Addiction Medicine

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. “It does not care. It does not care your skin color, your economic status, your social status. It does not care who you are. It just comes out and it grabs a hold of you,” said Therapist Amanda Ortt.

Lee Health’s Addiction Medicine program views addiction just like any other chronic disease and treats it in a non-stigmatized environment. “I have had friends and colleagues who have been impacted by substance use disorders, and I have witnessed its impact on their families, their lives, and beyond,” said Dr. Denise Torres.

Recovery peer specialists like Caily Finger meet with patients when they’re still in the hospital. “When you have somebody in front of you that says, I know, which can be some of the most comforting words when you have felt so alone in such a dark place, it really does break down a wall for people to be more open and more receptive to start having that conversation,” said Finger.

Therapists help patients get to the root of the problem. “We Kind of work together to kind of figure out okay what's not working in your life? You know what is the struggle, and what pushed you to that struggle, or what keeps you going back to that negative so that you can adapt it and change it and make it meaningful for you and have a meaningful life moving forward,” said Ortt.

Meanwhile physicians emphasize whole person well-being. “Not only are we going to be treating the physiological cravings and need for that substance, but also helping that individual reintegrate into their community as productive individuals,” said Dr. Torres.