addiction treatment Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Medication first, and then a whole-health approach

By Lauren Gallup July 9, 2024

The outside of the nonprofit Blue Mountain Heart to Heart in Walla Walla. The organization serves people with chronic illnesses, including substance use disorder. (Credit: Blue Mountain Heart to Heart)

A couple of blocks off U.S. Route 12 in Walla Walla, Blue Mountain Heart to Heart has been treating people with substance use disorder for over a decade. But, for years, the nonprofit was unable to quickly offer a proven treatment for opioid use disorder: medication-assisted treatment. Staffers would have to arrange for patients to get an assessment with a trained Read More

StoryCorps Northwest: Taylor Helmstadter & Naomi Love – Addiction, Recovery, And Re-Learning To Love Yourself

By Connor Henricksen September 7, 2022

Addiction is a hard cycle, and recovery is a long, rewarding journey. Taylor Helmstadter of Moses Lake knows this. In this edition of StoryCorps Northwest, she talks with producer - and new friend - Naomi Love about the 12-step program and re-learning to love yourself.Read More

How Blue Mountain Heart To Heart Treats Drug Addiction In Eastern Washington

By Dori Luzzo Gilmour July 26, 2022

Everett Maroon Listen (Runtime 3:33) Read Like much of the nation, Benton and Franklin Counties are experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of people dying from overdoses and drug […]Read More

StoryCorps Northwest: Finding Self Worth, Higher Education And Dealing With Addiction

By Sueann Ramella October 28, 2020

Nez Perce tribal member Mary Jane Miles was two when her mother died. That was the start of a series of difficult events in Mary Jane’s life. But she persevered to earn an education and come to terms with alcohol addiction. She spoke with her friend and colleague, Kayeloni Scott, for StoryCorps Northwest.Read More

In 2019, The Legal Fight Over Opioids Unraveled Into Confusion And Infighting

By NPR News December 28, 2019

Millions of Americans sank into addiction after using potent opioid painkillers, such as acetaminophen/oxycodone, that companies churned out and doctors freely prescribed over the past two decades. CREDIT: Eric Baradat /AFP via Getty Images

This was meant to be the year we answered a big question about the deadly opioid epidemic: Will drug companies that make and sell prescription pain medications be held liable? That clarity never came.Read More

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Idiot Wind’ Tells A Personal Tale Of Journeying From Addiction To Recovery

By NPR News July 30, 2019

Book image blurb - Idiot Wind - Canongate Books

Even if we weren't in need of another road-trippy-addiction memoir, Peter Kaldheim's book recounts his very human efforts to swim to shore with compassion and gratitude.Read More

Report Says Locking Up Mentally Ill, Drug-Addicted People Results In Jail Deaths

By Austin Jenkins May 21, 2019

Jail cell in Cowlitz County, Washington. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS/N3

The practice of locking up people who are chronically sick, mentally ill or drug addicted in under-resourced city, county and regional jails in Washington is resulting in inmate deaths and a failure to “treat all people humanely, respectfully, and safely,” according to a new report by the statewide nonprofit law firm Columbia Legal Services.Read More

Technology Is Taking On Addiction. Now There Are Smartphone Apps To Help Prevent Relapse

By Tom Banse February 7, 2019

Daniela Tudor and Murphy Jensen co-founded WeConnect Health in Seattle, which developed an addiction recovery app. TOM BANSE / N3

Every week, tens of thousands of Americans complete intensive drug and alcohol rehab programs. The next months, however, are fraught with risk of relapse. A treatment counselor or supporter can't monitor you around the clock. But now your always-on smartphone can watch you, coach you, alert your mom and even give rewards.Read More