A new approach to substance use. An alarming trend in opioid (ie: fentanyl, heroin, Oxy- Contin) overdoses has been made worse in recent years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minnesota Department of Health is. reporting 1002 overdose deaths in 2022-up from 342 in 2018. Heading up Alomere Health's response to substance use is Dr. Allison Juba. Her research and science-based approach to treatment is also tempered by a personal experience. Her brother Pat, began his opioid addiction at the early age of 15. Now 33, Pat is 3-years into a successful recovery, thanks to the support of family, friends, and medical experts. Pat is utilizing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). MAT is the safe and control- led use of medication that relieves the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings caused by chemical imbalances in the body. The Substance Use Care Team at Alomere Health believes in providing a whole-patient approach to treatment. In combination with counseling and behav- ioral therapies, Alomere has physicians certified to prescribe medication to help patients with Substance Use Disorder. In addition, Alomere Health is now offering free Naloxone kits (that can reverse the deadly effects of an over- dose) and test strips that can detect the super-potent fentanyl in other drugs. Dr. Juba notes one hurdle to treatment is the stigma around addiction. She encour- ages everyone to see the person behind the disease- and not associate the disease as a moral weakness. Opioid Overdose Deaths in MN: 1002 in 2022 342 in 2018 "We need to change the language around abuse. I call patients 'a person in recovery'. And the good news is this: there is real hope for people suffering from opioid use disorder." If you have questions, or would like treatment, please. contact the Substance Use Care team by calling: 320.763.2508 Alomere Health Alexandria Clinic Osakis Clinic Lakes E.N.T. Heartland Orthopedic Specialists ALOMERE HEALTH It's better here. A new approach to substance use . An alarming trend in opioid ( ie : fentanyl , heroin , Oxy- Contin ) overdoses has been made worse in recent years because of the COVID - 19 pandemic . The Minnesota Department of Health is . reporting 1002 overdose deaths in 2022 - up from 342 in 2018 . Heading up Alomere Health's response to substance use is Dr. Allison Juba . Her research and science - based approach to treatment is also tempered by a personal experience . Her brother Pat , began his opioid addiction at the early age of 15. Now 33 , Pat is 3 - years into a successful recovery , thanks to the support of family , friends , and medical experts . Pat is utilizing Medication Assisted Treatment ( MAT ) . MAT is the safe and control- led use of medication that relieves the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings caused by chemical imbalances in the body . The Substance Use Care Team at Alomere Health believes in providing a whole - patient approach to treatment . In combination with counseling and behav- ioral therapies , Alomere has physicians certified to prescribe medication to help patients with Substance Use Disorder . In addition , Alomere Health is now offering free Naloxone kits ( that can reverse the deadly effects of an over- dose ) and test strips that can detect the super - potent fentanyl in other drugs . Dr. Juba notes one hurdle to treatment is the stigma around addiction . She encour- ages everyone to see the person behind the disease- and not associate the disease as a moral weakness . Opioid Overdose Deaths in MN : 1002 in 2022 342 in 2018 " We need to change the language around abuse . I call patients ' a person in recovery ' . And the good news is this : there is real hope for people suffering from opioid use disorder . " If you have questions , or would like treatment , please . contact the Substance Use Care team by calling : 320.763.2508 Alomere Health Alexandria Clinic Osakis Clinic Lakes E.N.T. Heartland Orthopedic Specialists ALOMERE HEALTH It's better here .