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Events — particularly traumatic events — can put individuals at risk for making high-risk choices and developing the disease. Treatment for addiction in Somerset County, like many other places in Maine, is limited.
However, in the past year, multiple agencies have been meeting to address the needs in Somerset County for people with substance use disorder, focusing on opiate use disorder. While there is still lots of work to do, there are now some additional choices for people who want treatment and recovery in Somerset County.
Somerset County jail and Redington Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan are working together to provide a same-day appointment to inmates who are being release from the hospital’s Bridge Clinic. The clinic is a program for people who want treatment for their substance use or opiate use. Once a person is stable, a direct referral is made to a local primary care provider for continued treatment.
Overdoses are happening in Somerset County. Redington Fairview obtained 200 kits of naloxone, an opiate reversal drug. RFGH provided the naloxone to its medical practices to offer to their patients free. Almost all of the kits were given out in three months to patients and family members who requested it.
Somerset Public Health handed out information about overdoses and using naloxone. They are now able to train community members or agencies on the use of naloxone in the event of an overdose. If your business is interested in providing naloxone, reach out to Somerset Public Health at 207-474-7473.
Somerset Public Health used Facebook and Instagram to tell people about substance use disorder, treatment and recovery. By talking about substance use, the value of medications for treatment, harm-reduction programs and recovery, health professionals hope to reduce the shame that can be a barrier to recovery. To learn more, follow Somerset Public Health on Facebook or Instagram or reach out to Betsy at 207-858-8466.
Kennebec Behavioral Health has received a grant for a recovery coach program in Somerset County. The recovery coach coordinator is working with Somerset County Jail to connect inmates to recovery coaches before release. If you would like to be a recovery coach, contact Robin at 207-873-2136, ext. 3621.
If you know of someone who lives in Somerset County and wants treatment but does not know where to start, call RFGH at 207-474-5121 and ask for the Bridge Clinic. They will be able to talk to someone and start their own process of recovery.
