healthy
2020
FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF WV LIVING MAGAZINE
STATEWIDE
ADDICTION RECOVERY
RESOURCE GUIDE
COVID-19 WHAT TO KNOW NOW
A silent killer
DIABETES takes a toll
RAINBOW PLATES Turning kids on to veggies
ADDICTION When it’s a family matter
healthy FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF WV LIVING MAGAZINE
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2 Editor’s Letter 2 Contributors 3 Health Matters
12 Weighing In
4 Diabetes Fast Facts
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine explores new approaches to battling addiction.
Our Heroes
A glance into how this disease affects our nation and our state.
7 Eat Your Veggies
The obesity epidemic is hurting West Virginia’s children, but solutions are already sweeping the state.
16 Up to the Challenge
18 Killing Painkillers
Kids Farmers Market Program makes trying local produce easy and fun for young West Virginians.
Advantage Health & Wellness makes adjustments for the opioid crisis.
8 Staying Active as You Age
The health system’s quality and service strengths aim to help preserve healthcare choices in communities.
Hitting your stride after 55 is something Marshall Health physicians really focus on in their interactions with patients.
9 Yo-Yo Diet Nevermore
A Buckhannon native explains the roller coaster of her bariatric surgery experience.
10 Caring for the Moms
Obesity and pregnancy can be more complicated than you think.
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19 Mon Health Delivers
22 Surviving COVID-19
Social distancing and shelter in place rules protect you from contracting and spreading the virus, but they come with their own set of challenges. Here are a few suggestions from area experts on surviving the quarantine.
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12
10
8
30 Survival Guide for Families Dealing with Addiction
If you love a victim of substance use disorder, experts say, it’s important to learn new tools and take care of yourself.
35 Addiction Recovery Resource Guide Cover photo by Carla Witt Ford
newsouthmedia.com 1
never in a million years would I have thought our second edition of WV Living Healthy would need to be retooled to address a health pandemic that has altered how we live. But COVID-19 is teaching us several lessons. One is that people with preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease appear to be more vulnerable. It is more important than ever for us to wake up and start treating our bodies better by living healthier lifestyles. Every single one of us needs to make some changes now. No one is immune. Before COVID-19, I was deep into research on diabetes and prediabetes. What I found shocked me. According to the American Diabetes Association, 75 million people don’t even know they are living with prediabetes. I listened to a podcast where American Diabetes Association CEO Tracey Brown said, “By the time you reach a complication, you’ve been living with it for some time. Every 2 minutes, somebody is having a stroke or heart attack as a complication from diabetes. Every 10 minutes, somebody is having kidney failure from diabetes. And every 5 minutes, somebody is losing a limb. By the time you’ve gotten to those complications, you’ve been living with elevated blood sugar for a while.” Today, we know that people living with diabetes—and prediabetes—are more susceptible to this deadly virus that has claimed so many lives and shut down our economy. West Virginia ranks highest in the nation for the prevalence of poor physical health, poor mental health, and activity limitations due to poor physical or mental health.The overall cardiovascular disease prevalence in West Virginia was the highest in the nation as of 2018, and our state leads the nation for diabetes as a cause of death. And we all know we have one of the largest shares of elderly people in the country. And if that weren’t enough, the COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for people with substance use disorders and in recovery. Not only are people with substance use disorders reportedly more vulnerable due to those drugs’ effects on respiratory and pulmonary health, but many of the services that help them in recovery are now no longer available because of our quarantine mandates. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us—and no time to wait. Thankfully, health organizations around the state are stepping up to these challenges, creating innovative solutions, helping West Virginians live healthier lifestyles, and addressing these terrible statistics. Folks like Advantage Health & Wellness and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine are treating and managing addiction pain to great success. FamilyCare Health Centers are helping women plan for and achieve healthier weight during pregnancy to give their infants the best possible starts in life. Marshall Health is leading the state in efforts to help our aging population, and Mon Health continues to focus on the importance of rural health care and providing community-centered solutions during these challenging times. The Charleston Area Medical Center is on the frontlines of telemedicine, which has become so important recently, and West Virginia Prevention Solutions is providing much needed education and support to our children and families. And the amazing comprehensive care for our seniors at Laurel Place is inspirational. As many of us are sheltering in place, let’s take some time to plan how we are going to incorporate healthier lifestyles and create a plan of action. Let’s turn these statistics around! We are all in this together,
NIKKI BOWMAN MILLS, Editor nikki@newsouthmediainc.com
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WV Living Healthy is published by New South Media, Inc. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher. © 2020 New South Media, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2 wv living healthy • spring 2020
CONTRIBUTORS KEN BAYS is an editorwriter for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to joining WVSOM, he served as editor of an internationally distributed magazine and as publication manager of a group of magazines devoted to communities in West Virginia and Tennessee.He is a graduate of West Virginia University. JEFF COWART is an awardwinning former newspaper journalist who writes frequently on health care topics. He consults with corporate and political clients on message development, market positioning, business development, governmental and public affairs, marketing and communications, and compelling storytelling and provides writing and editing services. LEILA “LEE” NICHOLS CNM, MSN, APRN, has been a certified nursemidwife for over 11 years and a registered nurse for 25 years. She has been with FamilyCare OB/GYN & Birth Center for the past five years and serves as the current director of midwifery services. Leila holds her midwifery certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board. She graduated from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky with a master of science in nursing and received her bachelor of science in nursing from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. KEVIN TREMBUSH Dr. Kevin Trembush has been a practicing chiropractor in the Morgantown community for many years. He oversees an experienced staff treating patients at Advantage Health and Wellness delivering opioid-free pain relief to their patients every day in a variety of ways. SHEANNA M. SPENCE is the director of external affairs for the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health. She has 15 years of experience in communications and marketing. A native of Huntington, she currently resides in Hurricane with her husband, Josh, and their two children.
COURTESY OF MON HEALTH SYSTEMS
health matters
OUR
Heroes West Virginia and Morgantown top the charts for numbers of health care workers on the job. Morgantown has more workers in the medical field than any other metro in the U.S. with a population under 350,000 residents, according to a study released in April 2020 by Self Financial. The study counted 10,590 health care practitioners and support workers—that comes to 7.55 for every 100 residents. In fact, only one city of any size across the nation— Ann Arbor, Michigan, with 7.59 health care workers per 100 residents—has more. West Virginia ranks very near the top, too. The Mountain State’s 80,540 health care workers rank the state 13th, with 4.46 health care workers for every 100 residents. With rankings like these, West Virginia has good reason to look forward to a healthier future.
Diabetes Fast Facts
A glance into how this disease affects our nation and our state. a diabetes diagnosis can be scary. Whether type 1 or type 2, one thing remains true: Diabetes changes your life. However, it doesn’t have to control your life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 million Americans live with diabetes, so you’re not alone. Type 1 diabetes—when the body fails to produce insulin—accounts for 5 percent of diagnosed cases. The majority of other cases fall under type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body no longer uses insulin properly. Unfortunately, misconceptions abound. In a January 2020 interview with Sisters4Fitness Wellness Show, Tracey Brown, chief executive officer of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), discussed her experiences living with type 2 diabetes. She says even she has heard comments such as, “You don’t look like you have diabetes.”
Here are some facts to dispel the myths. 1. Looks alone can’t show whether someone has diabetes.
4. You can be prediabetic and not know it.
Diabetes can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, shape, or size. In fact, more than 30 million Americans have diabetes. Some expecting mothers might even develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
More than 84 million adults in America have prediabetes—which means having elevated blood glucose levels that aren’t yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis—according to the CDC. And more than 500,000 adults in West Virginia have the condition, says the ADA. Most don’t realize the problem running in their blood until something goes wrong. Ignorance is far from bliss; some people with prediabetes can return blood sugar levels to normal with early treatment and lifestyle changes.
of West Virginia adults do not participate in leisure-time physical activity or exercise, which ranks West Virginia 11th highest in the nation. 2. Awareness is key. Brown advocates for folks to know their blood glucose and A1C levels. “By the time you reach a complication, you have been living with elevated blood sugar for quite some time,” Brown said in the Sisters4Fitness interview. Noticing that something’s amiss sooner rather than later, long before you’re even showing serious symptoms, means more time to put a treatment plan into action. Small changes can make a huge difference in managing or even preventing type 2 diabetes. 4 wv living healthy • spring 2020
The overall cardiovascular disease prevalence in West Virginia was the highest in the nation as of 2018. 3. Diabetes has been on the rise in West Virginia. In the Mountain State, 16 percent of adults report having learned from a health professional that they have diabetes, according to America’s Health Rankings’ 2019 report. That places West Virginia well above the national average of about 11 percent.
In West Virginia,
21% of youth ages 10–17 have obesity,
ranking West Virginia second among all states and the District of Columbia for this age group.
39% of West Virginia adults consume either soda, pop, or sugar-added beverages on a daily basis.
DIABETES IN WEST VIRGINIA
More than 1 in 6 West Virginia adults have diabetes (18%)
1 in 4 West Virginians who have diabetes doesn’t know he or she has it.
TYPES OF DIABETES TYPE 1 DIABETES
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Body makes little or no insulin.
Body cannot use insulin properly.
Can develop at any age, but occurs most often in children and young adults. No known way to prevent it.
Can develop at any age. Most cases can be prevented or delayed.
RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES Age 45 or older. Being overweight. Having a family history. Having diabetes while pregnant or having a baby weighing nine pounds or more.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT OR DELAY TYPE 2 DIABETES You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by losing weight, eating healthy, and being active.
You can manage diabetes by working with your health care provider, eating healthy, staying active, and testing your blood glucose level regularly.
6 wv living healthy • spring 2020
Eat Your Veggies
Kids Farmers Market Program makes trying local produce easy and fun for young West Virginians. written by jess
walker
COURTESY OF KEYS 4 HEALTHYKIDS
forget candy stores—farmers markets are even more vibrant and tasty. They’re bursting with emerald zucchinis, sunshine-colored carrots, and ruby-red apples. Unfortunately, candy and other processed foods are often easier pickings, especially for kids. That’s where the Kids Farmers Market Program, a project with the WVU Extension Service Family Nutrition Program, comes into play. In 2014, farmers and other folks in McDowell County wanted to host a market for kids. “We decided that we would bring the markets to the schools,” says Kristin McCartney, West Virginia SNAP-Ed director and WVU Extension public health specialist. The pilot continued for two years. Since then, funding from the Eye Foundation of America and support from TC Energy, formerly TransCanada Corporation, has allowed the program to spread beyond McDowell County.
Here’s how it works. A market will pop up at a school, child care center, or community event. Then, each child gets $4 in vouchers to spend on local produce. They, together with their families, can peruse the tomatoes or sample the squash. McCartney is a registered dietician, so she already knew the nutritional importance of fruits and vegetables. What she didn’t expect was the community that sparked as a result. “The markets were impactful for the kids in terms of being able to independently make food purchasing choices,” she says. “But what I think was maybe even more impactful was what it did for the farmers in terms of capacity-building.” Over the past few years, more than 5,000 kids statewide have filled their shopping bags. The money from the vouchers goes back to regional farmers. And the program keeps scattering seeds for good. “What we have seen is, in some communities where we did initial markets, local funders have stepped forward to sustain the project,” McCartney says. Even the idea of a mobile farmers market has caught on. At the time the program started, she says, people were just beginning to talk about
tackling the food transportation barrier. “Now, this concept of a pop-up market or mobile market is very real and active in West Virginia. It’s fundamentally changed the way that farmers and farmers markets operate in the state.” A key to cultivating a well-balanced diet is preventing food neophobia, or fear of trying new foods. Most of us fall somewhere on the spectrum. Some eat anything and everything at the Chinese buffet, and others order orange chicken and white rice every time. “By the time you become an adult, trying new foods becomes even more challenging,” McCartney says. “It’s very important to food preference development to be willing to try new things. The way to get kids to do that is to introduce food in a fun environment and around their peers.” The current growth of the Kids Farmers Markets is remarkable, but McCartney knows West Virginia will really reap the program’s rewards in years to come. “When these kids who we’ve been working with on this project become adults, that’s when we’re going to see real change,” she says. newsouthmedia.com 7
Staying Active as You Age Hitting your stride after 55 is something Marshall Health physicians really focus on in their interactions with patients.
