By Karrissa Hanson, NP | Western Wisconsin Health – Spring Valley Clinic

Substance use disorders affect every community, including our own. Whether it’s someone you love, a neighbor, or a coworker, many people are impacted by addiction, and often, they face the road to recovery feeling alone or unsure where to turn for help.

At Western Wisconsin Health (WWH), we offer a local, compassionate, and evidence-based approach to treating opioid and alcohol use disorders through our Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) program, Recovery Support Solutions. MAT combines FDA-approved medications like Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) or Vivitrol (naltrexone) with counseling and behavioral health support. This combination helps individuals reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and develop new habits that support long-term recovery. Using a patient-provider shared-decision making model can help individuals communicate their preferences and select the best course of action that fits their needs.

Since starting my career as a Nurse Practitioner in Addiction Medicine in 2018, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals seeking change. I’ve treated a range of substance use disorders, from prescription pills, heroin, and fentanyl to methamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol. Through this work, I’ve learned just how vital harm reduction strategies are in empowering people to live healthier, self-directed lives. MAT and harm reduction strategies can be transformative and meets people where they are in their substance use journey.

Substance use alters the brain’s chemistry, affecting decision-making and behavior. But the brain also has the ability to heal and adapt through neuroplasticity. Studies have shown that MAT, combined with therapy, can help reshape the brain’s neuropathways and support recovery (O’Brien, 2009). Brain cells evolve as we grow and learn. The brain cells can create new connections in our brains with changes to behavior and environment.

Yet, while the science is clear on how to manage addiction as a chronic disease, access to these services is not always equitable. In my previous work in an urban setting, one of the biggest challenges was helping patients that travelled from rural areas stick to their treatment plan. Lack of transportation often creates a major barrier to consistent care with a provider you can trust and develop a relationship with and creates a hurdle getting to follow up appointments for monitoring. A 2014 study by Pullen and Oser confirmed what I saw firsthand: transportation is one of the primary challenges to accessing addiction treatment in rural areas.

That’s why I am thrilled to bring this care directly to Spring Valley and the surrounding communities through Western Wisconsin Health. By offering MAT services locally, we’re breaking down access barriers and bringing high-quality, integrated care to people where they live. As a reminder, Western Wisconsin Health offers van rides to and from the clinic, which helps bridge the gap for lack of transportation.

We also know that stigma remains a significant obstacle, both for patients and providers. Treating addiction as a chronic, complex medical condition is essential. Evidence-based practices like MAT and counseling don’t just improve outcomes, they help end the stigma by recognizing that recovery is a medical and emotional journey. MAT and counseling can help reduce the health and economic burden that substances (including alcohol) create for not only individual people, but the community as a whole.

At Western Wisconsin Health, we are committed to treating the whole person—mind and body—with dignity and respect. Through our MAT program and integrated behavioral health services, we are helping our patients take control of their lives and build a strong foundation for recovery.

Together, we’re making sure that no one has to face addiction alone. And in doing so, we’re living out our mission: Building a Healthier Tomorrow, Together.

Patients can now schedule with Karissa at the Spring Valley Clinic for MAT services. Additionally, Western Wisconsin Health offers a wide range of behavioral health services, substance use disorder services, substance treatment offerings, and connection to additional community resources as needed. If you are interested in scheduling for MAT services or need assistance navigating these services and finding the right fit for your needs, please call our clinic social worker at 715-684-1172.

Karissa also provides a wide array of family medicine and primary care services three days a week in Spring Valley. This includes care for the whole family from children to adults for preventative care and chronic disease management, Call 715-684-1111 to schedule now.

For more information on specific services provided at Western Wisconsin Health, please visit our website at www.wwhealth.org .

Sources:

O’Brien, Charles P. “Neuroplasticity in addictive disorders.” Dialogues in clinical neuroscience vol. 11,3 (2009): 350-3. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2009.11.3/cpobrien

Pullen, Erin, and Carrie Oser. “Barriers to substance abuse treatment in rural and urban communities: counselor perspectives.” Substance use & misuse vol. 49,7 (2014): 891-901. doi:10.3109/10826084.2014.891615