Given the rising need for addiction treatment and mental health services due to the increased stress and strain of the COVID-19 pandemic—both on individuals and society as a whole—BoardPrep Recovery Center®, located in Tampa, Florida, is taking extra precautions and establishing solid safeguards at its residential treatment facility, as well as increasing use of outpatient online addiction treatment options and mental health services.
A number of coronavirus tests are available and in use nationwide, including throat swabs, saliva tests, isothermal amplification assays, antigen tests, medical imaging (chest CT scans and chest X-rays), serology tests (based on drawn blood) and a variety of antibody tests (including rapid diagnostic tests). However, by using the nasopharyngeal test on all incoming patients before they enter residential treatment, staff and patients can feel more secure knowing the facility is utilizing one of the most reliable measures to prevent them from coronavirus infection. While no test currently available can provide a 100% guarantee, the nasopharyngeal test has proven to be far more dependable, effective and useful in establishing an extra layer of protection for both staff and patients.
In addition, BoardPrep has developed multiple virtual addiction treatment and mental health services for those seeking outpatient recovery options. By providing access to telehealth and online alternatives—including a wide variety of outpatient treatment services—clients seeking recovery from alcohol or drug abuse or supportive services for mental health issues can engage with support staff, find solutions and network with people in recovery while maintaining a safe and secure atmosphere.
If someone needs a higher level of addiction treatment and/or mental health care than outpatient, he or she can go to BoardPrep’s residential treatment facility. However, he or she will need to have a “Plan B” for getting home set up in advance, just in case their test turns up positive for the coronavirus when they arrive or if they develop symptoms later.
It should also be noted that all incoming patients may bring documentation of a negative COVID-19 test, if it has been obtained within the previous 72 hours. Another option is for them to be tested by BoardPrep medical professionals and stay isolated in a single-occupancy room until the test results return, usually within 24 to 48 hours. If their test comes back negative, they can join other residential patients—while maintaining safe social distancing guidelines—and start their treatment. If his or her test comes back positive, BoardPrep will refer them to appropriate outside medical services and offer alternatives, in order that they can engage in addiction treatment and/or mental health recovery virtually at home, until they’ve been cleared for safe participation in residential care.
Increased safeguards and virtual options are in keeping with BoardPrep’s stated mission, “to provide the most engaging and effective experience possible for each person, utilizing the latest treatment knowledge and technology available.” By ensuring the safety, health and well-being of both patients and staff at BoardPrep’s facility, through consistently using COVID-19 testing methods that are recognized as authoritative, as well as buy optimizing use of online addiction treatment and mental health services, those seeking recovery can feel more secure in knowing their decision to seek help—even during this pandemic—will at least be a safe one, if not the very best decision they’ll ever make.
Contact us today by calling 866.796.4720 for addiction and mental health treatment.
