ST. LOUIS – SSM Health is offering a new treatment option at the Long-Acting Injection (LAI) clinic for patients struggling with addiction.
Opened in April 2020, the clinic provides long-acting injections as an alternative for individuals who have difficulty consistently taking their antipsychotic medications in traditional forms like tablets or liquids.
Meike Kohler from the hospital explained that the clinic primarily treats patients with alcohol and opiate addictions and also offers injections for other mental health diagnoses.
Melissa Payne, a patient who has benefited from the program, shared her experience, stating, “The people there were just so caring; they really saw me as an individual so it kept me going every month.”
The clinic administered over 100 injections in May alone, highlighting its active role in supporting patients with addiction. Melissa Payne is about to celebrate five years of sobriety, attributing part of her success to the support she received from the clinic.
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