Pete Mendoza
South Texas Health System Behavioral in Edinburg, Texas
The new chemical dependency unit is a self-admission program targeting substance addictions, such as alcohol and drugs, and the mental issues that come with them.
Director of clinical services and the Program Director for the Substance Use Program Yvette Bueno said the unit runs through multiple steps.
“Our psychiatrist here does meet with them, provides them the medication they need to safely detox them from whichever substance they’re trying [to] detox from,” Bueno said. “But then, their care goes into the rehab, the rehabilitation portion, which we follow a program, a curriculum through the Hazelden.”
She said Hazelden has a holistic approach when it comes to drug addiction. The curriculum provides education on drug substances and how they affect the body, mental health and overall well-being. It also shows how to build health support systems and networks to overcome addictions.
She said the program will have a licensed chemical dependency counselor who gives treatment to an assigned unit.
Bueno added the program will also have a licensed master social worker to assist with a more mental approach, especially since many of the patients fall into addiction due to hard times in their lives, which could include financial issues, stressors, relationship issues, homelessness and many more difficulties.
She said self-admission shows commitment to the program.
“Usually the first step is the hardest step into recovery,” Bueno said. “It’s having to admit that we have a problem. And so, once we’ve come to terms with that and are able to admit to yourself that whatever substance you’re using is the problem and is affecting your daily life, then that just makes everything else a little bit easier.”
According to American Addiction Centers, Hispanic Americans are the fastest-growing population in America. An estimated 7.1% of Hispanic Americans are dealing with substance use issues.
Bueno said the program is showing great progress and a lot of interest from the community, especially since most people seeking rehabilitation used to have to go upstate for these services.
“When this project was in the beginning stages of it, that’s what our community was in need of,” she said. “A local inpatient rehab facility that can offer the services that we are offering prior to us. I think the closest one that we had was like in Corpus.”
She said the Hispanic community usually never asks for help because of its culture. However, whenever someone does, it’ll only be with family. So, when patients are sent upstate, they are removed from a key part of their rehabilitation.
Bueno said at the moment, the program only has 10 beds but will be seeking an additional 10 by the end of the month to further expand the unit.
She said unfortunately, since it is a new program, only insured individuals are able to be a part of it. However, she is hoping to expand to private pay or be able to help uninsured patients.
For more information about alcohol and drug addictions, visit southtexashealthsystembehavioral.com.
This is Pete Mendoza for Vaquero Radio.
