Earlier this week, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced the expansion of the Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards (ATLAS) Platform.
According to the DDAP, ATLAS is a free and confidential platform that is designed to get users the appropriate level of care that they need. ATLAS was designed with accessibility in mind, being fully available in English and Spanish, it offers a dashboard to allow those in need and their loved ones to search for and compare facilities using criteria such as location, services offered, and insurance accepted so they can find the best treatment for their unique needs. The tool also gathers and displays anonymous feedback from patients on their experiences at facilities to help to inform others’ care decisions. DDAP encourages Pennsylveiens who have been through treatment to visit ATLAS, search for a facility they have visited, and leave a patient review.
“This new tool will not only monitor the quality of treatment providers in Pennsylvania but also gives individuals and families a trusted resource to locate quality care for themselves and their loved ones,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “We are thankful for this partnership and for the incredible participation we’ve received from the field.”
ATLAS was created by Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in America. ATLAS evaluates addiction treatment facilities’ use of evidence-based best practices based on the Shatterproof National Principles of Care.
“During a time when our nation’s addiction crisis is tragically at an all-time high and access to quality treatment is often hard to find, ATLAS is a critical new resource. When my son Brian needed addiction treatment, my family agonized trying to find him the right care. It was impossible to know who to trust,” says Shatterproof Founder and CEO, Gary Mendell. “ATLAS is a sea change in the addiction world. It will give those in need and their families the transparent and trustworthy information my family never had and will help put more people on the path to recovery.”
A total of 515 substance use disorder treatment facilities across the state have submitted their information to be included in ATLAS. An additional open enrollment period for facilities that missed the first deadline will be available in fall 2022.
ATLAS is currently used in Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and West Virginia, reaching more than a quarter of the U.S. population. It will be coming to New Jersey in the Summer of 2022, and California in 2023, which will bring the population reach to more than 40%.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use disorder and are looking for treatment or resources, call DDAP’s Get Help Now hotline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for 24/7 support.
ATLAS website: https://www.treatmentatlas.org/
Shatterproof National Principles of Care: https://www.shatterproof.org/shatterproof-national-principles-care
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