Patients struggling with addiction can seek treatment at the 24-hour Bradford at Whitfield Memorial Hospital Addiction Program, which joined BWWMH’s list of services in early November of last year.

Bradford Health Services provides three masters level clinicians who will assess patients’ needs and facilitate treatment, and the hospital’s medical staff will supervise the detoxification program.

“I know some people think of detox and get scared, but we do have medicine to help ease the process,” said Community Representative Dani LaPlant, BSW, CPSS.

Throughout the detoxification period, which usually lasts from 3-7 days, patients will receive additional services such as alcohol and drug dependency education, group and individual therapy, structured recreation and care coordinated with a primary care physician. It is a 12-bed, co-ed facility with semi-private rooms.

The Bradford Detox Unit accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most major insurances, and referrals are accepted 24/7. Following the detox, each patient leaves with an individualized plan to facilitate continued success and receive adequate support.

“They’re going to have some sort of discharge plan after they leave us,” LaPlant said.

While referrals are accepted from physicians and the Department of Human Resources, individuals are also encouraged to call Bradford’s call center to describe their condition and location in order to schedule an assessment. The call center can also direct individuals to additional support outside of the detox center.

“You call us at 3 a.m. Christmas day, and we’re there for you,” LaPlant said.

LaPlant also said that Bradford emphasizes the 12-step philosophy of treatment and described the detox program as the first step, saying that addiction is “an everyday thing.”

The detox unit will accept patients multiple times, and LaPlant reminded “one thing we want to remember is addiction is a disease.”

To set up an assessment, call Bradford Health Services’ call center at 800-333-1865.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, January 16 issue of the Demopolis Times.)