Nov. 21, 2019

A first-of-its-kind inpatient center for those struggling with addiction is weeks from welcoming its first patients. And from what’s already happening, the Avera Addiction Care Center seemingly can’t open soon enough.

“We have people calling every day wanting to get in,” said Malia Holbeck, manager of Avera addiction services.

“It’s challenging because they’re wanting it now, and it’s complex because they need to meet certain criteria to be admitted here. We try to get them the help they need now, and if they can’t get it, we’ll be able to get them admitted come Dec. 10.”

The center on the east end of the Avera on Louise campus at 69th Street and Louise Avenue will offer 32 private rooms for patients and has been designed with best practices learned from counterparts in the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s patient care network, of which Avera was the first member.

“They’re high-quality, world-class programs, and we have borrowed a lot from them in terms of everything from theory to practice, curriculum, programming and even things like separating genders. They’ve probably been our most active out-of-state referral, but that’s not right for everybody, and there’s a significant cost associated as well,” Holbeck said.

To be considered for admission to the Avera Addiction Care Center, patients go through a chemical dependency assessment that will determine an appropriate level of care. In some cases, outpatient treatment is tried first.

Patients will need to demonstrate medical necessity for an inpatient program, including being at risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The center is a 3.7 on the American Society of Addiction Medicine continuum of care, which is used by insurance companies in determining coverage.

“There is a lot of accountability and responsibility in recovery, but we’ve also designed it to be more like a four- or five-star hotel – fine food, coffee, exercise and activity, a business area with computer access,” said Dr. Matt Stanley, vice president of behavioral health services at Avera and an Avera Medical Group psychiatrist.

Most patient rooms resemble small hotel rooms, with a bed that features a full-size mattress that can be flipped for firm or pillow-top, high-end linens, a down comforter, a desk, wardrobe and sink.

“We wanted to provide a more homelike environment,” Holbeck said. “And also with addiction, when people are using substances, it impacts sleep cycles. We want to encourage getting back to healthy sleep hygiene practices.”

Each bedroom shares a bathroom with one other, and the layout segregates by gender but allows enough flexibility that the patient mix might not always be split equally between men and women.

Four rooms will more closely resemble hospital rooms and will be used for medical stabilization.

The residential building includes a great room with a fireplace and kitchen that will be stocked with snacks for patients. There’s also a laundry room, fitness center and small gathering spaces to play a board game or watch TV.

 

“During the day, everyone is in programming, and you’re pretty occupied from when you get up and go to eat until 8 or 9 p.m., so there’s very little downtime,” Holbeck said. “We’ll keep you pretty active.”

 

The programming building includes another fireplace and waiting area, multiple rooms for individual and group counseling, a meditation room and a large communal dining room.

 

“We asked about the most important things, and food was always elevated to the top,” Holbeck said. “So our dietary team has a chef creating the menu and ordering higher quality ingredients.”

Breakfast will include a daily made-to-order option such as omlettes or a waffle bar. Lunch will include soups, salads, sandwiches and a hot option, and dinner will be served family-style.

Yoga will be offered throughout the week, as will art therapy. Staff members also are being trained in aromatherapy. There are structured social activities designed to help people adapt to spending time with others without drinking or using drugs.

A three-season room and two outdoor patios with fireplaces are designed for social events.

“That’s critical to learn you can be in social situations and have conversations without the use of substance,” Stanley said. “It’s critical we fill that gap because that’s one of the biggest transitions for people.”

The center also will address the mental illness that often is linked with substance abuse in patients.

“When we look at our population in behavioral health, 60 to 80 percent of those with mental illness are struggling with some form of substance abuse disorder,” Stanley said. “Not only will we address your substance use issues but we’ll identify and address your behavioral health issues.”

That also can include the use of genomic medicine, he said.

“Genetics is the ultimate in personalizing medicine,” Stanley said. “We’re looking at what kind of medications your body may metabolize or may be most beneficial, but we’re also looking at possibly contributing to the body of research about addiction.”

Treatment at the center will be voluntary and typically will last 28 days.

When the doors open, the demand is expected to be there. Avera estimates it meets with 250 new patients per month in the Sioux Falls area on addiction, and about 10 percent are candidates for inpatient care. Many are referred out of state.

“We don’t want people to look at the criteria and assume they won’t meet it,” Stanley added. “The first step is to meet with a counselor and be assessed, and they can help determine what level of care. There might be factors you’re not aware of that would allow you to move into this residential facility even if on the face of it you don’t believe you’re at that level of care.”