BELLINGHAM, WA – CCS Recovery Centers provide a full continuum of outpatient addiction recovery services for youth and adults and their families in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, all services offered, including recovery counseling and group sessions required that participants be physically present at the recovery center.
With the implementation of physical distancing due to COVID-19, staff at the CCS Recovery Centers began offering “telehealth” sessions to continue serving clients. “Addictions do not shelter in place” said Donna Wells, Recovery Center Director. Those experiencing substance use disorders still need to have access to continue treatment. Despite the challenges, “telehealth” provides an opportunity to reach our clients during the pandemic, and a great opportunity to continue using this method in the future to reach those who live in rural areas and have challenges traveling to Bellingham. Even when we return to providing in-person addiction therapy sessions, we can use a combination of in-person and “telehealth” to provide services to our most remote clients.
CCS is grateful to Western States Hostage Negotiators’ Association for their recent $5,000 donation. Due to the success of “telehealth” CCS decided to use these funds to improve our ability to provide services to residents in Whatcom County that have difficulty coming into Bellingham for services. “We are going to purchase equipment to improve our ability to provide ‘telehealth’ substance use disorder treatment” said Will Rice, NW Agency Director. “Our hope is that after we are through this public health crisis we can stay engaged with providing services to clients and families from their homes. Having ‘telehealth’ video consoles in each of the Recovery Center groups rooms will allow us to expand our group services in Whatcom County.”
Western States Hostage Negotiators’ Association present a $5,000 donation to CCS Northwest.