While Ideal Option operates two other outpatient clinics in Vancouver and dozens more across the nation, this will be the first time Ideal Option patients can complete a provider visit, pick up their medication, and shop for household essentials all under the same roof.
"Our partnership with Ideal Option represents Safeway's commitment to the health and wellbeing of every community in which we operate," said Stephen Certo, Director of Pharmacy for Oregon and Southern Washington at Safeway. "This is a natural extension of the robust wellness offerings found throughout our stores. We're excited to offer our customers access to medication-assisted treatment and welcome all those who need help with open arms."
The Ideal Option clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and is located next to the pharmacy, inside the Safeway Wellness Center. Ideal Option has no waitlists and accepts all forms of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. Patients can be seen at any of Ideal Option's locations in Vancouver or elsewhere as they progress through the course of their treatment plan. Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com.
About Safeway and The Albertsons Companies
Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. Albertsons Cos. is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2019 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave $225 million in food and financial support. In 2020, Albertsons Cos. made a $53 million commitment to community hunger relief efforts and a $5 million commitment to organizations supporting social justice. These efforts have helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, social justice and programs for people with disabilities and veterans' outreach.
About Ideal Option
Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped nearly 45,000 patients through a network of over 65 office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) clinics across 10 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare and financial assistance and payment plans are available.
Ideal Option's team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, OB/GYN, 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.
Media Contact
Olivia Easly, Ideal Option, +1 (919) 946-6644, [email protected]
SOURCE Ideal Option
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