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m. spence
his concept of preventive care goes beyond the traditional doctor-patient relationship. It’s an approach that emphasizes independence, restoring function, and improving quality of life for older adults by maximizing medical and preventive care, eliminating unnecessary medication, and increasing activity. “Hiking the trails at Pipestem or biking the Hatfield-McCoy Trail is certainly a picturesque way to spend your golden years, and we want our patients to be able to enjoy those experiences with their kids and grandkids,” says Robert Walker, M.D., a primary care physician at Marshall Health who has been caring for West Virginians for more than four decades. Walker’s clinic, known as the Center for Healthy Aging, is housed within Marshall Family Medicine as an outpatient department of Cabell Huntington Hospital and sees patients in Barboursville and Hamlin. The Center largely serves the 80 and older group, offering primary care, specialty geriatric consultations, screenings for dementia,
At the Center for Healthy Aging, Geriatrician Robert Walker seeks to improve the quality of life, restore the function, and promote the independence of his patients. 8 wv living healthy • spring 2020
and in-depth geriatric assessments as needed. For many seniors, improving quality of life also means reducing chronic pain. In 2017, double-board certified interventional pain management physician and anesthesiologist Joseph M. DeLapa II, M.D., brought his expertise to Marshall Health in order to establish the Marshall Senior Pain and Wellness Center. “Senior citizens are one of the fastest-growing populations in our region and, unfortunately, chronic pain from the back and joints can diminish an otherwise enjoyable lifestyle,” DeLapa said. The Center emphasizes preventive medicine and focuses on restoring function in senior adults coping with conditions such as chronic back pain, arthritis pain, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and sciatica. A variety of treatment options are available at the center, including epidural steroid injections, facet nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, joint injections, trigger point injections, spinal cord stimulation, and more. Another option for senior care at Marshall Health is the Hanshaw Geriatric Center, which offers specialized primary care and on-site specialty consultations, lab work, and x-rays. In addition to three physicians—Drs. Lynne Goebel, Pavithra Indramohan, and Rajesh Gopalarathinam—the care team at this multispecialty clinic also includes a social worker, a geriatrics nurse, geriatric wellness visits and home visits by Physician Assistant Angela Brammel, memory evaluations, and a unique driving assessment clinic. And for
frail and homebound patients, Dr. Cindy Pinson, Dr. Ambryan White, and their team of nurse practitioners provide home care medicine, the modern-day version of physician house calls. In addition to physical health, geriatric psychiatry emphasizes the importance of mental health as we age and what may or may not be just a part of getting older. Fellowship-trained geriatric psychiatrists are experienced in caring for patients 65 and older facing memory issues, dementia, and a variety of other behavioral and psychiatric conditions. At the Susan Edwards Drake Memory Clinic, senior adults who are exhibiting memory problems can receive comprehensive evaluations, which can provide the tools needed to face the problem. This comprehensive approach to senior care is grounded in academic medicine. As part of the faculty practice arm of Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, resident physicians and fellows team with Marshall Health clinicians in caring for senior adult patients throughout southern West Virginia. This summer, Marshall will welcome its first cohort of fellows in both geriatric medicine and geriatric psychiatry. These post-residency programs give physicians specialized training in care for senior adults in very specific ways to help care for West Virginia’s aging population. Getting older may be a fact of life; however, with the right treatment and support from their primary care providers and specialists, many older patients can make strides to continue the activities they enjoy most in their golden years.
COURTESY OF MARSHALL HEALTH; SHUTTERSTOCK
written by sheanna
Yo-Yo Diet Nevermore A Buckhannon native explains the roller coaster of her bariatric surgery experience.
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COURTESY OF RENEE COOK PRESTON
written by holly
leleux-thubron
enee Cook Preston was a yo-yo dieter for 30 years. With each diet, she lost weight. When each diet ended, she gained it back—usually with a few extra pounds. Preston’s is the struggle for many middle-aged women. As she approached her mid-50s, she put her foot down. “I was tired, depressed, and lethargic,” Preston says. “I felt like weight loss was a battle I would never win. I was embarrassed about my weight and ashamed that I couldn’t control it. I didn’t want to go out, because I didn’t want anyone to see me. Because I own my own photography business, I had to. But it was a real struggle.” A friend of Preston’s had gastric bypass surgery in 2017. The results were amazing and her weight loss quite rapid. It inspired Preston to take the next logical step: she scheduled an appointment with a local surgery center to discuss her options. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy seemed the best surgical solution. The path to surgery required four months of nutrition classes, a battery of medical testing, and a psychological exam. Preston’s body mass index wasn’t quite high enough to make her an automatic candidate for VSG surgery, but testing found that she suffered from severe sleep apnea, and that paved the way for insurance approval. Nothing said before the surgery can really prepare you for life after it. “We have such a strong relationship with food,” Preston relates. “Social activities tend to revolve around eating. Before surgery, my days would be occupied with where I would go to lunch, what we would fix for dinner, and grocery
shopping. After you lose two-thirds of your stomach, those priorities change. I felt like food and I had broken up, and I grieved the loss.” She admits she was depressed even as she lost weight quickly. “My entire life, I thought that if only I was thin, life would be perfect,” she says. This was a big misconception, and her self-doubt remains even after the weight has largely disappeared. She says these emotions weren’t discussed pre-surgery, and she feels strongly that, as these procedures become more common, efforts to provide greater emotional support through post-surgical counseling and support groups should grow, too. Preston has lost 80 pounds and, despite the emotional roller coaster, she considers VSG to be the best thing she’s ever done. Life is different now for her in the ways it changes for practically every VSG patient.
She eats less. She saves a lot of money at the grocery store. She joined a CrossFit group in Buckhannon and 14 months later is still committed to the fitness regime—the longest period in her life, she says. The money she saves on food she now spends on clothes. Shopping is fun for the first time in her life. “But with an 80-pound weight loss, you have to replace every single article of clothing except your socks. It gets expensive.” Preston’s been quiet about her surgery up until now. Obesity is so often perceived as a weakness and a lack of control, she says. It comes with tremendous stigma and shame. Bariatric surgery is a tool, she says, not a permanent fix, and it’s easy to fall back into old habits. For now, she’ll keep watching what she eats, exercising, staying hydrated, and enjoying how much more room she has in her suitcase packing smaller clothes. newsouthmedia.com 9
Caring for the Moms Obesity and pregnancy can be more complicated than you think. “lee” nichols
SHUTTERSTOCK
written by leila
10 wv living healthy • spring 2020
As
of 2019, West Virginia has one of the highest rates of obesity among adults in the U.S., at 39.5 percent—that means a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 considered healthy. It is very important for the women of our great state to realize that obesity is a particular risk for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you’re in that situation, your certified nurse–midwife or your OB/GYN physician can help you decrease your risk and have the healthiest pregnancy and delivery possible. Listed below are some risk factors that can be associated with obesity and pregnancy for you and your baby.
Risk factors that can affect your health
Gestational Diabetes This is diabetes that is diagnosed during your pregnancy. Testing will be done at your first prenatal visit and again at 28 weeks. Having GD can increase your risk of having a cesarean delivery, and it can increase the risk of developing diabetes in the future for both you and your children. Preeclampsia This is high blood pressure that can occur during or after your pregnancy. It is a very serious illness that can affect your entire body and even cause your liver and kidneys to fail. It can also lead to seizures and, in rare cases, a stroke. Severe cases require emergency treatment to avoid these complications and an early delivery of your baby. Sleep apnea This condition causes short periods without breathing in your sleep. During pregnancy, sleep apnea can cause fatigue, but can also place you at increased risk for high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and even heart and lung disorders.
Risk factors that can affect your baby’s health Miscarriage There is an increased risk of miscarriage in overweight women compared with women of healthy weight.
COURTESY OF FAMILYCARE
Birth defects Babies born to obese mothers can be at risk themselves for having babies who have birth defects such as heart defects or neural tube defects. Problems with diagnostic testing Too much body fat can make fully seeing your baby on an ultrasound very difficult. It can also be difficult to trace your baby's heartbeat while you are in labor. Macrosomia This term means your baby is bigger than normal, and it can increase
the chance of your baby being injured during birth. Macrosomia can also increase your risk of having a cesarean delivery. Babies who are born with too much body fat are at an increased risk for being obese later in life.
Preterm birth Obese mothers are at risk for having a preterm infant, because they may need to be induced for a medical reason such as preeclampsia. Babies born before 39 weeks are not as fully developed and may have an increased risk for shortterm and long-term health problems. Stillbirth The higher your BMI, the great your risk for having a stillborn baby. As you can see, obesity and pregnancy can be very difficult for both you and your baby both during and after pregnancy. Obesity does not mean that you can’t have children. One of the ways you can help yourself is to seek preconception counseling from a certified nurse–midwife or an OB/GYN physician before you decide to become pregnant. During this time, they can discuss with you how to eat healthy and help you lose weight safely. Losing even a small amount of weight prior to becoming pregnant can reduce your risk factors and help pave the way to a healthier pregnancy for you and your baby. Your nurse–midwife or OB/GYN can help you with a management plan tailored to your specific needs that might include paying careful attention to your weight gain, diet, exercise, routine prenatal care to monitor for complications, and special considerations for your labor and delivery experience.
What is a nurse–midwife?
Leila Nichols is a certified nurse–midwife (CNM) with FamilyCare Health Centers OB/GYN & Birth Center in Charleston. Her training has educated her in midwifery and nursing. She earned a graduate degree from a midwifery education program that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) and passed a national certification exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). To maintain their CNM designation, midwives must be recertified every five years through AMCB and meet specific continuing education requirements. CNMs take care of women from preconception through menopause. If you are considering pregnancy or just need women’s health services, FamilyCare Health Centers is the place for you. Our group of four certified nurse-midwives and OB/GYN doctors offer deliveries in our beautiful freestanding birth center conveniently located in downtown Charleston and at CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital. In addition to caring for low-risk women, CNMs are capable of taking care of high-risk pregnancies alongside their patients’ OB/GYN physicians. For more information on our midwifery or physician services, please call today. 304.345.BABY, familycarebirthcenter.org newsouthmedia.com 11
Weighing In The obesity epidemic is hurting West Virginia’s children, but solutions are already sweeping the state. written by Jess Walker
P COURTESY OF KEYS FOR HEALTHYKIDS
ediatrician Dr. Jamie Jeffrey is no stranger to helping kids live healthier. She’s been running the HealthyKids Wellness and Weight Management program at Charleston Area Medical Center for 15 years. However, as the years passed, she noticed a startling trend. “I started seeing kids as young as 6 or 7 years old with prediabetes,” she says. The situation only grew worse. “These kids were already developing fatty liver, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. With the increasing cases of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in kids, they’re not going to have a normal life.” Type 2 diabetes isn’t the only ailment that can stem from childhood obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excess weight puts kids at risk for a whole slew of issues. Among them are asthma, anxiety, depression, joint problems, and sleep apnea as well as the high blood pressure and high cholesterol that Jeffrey noticed in her patients. But helping kids and their families make healthy choices doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s actually quite simple. In fact, it’s as easy as 1-2-3—or rather, 5-2-1-0.
Counting down
All anyone has to do is open an internet browser to find contradictory information about what’s good for you and what’s not. “The problem with nutrition is that there are so many myths and fads floating out there,” Jeffrey says. “There’s what our grandmother tells us, what our pediatrician tells us, what our neighbor tells us, and what the person on the cereal box tells us.” newsouthmedia.com 13
Growing and cooking food can be fun for kids.
In 2009, thanks to efforts between community partners and a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, KEYS 4 HealthyKids was born. As the director for KEYS 4 HealthyKids, Jeffrey says its mission is to change policy and create environments that make the healthy choice the easy choice. KEYS stands for four concepts—Knowledge, Eating healthy, Youth being active, and Safety and empowerment. Knowledge, in particular, is the light that can shine the way through nutrition confusion. As part of that initiative, KEYS 4 HealthyKids advocates 5210. This nationally recognized campaign keeps everyday healthy living simple with four rules:
5: Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables. 2: Spend two hours or less on recreational screen time. 1: Have at least one hour of physical activity.
That last rule of no sugary drinks is one of the most important. “Increasing obesity rates have been directly linked to sugary beverages, and not only to soda, which is one of the worst culprits, but also to sports drinks and juices,” Jeffrey says. “As a matter of fact, most 20-ounce sodas contain 15 to 16 teaspoons of added sugar, and most apple juices contain 11 teaspoons. So, there’s almost as much added sugar.” To put those numbers into perspective, the American Heart Association recommends children under 18 years old consume no more than 6 teaspoons per day. The push to encourage healthier drink choices has begun to have ripple effects, too. 14 wv living healthy • spring 2020
COURTESY OF KEYS FOR HEALTHYKIDS
0: Consume zero sugary drinks—milk and water only.
A film crew shoots scenes for Fed Up, a documentary focusing on how much hidden sugar people consume in their daily lives.
Growing for the future
COURTESY OF KEYS FOR HEALTHYKIDS
Getting schooled
In 2014, the American obesity epidemic came to the big screen with the documentary Fed Up. The film highlighted how more sugar in our diets has led to poorer health. Mandy and Kirk Curry, founders of Healthy Kids Inc., pitched an idea to KEYS 4 HealthyKids to get the movie into West Virginia schools. The groups teamed up and did just that. They purchased copies of Fed Up for schools throughout the state. Many teachers incorporated it into their lesson plans, and several students took action. “We had one school where teens came up with the idea to put a water bottle–filling station in their school, and it was a great way to get rid of plastic,” says Mandy Curry. Now, she adds, water stations are becoming a regular sight throughout West Virginia’s schools. Better access to clean water aids on the nutritional side, Jeffrey points out. “Every time we turn around, there’s another school that’s putting in a water-filling station,” she says. “That also combats the 0 of 5210 and makes sure kids are drinking water and not sugary drinks.” Empowerment is critical for inspiring real change in the ways kids eat and live. One school Jeffrey says she worked with was George Washington High School in Kanawha County. “They started a healthy living club and, to this day, they have a class full of hydroponic gardens,” she says. These gardens use water instead of soil and allow students to grow lots of leafy greens, all within a classroom-sized space. Clearly, the seeds for healthy living have been planted. Some fruits have already sprouted and, with the continued dedication of folks like Curry and Jeffrey, it’s only a matter of time before more begin to bloom.
