Angela Gilbertson is the program manager for NUWAY, an alcohol and drug treatment center in Duluth. The center accepts residents from the Northland, including Cook County, said Gilbertson. Photo courtesy of NUWAY
Started in 1966, NUWAY®, one of Minnesota’s most significant nonprofit addiction and mental healthcare treatment providers, is now welcoming clients to its Duluth Counseling Center at 4615 Grand Ave. W., Suite 300, in Duluth.
Angela Gilbertson, program manager, said the Duluth facility, which opened September 27, 2019, started accepting clients mid-October.
The center offers evidence based outpatient treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders to residents of Duluth and surrounding communities.
“The program’s licensed clinicians provide intensive outpatient services utilizing a holistic care model,” said Gilbertson. “We use the R.I.S.E. model and attempt to knock down as many barriers as we can for the patient. This includes helping clients access community recovery support services and recovery housing – a crucial link for sustained recovery.”
R.I.S.E. stands for “Recovery In Supportive Environments.”
“We use the R.I.S.E. model of therapy to provide clients with evidence-based clinical care, access to quality managed recovery housing providers, peer support services, and connection to other available community recovery resources. The R.I.S.E. model of outpatient treatment helps N.U.W.A.Y. clients bridge traditional gaps in the treatment continuum and build recovery capital associated with positive outcomes,” Gilbertson said.
Licensed drug and alcohol counselors, as well as a psychologist, are on hand to work with patients.
NUWAY will provide up to $550 per month toward housing costs for clients who spend 20 hours per week in treatment, said Gilbertson. “We don’t have a cap on how long we will provide that housing stipend as long as they (the client) are making progress in their treatment,” she added.
As far as transportation, NUWAY will provide bus passes for people or help find other forms of transportation to help clients get to and from treatment and work. “We also provide a daily nutritional snack and lunch for our clients,” added Gilbertson.
As of Dec. 16, the Duluth NUWAY had 14 clients, but two more were expected to enter the program later in the week, Gilbertson said. Clients are either male or female, she added.
The arrival of NUWAY in Duluth brings extended care resources to the region. Earlier this year, NUWAY expanded its services in the Twin Cities, where it now has facilities in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. NUWAY also opened an outpatient facility in Rochester in July, said, Gilbertson.
“NUWAY is growing to meet the identified need for care. This facility will offer the same level of quality care found at our other facilities in the Twin Cities and Rochester,” said NUWAY chief community relations officer Monique Bourgeois.
A stable recovery environment is vitally important for NUWAY clients. NUWAY partners with community-based recovery housing providers that must meet strict quality standards. NUWAY hopes to stimulate much-needed recovery housing availability in and around Duluth.
“The NUWAY Duluth Counseling Center is broadening access to addiction services to those in need,” said Gilbertson. “We offer 20 hours of intensive outpatient addiction treatment, including therapy for co-occurring mental health conditions.”
NUWAY’s partnering with other types of treatment facilities that offer secure housing is key to the program, said Gilbertson.
“The lack of stable recovery housing has been a significant treatment barrier in Duluth, and the fact that NUWAY can offer help with finding quality recovery housing is a big plus,” explains Gilbertson. “Our new center is also fast becoming a meeting place where clients find fellowship and mutual support. When we welcomed the first clients in October, they showed up right on time for their therapy session. Now we have people show up half an hour early just to chat or have a cup of coffee. This is an important part of the recovery process.”
Gilbertson said another essential step for people suffering from substance abuse disorders is to provide a safe, supportive environment for those adults. She added that NUWAY provides that environment and encouragement.
NUWAY accepts many forms of payment, said Gilbertson, including all insurance, private or from the government. For those who can’t pay, “We are a nonprofit and provide some charity care,” Gilbertson said.
Gilbertson encourages Cook County residents who want to learn more about the addiction treatment services program to stop in.
Anyone seeking treatment services for them self or for a loved one is encouraged to contact the center at 218-207-2130.
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