Bradford Health Services is expanding of its services in Alabama with the launch of the Bradford Clinic, a new program with outpatient centers that combine Bradford's counseling with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
The company opened its first Bradford Clinic location in Montgomery in September. The new program applies an evidence-based approach of incorporating psychological and behavioral therapies with prescription medications to treat substance use disorders.
"Research has shown that successful long-term recovery is directly linked to a patient spending an adequate length of time in treatment," said Valeta Neal, Vice President of Bradford's Outpatient division. "To provide them that time, patients must have access to convenient, quality care to begin or to continue their treatment. The Bradford Clinics will provide that care in outpatient settings with a coordinated care team."
In the ongoing opioid epidemic, MAT has become increasingly utilized as an effective treatment method for helping patients sustain recovery. The prescribed use of medications such as naltrexone and buprenorphine reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, minimizing the occurrence of relapse. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, MAT is most effective when provided as part of a whole-patient treatment program that includes counseling and other behavioral therapies.
"Bradford recognizes the chronic nature of addiction," said Brent Boyett, MD, Medical Director of the Bradford Clinic program. "Patients with addiction disorders may require lifelong therapies, and they require lifelong vigilance to maintain functional recovery. For many patients, MAT is an essential component of this chronic disease management."