On August 3, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) joined drug and alcohol treatment provider Pyramid Healthcare to help more addicts find high-quality treatment.
The DDAP and Pyramid joined in Dallas, PA, to encourage the free and confidential Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform, ATLAS, in Pennsylvania, according to the Department of Drug and Alcohol.
“At a time when we’re seeing an increase in substance use and overdose deaths across Pennsylvania, it is vitally important for anyone with a substance use disorder seeking help to receive a high-quality treatment,” said Special Assistant to the DDAP Secretary Steve Ross.
“The benefits of this new tool include monitoring the quality of treatment providers in Pennsylvania and giving individuals and families a trusted resource to locate quality care for themselves and their loved ones. We are thankful for Pyramid’s participation in this valuable resource.”
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Altoona, Pyramid Healthcare is one of the largest, full-continuum providers of substance use treatment for adults and adolescents, with 31 convenient program locations in the commonwealth and 85 in total across seven eastern states, according to DDAP.
“As a participating provider, Pyramid Healthcare proudly joins DDAP in support and promotion of ATLAS as an invaluable resource designed to bridge the gap between treatment access and client engagement within the commonwealth by helping individuals navigate available behavioral health treatment options that best fit their unique recovery needs,” said Jonathan Wolf, CEO of Pyramid Healthcare.
A total of 515 SUD treatment facilities, or 67% of the total DDAP licensed facilities, across the state, have submitted their information to be included in ATLAS, according to DDAP. ATLAS launched last June with nearly 9,800 users, with 5,100 treatment searches and 1,100 treatment facilities or more viewed through the platform. For those who missed the first deadline, another will be available in fall 2022 in other facilities.
ATLAS evaluates addiction treatment facilities based on the evidence-based best practices based on the Shatterproof National Principles of Care, including an assessment for a uniquely tailored level of care. According to the DDAP, this platform is easy to use, allowing those in need and their family to search for and compare facilities using criteria such as location, services offered, and insurance acceptance to find the best treatment for their needs. ATLAS is fully available in English and Spanish.
This tool also shows patient feedback anonymously, based on their experiences at facilities, when a minimum threshold of 20 responses for the facility. This feedback helps loved ones and struggling individuals make informed decisions on whether or not that facility will meet their needs.
ATLAS by Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in America, according to DDAP. In addition to Pennsylvania, ATLAS is currently in Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey.
DDAP’s Get Help Now hotline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357),