Childhood obesity isn’t an issue only for West Virginians. It’s a problem for Americans. The good news is, from 2010 to 2016, studies show national obesity rates dropped among children ages 2 to 4 who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, more commonly known as WIC. The not-sogreat news is that the WIC numbers tallied West Virginia’s obesity rate at more than 16 percent, one of the nation’s highest. The rate’s rise has slowed down compared to years past. Still, plenty of opportunities for change remain. Curry knows that eating healthy can seem intimidating and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. She and her husband started Healthy Kids Inc. in 2010 when their own children were toddlers. “We were both working long hours, with young kids at home, and we felt like we were just eating terribly,” Curry says. They partnered with a registered dietician and a chef, created healthy recipes, filmed meal prepping videos, and built technology to make it easy for others to whip up delicious, hearty dinners all week long. The duo also launched Start A Garden, which aims to make gardening simple and fun, too. “Around 2017, we merged the two, and we began to show families how to grow the food that was going to be a part of their meal,” Curry says. Through both her personal ventures and through partnerships with Jeffrey, Curry hopes to take the intimidation out of cooking and gardening, all the way from the schoolyard to the backyard. Her plans for the future include getting more fresh, nutritious food into the hands of kids who need it most. As for KEYS 4 HealthyKids, the program recently set its sights on reaching even younger kids by working with early childcare centers. Their childcare initiative, Key 2 a Healthy Start, began as a pilot in Kanawha County and used Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) tools to measure its success. By 2015, Key 2 a Healthy Start spread statewide. The initiative hosts group learning workshops focused on nutrition and gardening, physical activity, and healthy role modeling. Participating centers complete NAP SACC pre- and post-assessments to determine improvement. “We’ve worked with more than 100 centers in West Virginia over a five-year period. We did a three-year evaluation that showed excellent results in NAP SACC scores,” Jeffrey says. For example, they saw teachers take more initiative to sit down with the kids, dine with them, and model good nutritional habits. More efforts to encourage kids to eat healthy and live healthy are on the horizon. A clear finish line may not be in sight, but Jeffrey is going to keep doing her part to improve the health and wellness of West Virginia’s little ones. “My work came out of seeing my patients suffer. It’s a constant motivator,” Jeffrey says. “We have to do better by our kids. Everybody has a role to play.” newsouthmedia.com 15
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine explores new approaches to battling addiction. written by kevin
bays
16 wv living healthy • spring 2020
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COURTESY OF WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Up to the Challenge
ifficult problems sometimes require innovative solutions. Because osteopathic medical schools train physicians to look beyond the symptoms of an illness to examine the “whole patient,” they are often in an ideal position to deal with health challenges in groundbreaking ways. The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), based in Lewisburg, is no exception. WVSOM emphasizes rural care and produces the most physicians in primary care for West Virginia. The school has worked in recent years to combat the opioid crisis that has impacted lives in communities throughout the Mountain State. That work has included training health professionals in an acudetox technique and creating a series aimed at educating medical students about the crisis.
WVSOM faculty member, Deborah Schmidt, D.O., explains areas of the ear to place needles during a National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol training session
COURTESY OF WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Healing through acupuncture One way WVSOM is tackling the opioid epidemic is through training members of approved health-related professions to use the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), or acudetox, protocol, a form of acupuncture in which small needles are placed into specific areas on the exterior of the ear. About 25,000 people have been trained in the technique worldwide, according to NADA. Deborah Schmidt, D.O., who chairs WVSOM’s osteopathic principles and practice department, says acudetox, when used in conjunction with other addiction treatments, can reduce cravings for drugs and minimize withdrawal symptoms. The procedure also can be used in non-addicted patients to improve sleep, decrease anxiety, and ease symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, among other health benefits. “Many of West Virginia’s health care providers are burned out from treating people with addiction,” Schmidt says. “It can be very taxing. But this protocol is inexpensive, portable, and easily learned, so providers are excited to have a new option.” WVSOM was among the state medical schools that received funding in 2019 through the State Opioid Response Grant to provide professional development opportunities for health care professionals in West Virginia. WVSOM, with approval from
of educational panels on opioid use also made possible through the State Opioid Response grant. Haylee Heinsberg, CRCH director of education, said the presentations were intended to decrease the stigma associated with substance use disorder and to bring new perspectives on the epidemic to WVSOM students. “This crisis affects us all,” Heinsberg says. “The series aimed to prepare the next generation of physicians to address the opioid epidemic with compassion, evidence-based strategies, and collaboration. Our goal was to increase knowledge and reduce stigma to promote medical students’ understanding of the epidemic and improve the way students on rotations and physicians in practice communicate, connect, and care for those struggling with substance use disorder.” This year’s panel featured West Virginians who work directly with addicted individuals, including Huntington fire chief Jan Rader, Necia Freeman of Huntington’s Brown Bag the state Department of Health and Human Ministries, and William Thompson, a drug court Resources, decided to use a portion of judge in Boone and Lincoln counties. Other the funds to train health care providers in panels featured professionals with specialized non-pharmacologic methods to aid in the knowledge, such as addiction medicine and treatment of opioid addiction. psychiatry specialist James Berry, D.O., who To receive certification as an acudetox works with a team studying a surgical addiction specialist, a physician, physician assistant, nurse, treatment known as deep brain stimulation, and dentist, psychologist, professional counselor, Rob Londeree, a pharmacist who spoke on the occupational therapist, social worker, corrections use of compounding as a non-opioid alternative medical provider, or emergency medical service for topical pain treatment. One presentation provider must complete a training program, included a panel of former opioid users who have attend a 12-step meeting, and needle at least successfully recovered, putting a human face on 40 ears under supervision. the crisis and reminding students that at the heart The school offered training sessions of the epidemic are the patients who are suffering. during the second half of 2019 and hosted an WVSOM’s CRCH also is assisting “Introduction to NADA for Physicians” lecture various local, county, and state partners in and lab in January 2020 during the WVSOM creating a series of Opioid and Prescription Alumni Association’s Mid-Winter Osteopathic Drug Prevention and Awareness Toolkits Seminar. The school recently received an showcasing resources available to help those additional year’s funding, and future training who are battling substance use disorder. In sessions have already been planned. October 2019, WVSOM was selected to So far, WVSOM has trained 86 people in make two presentations during the annual using the protocol. The interest in NADA has WONCA World Rural Health Conference in been so great that WVSOM has a waiting list of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school’s opioid providers requesting training when opportunities education series was the subject of “Preparing become available. the Next Generation of Physicians to Address the Opioid Epidemic,” presented by Heinsberg Reducing stigma, and Julianna Quick, a WVSOM counseling sharing knowledge and learning specialist. A session detailing the In 2019 and again in 2020, WVSOM’s Center WVSOM-assisted toolkits was presented by for Rural and Community Health (CRCH) Drema Mace, D.O., the school’s vice president and student Neuro-Psych Club offered a series for community engagement and development. newsouthmedia.com 17
Killing Painkillers
Advantage Health & Wellness makes adjustments for the opioid crisis. trembush
lthough it may seem like a recent development to many, chiropractic care celebrated its 123rd birthday on September 18, 2019. To put that into perspective, in 1895 Grover Cleveland was in the middle of his second non-consecutive term as president of the United States, the first U.S. patent for an automobile had just been granted, and nearly two-thirds of Americans still lived in rural areas. The long-standing practice now offers hope in addressing one of the biggest problems currently plaguing the United States: the opioid epidemic. Headlines in major media outlets have been relentless in bringing attention to alarming statistics such as: •
More than 42,000 people died from opioid overdoses in the U.S. in 2016, totaling more than 115 fatalities per day.
•
Approximately 350,000 people have died of opioid-related causes over the past 17 years—three times as many as perished in the 20 years of the Vietnam War.
•
Every 19 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from an unintentional prescription drug overdose.
•
Estimates show opioid abuse costs U.S. employers an estimated $18 billion a year in sick days, lost productivity, and medical expenses.
Analysts predict things will get worse— much worse—before they get better. Rather than continuing down the destructive path of masking pain with over-the-counter and prescription opioids, Americans of all ages should look at the potentially life-changing benefits of chiropractic care. In many cases, chiropractic care can not only relieve pain in the short term, it can also help avoid or at least delay costly invasive surgery. Non-surgical treatments are less 18 wv living healthy • spring 2020
disruptive to the lives of patients and their families, innately have lower risk, and cost far less. They also help patients avoid starting down the path of opioid use that can lead to abuse. Dr. Kevin Trembush is the owner and founder of Advantage Health & Wellness (AHW) and manager of Advanced Physical Medicine of WV (APM), located together in one facility in Morgantown. This creates, in effect, a multidisciplinary practice that brings chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, and medical doctors together to assess patient pain, figure out what is causing it, and determine how best to manage it by using many types of expertise and, if possible, without resorting to surgery or opioid medications. For those seeking out an alternate method of pain management, a multidisciplinary practice such as this is a great first step. At AHW and APM, patients begin with an evaluation, which can involve a chiropractor, a physical therapist, and a medical provider as well as x-rays and other testing. From this, Trembush’s team puts together a program to manage the pain. This might involve therapies that may be used long-term, like chiropractic or massage, or injection therapy, where medicine is injected into a specific pain generator. It might involve lifestyle changes.
“That’s very specific to each person: What are you doing to facilitate this pain? How do we avoid this from happening?” Trembush says. “This is very personalized care. Current literature is now supportive of the fact that, in most cases, we get as good or better results with pain management as dangerous drugs will. Most of the time, patients are getting the results that they came in for.” Weight loss can be an important part of pain management, too. “I’ve found that, if somebody just loses a quarter of their over-weight, it makes a tremendous difference in their reporting of knee pain, back pain, and pain in general.” An opioid-free approach to pain management is not right for all patients. "If you’re having chronic pain from cancer or cancer treatment, pain from a true psychological pain generator, or tooth pain, I’m not the guy to come to,” Trembush says. “We will help you find the right place to be if we are not the answer for you.” But, he says, almost everyone else can find pain relief without resorting to surgery or addictive opioids. Even if the first plan of action isn’t successful, the team at Advantage Health & Wellness and Advanced Physical Medicine will keep searching. “Until patients get tired of trying, we’re going to continue to try,” Trembush says.
CARLA WITT FORD
A
written by kevin
Mon Health Delivers
The health system’s quality and service strengths aim to help preserve healthcare choices in communities.
COURTESY OF MON HEALTH SYSTEMS
written by jeff
cowart
20 wv living healthy • spring 2020
we treat people like family. You can feel the difference in the way we work compared to larger, more impersonal institutions. We have focused on value-based care principles like safety, service, and quality as our true north and continue to be regionally and nationally recognized for top-quality outcomes, patient experience, and our highly regarded programs like cardiovascular, minimally invasive surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and emergency medicine care to name a few hallmarks of Mon Health care delivery.”
Meeting local health needs
While independent community healthcare choices are essential to preserve and maintain, the hospitals that provide the care closest to home are also better able to understand the community needs and tailor services and programs to those needs. “A good example is perinatal depression,” says Goldberg. “Here at Mon Health Medical Center, we realized this was a significant issue for families in our community. So we established a program to address the need. At larger institutions, this type of dedicated program might not see the light of day because it does not meet pure revenue goals, but at Mon Health we focus on each patient individually. That’s the real difference between community and rural hospitals and why we need to keep them strong.”
The community-focused perinatal depression program at Mon Health screens expecting mothers for the disorder and provides outreach and support for families that experience postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. This dedicated program is the first of its kind in West Virginia and one of only 13 in the nation. Mon Health Medical Center hired Jennifer Bender as its first perinatal mood and anxiety disorder nurse navigator. Bender has been a labor and delivery nurse for 17 years. “Mon Health is a not-for-profit communityfocused enterprise, and this is a demonstration of our commitment to meet a community need versus the need to drive revenue,” says Goldberg. “This is the difference in focus for rural and community hospitals. We focus on quality, service, and safety, and have maintained highly regarded financial reserves to maintain our independence and investment opportunities to benefit the communities we serve.” Another example, Goldberg says, is the work of community hospital foundations, like those at Mon Health Medical Center and Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital, to raise funds for community-based healthcare needs and pursue grants that allow investment back into the community to address very specific local problems. Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital recognized a great need for pulmonary rehabilitation in the community and obtained
COURTESY OF MON HEALTH SYSTEMS
As
market dynamics put more and more pressure on community health systems, particularly in rural areas, healthcare choice and access to quality care close to home are under threat. Within a recent and short time period, West Virginia has seen five rural hospitals close or announce closings. As a strong and vital community-focused health system based in Morgantown, Mon Health System is proud of its history in preserving its mission to help communities across north central West Virginia maintain access to care close to home in all healthcare delivery approaches. In the past decade Mon Health System, which has community roots dating back 100 years, has created sustaining partnerships with smaller hospitals to ensure economic health and healthcare choices in communities like Elkins, Fairmont, Grafton, Jane Lew, Kingwood, and Weston, to name a few. The system’s goal is to make sure these communities do not lose their local access to care. “Independence and sustainability are keys to the future for rural and community healthcare,” says David Goldberg, president and CEO of Mon Health System. “Mon Health is the healthcare provider of choice for most people in north central West Virginia. Our philosophy is that we don’t just practice medicine here;
a grant for the Grace Anne Dorney Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center from donors including the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the Dorney-Koppel Foundation, and the WVU School of Public Health’s Caroline Haase Trust. The center offers specialized programs consisting of exercise, education, and support for patients suffering from pulmonary diseases. The Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust supported early renovations of the Mon Health Medical Center Family Birthing Center and Conference Center, and the system’s leadership remains thankful for philanthropic support to advance its vital community-based nonprofit mission. “The crises of our regional families involving opioids and drug abuse are widely known,” says Goldberg. “Mon Health Medical Center actively sought funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with our own West Virginia Hospital Association, to create a program within our emergency department to identify and provide personalized coaching for those who are suffering.” Mon Health Medical Center and Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial hospitals are currently two of six hospitals included in this grant across the country. The rural and community hospital system in West Virginia is an essential backbone in providing access to care in those communities throughout the state that are the most vulnerable and need a wider level of services close to home.
