The LCADA Way to help pregnant women curb addiction

Agency enhances Key Women’s Center response

The LCADA Way, dedicated to helping those dealing with drug, alcohol and gambling addictions in Lorain, Cuyahoga, Medina and Erie counties and surrounding communities, is expanding its support of pregnant and postpartum women struggling with drug abuse and addiction.

Thanks to a five-year grant from Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, also known as SAMHSA, The LCADA Way is enhancing its programming to increase access to quality treatment and recovery support services for women who are pregnant or postpartum, their children and their partners and families, according to a news release.

Goals include decreasing the barriers to accessing substance abuse treatment for women in the first trimester of their pregnancy, resulting in early entry into evidence-based treatment and recovery support and reducing substance use and severity of co-occurring disorders during pregnancy and after childbirth, the release said.

The program also is designed to help support women once they are in active recovery and taking care of their newborn child, according to the release.

“We are very excited to partner with SAMHSA to bring these wrap-around services to our community,” said Dan Haight, chief operating officer at The LCADA Way. “Our dedicated staff at the Key Women’s Center and SAMHSA clearly understand the importance of behavioral health treatment for pregnant women to have healthy babies and become supportive mothers.

“Treatment is effective and recovery is possible.”

Since 2004, The LCADA Way Key Women’s Center has provided assessment services, pregnant and postpartum support and unique residential housing for mothers along with their newborn babies, the release said.

The Key provides a supportive and caring environment for women and their children as they work to regain control of their lives, according to the release.

“Our support for women and their newborn children is vital in the recovery process,” said Lisa Stevens, director of Women’s Services at The LCADA Way.

“We provide specialized recovery support for mothers, along with therapeutic childcare designed to access how well a child is functioning developmentally and identify and address any problems early on,” Stevens said, “making sure the children remain on track on their way to becoming healthy adults.”

Community outreach communications to reach women who may be in need includes outdoor, radio, web and print advertising, backed by a social media campaign and flyers at doctor’s offices and care centers, the release said.