LESC Su Casa Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Substance Use Disorder

The Medically-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs at LESC Su Casa and the home-like environment provide a solid foundation for long-term, resilient recovery. Traditional addiction treatment approaches often focus on behavioral therapy and counseling, but medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in a residential treatment program has emerged as a highly effective approach in addressing addiction – especially for opioid disorders. MAT is an evidence-based approach that combines FDA-approved medications – including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone – with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. MAT helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which are common challenges during early recovery. These medications help stabilize the brain's chemistry and reduce withdrawal symptoms, allowing Su Casa clients to better engage in therapy and focus on their recovery. This approach to substance use disorder treatment has been proven to significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risks of relapse and overdose, especially for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Clinical studies demonstrate that individuals who receive MAT are more likely to complete treatment programs and remain in recovery compared to those who do not receive medication.

All three LESC Su Casa’s MAT residential treatment programs’ proven, and evidence-based approach offers hope and healing to individuals struggling with addiction.

“All of the LESC Su Casa residential treatment programs start with a client-centered approach. And we work through a program guided by physical, emotional, and spiritual guidance,” stated LESC Su Casa’s Director, SSMR/PWIP, Yvette Scott Sheard. “Unlike traditional therapeutic communities that typically require methadone-maintained persons to detoxify before becoming eligible for admission, Su Casa accepts and supports clients who are currently using methadone or suboxone. In fact, Su Casa was the first facility in the region to offer a program of Medically Assisted Treatment. All three programs will process applications to assist with transitional safety. We offer applications for housing after 90 days, because clients must have 90 days of sobriety before we can start an application,” Yvette added.

The LESC MTAR Treatment Program works with clients who want to taper off methadone with the goal of abstinence. All treatment plans are developed on an individual basis. While the clients stay at Su Casa, they are medically tapered off opioids. They have their health managed – medical, psychological, and dental. “Should any mental issues arise during that process, clients are seen by a psychiatrist on site once a week. They also have an opportunity to get their high school diploma through our on-site educational program,” Yvette offered.

 

“Some clients come to the MTAR program voluntarily, some through family encouragement, and some come through the court systems,” Yvette explained. “The Su Casa staff is always working with clients to guide them through this process of tapering off opioids, reconnecting with their family, and getting involved with their community once they’ve completed their taper. Our Long-Stay Program is a slower, personalized process – one client may taper in eight months, for another it may take 12 months.”

Peer support is a big part of recovery in the Long-Stay Program. Peer Support staff are people who have been successful in their own substance use disorder recovery process and work alongside others who experiencing mental, emotional or substance use challenges. Because support is coming from a peer, rather than a therapist, counselor or psychiatrist, Peer Support Specialists offer a unique connection and valuable perspective. “Our peer support team has had a big impact on our clients. Our Peer Support Specialists accompany clients into the community for medical appointments, dental appointments, and visits with family members. This is important because it helps our clients develop a better relationship with their family and loved ones,” Yvette mentioned. “Our programs give clients the opportunity to get involved in vocational training. Many clients have shown a lot of potential in the workforce prior to coming into the residential program. Our programs allow clients to find out what interests them. Then they’re more prepared to go out in the community, obtain employment, and find programs that can support their recovery.”

57% of our clients that are in our MTAR program are either homeless or in a shelter.

LESC Su Casa’s Short-Stay Program is a 6- to 9-month residential treatment methadone maintenance program. This program is designed for those clients who do not want to taper off methadone. It starts with on-site medical staff monitoring each client’s methadone use – to determine whether their dosage needs to be increased or decreased. “Everything moves a little faster with our Short-Stay Program,” Yvette noted. “Not only are Short-Stay clients maintained with methadone, but they’re also working directly with their counselors to reconnect with their family, reconnect with their community, reconnect with employment. They’re working with Peer Support Specialists to gain and maintain employment. And clients must maintain sobriety and meet the criteria for the transitional safety housing in order to be placed in one of our apartments. Housing is a big issue and the majority of clients coming into our programs are homeless.”

68% of our clients that are in our SSMR program are either homeless or in a shelter.

The women who come to this program have a substance use disorder. They meet with LESC’s on-site medical staff and are then referred to prenatal appointments in the community. LESC works with both Gouveneur Hospital and Bellevue Hospital. “We have childcare staff that supervise and assist the mothers with taking care of their children. They get prenatal care, postnatal care, and they also have a counselor assigned to them,” Yvette explained. “We work with our mothers to reunite them with their children. We work with them to support legal issues they may be facing. And we work with them to get them involved with vocational training. If a mother has a job prior to coming into our program, we work with them to try and reintegrate them with that job.”