Opioid overdose deaths are declining, which is a relief to local health officials. But two hospitals in Madison continue to see growing demand for addiction treatment and are expanding services as a result.
“The community response is pretty incredible,” said Marielle Lowell, manager of outpatient behavioral health at UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital. Lowell oversees the outpatient NewStart Clinic and the inpatient addiction medicine consult and education services teams at the hospital and clinics.
Last month, Meriter extended the hours it offers intensive outpatient programming at its NewStart addiction treatment center. The hospital has also expanded the availability window for walk-ins at its outpatient clinic…