Helping people overcome addiction means helping them through what is perhaps the challenge of a lifetime. Now in its seventh year, the Avera Addiction Care Center in Sioux Falls has evolved yet still maintains its original cornerstones of respect, confidence and hope.
“We recognize the importance of evidence-based therapies for both addiction and mental health,” said Hannah Statz DeVries, MD, Avera addiction psychiatrist.
“We always have. Yet as an integrated health system that offers addiction care, we can take a full range of patients, including medically complex patients who also may be struggling with something like liver disease or kidney failure, as well as those patients who have co-occurring mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder or major depression.”
Physicians and Peer Support
The number of addiction psychiatry physicians at the center has increased from one in late 2019 to three today. Residents have the opportunity to meet individually with the physicians, and hear twice weekly physician-led lectures.
“We are available to meet individually, but what makes the center stand out is our additional face-to-face contact. It’s not uncommon that after I lecture, residents come to ask me questions about their care or medications that might be right for them,” DeVries said.
Two years ago, the center added a peer support specialist who offers support such as getting residents to 12-step meetings outside of the center while they’re still in treatment so they can more successfully transition to a life of recovery after treatment.
“Our peer support’s real-life experience with addiction goes unmatched in helping those walking a similar journey,” DeVries said.
While 12-step is a part of programming, so are a variety of other approaches, including Celebrate Recovery, mindfulness and therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. “We’re so diverse, and we give our residents exposure to a variety of approaches so they can get well with the structure we provide, but also in an individualized manner,” DeVries said.
Comfort as Part of Care
Comfortable surroundings, private rooms and nutritious food offerings are part of the whole-person care. “Our culinary staff are so passionate about what they do. They get to know residents by name. They make everything on site, including homemade desserts,” DeVries said.
Often people come to the addiction care center nutritionally depleted. “If we’re not helping them get some nutritional boost, we’re not serving them well,” DeVries said. Residents get three square meals a day plus snacks. “Perhaps we feed them too well as people sometimes complain that they’ve gained weight while they’re with us. Learning to eat healthy is definitely a part of recovery.”
Also important is a healthy sleep regimen – underlining the importance of private rooms. This also offers a place to get away for private aspects of care such as reading and journaling. Residents can enjoy camaraderie, TV and games in lounges on each wing of the residential building.
A family aspect has been a pillar of programming since the center opened. This includes two-day family programming every two months, and a Sunday program on the first Sunday of the month to offer family another opportunity to learn about addiction and how they can support their loved one, while finding support for themselves.
While many addiction care centers accept court-mandated treatment, no one is committed or forced to enter Avera Addiction Care. “Our center tends to attract people who want to be here. If they are court mandated, they are welcome for treatment, but it’s their choice to proceed,” DeVries said.
The Avera Addiction Care Center received the Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award® from Press Ganey, representing the top 5% of health care providers in delivering patient experience, in 2022 and 2023.
It’s not uncommon for addiction care staff to hear back comments like, “You never gave up on me.” Or “I’ve been to treatment elsewhere and nothing compares to the treatment here. This is different. People genuinely care about me.”
“We see this further when residents in recovery volunteer to return as speakers,” DeVries said.
From All Walks of Life
“Our residents have included physicians, lawyers, teachers and people don’t work outside the home ranging from 18 years old to people in their 70s or 80s. We have a wonderful and interesting variety of people in the group setting where age doesn’t matter; people find ways to connect and help each other. Perhaps you’ll hear a 70-year-old tell an 18-year-old, ‘you are way ahead, I wish I could have gotten this treatment when I was younger.’”
Alcohol is by far the most prevalent substance, although marijuana and opioids are part of the picture. “The landscape of drug misuse is always in flux,” DeVries said. That includes kratom, an opioid like substance sold as a supplement that carries with it a risk of addiction.
Care is typically paid for by private insurance or private pay, as the center does not take Medicaid or Medicare. Yet there are donation dollars through Emily’s Hope to help cover treatment costs for those who cannot afford it. In fact, Emily’s Hope has provided treatment scholarships since the fall of 2019.
Live Inspired 365 has provided help such as bus passes, hygiene products, clothing, shoes and more to support people those in treatment or at the time of their departure. “Without both of these partners, we would not be the organization we are today,” DeVries said. “They are so immensely important.”
Learn more about addiction care services at Avera.
