The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for people with substance use disorders and in recovery. Road to Recovery host James Sutton spoke with Katie Walker who began her journey to recovery just before the pandemic hit last year. In the interview she shares her story and the recovery resources she used which are available in Montgomery County. Katie has now been clean for over a year and is trying to spread the word about the services that are available and how they helped her.
At the beginning of her recovery Katie was a part of the STEER program which helped her get into a treatment facility. The STEER Program in Montgomery County, MD, is a pre-booking law enforcement and drug treatment linkage program that aims to provide rapid identification, deflection, and access to treatment for drug-involved individuals as an alternative to conventional arrest. Individuals are assigned a care-coordinator who focuses on rapid treatment access, retention, motivation, engagement and completion, as well as conducts a full clinical assessment and referral.
The STEER program helped Katie get into the Avery Road Treatment Center (ARTC) which is managed by Maryland Treatment Centers, Inc. Maryland Treatment Centers, through a contract with Montgomery County offers medically monitored inpatient detoxification services and medically managed intensive inpatient services to adult males and females. The Avery Road Treatment Center has become a premier facility for the treatment of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, women’s specialty programming, and care of the indigent and homeless, treatment of individuals with HIV and Injection drug users.
The help did not stop there. After her treatment at Avery Road they assisted with her re-entry back into the community while continuing to offer services to help her maintain her recovery. Katie’s story is a true inspiration for many who have struggled with addiction prior to and during COVID-19.
Watch Katie’s story here.
If you or someone you know needs help please contact the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Screening and Referral program (also known as ACCESS to Behavioral Health) in Montgomery County, MD at 240-777-1770.
