The words “epidemic” and “opioid use disorder” are words that make a lot people feel very uncomfortable. These are words which we must speak out loud so we can face, head-on, the enormity of a problem that is sweeping across our towns, cities and country. These words speak of a growing crisis that can no longer be denied, ignored or underestimated.

Authorities in the field of addiction agree that we are in the middle of an opioid use epidemic. Opioid users and their concerned loved ones are searching for guidance from professionals who can show them how to help themselves, and how to get help for their loved ones. “Opioid use disorder” affects lives across the whole spectrum of race, age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Those who suffer from this disorder reign from every walk of life.

An opioid user might ask themselves these three questions to determine the degree to which their use has consumed their lives and interfered with normal activities: “Does my opioid use disrupt my relationships with my family? Does my opioid use disrupt my ability to keep or perform my job? Does my opioid use and the resultant behaviors put me at risk with the law?” A positive answer to these questions should bring this user to the treatments offered at CCAP’s Family Health Centers and to its Suboxone program.

Dr. Ed Westrick, a physician at CCAP who is licensed to prescribe Suboxone, explains that Suboxone is a highly effective way to treat adults with opioid use disorder. It is a drug which can, in conjunction with intensive counseling and psychological support, mitigate the effects of withdrawal and reduce the dependence on prescription pain killers. It is part of a “Medication Assisted Treatment” approach that will break the destructive cycle of abuse.

Those seeking help will find professional care and guidance from the Comprehensive Community Action Program. CCAP was created in 1965 and opened its Family Health Services division in 1971. It is Cranston’s only community health center that provides affordable and high-quality care. In keeping with the mission and values of CCAP, their services are provided to all, regardless of insurance status or the ability to pay. Their sites, conveniently located in Cranston, Warwick and Coventry, offer a sliding fee scale for those who qualify.

Since 2006, CCAP has received uninterrupted accreditation by the Joint Commission. This certification is nationally recognized as a symbol of quality that reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to meeting and exceeding certain performance standards. This expectation of excellence applies to every program run by CCAP, including its Suboxone initiative. Here, opioid users will find a dedicated team of professionals who have one goal in mind ~ to help you get, and STAY, healthy.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid use disorder, it is imperative that you contact the professionals at CCAP at this number: 401-467-9610. Call today. Life-saving help is available.