Recovery services are an indispensable part of The Wright Center’s mission
Opioid use disorder continues to cause terrible harm to communities across the country, including right here in Northeast Pennsylvania. But there is another story worth telling: Recovery is possible, and advances in addiction treatment have helped countless people reclaim their health, relationships, careers, and lives.
Even with that progress, there is always more we can do. That is one reason September’s National Recovery Month remains so important. Established in 1989 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the annual observance raises awareness about substance use and mental health disorders, celebrates people in recovery, and reinforces the importance of accessible, evidence-based treatment and support services.
At The Wright Center for Community Health, whole-person care means addressing all facets of addiction, including alcohol use disorder. As a Pennsylvania-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence, our addiction and recovery team treats individuals with alcohol use disorder with the exact same comprehensive, compassionate care. Whether managing substance use, behavioral health, or physical conditions, we walk alongside our patients every step of the way.
Scott Constantini is associate vice president of primary care and recovery services integration at The Wright Center for Community Health. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Our services are available regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, with a sliding-fee discount program available to those who qualify.
We view addiction as a chronic disease that often requires a long-term commitment to recovery. And we understand that no two recovery journeys are alike.
That is why we provide outpatient care that allows patients to receive evidence-based treatment while continuing to work, care for their families, attend school, and remain connected to their communities.
Evidence-based medication offers a vital turning point for individuals living with opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. These proven treatments quiet cravings and relieve withdrawal, giving people the stability, they need to regain control and rebuild their lives. Yet, medicine is only the first step on a much longer journey.
Our patients also have access to a multidisciplinary care team that can include recovery and behavioral health specialists, social workers, case managers, certified recovery specialists, and medical providers. Together, they offer counseling, clinical care, and practical support for people living with a range of substance use disorders – not only opioid use disorder, but also disorders involving alcohol, cocaine, and other substances.
Recovery extends far beyond the act of stopping substance use; it is the work of rebuilding a life from the ground up. That means dismantling practical barriers to stability – whether it is securing safe housing, navigating complex insurance hurdles, or gaining the skills to land meaningful employment. Just as importantly, it is about repairing the human fabric of recovery: reconnecting with family and cultivating strong, supportive community ties.
This holistic approach is at the core of how The Wright Center for Community Health assists individuals on their journey. Through its comprehensive care teams – combining medical care, behavioral health, case management, and certified recovery specialists – The Wright Center connects patients with practical resources, social support, and personalized guidance needed to overcome systemic obstacles and sustain lifelong recovery.
An initiative especially close to our hearts is Healthy MOMS – Maternal Opiate Medical Support – a collaborative program involving The Wright Center and numerous community partners that helps pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and build healthy, stable lives in recovery.
Healthy MOMS brings together medication treatment, behavioral health care, case management, and social services, with the goal of supporting mothers and their babies from pregnancy through the child’s second birthday. Early engagement in comprehensive recovery services can improve outcomes for both mother and baby, including reducing the risk and severity of neonatal opioid withdrawal.
These programs represent some of the many ways we are working to make recovery more accessible and sustainable. We will continue to evolve our services as we learn more, embrace new evidence, and listen to the people and communities we serve throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.
One thing, however, will never change: our commitment to seeing the person before the disorder.
People with an addiction are not defined by a diagnosis or a substance. They are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community members. They are people with hopes, talents, families, and futures. Most importantly, they are people deserving of support, dignity, first-rate healthcare, and the opportunity to build a better life.
Recovery is not always easy, and it is rarely a straight line. But with the right care, support, and opportunities, it is possible. And that is a message worth sharing not only during National Recovery Month, but every month of the year.
Every story of recovery begins with a moment when someone’s life was saved. Having naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, readily available can prevent an accidental overdose from ending someone’s story before recovery has a chance to begin.
If you or someone you know needs help taking the first step toward recovery, please contact The Wright Center for Community Health. Help is available, and recovery is possible. Community members can also stop by any of our community health centers to receive a free Narcan kit, no appointment necessary.
