BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Ideal Option, an evidence-based outpatient treatment center for addiction to fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol, and polysubstance, is now welcoming new patients in Bentonville. The new clinic, located at 907 SE Village Loop, Suite 3, will provide primarily buprenorphine-based medication-assisted treatment with an onsite addiction medicine specialist.
While opioid prescribing and heroin use are on the decrease, overdose deaths continue to increase in Arkansas, largely due to the prevalence of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply.
According to data from the county coroners, the number of fatal drug overdoses in Benton and Washington counties nearly doubled in the past three years — from 42 in 2020 to 74 in 2022.
"Overdose is now the number one cause of accidental death in the United States," said Aaron Bunch, community outreach coordinator for Ideal Option.
Fentanyl is regularly mixed with other illicit drugs to make them more addictive, often without the user knowing. Polysubstance use disorder is therefore now the most common diagnosis at Ideal Option. In 2022, over half of all Arkansas patients tested positive for more than one substance at enrollment, and 24% tested positive for three or more substances.
The report does offer hope, however, by showing how effective medication-assisted treatment is for reducing substance use. For patients who remained in treatment with Ideal Option during 2022, lab testing shows:
- 94% less fentanyl use
- 87% less total opioid use
- 96% less heroin use
- 77% less methamphetamine use
- 90% less cocaine use
The new clinic in Bentonville is Ideal Option’s ninth location in Arkansas and is opening at a time of need for expanded access to evidence-based treatment from experienced providers. Ideal Option has been specializing in addiction medicine using buprenorphine-based medications such as Suboxone for 11 years and currently operates 89 clinics in 11 states.
“In 2022, Ideal Option helped more than 1,000 patients living in Arkansas get started in recovery," Bunch said "I am excited to expand our life-saving treatment services to Bentonville and look forward to building relationships within this wonderful community.”
The new Ideal Option clinic in Bentonville is open Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
"The road recovery starts now. And it starts here with us," Bunch said. "Let's reduce overdoses, let's reunite families, and help people get their lives back."
Many forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, and patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, alcohol, or other substances within 1-3 business days. Ideal Option also works with those who don't have insurance. "So no insurance no excuse," Bunch said.
Ideal Option also helps patients with more than ending their drug addiction. It helps with employment and housing.
"We try to fix all the other things in their life too," said Bunch. "So we try to treat the whole patient. "
Patients can make an appointment by calling (877) 522-1275 or visiting the organization's website.
Before it gets to that point, cities and police departments are working to get drugs like opioids off the street, but need your help.
"Especially opioids you're getting them out the house if they're not needed," said CPL Greg Dawson with the Fayetteville Police Dept. "And that prevents a little bit of the temptation that people usually tell us about on their first time drug use."
Saturday, police departments--like Fayetteville held drug take back events. As a part of National Drug Take Back Day.
"It gives you a safe and responsible way of getting rid of prescription medication that you no longer use," CPL Dawson said. He says this is also good for the environment because they'll safely get dispose of the drugs.
If you have unused prescription drugs, click here to find out where you can drop them off: https://artakeback.org/take-back/collection-sites/
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