Mobile health clinic helps Houstonians overcome opioid addiction
UTHealth Houston’s Project INTEGRA is certainly one of 5 groups within the nation finding out whether or not cellular clinics are an efficient instrument within the struggle towards opioids.
HOUSTON — New information reveals a 15 p.c surge in overdose deaths in the course of the pandemic, with a rising quantity involving the harmful drug fentanyl.
To fight the difficulty, UTHealth Houston’s Project INTEGRA is bringing therapy for addiction inside attain for individuals who desperately want it.
“No one desires to speak about it,” Frank Williams said. “I used to be scared to indicate my scars, however now it’s a part of my story.”
Williams spent greater than 9 years on medicine earlier than turning to Project INTEGRA.
“I just remember getting up every morning not wanting to live,” Williams said. “Getting up just to chase the high again or not to be sick. I would get up each morning depressed.”
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One day final year, Williams noticed the UTHealth Houston van parked in a grocery retailer parking zone. He acquired in line to study this system.
“It’s hard to take that step and even harder to stay in that step,” stated UTHealth Houston nurse practitioner Qiana Allen.
Allen says her analysis group provides two choices to sufferers.
They can both obtain a 26-week addiction therapy program from the cellular clinic, or the group connects sufferers with one other therapy program.
Project INTEGRA is certainly one of 5 groups within the nation finding out whether or not cellular clinics are an efficient instrument within the struggle towards opioids.
RELATED: $12 million in federal funding supplied to struggle drug trafficking, overdose epidemic in Houston
Williams lastly reached out to get therapy after hitting all-time low and breaking his neck whereas blacked out.
“I knew God was already there. I needed time away from drugs to re-establish that connection with him. That’s what the RV helped me do,” Williams stated.
Now he’s been sober for six months.
“I don’t deserve my life now,” Williams said. “My desires are coming true.”
Project INTEGRA is for individuals searching for long-term recovery from opioid addiction.
For more information, visit their website. You also can request the cellular van come to a sure location.