Physical and economic well-being
Studies from the American Hospital Association show that, in addition to being a vital link in care for local communities, community hospitals are “often the centerpiece of economic viability in rural America by providing jobs for a community’s residents and resources for its development.” Nationwide, hospitals support more than 16 million jobs, including 5.7 million direct jobs in healthcare and 10.3 million ripple-effect jobs, the AHA calculates. For every dollar spent in local community healthcare, an additional $2.30 is generated through related business activity. Populations served by rural hospitals—which have limited access to healthcare and other services—saw mortality rates rise 5.9 percent after a rural hospital closed, according to a 2019 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Therefore, Mon Health collaborated with Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital, and Grafton City Hospital to ensure
access to care. The system has more than 40 sites of care across north central West Virginia, including Mon Health Medical Equipment and Supplies located in Fairmont, Morgantown, and Weston as well as The Village at Heritage Point, our active adult community organization, in order to be a one-stop source of healthcare needs for our community neighbors. The AHA notes that community hospitals are “the cornerstone of health and healing in America’s communities … to improve the patient experience and population health, while reducing per capita cost of care.” The AHA says the role of the community hospital is “essential to the health and economic wellbeing of the people it serves.” Goldberg agrees. “The growth of healthcare controlled by a single source, even if that source is highly regarded, is not the best future for citizens or communities. The consolidation of healthcare services into the hands of a single, dominant player has been shown to drive up costs of care and reduce services as well as outcomes available at the local level. Mon Health results speak for themselves.”
Getting top services into communities
Goldberg says he prefers to see solutions for local communities crafted in partnership with other community hospitals, which tend to hold the values of independence and choice in higher regard. He cites the recent affiliation between Mon Health System and Grafton City Hospital, which was under the financial pressure smaller hospitals typically find themselves confronted with and challenged by changing regulations and reduced federal and state reimbursements. Mon Health also collaborates where it makes sense to do so to benefit the communities it serves. Mon Health System is collaborating on tele-stroke and inpatient neurology support with WVU Medicine so together they can provide best-in-class care at scale and manage costs to reduce the burden on patients. The health system is also partnering with Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network to introduce heart failure physician services, adding to its already highly regarded cardiovascular clinic. This partnership will expand access to the best and brightest caregivers closest to home. “When community hospitals like Grafton City Hospital can align with another community-based healthcare system like Mon Health to improve efficiencies, the
biggest winners are the citizens Grafton City Hospital serves,” Goldberg notes. The affiliation agreement is focused on continuing to have independent services and choices. It allows Grafton City Hospital to achieve operational cost efficiencies using Mon Health business support services, clinical affiliation, and purchasing power. “With Grafton City Hospital’s main focus on enhancing patient care availability within Taylor County and surrounding areas, our affiliation enabled us to offer a cardiology specialty clinic, providing residents with improved access and convenience in their local community,” says George Boyles, Grafton City Hospital CEO. “We are now able to identify and treat significant cardiac disease previously left undiagnosed. I, along with the employees and medical providers of Grafton City Hospital, are extremely excited to have nationally recognized heart and vascular services available at this hospital for our patients.”
Excellence recognized
In addition to business services, Mon Health leadership works directly with its partners to transfer best practices and knowledge related to the quality of healthcare. US News and World Report has recognized Mon Health Medical Center as the No. 3 hospital in West Virginia, and both Mon Health Medical Center and Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital were recognized as top patient-experience hospitals. In addition, Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital was recently named the first accredited stroke-ready hospital in the state by The Joint Commission. Mon Health Medical Center was the first and only hospital in West Virginia to earn an Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Accreditation for its expertise and commitment to treating patients with AFib and, for the ninth year in a row, received chest pain accreditation by the American College of Cardiology. This is attributed to local community-focused investments aimed to serve the community it is charged to care for. “Cost efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality, best practices, all of these improve when community hospitals find ways to work together to maintain independent healthcare services and choice close to home for the citizens in local communities,” says Goldberg. “West Virginia’s best future for all of its communities should include strong community hospital representation in charting that future.” newsouthmedia.com 21
SURVIVING
COVID-19
Social distancing and shelter in place rules protect you from contracting and spreading the virus, but they come with their own set of challenges. Here are a few suggestions from area experts on surviving the quarantine. written by Holly
Leleux-Thubron
KELLY SIKKEMA
Room for Improvement When you can’t expand your surroundings, expand your mind instead. More than 80 percent of the country’s population is currently under stay-athome orders. Instead of viewing the current state of affairs as trapping you inside, switch up your perspective. Maybe less rushing from one place to another opens up free time for you to explore new topics and discover new things—like these free online courses offered by prestigious universities around the country.
You’ll Hear
TODAY
Renowned clinical psychologist David Clayman talks about fear, coping, and perspective on COVID-19. interviewd by holly
leleux-thubron
D
r. David Clayman sits alone in his office perched above Corridor G in Charleston. It’s Wednesday morning, and over a week has passed since Governor Jim Justice first announced a statewide stay-at-home order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in West Virginia. What’s usually a busy route through the capital city looks like a ghost town, he says. He’s appreciative of that fact, because it means many people are heeding the warnings and doing what they should in response to the global pandemic. Not everyone is coping well, or even coping at all, and Clayman shares his thoughts on the realities that the world is facing right now. 24 wv living healthy • spring 2020
Q A
How are West Virginians handling COVID-19?
It’s very easy right now to behave in a way that’s not very healthy. Instead, we all really need to accept that something bad is happening. We need to recognize that we’re dealing with something unknown and about which there are no definitive answers. We’re worried about misreading the symptoms. We’re worried about isolation. We’re dealing with this idea of maintaining social distance right now even though we’re built to seek out connection with others. When we’re denied connection, we get upset. Oftentimes this can lead to anxiety and depression. People get angry and frustrated in situations like these. And anger makes people do stupid things. These are all maladaptive behaviors about something we have no control over.
Q A
Do we have any control in this situation?
Each individual has more control than they realize over how to handle COVID-19. The problem is that people think the current answers are too simple. The bottom line is that we can eliminate 80 percent of our risk of infection by doing simple things like washing our hands, social distancing, avoiding sick people, and staying home. In a way, the simplicity of the solution makes some people think this whole thing isn’t so bad. It is bad. But we have more control than we think we do.
Cook better meals with Child Nutrition and Cooking, offered by Stanford University and taught by School of Medicine lecturer Dr. Maya Adam. The course materials include 7 hours of videos that cover childhood nutrition, organic food, food safety, and food science. Vital Signs—Understanding What the Body is Telling Us is brought to you by University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Practice Professor Connie B. Scanga. The course syllabus covers the body’s vital signs and how you can develop a deeper understanding of body function. Get a better understanding of your body’s response to exercise, training, nutrition, and fitness through Science of Exercise. The course is made possible by University of Colorado Boulder Professor Robert Mazzeo, a faculty member in the university’s Department of Integrative Physiology. Psychological First Aid is presented by Johns Hopkins University and covers ways to provide “psychological first aid” to people in emergency situations. Topics covered include reflective listening, active listening, and crisis intervention.
DAYNE TOPKIN
THE BEST ADVICE
The Science of Well-Being is presented by Yale University Professor Laurie Santos. Skills that you might pick up from the 8-hour course include gratitude, happiness, meditation, and savoring. Join the more than 1.7 million individuals that have already signed up for this popular course.
However, we can only control the way we think and what we do. The key to dealing with situations like this is to find small things you can control. Plan for the fact that you might be isolated. Read. Sit on your porch and enjoy the breeze. Organize your closets or get your taxes done. Try and focus on the positive side of having a little bit of time off. Those are the kinds of things we can control and how we can take better care of ourselves psychologically.
Q A
What advice would you give to anyone feeling intense cabin fever?
This situation is all about perspective. We are not restricted to our houses in the sense that we can’t go outside or go out for things we need. Take a walk as a family. I love hearing that families are actually sitting down eating together, spending time together. This is a time for sharing. Hold family close to you. They’re the people that you have the capacity to be close to right now. You can hug them and hold their hands. There’s no one else right now that you can have that connection with. Stay in contact with others using social media. We should focus less about what we can’t do and more on what we can. This is a challenge. All the rules have changed. But we will get through it.
Q A
Do you have any advice on working from home and achieving work-life balance?
You need to think about who you are and what you need in order to be functional in this new life for however long it lasts. It’s important to define your space and your priorities when you’re in this space. It’s also important that the people you live with respect that. You should get up each day and get dressed, make a schedule, and check things off your list. You should set goals and set limits. It’s also important to recognize that our colleagues mean a lot to us. We spend so much time with them in an office setting and get to know them well. Keep up with regularly scheduled meetings. Call coworkers with whom you interact with daily. It’s important to still have connection with them and to still have purpose and value in your work. Feeling worthwhile and productive means you’re still part of a mission, and that’s a very positive thing to focus on.
Q A
What is your advice for coping with fear?
Even the most positive people you know may be scared right now. Worldwide, this is the most novel experience of our lifetime. We’re not getting the kind of information through television and media that helps us to not be fearful.
It’s important to have a balance between staying aware of what’s going on in the world and fueling your fears with the bad, bad news on TV. If you let fear take over, it becomes like a tsunami on you. It overwhelms you. We also need to consider that there are plenty of people who aren’t comfortable saying they’re scared. They might think it makes them look weak or that others will ridicule them for their fear. When we sit down in our private time and we feel fear, it’s perfectly normal based on this scenario. Everyone is feeling it. Just feel it and then find some positive way to shift your perspective. One helpful exercise in coping with fear is to write your fears down and redefine them as concerns that create fear. Take this list and really think about it in a rational and non-panicky way. Place those concerns in a hierarchy and decide which ones you can do something about. The others—do your best to let them go. Each of us must find out personal way to cope.
Q A
How should people think about the future in light of so much uncertainty?
LENDING A HAND Distilleries are making more than a stiff drink.
At least three distillers in West Virginia have answered the call for help in the war against COVID-19. The global pandemic has created a hand sanitizer shortage across the country. With a little ingenuity and West Virginian grit, Appalachian Distillery, Black Draft Distillery, MannCave Distillery, and Smooth Ambler Spirits have started making small bottles of sanitizer to share with medical facilities and the public.
We’re going to get used to this way of living. We need to give it time—this new life—time to sink in so that everyone can establish a new way of looking at the world in a positive way. We need to find our way back to a functional society when it’s safe to do so and to embrace our new normal. For now, all we can do is focus on the positives in every single day.
Q A
How do you see this experience changing us?
We’re going through some horrible stuff right now, but when it’s over we will have a rebirth. We’re going to face our humanity. In order to honor the lives we will lose, we must continue to celebrate life. Life will go on. We will use this as a defining moment and this will be a challenge to humanity that will teach us that we’re all more alike than we are different, no matter where we live. We must look for the sunshine when there is a lot of rain and hold tight to tiny moments of glee. This is us finding out how we can squeeze the best out of people. If we take the time now to grow our grass, the grass will snuff out the weeds. Maybe if we take the time now, it will snuff out the hate and greed and ugliness that we’re seeing in the world. It’s all about perspective. And that could be a silver lining of COVID-19. newsouthmedia.com 25
AGAINST
VIOLENCE The United Nations issued a warning on April 5 of a growing and disturbing COVID-19 trend—a surge in domestic violence calls in countries around the world. Stayat-home orders present an unusual circumstance that could leave women and children more exposed than ever to their abusers. Here are just a few headlines: “Coronavirus: Domestic Abuse Calls up 25% Since Lockdown, Charity Says” —BBC “Global Lockdowns Resulting in ‘Horrifying Surge’ in Domestic Violence, U.N. Warns” —NPR “Women Are Using Code Words at Pharmacies to Escape Domestic Violence During Lockdown” —CNN “A New Covid-19 Crisis: Domestic Abuse Rises Worldwide” —The New York Times
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Shelters in the U.S. are deemed essential services and are still operating. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is still operational 24/7. Victims can still call 800.799.7233 or chat with the hotline here. The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence has resources here. In Charleston, get help at the YWCA. Near Huntington, call the Branches Domestic Violence Shelter for help at 304.529.2382, or find resources here. In Morgantown, contact the Rape and Domestic Violence Center here, or by calling 304.292.5100. Near Parkersburg, call the Family Crisis Intervention Center of Region V at 304.428.2333.
