Addiction Treatment Clinic Opens in Glasgow

Valley County residents now have access to outpatient treatment for certain addictions in Glasgow. The clinic opened March 14 at 74 4th Street N, Glasgow, Ideal Option provides FDA-approved treatment with medications for addictions to fentanyl, methamphetamine, alcohol and polysubstance,

Glasgow is the ninth location to open in Montana with other centers in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Cut Bank, Great Falls, Kalispell, Missoula and Helena.

“Glasgow is centrally located to the clients who need help. We knew we had a need in Wolf Point and Williston. Glasgow is just central to everyone in those remote locations,” explained Community Outreach Coordinator Kim Hill.

The clinic has one provider on site and is actively working towards having a second provider on staff as well. In the communities they serve, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care.

“I was able to meet with Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital when I was in the area and we are looking forward with establishing a relationship with them as well,” stated Hill.

Typically patients can be seen within one to three business days, depending on how quickly the insurance approval process can take. With their mission to serve under-served communities Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, in addition to offering financial assistance and payment plans. For the safety of staff and patients, they are requiring masks to be worn while in the clinic.

“We have created a welcoming and warm environment. We are also non-judgmental and confidential. If someone is ready for recovery, then we will help them with their path to recovery,” explained Hill.

Ideal Option is headquartered in Kennewick, Wash., and was founded in 2012. So far it has helped more than 50,000 patients through a network of over 70 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 10 states.

“Among our Montana patients, about 50 percent consistently tested positive for methamphetamine at enrollment in 2021,” stated Victoria Collier, NP, an Ideal Option addiction medicine provider in Montana. “Due to lack of resources and transportation, many people on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation have not been able to get the help they need. Opening in Glasgow allows us to expand access to low barrier medication-assisted treatment to a population who desperately needs it.”

Due to the severe economic and emotional hardships imposed by the pandemic, substance use and overdose deaths have increased nationally, including in Montana. According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, there were 164 drug overdose deaths reported in Montana during the 12-month period ending in March 2021, a 16 percent increase from the 141 deaths reported during the same period the year before. Also, as reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 92 percent of Montanans with a substance use disorder are not receiving treatment.

“There are lack of resources in the area and having the Glasgow location makes it convenient for those who need assistance. It determines if people stay in the program and it’s also helpful to stay in treatment when there is accessibility,” stated Hill.

Patients can make an appointment by calling 1-877-522-1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com. Though they do accept walk-ins, making an appointment is preferred.