Crozer opens First Steps, ups ante in battle vs. abuse
UPLAND >> There is a new player in the county’s war on heroin: First Steps Treatment Center at CrozerChester Medical Center has opened its doors and is accepting new patients. First Steps Treatment Center provides both shortterm detoxification and long-term inpatient rehabilitative services to those suffering from substance abuse disorders.
Patients benefit from comprehensive, 24-hour medical services and access to the extensive resources within Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Delaware County’s largest hospital, and the entire Crozer-Keystone Health System. The unit is located in the Upland medical center’s East wing and features renovated patient rooms as well as a range of patient-centered amenities.
First Steps Treatment Center was supported by almost $1 million in funding from Delaware County. This was made possible by an allocation from the county’s Office of Behavioral Health/ Division of Drug and Alcohol and the county’s reinvestment funds. No general fund dollars were used.
“The ongoing national addiction epidemic has reached and ravaged families of all backgrounds and economic classes in Delaware County and throughout the region,” said Patrick Gavin, CEO of Crozer-Keystone. “As a leader and pioneer in behavioral health, the Crozer-Keystone team is proud to introduce First Steps Treatment Center, a new resource that we hope will help many people to overcome their addictions and find better health.
The opening of First Steps Treatment Center is a natural progression for a health system that is a regional leader in behavioral health, substance abuse and addiction care. Crozer-Keystone’s psychiatrists, counselors, social workers and more have been caring for men and women for decades on an outpatient basis. In 2016, the health system was designated a Center of Excellence for opioid abuse treatment by former Pennsylvania Gov.
The center also represents continued efforts by Delaware County in its ongoing fight against substance abuse and addiction. Delaware County Council and District Attorney Jack Whelan formed the Heroin Task Force in 2012 to address the heroin epidemic. In 2016, County Council launched the Delaware County Certified Recovery Specialist Program, which connects men and women who have overdosed with treatment and resources. Three recovery specialists, managed by Crozer-Keystone, are available to assist residents around the clock.
“We have been aggressively fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic since 2012 when our medical examiner first reported an increase in heroin deaths,” said Delaware County Councilman Dave White. “Our Heroin Task Force works each and every day to help prevent addiction, saves lives and get residents into recovery. We are hopeful that our partnership with Crozer in opening this treatment center will save lives and get residents back on track to leading healthy and fulfilling lives.”
First Steps Treatment Center includes four levels of care as defined by the Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria: inpatient hospital detoxification (10 beds); inpatient hospital treatment and rehabilitation (10 beds); inpatient nonhospital short-term detoxification (12 beds); and inpatient non-hospital residential treatment and rehabilitation (20 beds). The unit will offer integrated treatment to serve populations who are at a high risk of overdose or who have experienced a recent overdose; IV drug users, pregnant females; and individuals who have struggled with chronic relapse, including individuals with chronic medical and mental health complications.
Dr. Kevin Caputo, chair of Psychiatry and Vice President for Behavioral Health for Crozer-Keystone, said, “We are extremely proud of our experienced, caring team, and they have worked hard to bring First Steps Treatment Center to our community. We look forward to bringing these much-needed services in our unique hospital-based setting to the people of Delaware County and beyond.”
Patients are offered all services required to recover from substance abuse, mental health, and medical conditions beyond their addiction that interfere with recovery and set patients up for relapse. In addition to gold standard, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, patients are offered comprehensive services and treatment for mental health and medical conditions that, without treatment, could interfere with recovery and increase risk for relapse. This may include convenient consultations with a psychiatrist, nutrition/dietary professionals, and internal medicine physicians. Patients also have access to subspecialists in such disciplines as pulmonology, cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, infectious diseases, neurology, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology, if needed.
The therapeutic services offered to First Steps Treatment Center patients follow a trauma-informed approach to provide a safe environment for patients. Clinicians will utilize evidenced-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Substance Use Disorders, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for Substance Use Disorders, Positive Psychology and Twelve Step Facilitation.
The First Steps Treatment Center accepts most insurance plans, and offers payment arrangements for self-pay patients.
For more information about First Steps Treatment Center, call 1-877-CKSTEPS (1-877-257-8377) or visit www.crozerkeystone. org/first-steps