26 wv living healthy • spring 2020
Time for a Gut Check
HESSAM HOJATI
VIGILANT
clinical nutrition manager for the Charleston Area Medical Center. Keep fruit and nuts on hand for healthy snacks when cravings hit, and as much water—fruit-infused is fine—as possible. And it might be surprising advice coming from registered dietitians, but Gannon says when you have the need for comfort food, indulge in comfort food. “Sometimes you just need something that you associate with happier times,” she says. “You can eat comfort food, but make smarter choices by cutting salt, adding fresh herbs and spices, and reducing butter in recipes or switching to healthier alternatives like olive oil.” Wheeler agrees and cautions West Virginians to balance their eating with physical activity. She suggests taking advantage of virtual live exercise classes that are now hosted plentifully online by shuttered gyms and fitness centers to motivate their members from afar. Both women encourage “cupboard cooking,” which requires analyzing what you have on hand and putting a meal together creatively. This limits the need for trips to the grocery store and provides an opportunity to clean out your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. When you do go to the store, head out with a list in hand— that minimizes the time spent inside and limits your exposure to the virus. Include canned lean meats, dried beans, frozen vegetables, and grains. Combinations of these can make delicious meals. Wheeler also suggests adding omega-3 fatty acids to your cart like fish, flax seeds, and chia seeds. It’s also important when you do make a grocery store run to handle your food safely. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released food safety tips for the COVID-19 pandemic. Those include washing hands and Nutrition experts weigh in on how food surfaces often, separating foods, cooking foods to the proper temperatures, and refrigerating can comfort and protect you in these foods promptly. Read more about the CDC uncertain times. guidance here. you’ve seen the memes on social media and West Virginians have higher rates of illness and the comments from your friends about eating all death related to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular of their quarantine snacks in one day. Maintaining disease, and hypertension than many other areas a healthy diet in these trying times is challenging, in the country, Gannon says. These are all also to say the least. But it is a goal that everyone preexisting conditions that can lead to worse sheltering in place should strive for. Food is more outcomes if infected with COVID-19. Eating than breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Many experts healthy foods and maintaining physical activity agree that it’s medicine that your body desperately are most important to these populations, she adds. needs in times of peril. And if you do get sick, don’t discount the power Color remains the key, says Amy Gannon, of chicken soup. Hot, steamy broth provides a program director for Marshall University’s number of benefits. Department of Dietetics. Colorful plates with Ultimately, everyone’s focus right now is a variety of fruits and vegetables ramp up the avoiding infection, keeping their families safe, content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and and getting through this experience with your fiber in your body—all critical to staying healthy. sanity intact, Wheeler says. “If you can do all Try to always include a protein, a vegetable, and those things and eat healthy too, that’s great. If a starch with every meal, says Karen Wheeler, you can’t, don’t feel guilty.”
Five Tips to Help
Weather the Storm
❶ be kind Now is the time to summon all of your compassion and grace. Talk softly and respond patiently. You don’t have to agree to understand each other.
❷
be patient
Can Your Relationship
Survive COVID-19?
KELLY SIKKEMA
Heed this advice from seasoned couples counselor Cheri Timko of Fairmont. life as you know it has turned upside down. Roles are shifting. Fear, anxiety, and financial uncertainty prevail. In the best of times, any one of these issues could send a relationship into a tailspin. And in times like these plenty of couples are wondering if their relationships will survive. This is a time to show each other compassion and grace, says Cheri Timko, who has counseled couples for more than 25 years. If you’re feeling less than optimistic about your relationship, it’s possible those feelings will pass. Timko cautions couples to avoid making any permanent decisions during this time, no matter how certain they feel. She suggests contacting a trained couples counselor, many of whom are offering tele-appointments, as soon as you can. Little changes can be transformative and have a lasting impact on a relationship. Less rushing around day-to-day means more time to talk with one another, and the current stay-at-home order could usher in an opportunity to make your relationship better. “Being together gives couples a renewed opportunity to talk about the events in the world and how they are interpreting them,” Timko says.
“Being open to these conversations is a rare opportunity to really know your partner and might make the whole experience of being at home easier. It is vital that you each are supportive of one another to open up these deeper conversations.” For couples who are struggling right now, talk gently with your spouse about problems, and remember to take time for yourself. Get some fresh air and exercise, talk with someone else who understands, and remind yourself that everything is OK. Consider taking a break from social media and the news, and practice meditation or pray. “We manage and process our feelings by actively engaging in activities that make us feel healthier and stronger,” Timko says. Remember that understanding another person’s perspective does not mean that you have to agree with them, and that it’s important for couples to balance their need to be together with their need to be apart. “And don’t underestimate the camaraderie of complaining together. For some couples, this is an opportunity to feel closer. Couples need to safeguard their relationship as though it is the most precious and valuable thing in their life,” Timko says.
Avoid making permanent decisions about your relationship. Now isn’t the time. Many issues might be worsened by external stressors that will not last. Small changes can go a long way.
❸
seek help If this experience makes you realize your relationship could use some work, consider starting virtual couples counseling. Many experienced therapists are offering online sessions.
❹
talk more Harness the opportunity to talk more and talk gently to one another. Talk about the events in the world, your fears, and even your hopes and dreams.
❺
take time Time for yourself is important: exercise, talk to a friend, take a break from social media, stop watching so much news, take up meditation, or spend time praying.
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Virtual Visits Now the Norm the covid-19 pandemic has given rise to a new delivery mechanism for urgent care and non-emergency medical needs in West Virginia. The technology isn’t so new, but the availability of telemedicine appointments is a new concept for most residents. At least two of the major health systems in the state— Mon Health Systems and WVU Medicine— are using virtual means to provide patient care during these uncertain times. By moving a wide variety of visits to telehealth, the two hospitals decrease COVID-19 infection risks to patients and providers, preserve much-in-demand personal protective equipment, and lessen the burden on an already taxed medical system. If the medical professional feels the telehealth visit warrants an in-person exam or follow up testing, those appointments are still available in associated hospitals and clinics around the state. Even before COVID-19 became a household name, transportation to appointments was a difficult issue that many West Virginians faced, says Dr. Gregory Nelcamp, senior vice president of clinical affairs for Mon Health. “Telemedicine and telehealth will be a continuing part of our options for the care of patients in the Mon Health System moving forward.” The move feels like a progressive one for WVU Medicine, too. “We’ve always thought that telemedicine was the perfect solution for a rural state like West Virginia, and we’ve been putting that infrastructure in place for a long time,” says Dr. Judie Charlton, chief medical officer at WVU Medicine. “Regulatory agencies and insurance companies were holding us back. If anything good comes out of this crisis, it’s that those restrictions have been temporarily lifted and that these people can see that telemedicine is a really good thing.” WVU Medicine is seeing a positive response from patients receiving this type of care, and the number of telemedicine appointments is skyrocketing daily. The last two months of March saw more than 4,300 virtual visits with more than 1,000 28 wv living healthy • spring 2020
telemedicine appointments on March 31 alone. Darin Rogers, vice president for ambulatory administration for WVU Medicine, says he hopes the trend continues and that patient satisfaction follows suit. Mon Health System reports growing patient and provider satisfaction, too. The hospital system is currently offering virtual visits from 25 locations across the state, Nelcamp says. Experts recommend requesting a telemedicine appointment for behavioral health issues, chronic disease management, COVID-19 concerns, follow-up visits, lifestyle coaching, medication management, smoking cessation therapy, testing follow-up, and minor sickness. Both hospital systems are waiving any patient costs associated with telemedicine appointments for the time being. “We didn’t want patients to go without care, and we knew many might be reluctant to participate in this new kind of care,” Charlton says. “We also know that people are struggling financially right now, and we wanted to do our part to support them.” Nelcamp says the mission right now is to “make telehealth accessible to all patients in the region without regard to financial status during this critical time.” WVU patients who are interested in learning more about telemedicine can log into their My Chart accounts for access. The hospital system also created an online tool kit to walk patients through the whole
process, says Shannon McAllister, assistant vice president for population health and telemedicine at WVU Medicine. If they’d prefer to have someone talk them through it, they can call 866.982.4278. Mon Health patients needing an appointment should first call the clinic to schedule as usual. They will then receive instructions for their first virtual visit. Patients can learn more about the process and access links to physician portals at monhealth.com. The technology that supports these virtual visits is remarkable, Nelcamp says. “Virtual visits are very advanced, and the audio and video are excellent. The development of truly amazing technology has made telehealth and telemedicine a critical part of health care moving forward. It allows us to overcome travel and distance barriers and increases the accessibility of health care to the maximum number of people.” This type of care delivery could serve the state well now and in the future, Charlton says. “We want to present a win-win for everyone,” she says. “Even after this pandemic is long gone, we want to provide care that West Virginians need, that prevents them from driving far distances or braving inclement weather to make their appointments. West Virginia is primed for this opportunity.”
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Two state hospital systems have embraced virtual visits to deliver patient care during COVID-19.
Motivation To Move
BRUNO NASCIMENTO
One local expert offers tips and resources to keep active during the stay-at-home period. it can be a challenge on a good day to stay active. And on the kinds of days West Virginians, Americans, and the world are currently having, it can feel impossible. These are indeed challenging times. But physical activity can offer stress relief, an outlet for fear, and a method of self-care that can pay off both physically and psychologically. Melanie Seiler is the executive director of Active SWV, a nonprofit that encourages healthy living in communities. She and her team of community captains spend their days seeking out inactive West Virginians who don’t have a daily or weekly physical activity routine in place. That’s more than 30 percent of the state’s residents, she says. The nonprofit offers free physical activity classes in community parks and schools, workplace wellness activities, running groups for kids, and educational and online resources. Active SWV even works with local governments for infrastructure improvements that enable opportunity for physical activity within a community. Seiler and her team work hard to remove as many barriers to physical activity as possible. The current stay-at-home order is just another barrier that Active SWV is working to overcome. Volunteer community captains began recording classes even before the order was issued so others could join them online. The nonprofit has created a treasure trove of resources to motivate West Virginians to keep moving. And for people who are usually active, normal life isn’t so normal anymore. Many people’s daily schedules look nothing like they did more than a month ago. Everyone should make a schedule for each day that includes physical activity and selfcare, Seiler says. “It’s definitely a time to be creative. I encourage everyone to utilize our resources for creative ways to stay active. In West Virginia, we’re blessed with wonderful outdoor resources that can still help us all adhere to social distancing recommendations while being active.” If you’re new to embracing an active lifestyle and think today seems like a great day to start, Seiler recommends starting slowly. “Walk for 30 minutes a day three times this week,” she says. “Or check out the many resources that we’ve made available online.” facebook.com/activeswv, activeswv.org
Survival Guide for Families Dealing with Addiction If you love a victim of substance use disorder, experts say, it’s important to learn new tools and take care of yourself. Here’s how. written by Pam Kasey
W
hen drugs or drink come to dominate a person’s thoughts and actions, it’s not just the user who suffers—the whole family suffers. The addiction unravels the user’s life, and parents, siblings, spouses, children, and friends are left to patch things together. It can become a downward spiral of frustration and exhaustion for everyone. “People don’t have an understanding of what they’re supposed to do in that situation,” says Joe Deegan, a social worker in long-term recovery himself who serves as community liaison and program consultant for substance use disorder programs at Thomas Health System in Charleston. Most of us just aren’t equipped to handle this in our families, Deegan says, and a lot of what we do instinctively can end up shaming the person and even enabling the addiction. The good news is, while resources have been ramping up across the state to help sufferers of SUD, there are new resources for their families and friends, too. Here’s some guidance from the experts.
Shed the shame
Families often try to go it alone because they’re ashamed. But as science has come to understand addiction better, it’s become clear that it’s not the product of “loose morals” or “a weak will”: Like diabetes or arthritis, addiction is a medical condition. “It’s not the family’s fault that people are addicted, either,” says Douglas M. Leech, founder of West Virginia Sober Living and Ascension Recovery Services in Morgantown and in long-term recovery himself. “This disease is not ‘caused’; it’s a primary disease, meaning you can have great parents, a great childhood, and you can still end up addicted.” This is why health professionals diagnose substance use disorder (SUD) rather than labelling people “addicts.” SUD ranges in severity and the level of treatment called for. If you suspect your loved one suffers from a SUD, experts say a great first step is to let go of shame and recognize that it’s an illness— one that’s treatable, if the sufferer chooses to be helped.
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Your loving financial support may be feeding the addiction “If a family member is paying rent on an apartment and they know that their loved one, friend, nephew, daughter is actively using— heroin, opioids, meth, whatever it is—they don’t think they’re contributing to the problem,” says
When Kids Are Involved Substance use disorder affects everyone in a family. But the most deeply affected are children, who are figuring out how to form trusting relationships and who need stability and security to learn and grow up healthy. Recognizing the need, social worker Janie Fuller-Phelps established a traumainformed childcare center in Huntington. As far as she’s aware, the River Valley CARES program that opened in May 2019 as a program of River Valley Child Development Services (RVCDS) is unique in West Virginia and beyond. “There’s nothing like it in the country that we’ve found,” she says. RV CARES is for children 6 weeks to 2 years old who’ve been impacted in some way by Substance Use Disorder (SUD). “We look at three major criteria,” Fuller-Phelps says. “One, that the child was exposed in utero; two, that the child was removed from the caregiver or biological family home related to the dangers associated with SUD; or three, the child is considered at-risk”—that is, living with a parent who struggles with SUD. What is trauma-informed care? When children from homes dealing with addictions go to typical childcare centers, Fuller-Phelps says, they’re often asked to leave because of their behaviors or the level of care that they require. “Especially those who’ve been exposed in utero, even though they went through medical detox, they continue to have symptoms— gastrointestinal and neurological issues and sensitivity to light and sound.” RV CARES’ child-to-caregiver ratio is 3-to1, compared with the state-mandated 4-to-1 for this age range. Caregivers are attentive to the particular nutritional needs of each child. They do sensory integration activities that help children overcome sensitivity to light and sound. And they help children learn to identify their feelings and teach them self-soothing and other coping skills. “Our hope is to give them some fundamental building blocks that will help them be successful in whatever environments they’re in later.” In recognition of the stress that unmet family needs can create for children, RV CARES also acts as a clearinghouse for donations of baby and toddler foods, baby essentials like diapers and clothing,
and hygiene and cleaning supplies. It offers free mindfulness and yoga classes for women, too. RV CARES is one of multiple supports in Huntington for families challenged by addiction—a tight network that can serve as an example to other communities. That includes Healthy Connections, a hotline staffed by family navigators who can make referrals and connect people with services that meet their needs. And KIDS Clinic—an acronym for Knowledge In Developmental Steps—is available to evaluate any child an adult is concerned about physically, psychologically, and socially, including those affected by SUD. Asked about resources for children affected by SUD in other parts of the state and resources for children older than two years in the Huntington area, Fuller-Phelps says there isn’t a lot yet. She referenced several steps families across West Virginia can take. ➻ A child who is acting out or having trouble focusing may benefit from seeing a mental health professional. Therapy isn’t just talking, Fuller-Phelps says. For kids who’ve experienced difficult family lives, a professional who has training in trauma can help them gain skills and change their perspectives, with lasting results. ➻ For children who are having problems in school, she says, reach out to the school counselor or social worker to ask whether the child qualifies for an Individual Education Plan or a Section 504 Plan. It may require a diagnosis, such as ADHD— another reason involving a mental health professional can help. For a child who qualifies, an IEP or 504 plan can provide flexibility around the child’s condition—extended time on assignments, a little personal time in a quiet place away from the classroom on difficult days, accommodation for appointments. ➻ Finally, for grandparents who have assumed the care of grandchildren and need an understanding ear, there are grandparent support groups across the state—check local churches and clinics and the resources in this publication.
