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Overdose-related death increased 30.8 percent in the US by March of this year, according to the CDC. In that same time frame, the overdose-related death rate in Kentucky rose 57.1 percent. Jessamine, according to the county’s own health department, faced an average of 63.99 overdoses per 100,000 in 2020 – 34 of which resulted in death.

The Covid pandemic has had a huge toll on addiction, not only because of the stress it has caused, but also because it forced many facilities to remain closed. Not having access to care can set those in need back. BrightView, an addiction treatment facility with 12 locations across the Bluegrass, has remained open throughout to provide continuous support for those afflicted with substance use disorder.

“We offer treatment for all substances, including alcohol,” said Nicole Stinson, the community outreach manager for BrightView’s Nicholasville location. “When a patient comes into our facility, they’re going to see a medical provider on the first day. They’re going to see a counselor, and they’re going to see a targeted case manager.”

BrightView helps visitors work through long-term recovery with outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT); medical stabilization for opioids, alcohol and other drugs; individual and group counseling; case management; peer recovery support; licensed-provider medical assessments; telehealth; same day and next day scheduling; and walk-ins every day until 3 p.m.

“If you’re hungry, or you don’t have a place to live, it can be very difficult to begin your journey,” explained Stinson. “So that’s why we have all of these components to help the patient all around. It’s called the ‘biopsychosocial approach,’ offering medical, psychological, and case management treatments.”

When it comes to addiction treatment, what tends to set back those in need are “barriers to care,” as Stinson puts it. Those barriers may be lack of transportation, lack of insurance, social stigma and monetary issues, among others. BrightView prides itself in doing what it can to break down those barriers.

“It could be that you’re ready to seek treatment today, but a lot of places have wait-lists – that could be a barrier to care,” said Stinson. “We don’t have waiting lists. We’ve made a commitment to no wait, and we take walk-ins daily. We don’t worry about insurance when you come in and we have targeted case managers that can work with you.”

BrightView also hosts and takes part in numerous community events to raise awareness and reduce stigma regarding substance use disorder. In June of this year, the facility took part in a recovery celebration event in collaboration with the Jessamine County Health Department featuring live music, food and vendors. On Oct. 29, BrightView held a community Trunk or Treat event at their location on 506 N. Main Street.

“Addiction is nondiscriminatory,” said Stinson, “it doesn’t pick out a particular demographic. It doesn’t pick out anything. It’s everywhere and it can affect anyone.”

BrightView has a 24/7 access line at 1(833) 510-HELP (4357). For more information, visit their website at BrightViewHealth.com.