New Addiction Stabilization Program (ASP) at Atrius Health

We are pleased to announce the creation of the Addiction Stabilization Program (ASP) at Atrius Health. Based at our Harvard Vanguard Beverly practice, this new program provides safe medical and behavioral health care support in an outpatient setting for patients (18 years of age and older) with an opioid addiction who have an Atrius Health primary care provider.

“Our goal is to help patients understand their addiction and mental health challenges, build sober supports, and cultivate healthy coping skills to make long-term recovery realistic and achievable for them,” said Cally Lilley, APRN, Chief of Behavioral Health at Harvard Vanguard Beverly. Cally and her behavioral health team collaborated to develop this comprehensive treatment program. The ASP team also works closely with Atrius Health primary care providers.

“All our providers are on the front line of this epidemic and we recognize the critical importance of providing an integrated approach to care. Addressing addiction and its complicated mental health and medical challenges is our priority,” said Dr. Jake Kagan, Behavioral Health Specialty Chair at Atrius Health. “Substance use disorder requires a holistic treatment approach, where multidisciplinary teams coordinate to treat the mind, body, and spirit of patients in recovery.”

The Atrius Health Addiction Stabilization Program emphasizes building a safe and trusting relationship between patients and their providers. A core value of the ASP program is to meet patients where they are in their recovery process. All patients are treated with respect and are put in charge of their recovery. Our providers offer a supportive treatment approach and work hard to meet patients’ needs when a higher level of care is necessary. Stigma continues to represent a major barrier to addiction treatment. As a result, our providers create a safe therapeutic environment and aim to reduce destructive feelings of shame and guilt to keep patients engaged in their treatment.

Treatment Model

The treatment approach begins with an initial evaluation which is completed within 24-48 hours by an addiction therapist who gathers information and makes initial treatment recommendations. Once the initial evaluation is complete, patients are scheduled to meet with a psychiatry provider for a medication evaluation. During this visit, medication treatments are discussed including Suboxone (Buprenorphine) and Vivitrol (Naltrexone). These medications help to address the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Patients are then scheduled for individual psychotherapy appointments as well as group treatment therapy that is aimed at learning safe coping skills and preventing a relapse

Learn More

To speak with an addiction recovery specialist, please call the Harvard Vanguard Beverly behavioral health department at 978-232-7053, Monday – Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30p.m. At this time, patients are required to travel to Harvard Vanguard Beverly to participate in the program. The goal is to expand to other Atrius Health locations in the future.

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