Porter-Starke Recovery Center offers treatment for opioid misuse

Porter-Starke Recovery Center offers treatment for opioid misuse

Porter-Starke Services offers treatment for opioid misuse at their Recovery Centers, located in Valparaiso and LaPorte. Opioids are drugs that are typically used to treat pain and are highly addictive. Opioids include heroin, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and more. 

“Patients may fall into opioid addiction for a multitude of reasons, but as the brain becomes increasingly dependent on the drug, it can drive the individual to experience intense cravings and engage in unhealthy behavior,” explains Richard Cook, Recovery Center Director.

Due to the addictive nature of opioids, stopping use abruptly or cutting back after using regularly can lead to withdrawal. Withdrawal can be a very difficult and sometimes dangerous process to go through alone.

Porter-Starke Services offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is a whole person treatment approach. This approach combines anti-craving medication with counseling and support services to aid in stopping the use of these drugs.

According to Porter-Starke Services, MAT is the number one evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, recognized by experts as the approach most likely to lead to long-term success. This program is specifically curated for each individual, is structured to prevent relapses from occurring, and is closely supervised by a physician and a team of medical and treatment professionals.

Treatment includes medication and counseling services, but an initial assessment helps determine exactly what will work best for a patient’s individual needs.

“The immediate goal is to stabilize the patient to eliminate the daily need to chase drugs and to manage intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms,” said Cook. 

MAT programs can include a variety of medications, but the Recovery Center specializes in methadone, a safe, effective, and long-acting drug that actually reduces opioid cravings and withdrawals.  Methadone blunts or blocks the effects of opioids and is considered the gold standard of care to treat opioid use disorder.

Counseling is the other aspect of this recovery program. Therapy and support services allow patients to explore coping skills and find alternatives to opioid use. Counseling comes in many forms including individual or group counseling, involvement of family or significant others in counseling or educational services, education about addiction and the toxic effects of drugs and alcohol, and connection to self-help groups and other community resources.

Opioids can be detrimental to a person’s health. Porter-Starke Services Recovery Centers provide those with opioid use disorder a road to recovery.  Medication Assisted Treatment strives to support stabilization and recovery, reduce or eliminate symptoms of addiction, enhance the quality of life, and support (re)integration into the local community.

These services are available to individuals 18 years and older who are dependent on opioids.  The Recovery Center accepts most major insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare, and financial counselors are available to discuss other methods of payment.

There are two Recovery Center locations, one in La Porte and one in Valparaiso. 

  • Recovery Center Valparaiso: 2301 Cumberland Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383
  • Recovery Center La Porte: 1230 W State Road 2, Suite B, La Porte, IN 46350

If you are interested in beginning services at either of the locations, Porter-Starke Services staff members are ready to listen, answer your questions, and schedule an assessment to begin your recovery process. Please call the dedicated MAT admissions line at 219-476-4520.