You can’t fix it—you can only choose how to respond to it
Part of family members’ suffering comes from an overwhelming sense of responsibility. “They have this feeling of, ‘I’ve got to do something to get them help,’” Deegan says. The best thing a family member can do, he says, is learn to set healthy boundaries and speak respectfully with the loved one, encouraging him or her to make
How to Try a Support Group 32 wv living healthy • spring 2020
the choice to get help. Here, especially, support groups available across West Virginia, many of which work from a fresh understanding of family dynamics around addiction, can help.
Try a group
“Don’t necessarily try to handle this on your own,” says Deegan. Breaking the family silence and getting other perspectives is one of the single most important steps a person can take to change a painful family dynamic. A support group can assure you that you’re not alone, give you hope, and point you to new approaches and resources. Many of us are familiar with Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, the 12-step groups for families dealing with substance use problems. These groups have long-time track records and are a helpful approach for many. They meet across the state. An alternative approach that’s relatively new in West Virginia, called CRAFT, is based on groundbreaking
Getting outside help can be critical for unlocking stuck family dynamics. A support group is a lowimpact way to hear others’ stories and get ideas. Groups of all kinds are offered across the state. Find one that meets at a time, place, and frequency that works for you. Challenge yourself to speak at least a little, even if it’s hard for you—you’ll get more out of the experience. At the meetings, consider:
Do members listen and interact respectfully? Do they treat what they hear as private? Is the information provided in the meetings helpful? Attend a meeting at least three times before you decide whether to continue or not.
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Leech. “‘I don’t want my son to be homeless.’ But paying for a cell phone, car insurance, a car, while it’s not giving them money, it allows that person to stay very, very sick. As long as they have a roof over their head, a car, and a cell phone, then any resources that they are able to get can go directly toward drugs, and they don’t get uncomfortable enough that they need to say, ‘I’m ready for change.’”
RESOURCES As this publication was going to print, some groups were preparing to offer meetings online via Skype or Zoom. Call or check the websites for the most current information. HELP4WV is a confidential 24/7 call, chat, and text line funded by the state of West Virginia and designed to streamline the process of seeking help for SUD sufferers and their families. ➻ 1-844-HELP4WV, 844.435.7498, help4wv@1stchs.com, help4wv.com WV PEERS is a group of Peer Recovery Coaches who offer free and confidential assistance to sufferers of SUD and their families who call seeking guidance. The service is a collaboration between the West Virginia University School of Public Health, Ascension Recovery Services, and other recovery organizations. ➻ 304.602.3305, wvpeers@gmail.com, facebook.com/wvpeers, wvpeers.com
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A couple dozen Families Motivating Recovery groups have formed across the state to use the tools of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). ➻ kpcc.com/craft
research into what kinds of conversations succeed at encouraging people to make healthy choices. “They found that yelling at the loved one to get them to see that what is important to you should be important to them wasn’t all that effective,” says Sky Kershner, executive director of the Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center (KPCC) in Charleston. “What was effective was paying attention to what’s important to the loved one who’s using drugs or alcohol. It’s kind of obvious, when you step back from it.” The research led to a professional counseling approach that dramatically improved success at getting people into long-term recovery—from 2 out of 10 with the confrontational model to 6 or 7 out of 10 with the motivational model, Kershner says. And the approach is simple enough in its basics that a version for non-professionals called Community Reinforcement and Family Training—CRAFT— and also, in West Virginia, Families Motivating Recovery—is empowering family members, restoring relationships, and transforming family environments. Families Motivating Recovery support group meetings take place across the state. “The groups give people a safe place to talk about what’s going on,”
Al-Anon Family Groups and Nar-Anon Family Groups are 12-step programs for family members supporting loved ones in recovery. Al-Anon groups meet at dozens of locations across the state, and multiple Nar-Anon groups meet as well. ➻ al-anon.org, nar-anon.org Adult Children of Alcoholics, for people who were raised in households dealing with addiction, meets in five locations. ➻ adultchildren.org Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step program. Celebrate Recovery groups meet in a couple dozen churches in every corner of the state. ➻ celebraterecovery.com Parents of Addicted Loved Ones is a peer-led parent support group providing hope, guidance, and addiction education to those who are affected by addiction. Groups meet in Hedgesville and Ona. ➻ palgroup.org GRASP—Grief Recovery after a Substance Passing—offers compassion to families who are mourning a family member who has passed on due to opioid overdose. Chapters chapters have formed in Charleston, Glen Dale, Huntington, and Morgantown. ➻ grasphelp.org The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services maintains a list of organizations that offer support groups and other resources. ➻ dhhr.wv.gov newsouthmedia.com 33
➻ No one size fits all when it comes to addiction and recovery: any SUD sufferer may falter along the road to recovery, and every family’s path is different. ➻ The words we use matter: remaining respectful and interested. ➻ The things we do matter: setting healthy boundaries. ➻ It’s important to take care of yourself when you’re going through the most heartbreaking experience of your life. Grounding family conversations in these concepts takes a little practice. “It’s kind of like learning a new language in a way, and it’s a language that you don’t hear spoken very often,” Kershner says. “It’s a learning curve.” But ultimately, he says, many find it can shift frustrating patterns.
RECOVERY
HAPPENS
9%
FIRST STEPS The book Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change gives concrete insights for having better conversations, setting healthy boundaries, and taking care of yourself. The 1-844-HELP4WV and WVPEERS (304.602.3305) hotlines are staffed by people who have been through it, are trained to listen well, and know the resources. The call is free and does not obligate you to anything.
An estimated 22 million American adults, or 9%, have resolved a significant alcohol or other drug problem.
34 wv living healthy • spring 2020
54%
Make the call
When the time is right for your loved one and your family, make the call. The HELP4WV and WV PEERS phone lines are both staffed by peer recovery coaches who have been through addiction and found their own paths to recovery. They know what users and families go through and are trained to understand your story, offer support, and point you to the right resources for your situation. “About half of the people who call WV PEERS are someone who needs help themselves, and the other half are family,” says Leech, whose Ascension Recovery Services is one of the collaborators in WV PEERS. “We give instruction to the family on how to set the stage to make it easier for the person to make the choice to go into treatment.” Even if you don’t feel a support group is right for you at this time, Deegan says, reach out to someone. “Go to your pastor, call 1-844-HELP4WV—take action.” Kershner shares what he thinks of as the best thing he ever heard in a support group. “There was a guy who said, ‘The way we got into this mess was one person turning another person onto something that felt good in the short-term but turned out to be devastating for their life. It was all of these one-on-one interactions.’ We’re going to get out of it the same way, he suggested: one-on-one.”
relied on assistance—most commonly, mutual help groups like AA or NA and formal inpatient or outpatient treatment
Substance use disorder is known as a
“good prognosis disorder” —the majority of people can and do recover. Source: Research Recovery Institute, recoveryanswers.org
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Kershner says. Group members look honestly at how many of the conversations they’re having with their loved ones become arguments. “Usually, they’re not getting very good results.” From there, the approach teaches four potent lessons:
ADDICTION RECOVERY Resource Guide
Like any health condition, substance use disorder isn’t something people should have to face all by themselves. There are resources all over West Virginia ready to help you or your loved one overcome addiction. Although we have included many of these organizations in these pages, this is not a comprehensive list of addiction services. For a full listing, go to help4wv.com. This also is not an endorsement of the services listed.
Alcoholics Anonymous aawv.org A Brighter Tomorrow Christian counseling and therapy services 1586 Winchester Avenue Martinsburg 304.267.0818 abrightertomorrow.org A New Beginning—Riverside Recovery Home 12-step immersion nontreatment recovery program P.O. Box 482 Keyser 304.813.0234 anewbeginninginc.org Apple Blossom Cottage— Serenity Hills Life Center Sober living residence 667 Stone Shannon Road Wheeling 304.277.4767 serenityhillslifecenter.org Advocate House Sober living residence for men 738 Washington Avenue Huntington 304.208.0215 advocatehouse.com Addiction Services Outpatient treatment Sugar Hollow Industrial Center Lot 3 Berkeley Springs 304.258.2889 eastridgehealthsystems.org
Addiction Services for Pregnant Women For pregnant women struggling with addiction 1340 Hal Greer Boulevard Huntington 304.691.1400 cabellhuntington.org
Appalachian Community Health Center—Randolph County Outpatient treatment 725 Yokum Street Elkins 304.636.3232 achcinc.org
Appalachian Health Services—Ravenswood Specializing in treating chemical dependency 705 Washington Street Ravenswood 304.786.1500 achcinc.org
Advocate House Residential recovery program for men 738 Washington Avenue Huntington 304.208.0215 advocatehouse.com
Appalachian Community Health Center—Tucker County Outpatient treatment 601 Walnut Street Parsons 304.478.2764 achcinc.org
Appalachian Health Services—Ripley Specializing in treating chemical dependency 314 Clay Lick Road Ripley 304.786.1500 achcinc.org
Appalachian Community Health Center—Upshur County Outpatient treatment 27 South Kanawha Street Buckhannon 304.472.2022 achcinc.org
Appalachian Psychiatric Services Psychiatric outpatient clinic 1014 Johnstown Road Beckley 304.252.4433 facebook.com/ Appalachian-PsychiatricServices-360216790713120
Anchor Medical Clinic offering substance use disorder treatment 1196 Airport Road Beaver 304.253.5155 anchormedicalwv.com Anchor Project Transitional home for individuals leaving prison or substance use disorder treatment 51 Olde Main Plaza Saint Albans 304.729.8017 tenupministries.org Appalachian Community Health Center—Barbour County Outpatient treatment 124 Greystone Court Belington 304.823.3873 achcinc.org
Appalachian Health Services—Huntington Specializing in treating chemical dependency 601 20th Street Huntington 304.781.0212 achcinc.org Appalachian Health Services—Logan Specializing in treating chemical dependency 557 Main Street Logan 304.896.5001 achcinc.org
Ascension Recovery Services A clinical, family-focused addiction recovery program 206 Spruce Street Morgantown ascensionrs.com Beckley Comprehensive Treatment Center Medication-assisted treatment 175 Philpot Lane Beaver 304.254.9267 westvirginiactc.com
Beyond Addiction Counseling support groups for friends and families of loved ones suffering from substance use disorder meeting at locations across the state kpcc.com/craft The Bob Mays Recovery Center Residential substance use disorder treatment facility 1 Hospital Plaza Clarksburg 304.623.2178 uscwv.org BoMar Club Drop-in center providing drugand alcohol-free activities 306 North Church Street Ripley 304.372.3722 thebomarclub.org BreakThru Medical withdrawal management program 800 Wheeling Avenue Glen Dale 304.221.4528 wvumedicine.org/reynoldsmemorial/services/breakthru/ Brian’s Safehouse Sober living residence for men 368 Dearing Drive Mount Hope 304.763.7655 brianssafehouse.org Brighter Futures—Boone Memorial Hospital Substance use disorder and mental health treatment program
*This is not an endorsement or a comprehensive list of addiction services—for a full listing, go to help4wv.com. If you need help immediately, call 1-844-HELP-4-WV
467 Main Street Madison 304.369.7876 bmh.org/brighterfutures Cabell County Quick Response Team Emergency medical services for overdose victims 846 8th Avenue Huntington 304.526.8541 facebook.com/qrthuntington Cabell Huntington Hospital Counseling Center Counseling services 517 9th Street Huntington 304.526.2049 cabellhuntington.org/services/ counseling-services
Charleston Comprehensive Treatment Center Medication-assisted treatment 2157 Greenbrier Street Charleston 304.344.5924 westvirginiactc.com Charleston Prevention, Recovery, and Wellness Center The Partnership of African American Churches offers services to those who are fighting addition 1514 Kanawha Boulevard Charleston 304.768.7688 paac2.org/substance-usedisorder Charleston Quick Response Team Emergency medical services for overdose victims 304.962.6103 qrtcharleston@gmail.com
Callahan Counseling Services Family therapy 1020 Winchester Avenue Martinsburg 304.886.4118 callahancounselingservices.com
Chestnut Ridge Center— Adult Dual Diagnosis Unit Program to help chemicaldependent patients 930 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown 1.855.988.2273 wvumedicine.org/rni/patientcare/behavioral-medicine-andpsychiatry
Callahan Counseling Services Family therapy 130 Augustine Avenue Charles Town 304.451.0989 callahancounselingservices.com CAMC Memorial—Behavioral Health Services Outpatient treatment 3200 MacCorkle Ave SE Charleston 304.388.1000 camc.org/bmed
