Substance Use Disorder Program

Cahaba Medical Care’s Substance Use Disorder Program is a beacon of hope for individuals quietly suffering from substance use disorders. Patients of Cahaba’s primary care clinics have direct access to confidential substance use interventions through their primary care providers. Patients seeking treatment may receive medication assistance with opioid dependence, outpatient group counseling, and individual sessions for any substance use disorder. In addition, expecting mothers with substance use disorders may safely access quality substance use disorder and obstetric care as priority patients in the substance use disorder program.

Through Cahaba’s unique, fully integrated system, all patients, be they young, old, insured, or uninsured, are screened for substance use disorder at their initial and annual appointments. Cahaba screens universally to identify and treat all of our patients from a holistic patient-centered approach to healthcare. In doing so, many individuals who hear of Cahaba’s integrated services seek out patient-centered treatment for substance use disorders to avoid disclosing their substance use disorder to others by simply entering a publicly known substance use treatment center. 

Thus, patients within Cahaba's Substance Use Disorder Program span all socioeconomic stratospheres. At Cahaba, patients earning $0 to $120,000 per year participate in the same program and are considered equals in their journey toward recovery. 

One such patient, who will be referred to as Mary, explained to our behavioral health intake team that she grew up in a two-parent middle-class home with loving parents who were working professionals. Unlike many substance users, she did not have a history of trauma, nor was she a victim of abuse or family dysfunction. However, Mary sustained a sports-related injury and was prescribed opioids at the age of 12. Mary’s opioid use quickly evolved into overuse of her prescription opioids, resulting in a 23-year battle of active addiction. 

Due to the shame of entering a traditional treatment program, Mary only obtained treatment through her Cahaba Primary Care Provider at the age of 35. Today, Mary has been in substance use treatment for her opioid dependence with Cahaba Medical Care for over a year. She is now successful in her recovery and weaning off buprenorphine, which was prescribed to assist her with the withdrawal symptoms she was experiencing from opioids. Mary also has a stable home, transportation, and income and has successfully restored her relationships with her children and immediate family. 

There are many patients like Mary who receive holistic care through Cahaba’s patient-centered medical home model. Current patients of Cahaba can access substance use care by simply asking their medical provider for assistance.

Priority for admission will be given to pregnant intravenous substance users, intravenous substance users, individuals who are pregnant and have substance use disorders, and women with dependent children.