Data from the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) reveals there were 1,818 drug overdose deaths in 2018, the highest total since 2014. Responding to the growing demand for local, affordable, and comprehensive addiction treatment services, Spero Health, a national leader in providing care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, announced it has fast tracked the opening of a new clinic in Madison. The new clinic located at 1035 E Old Hickory Blvd, will open on Thursday, March 11th, and will offer a combination of in-person and telehealth visits. Spero Health has a growing network of over 50 clinics throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Indiana, providing care for more than 9,000 patients. Individuals who need addiction treatment services are encouraged to walk-in for help or call: 615-622-0523 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Spero Health accepts TennCare and most commercial insurance plans.
Dr. Medhat Kalliny, board-certified in family medicine and addiction medicine, and holds appointments in various professional organizations including the American Society of Addiction Medicine, will be the Medical Director and lead physician at the Madison Spero Health clinic. “Spero Health is a transformative organization changing the landscape of addiction treatment by providing high-quality care to patients suffering from substance use disorders. We know that many in the local community are struggling right now, and it is so rewarding to be working here to help bring recovery home, removing treatment barriers and equipping individuals with the tools to improve their overall health to achieve sustained long-term recovery.”
As drug overdose deaths in Tennessee continue to increase, Spero Health is committed to bringing lifesaving treatment to areas most in need with plans to expand rapidly in 2021. Speaking about the timing of the new clinic openings, Spero Health’s CEO, Steve Priest said, “Over 450,000 Americans have died from drug overdose in the last 20 years, and with the on-going pandemic challenges, our nation’s most vulnerable are at an increased risk of relapse or death due to substance abuse. Early numbers suggest that overdose deaths in 2020 will be at an all-time high. These alarming numbers have spiked because people feel uncertainty and instability. They’ve suffered job loss and are experiencing higher levels of anxiety and depression causing many to turn to drugs and alcohol to ease the stress. Families and friends of loved ones have turned to us as these devastating numbers of people dying from overdose continue to grow. We feel a sense of urgency for communities to have access to life-saving addiction treatment options, and we are working very hard to make that happen in as many places as possible.”
Dr. Kalliny added, “Addiction affects people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, but recovery is possible for everyone. We are here to meet patients where they are and personalize a treatment plan around specific needs based on substance abuse history. We provide an encouraging and comfortable place for those that need immediate access to addiction treatment services equipping them with resources to keep moving forward.”