Chestnut Ridge Center— Assertive Community Treatment Program for people diagnosed with severe and recurrent mental illness 930 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown 304.598.6416 wvumedicine.org/rni/patientcare/behavioral-medicine-andpsychiatry
CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital Short-term counseling, substance use disorder treatment, family health education, high-risk maternal care 800 Pennsylvania Avenue Charleston camc.org/family-resourcecenter CAMC Physicians Group Primary Care—Winfield Outpatient treatment 12576 Winfield Road Winfield 304.586.0111 camc.org/bmed Celebrate Recovery 12-step biblical recovery program celebraterecovery.com/crgroups
Chestnut Ridge Center— Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment Residential and outpatient treatment for substance use disorder 930 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown 304.598.6400 wvumedicine.org/rni/patientcare/behavioral-medicine-andpsychiatry Chestnut Ridge Center— Intensive Outpatient Program Includes group, family, and individual therapy; Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings; and medical management
930 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown 304.598.4214 wvumedicine.org/rni/patientcare/behavioral-medicine-andpsychiatry Chestnut Ridge Center— Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Intensive outpatient treatment option for adults who do not require inpatient care 930 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown 304.598.6429 wvumedicine.org/rni/patientcare/behavioral-medicine-andpsychiatry/ Chestnut Ridge Center— Telepsychiatry Program Providing psychiatric services to rural areas via 16 sites throughout the state 930 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown 304.293.5126 wvumedicine.org/rni/patientcare/behavioral-medicine-andpsychiatry
The Counseling Connection— Ripley Counseling services 630 South Church Street Ripley 304.340.3676 tccwv.org Courageous Journey, PLLC Family-oriented therapy 1664 Winchester Ave Martinsburg 304.901.4347 courageousjourney.biz Crittenton Services, Inc. Residential Program Level II Trauma-informed multi-service agency 2606 National Road Wheeling 1.800.280.2229 crittentonwv.org Eastern Panhandle Psychiatry Addiction-related therapy for teens and adults 51 Street of Dreams Martinsburg 304.264.1442 eppsych.com
Christian Psychological Services Inpatient and outpatient counseling services 55 Meridian Parkway, Suite 103 Martinsburg 304.260.8808 christian-psychological.com
Eastridge Health Systems— Berkeley County Outpatient mental health services 235 South Water Street Martinsburg 304.263.8954 eastridgehealthsystems.org
Clarksburg Comprehensive Treatment Center Medication-assisted treatment 706 Oakmound Road Clarksburg 304.622.7511 westvirginiactc.com/location/ clarksburg
Eastridge Health Systems— Jefferson County Outpatient mental health services 340 Edmund Road, Suite D Kearneysville 304.725.7565 eastridgehealthsystems.org
Community Recovery Center Utilizes the 12-step program 1721 Latrobe Street Parkersburg 304.834.3928 communityrecoverywv.org
Eastridge Health Systems— Morgan County Outpatient mental health services 89 Sugar Hollow Business Park Berkeley Springs 304.258.2889 eastridgehealthsystems.org
Cornerstone Women’s Addiction Recovery Program Residential facility for women in recovery Gilbert 304.664.2700 The Counseling Connection— Charleston Counseling services 1021 Quarrier Street, Suite 414 Charleston 304.340.3676 tccwv.org
Family & Marital Counseling Center, Inc. Substance abuse and addiction counseling 321 West Main Street, Suite 400 Clarksburg 304.269.3923 fmccwv.org Family & Marital Counseling Center, Inc. Substance abuse and addiction counseling 5 Brown Avenue
Weston 304.269.3923 fmccwv.org Family Care Health Center Mental health, addiction, and social services center 97 Great Teays Boulevard Scott Depot 304.757.6999 familycarewv.org Family Resource Network Substance misuse prevention P.O. Box 126 Philippi 304.457.2691 Family Service Counseling Individual and family counseling for substance use disorder and other issues 1102 Memorial Boulevard West Huntington 304.523.9454 goodwillhunting.org/familyservice-counseling FMRS Health Systems, Inc.— Monroe County Offers intensive outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and detoxification and residential treatment tailored to specific populations 1 Middle Street Union 304.772.5452 fmrs.org FMRS Health Systems, Inc.— Raleigh County FMRS Health Systems, Inc. Offers intensive outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and detoxification and residential treatment tailored to specific populations 101 South Eisenhower Drive Beckley 304.256.7100 fmrs.org FMRS Health Systems, Inc.— Summers County Offers intensive outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and detoxification and residential treatment tailored to specific populations 198 Pleasant Street Hinton 304.466.3899 fmrs.org Foundation Addiction Recovery Program Faith-based residential program for men Charleston 304.925.0366
*This is not an endorsement or a comprehensive list of addiction services—for a full listing, go to help4wv.com. If you need help immediately, call 1-844-HELP-4-WV
Great Rivers Regional System for Addiction Care Collaborative of 70-plus organizations in Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, and Putnam counties to provide comprehensive substance use disorder treatment 35 Chase Drive Hurricane 304.691.6858 marshallhealth.org/greatrivers
Hero House Sober living residence for men 6607 New Port Road Danville 304.369.4500
Hampshire Lighthouse Recovery home for adult women 850 North High Street Romney 304.822.7499 hcpathways.org
Highland Hospital Detox Detoxification, substance use disorder recovery, residential outpatient treatment, and crisis services 300 56th Street SE Charleston 304.926.1669 highlandhosp.com
Harmony Ridge Recovery Center Recovery and treatment 47 Chambers Circle Road Walker 866.728.3982 harmonyridgerecovery.com
Highland House Long-term residential program for women 1205 Highland Avenue Bluefield 304.320.6401 hhnc.org
Healing Hearts Journey Christian addiction support Wheeling 304.281.0474 heart2heart-livingfree.com HealthWays, Inc.— Hancock County Intensive outpatient program for adults; individual, group, and family therapy and specialized programming for women; and services for drug-dependent adolescents and their families 501 Colliers Way Weirton 304.723.5440 healthwaysinc.com HealthWays, Inc. Miracles Happen Center—Ohio County Residential and day/evening intensive outpatient services for men 201 Edgington Lane Wheeling 304.242.0217 healthwaysinc.com HealthWays—Miracles Blossom—Brooke County Residential treatment facility for women 2 Church Street Beech Bottom 304.394.5507 Help4WV 24/7 help line and online directory of state services 844.HELP4WV help4wv@1stchs.com help4wv.com
Highland Health Center Substance abuse detoxification 300 56th Street SE Charleston 304.926.1669 highlandhosp.com
Hope Drug Rehabilitation Behavioral health services including detoxification, rehabilitation, an inpatient facility for men and women, and counseling services 5257 Big Tyler Road Cross Lanes 681.217.1121 Hope For Tomorrow Substance use disorder program with residence available 3417 Ohio River Road Point Pleasant 304.857.6494 newlifeclinics.com Huntington Comprehensive Treatment Center Medication-assisted treatment 135 4th Avenue Huntington 304.525.5691 westvirginiactc.com Huntington VA Medical Center Services for veterans 1540 Spring Valley Drive Huntington 304.429.6741 huntington.va.gov Jacob’s Ladder Long-term residential treatment program for men Aurora 304.239.1214 jacobsladderbrookside.com
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center Addiction support and counseling Charleston 304.346.9689 kpcc.com The Lifehouse—Huntington Long-term residential, nontreatment recovery housing for men 2210 9th Avenue Huntington 304.972.6601 thelifehousewv.com The Lifehouse—Huntington Long-term residential, nontreatment recovery housing for men 631 4th Street Huntington 304.416.5000 thelifehousewv.com The Lifehouse—Huntington Long term-residential, nontreatment recovery housing for women 5th Avenue & Trenton Place Huntington 304.416.5007 thelifehousewv.com Logan Mingo Area Mental Health Addiction services including short-term residential and outpatient recovery Chattaroy, Delbarton, and Logan Logan County: 304.792.7130 Mingo County: 304.235.2954 lmamh.org Martinsburg Institute Medication-assisted treatment 223 Eagle School Road Martinsburg 304.263.1101 addictiontreatmentsystems.com Mercer County Fellowship Home Non-treatment recovery residence and sober living facility for men 421 Scott Street Bluefield 304.327.9876 mercercountyfellowshiphome.org MedMark Treatment Centers Morgantown Medication-assisted treatment 53 Don Knotts Boulevard Morgantown 304.284.0025 Mike Heston Serenity Fellowship House Non-treatment recovery residence
202 Columbia Street Fairmont 304.367.1185 Morgantown County Starting Points Addiction treatment services 106 Sand Mine Road Berkeley Springs 304-258-5600 starting-points.org
304.455.3622 northwoodhealth.com Northwood Health Systems— Weirton Crisis stabilization unit and outpatient services 353 American Way Weirton 304.217.3050 northwoodhealth.com
Morgantown Area Youth Services Project Outpatient addiction services 160 Chancery Row, Suite 4 Morgantown 304.284.7321 mayspwv.org
Northwood Health Systems— Wheeling Crisis stabilization unit and intensive outpatient services 2121 Eoff Street Wheeling 304.234.3511 northwoodhealth.com
Mountaineer Recovery Center Inpatient and outpatient treatment facility; individual, family, and group therapy 3094 Charles Town Road Kearneysville 304.901.2070 mountaineerrecovery.com
Oxford House—Ala Non-treatment recovery residence for women and children 606 7th Avenue Huntington oxfordhouse.org
Narcotics Anonymous 12-step program for drug addiction recovery 800.766.4442 na.org Nar-Anon Support for families affected by drug addiction nar-anon.org Newness of Life Therapeutic, peer-supported community 2210 9th Avenue Huntington 304.972.6601 newnessoflife.care Northern Appalachian Adult and Teen Challenge Recovery support and spiritual formation 1651 Unity Road Oakvale 304.384.3307 wvteenchallenge.com Northwood Health Systems— Moundsville Crisis intervention and other addiction services 10 Ash Avenue Moundsville 304.845.3000 northwoodhealth.com Northwood Health Systems— New Martinsville Crisis intervention and substance abuse counseling 307 Main Street New Martinsville
Oxford House—Anna Non-treatment recovery residence for women and children 122 East South Street Martinsburg oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Anastasia Non-treatment recovery residence for women 340 6th Avenue West Huntington oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Benwood Non-treatment recovery residence for men 419 Main Street Benwood oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Bishop Overlook Non-treatment recovery residence for men 435 Faulkner Avenue Martinsburg oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Bonnie Non-treatment recovery residence for men 309 South 22nd Street Clarksburg oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Cabell Non-treatment recovery residence for men 2409 9th Avenue Huntington oxfordhouse.org
*This is not an endorsement or a comprehensive list of addiction services—for a full listing, go to help4wv.com. If you need help immediately, call 1-844-HELP-4-WV
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Oxford House—Chloe Non-treatment recovery residence for women 628 South Queen Street Martinsburg oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Country Roads Non-treatment recovery residence for men 3617 Orchard Street Weirton oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Dunbar Non-treatment recovery residence for women 216 20th Street Dunbar oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Fika Non-treatment recovery residence for men 615 6th Avenue Huntington oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Grand Non-treatment recovery residence for men 309 Grand Street Martinsburg oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Grove Avenue Non-treatment recovery residence for men 319 Grove Avenue Charleston oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—GTO Non-treatment recovery residence for men 324 8th Avenue Huntington oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Jefferson Non-treatment recovery residence for men 585 Jefferson Avenue Charles Town oxfordhouse.org
607 Coleman Avenue Fairmont oxfordhouse.org
513 Wyoming Street Charleston oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Leahy Non-treatment recovery residence for men 1308 Valley View Avenue Wheeling oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Warwood Non-treatment recovery residence for women 128 North 19th Street Wheeling oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Magneto Non-treatment recovery residence for men 600 Joseph Street Clarksburg oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Weir Non-treatment recovery residence for women 237 South 12th Street Weirton oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Martinsburg Non-treatment recovery residence for men 820 North Queen Street Martinsburg oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—West Washington Non-treatment recovery residence for women 1457 11th Avenue Huntington oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Marvel Non-treatment recovery residence for women and children 464 Hornor Avenue Clarksburg oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Meraki II Non-treatment recovery residence for women and children 318 Wilson Avenue Morgantown oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—North Fork Non-treatment recovery residence for women 524 Union Avenue Morgantown oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Park Drive Non-treatment recovery residence for men 707 Main Street Charleston oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Jewel Non-treatment recovery residence for women 424 A/B Duff Avenue Clarksburg oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Thundering Herd Non-treatment recovery residence for women 624 6th Avenue Huntington oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—King Street Non-treatment recovery residence for men 206 East King Street Martinsburg oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Valkyrie Non-treatment recovery residence for women 4012 Eoff Street Wheeling oxfordhouse.org
Oxford House—Komorebi Non-treatment recovery residence for men
Oxford House—Wallace Non-treatment recovery residence for men
