Help for addiction in NE Iowa: INTERVIEW with Pathways Behavioral Services

Do you live in NE Iowa and need help with addiction treatment? Help is available NOW! We answer your questions about addiction help in this Q&A session with expert Marcia Wulfekuhle of Pathways Behavioral Services Inc.

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Addiction problems in NE Iowa: Find help now

Addiction is one of the biggest health problems across the U.S. More than 22 million people are in need of help. Access to treatment varies state-to-state and will depend on your financial or insurance situation. So, if you live in NE Iowa…what are your chances of getting help? Where do you go and who can you ask?

In this interview, we called in the help of experts from Pathways Behavioral Services who have been providing treatment options in NE Iowa for decades. We hope to answer some of your most pressing treatment questions…knowing that many Iowans need help in the search for addiction treatment. We’ll answer questions like:

  1. What should a person be looking for from a treatment program when considering getting help?
  2. What does treatment consist of?
  3. What are some of the barriers a person may face when asking for help in Iowa?

Addiction specialists in NE Iowa

Today, we speak with Marcia Wulfekuhle, Clinical Supervisor of Pathways Behavioral Services, a nonprofit corporation licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health and accredited by the Department of Human Services. Founded in 1967, Pathways today offers substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment services to people in six northeast Iowa counties.

We hope you can use the information provided with this Q&A. But if you still have some treatment related questions at the end, please send us a comment. Our goal is to provide you with quick, personal response. And if we don’t know the answer to your questions, we’ll refer you to an agency that can help.

ADDICTION BLOG: If someone needs help for alcohol, drug, or gambling problems in NE Iowa, what should they do FIRST?

PATHWAYS: First, you can contact our office to schedule an appointment for an evaluation which would help determine what kind, if any treatment is warranted.

ADDICTION BLOG: How many people in NE Iowa do you think need help but don’t know where to go/what to do? How many people are living in denial of a problem?

PATHWAYS: A lot of people may want the help but not certain where to go or find reasons not to get help at this time. It is very easy to minimize issues due to their substance abuse.

ADDICTION BLOG: How many clinics are operated by Pathways and currently serve people in NE Iowa? In what ways is Pathways unique?

PATHWAYS: We have 6 clinics operated in numerous counties.

Pathways is unique due to the number of services we offer from outpatient to residential level of care. We also have specialized programs. We provide services to individuals with mental health issues too.

ADDICTION BLOG: What are some of the things that get in the way of people asking for help in NE Iowa?

PATHWAYS: Any excuse will do. We have heard most of them.

ADDICTION BLOG: How can these barriers be overcome?

PATHWAYS: Usually when a person comes in for their evaluation, the barriers are discussed and staff will assist in overcoming these barriers.

ADDICTION BLOG: What should a person be looking for from a treatment program when considering getting help?

PATHWAYS: You want to find a program that will assist you in feeling welcome and offer the services you feel you need to get help.

ADDICTION BLOG: What does addiction treatment consist of? What are the most important treatment options or modalities?

PATHWAYS: Treatment will consist of:

  • Individual counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Family counseling (when deemed appropriate)

During your evaluation, you will review with the counseling staff what can be expected during the treatment process.

ADDICTION BLOG: How many support groups exist in NE Iowa, and about how many meetings do they hold per week across the counties you serve?

PATHWAYS: That varies depending on the size of the communities. Some are once or twice a week and some of the larger communities are daily support groups.

ADDICTION BLOG: Is there anything else you would like to add?

PATHWAYS: It is very important that you recognize you are not alone and that there is help out there if you want it.

About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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