Alaska clinic effectively treating substance use disorder [Video]

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – There is a national opioid and drug epidemic greatly impacting Alaskans, but there are effective treatment options available in the state.

The Alaska Division of Public Health revealed there was a 38% increase in overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023 in the state.

Ideal Option, a treatment clinic with 6 locations in Alaska, treated nearly 1,500 patients for substance use disorder last year. Alaskans who stayed in treatment during 2023 showed; 98% less fentanyl use, 90% less methamphetamine use, 96% less heroin use and 90% less cocaine use.

They also revealed data which showed 69% of patients in the state were consuming more than one substance when they entered the clinic while 41% were ingesting three or more substances. Unfortunately, 40% of patients tested positive for substances they were not aware they had even taken.

“Polysubstance use disorder continues to be the most common diagnosis at Ideal Option,” said Tim …