Oxford House—Wolverine Non-treatment recovery residence for men 1118 Gladden Street Fairmont oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Woodburn Non-treatment recovery residence for men 900 Snider Street Morgantown oxfordhouse.org Oxford House—Woodsdale Non-treatment recovery residence for women 1313 Valley View Avenue Wheeling oxfordhouse.org Paloma Crisis Stabilization and Detox Unit Crisis stabilization and detoxification center 415 Wilson Street Martinsburg 304.579.4455 callahancounselingservices.com Parkersburg Comprehensive Treatment Center Medication-assisted treatment 184 Holiday Hills Drive Parkersburg 304.420.2400 treatmentworkswv.com Peer Recovery Resource Center 386 Cumberland Road Romney 304.359.2185 hcpathways.org
Phoenix Psychological and Counseling Associates Counseling and treatment services 4579 Buckhannon Pike Mount Clare 304.622.6431 phoenixassociateswv.com Potomac Crossroads Counseling Counseling services 129 East German Street Shepherdstown 304.876.2770 potomacxroads.com Potomac Highlands Guild— Grant County Outpatient psychiatric services, including substance use issues 7 Mountain View Street Petersburg 304.257.1155 thephg.org Potomac Highlands Guild— Hampshire County Outpatient psychiatric services, including substance use issues 245 North Charlevoix Place Romney 304.822.3897 thephg.org Potomac Highlands Guild— Hardy County Outpatient psychiatric services, including substance use issues 79 Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park Road Moorefield 304.538.2302 thephg.org Potomac Highlands Guild— Mineral County Outpatient psychiatric services, including substance use issues 3334 New Creek Highway New Creek 304.788.2241 thephg.org Potomac Highlands Guild— Pendleton County Outpatient psychiatric services, including substance use issues 30 Maple Avenue Franklin 304.358.2351 thephg.org
Prestera Center—Cabell County Outpatient, intensive outpatient treatment services for children, youth, and families Margarette R. Leach Center For Youth and Families 1 Prestera Way Huntington 304.399.1970 prestera.org Prestera Center—Cabell County Crisis residential, inpatient, short-term facility for detoxification 3375 U.S. Route 60, East Huntington 304.525.7851 prestera.org Prestera Center—Cabell County Pinecrest Short-term and long-term residential treatment for women 5600 U.S. Route 60, East Huntington 304.525.7851 prestera.org Prestera Center—Clay County Outpatient, intensive outpatient treatment services 602 Main Street Clay 304.587.4205 prestera.org Prestera Center—Kanawha County Outpatient, intensive outpatient treatment services for children, youth, and families 511 Morris Street Charleston 304.341.0511 prestera.org Prestera Center—Kanawha County PARC East Intensive outpatient and medication-assisted treatment 96 MacCorkle Avenue South Charleston 304.414.3075 prestera.org
Prestera Center—Lincoln County Prestera Center—Boone County Outpatient, intensive outpatient 25 Lincoln Plaza Outpatient and intensive Branchland outpatient treatment services 304.824.5790 376 Kenmore Drive prestera.org Danville 304.369.1930 prestera.org
*This is not an endorsement or a comprehensive list of addiction services—for a full listing, go to help4wv.com. If you need help immediately, call 1-844-HELP-4-WV
Prestera Center—Mason County Outpatient, intensive outpatient 710 Viand Street Point Pleasant 304.675.2361 prestera.org Prestera Center—Putnam County Outpatient, intensive outpatient 252 Courthouse Drive Winfield 304.586.0670 prestera.org Prestera Center—Wayne County Outpatient, intensive outpatient 145 Kenova Avenue Wayne 304.272.3466 prestera.org PROACT—Provider Response Organization for Addiction Care & Treatment Comprehensive treatment in a single accessible service hub 800 20th Street Huntington 304.696.8700 proactwv.org Project Hope for Women & Children Residential treatment facility for mothers and their children 1012 7th Avenue Huntington 304.696.HOPE marshallhealth.org Pyramid Counseling— Beckley Addiction counseling 130 George Street Beckley 304.256.0200 pyramidcounselingllc.com Pyramid Counseling— Lewisburg Addiction counseling 3738 Davis Stuart Road Lewisburg 304.256.0200 pyramidcounselingllc.com Pyramid Counseling— South Charleston Addiction counseling 527 Second Avenue South Charleston 304.256.0200 pyramidcounselingllc.com
Rainbow House Non-treatment recovery residence 158 Main Street Gypsy 866.720.3784 Recovery Group of Southern West Virginia—New Beginnings Home for Men Substance use recovery residence Logan 304.896.6871 recoveryswv.org Recovery Point of Bluefield Non-medical detoxification residence and long-term residential recovery program 321 Preston Street Bluefield 304.323.1041 recoverypointwv.org Recovery Point of Charleston Non-medical detoxification residence and long-term residential recovery program 501 Stockton Street Charleston 304.633.5993 recoverypointwv.org Recovery Point of Huntington Long-term residential recovery program 2425 9th Avenue Huntington 304.523.4673 recoverypointwv.org Red Barn Stables Equine-assisted therapy 7095 Smith Creek Road Saint Albans 304.549.0561 redbarnstableswv.com Reformers Unanimous— Bible Baptist Temple Faith-based recovery program 1450 Cost Avenue Stonewood 304.623.2630 rurecovery.com Ridgeline Consulting Services Medication-assisted addiction treatment center 2161 Childress Road Alum Creek 304.745.7837 ridgelinetreatment.com
River Park Hospital Residential mental health treatment 1230 6th Avenue Huntington 304.526.9111 riverparkhospital.net Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline samhsa.gov Seneca Health Services, Inc.—Lewisburg Crisis stabilization and detoxification services, outpatient, adolescent and adult substance abuse services, and counseling 100 Church Street Lewisburg 304.645.3319 shsinc.org Seneca Health Services, Inc.—Marlinton Crisis stabilization and detoxification services, outpatient, adolescent and adult substance abuse services, and counseling 704 Third Avenue Marlinton 304.799.6865 shsinc.org Seneca Health Services, Inc.—Maxwelton Crisis stabilization and detoxification services, outpatient, adolescent and adult substance abuse services, and counseling 414 Industrial Park Road Maxwelton 304.497.2850 shsinc.org Seneca Health Services, Inc.—Summersville Crisis stabilization and detoxification services, outpatient, adolescent and adult substance abuse services, and counseling 1 Stevens Road Summersville 304.872.2659 shsinc.org Seneca Health Services, Inc.—Summersville Crisis stabilization and detoxification services, outpatient, adolescent and adult substance abuse services, and counseling 1305 Webster Road Summersville 304.872.6503 shsinc.org
Seneca Health Services, Inc.—Webster Springs Crisis stabilization and detoxification services, outpatient, adolescent and adult substance abuse, and counseling 70 Parcoal Road Webster Springs 304.847.5425 shsinc.org Serenity Club Recovery group 1225 Ohio Avenue Dunbar serenityclubwv.com Shenandoah Community Health—Behavioral Health Detoxification, outpatient, intensive outpatient 44 Trifecta Place, Suite 205 Charles Town 304.728.3716 shencommhealth.com Shenandoah Community Health Detoxification, outpatient, intensive outpatient 99 Tavern Road Martinsburg 304.263.7023 shencommhealth.com Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center—LEGENDS Residential program 327 Mercer Street Princeton 304.425.9489 shcmhc.com Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center—McDowell County Outpatient, medicationassisted treatment 19805 Coal Heritage Road Welch 304.436.2106 shcmhc.com Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center—Mercer County Outpatient, detoxification, long-term residential treatment for men 200 12th Street Extension Princeton 304.425.9541 shcmhc.com
*This is not an endorsement or a comprehensive list of addiction services—for a full listing, go to help4wv.com. If you need help immediately, call 1-844-HELP-4-WV
Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center—Wyoming County Outpatient, medication assisted treatment 102 Howard Avenue Mullens 304.294.5353 shcmhc.com Sparrow’s Nest Inpatient residential treatment for women 1166 Dryhill Road Beckley 681.207.7258 sparrowsnest.info Staggers Recovery House Residential recovery for women 2880 Fried Meat Ridge Road Keyser 304.289.5632 www.bumfs.org/staggers.html The Teen Straight Path Intervention program for teens Wheeling 304.281.0474 heart2heart-livingfree.com/ living-free-teen-straight-path Thomas Health Inpatient and outpatient programs 4605 MacCorkle Avenue, SW South Charleston 304.766.4570 thomaswv.org/behavioral Turning Point Christian addiction ministry Wheeling 304.281.0474 heart2heart-livingfree.com/ living-free-turning-point Union Mission Addiction Recovery Program— Brookside Women’s and Children’s Center Faith-based addiction recovery program, residential program for children and women Charleston 304.925.0366 unionmission.com United Summit Center— Braxton County Outpatient program 10 Summit Center Circle Sutton 304.765.2801 uscwv.org
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United Summit Center—Bridgeport Children’s crisis unit, outpatient services, mental health, and addiction services. 120 Medical Park Drive, Suite 401 Clarksburg 304.848.2000 uscwv.org United Summit Center—Clarksburg Crisis Stabilization Unit Outpatient services 800 David Drive Clarksburg 304.623.0497 uscwv.org United Summit Center—Gilmer County Outpatient services 809 Mineral Road Glenville 304.462.5721 uscwv.org United Summit Center—John D. Good Recovery Center Detoxification, residential short-term, and long-term treatment 100 Hopemont Drive Terra Alta 304.789.3143 uscwv.org United Summit Center—Lewis County Outpatient services 37 Elizabeth Drive Weston 304.269.5220 uscwv.org United Summit Center—Marion County Intensive outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment, addiction, and non residential treatment. 177 Middletown Road, Suite 4 Fairmont 304.367.9191 uscwv.org United Summit Center—Monongalia County Intensive outpatient and mental health services 40 Commerce Drive, Suite 100 Westover 304.241.1708 uscwv.org United Summit Center—Taylor County Outpatient services 403 North Pike Street Grafton 304.265.2470 uscwv.org Unity Center Support and peer-to-peer counseling 4850 Eoff Street Benwood 304.232.3888 ohiovalleyrecovery.org
Valley Healthcare System—Fairmont Addiction, short term 448 Leonard Avenue Fairmont 304.366.7174 valleyhealthcare.org Valley Healthcare System—Grafton Adolescent and adult outpatient services 501 North Pike Street Grafton 304.265.3947 valleyhealthcare.org Valley Healthcare System— Kingwood Adolescent and adult outpatient services 202 Tunnelton Street Kingwood 304.329.1059 valleyhealthcare.org Valley Healthcare System— Morgantown Adolescent and adult outpatient services, residential treatment services 301 Scott Avenue Morgantown 304.296.1731 valleyhealthcare.org Valley Healthcare System—New Beginnings Specialized extended-care residential treatment program for adult women 820 Elysian Avenue Morgantown 304.367.1625 valleyhealthcare.org Wellspring Family Services— Brooke and Hancock counties 3920 Washington Street Weirton 304.784.3768 crittentonwv.org/wellspring Wellspring Family Services—Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Putnam, Wayne, and Wyoming counties Counseling and specialized treatment 1596 Washington Boulevard Huntington 681.378.3881 crittentonwv.org/wellspring Wellspring Family Services— Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Monongalia, Marion, Preston, Ritchie, and Taylor counties Counseling and specialized treatment 827 Fairmont Road, Suite 201 Westover 304.292.1716 crittentonwv.org/wellspring
Wellspring Family Services— Ohio and Marshall counties Counseling and specialized treatment 2606 National Road Wheeling 304.242.7060 crittentonwv.org/wellspring Wellspring Family Services—Pleasant, Tyler, Wetzel, Wirt, and Wood counties Counseling and specialized treatment 761 Third Street New Martinsville 304.455.3035 crittentonwv.org/wellspring West Virginia Sober Living Sober living home for men Morgantown 304.413.4300 westvirginiasoberliving.com West Virginia Sober Living Sober living home for women Morgantown 304.413.4300 westvirginiasoberliving.com Westbrook Health Services— Amity Treatment Center 1011 Mission Drive Parkersburg 304.485.1781 westbrookhealth.org Westbrook Health Services— Genesis Apartments Residential long-term 1458 1/2 36th Street Parkersburg 304.865.5470 westbrookhealth.org Westbrook Health Services— Jackson County Addiction counseling, inpatient detox, and crisis stabilization program, medication-assisted treatment 3066 Charleston Road Ripley 304.372.6833 westbrookhealth.org Westbrook Health Services— Pleasants County Addiction counseling, inpatient detox, and crisis stabilization program, medication-assisted treatment 210 Second Street Saint Marys 304.684.2656 westbrookhealth.org Westbrook Health Services— Ritchie County Addiction counseling, inpatient detox, and crisis stabilization program, medication-assisted treatment 713 East Main Street Harrisville 304.643.2996 westbrookhealth.org
Westbrook Health Services— Roane County Addiction counseling, inpatient detox, and crisis stabilization program, medication-assisted treatment 227 Clay Road Spencer 304.927.5200 westbrookhealth.org Westbrook Health Services— Wood County Addiction counseling, inpatient detox, and crisis stabilization program, medication-assisted treatment 2121 Seventh Street Parkersburg 304.485.1721 westbrookhealth.org Wheeling Comprehensive Treatment Center Medication-assisted treatment 40 Orrs Lane Triadelphia 304.909.7759 westvirginiactc.com WV Health Right 1520 Washington Street East Charleston 304.414.5930 wvhealthright.org WVU Medicine Chestnut Ridge Center Adult diagnosis unit for chemical dependent patients; comprehensive outpatient opioid addiction treatment; intensive outpatient program offering group, family, and individual therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and medical management 930 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown 304.598.4214 wvumedicine.org/rni/patient-care/ behavioral-medicine-and-psychiatry Yore Academy Residential long-term treatment 7 Crosswind Drive Fairmont 304.363.3341 Youth Health Services Intensive outpatient and mental health services 971 Harrison Avenue Elkins 304.636.9450 youth-health.org Youth Services System, Inc.—Hope’s Promise Intensive outpatient program 87 15th Street Wheeling 304.233.9627 youthservicessystem.org
*This is not an endorsement or a comprehensive list of addiction services—for a full listing, go to help4wv.com. If you need help immediately, call 1-844-HELP-4-WV
