Access to personalized support while receiving treatment can help improve a patient’s health outcomes. When facing substance use disorder or addiction, Carle Health has specialized care available for patients on their journey to recovery.
The Carle Addiction Recovery Center (CARC) supports patients with their recovery and in navigating their treatment options. CARC also aims to increase access to care while decreasing the stigma around addiction.
On the CARC team are board-certified addiction medicine physicians, physicians, advanced practice providers, addiction counselors, mental health therapists, master level case managers and support team members.
“As a full spectrum addiction medicine physician, I work with people affected by substance use in any capacity, whether they have noticed that their alcohol use has increased over time to complete devastation from an opioid use disorder,” said Elise Wessol, DO, FASAM.
“Addiction is recognized as a family disease since no loved one is unaffected by the person suffering from the disease, family engagement and input can be helpful in helping the patient meet their goals and improve their life circumstances.” Dr. Wessol continues. “Additionally, it is important to work collaboratively within the CARC system and throughout the Carle system to ensure we are meeting the patients’ needs.”
CARC designs treatments to meet patients where they are at in their recovery, with plans that focus on harm reduction. The individualized approach to treatment also supports patients and their unique personal circumstances.
“There really is not a ‘typical treatment’. Treatment can consist of any combination of mutual support groups, individual counseling, group counseling, and/or medications,” said Kira Reich, MD.
“We utilize evidence-based practices in addiction medicine to provide the highest quality, cutting edge care to each person who comes through the door,” said Dr. Wessol. “This can include medications, individual therapy, group therapy, motivational interviewing, 12-step facilitation, and much more.”
The CARC team also provides addiction care for patients of all ages and backgrounds. The team also supports with those experiencing opioid, alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, stimulant use disorders and more.
“We are also fortunate to have a talented staff of therapists and counselors who do have specializations, including LGBTQIA+ patients, justice-involved patients, families and adolescents to name a few,” said Dr. Reich.
Members of the CARC team know that patients often experience heavy stigma. This can prevent them from seeking care, leading to negative health outcomes like overdose and death.
With a welcoming environment, those seeking CARC services can call for an appointment. While a referral is not required, patients can receive a referral to CARC from another provider.
Dr. Reich, Dr. Wessol, and the CARC team practice shared decision making. With this method, patients are a part of their treatments and in determining their goals for recovery. For Dr. Reich, seeing patients succeed and being part of their recovery is a privilege and a reward.
“At CARC, we understand that a substance use disorder is a chronic brain disease and do not judge our patients for simply having an illness,” said Dr. Reich. “We also do our best to advocate for our patients across the medical system. Additionally, we focus on person-first language and using language that is supportive, intentional, and validating.”
Helping patients move along the stages of change and watching their lives improve is what Dr. Wessol finds rewarding with her role in CARC.
“One way to approach stigma is providing more education on what addiction is: a brain disease,” said Dr. Wessol. “We are currently gearing up to start an education series this Spring so healthcare professionals and community members have a better understanding of what addiction is and feel empowered to treat it just like any other chronic disease.”
Patients in the Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas can call (217) 383-6039 to schedule an appointment. For more information about CARC and other Carle Health addiction recovery resources, visit Carle.org.
The Carle Addiction Recovery Center (CARC) supports patients with their recovery and in navigating their treatment options. CARC also aims to increase access to care while decreasing the stigma around addiction.
On the CARC team are board-certified addiction medicine physicians, physicians, advanced practice providers, addiction counselors, mental health therapists, master level case managers and support team members.
“As a full spectrum addiction medicine physician, I work with people affected by substance use in any capacity, whether they have noticed that their alcohol use has increased over time to complete devastation from an opioid use disorder,” said Elise Wessol, DO, FASAM.
“Addiction is recognized as a family disease since no loved one is unaffected by the person suffering from the disease, family engagement and input can be helpful in helping the patient meet their goals and improve their life circumstances.” Dr. Wessol continues. “Additionally, it is important to work collaboratively within the CARC system and throughout the Carle system to ensure we are meeting the patients’ needs.”
CARC designs treatments to meet patients where they are at in their recovery, with plans that focus on harm reduction. The individualized approach to treatment also supports patients and their unique personal circumstances.
“There really is not a ‘typical treatment’. Treatment can consist of any combination of mutual support groups, individual counseling, group counseling, and/or medications,” said Kira Reich, MD.
“We utilize evidence-based practices in addiction medicine to provide the highest quality, cutting edge care to each person who comes through the door,” said Dr. Wessol. “This can include medications, individual therapy, group therapy, motivational interviewing, 12-step facilitation, and much more.”
The CARC team also provides addiction care for patients of all ages and backgrounds. The team also supports with those experiencing opioid, alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, stimulant use disorders and more.“We are also fortunate to have a talented staff of therapists and counselors who do have specializations, including LGBTQIA+ patients, justice-involved patients, families and adolescents to name a few,” said Dr. Reich.
Members of the CARC team know that patients often experience heavy stigma. This can prevent them from seeking care, leading to negative health outcomes like overdose and death.
With a welcoming environment, those seeking CARC services can call for an appointment. While a referral is not required, patients can receive a referral to CARC from another provider.
Dr. Reich, Dr. Wessol, and the CARC team practice shared decision making. With this method, patients are a part of their treatments and in determining their goals for recovery. For Dr. Reich, seeing patients succeed and being part of their recovery is a privilege and a reward.
“At CARC, we understand that a substance use disorder is a chronic brain disease and do not judge our patients for simply having an illness,” said Dr. Reich. “We also do our best to advocate for our patients across the medical system. Additionally, we focus on person-first language and using language that is supportive, intentional, and validating.”
Helping patients move along the stages of change and watching their lives improve is what Dr. Wessol finds rewarding with her role in CARC.
“One way to approach stigma is providing more education on what addiction is: a brain disease,” said Dr. Wessol. “We are currently gearing up to start an education series this Spring so healthcare professionals and community members have a better understanding of what addiction is and feel empowered to treat it just like any other chronic disease.”
Patients in the Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas can call (217) 383-6039 to schedule an appointment. For more information about CARC and other Carle Health addiction recovery resources, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Redefining Healthcare
Tags: Addiction, CARC, Carle, Center, Counseling, Health, Recovery, Treatment