Vermont reports progress in fight against opiates

Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef founded Fairwinds Treatment Center over 25 years ago to help patients work toward the goal of long-term recovery.

Dr. El-Yousef pioneered the celebrated dual diagnosis method of treatment, which is still in effect at the center today. Dual diagnosis includes not just clinical treatment for drug addiction, but also therapeutic counseling to address the underlying psychological issues that can act as triggers for addiction problems. The professional and experienced staff at Fairwinds knows that drug addiction is a terrible disease that has requires a holistic approach to healing if patients are to recover and resume happy and healthy lives. 

Vermont has recently reported that the battle against opiate addiction that began last year has had marked effects in the state so far. A year ago, Governor Peter Shumlin announced his plan to make heroin and opiate addiction treatment a priority. Since then, the state is treating 47 percent more patients, waiting lists for drug treatment centers have declined and 133 lives have been saved due to the distribution of an anti-overdose drug.

"We are leading Vermont toward a much healthier state by taking on addiction and moving more folks to recovery, treating opiate and heroin addiction as the disease that it is instead of simply viewing it the old-fashioned way as a crime," the governor said in a speech on Wednesday. "We've got a lot more work to do."

If you or a loved one is struggling with a drug addiction, contact Fairwinds Treatment Center today. Fairwinds is one of the premiere dual diagnosis treatment centers in the nation, and the professionals here are fully dedicated to healing their patients in mind, body and spirit.