News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Drug rehabilitation capacity is a real issue in the Upper Cumberland that sometimes results in people not receiving care.
Volunteer Behavioral Health provides all levels of supervision from out-patient services to 24/7 programs. Substance Abuse Outreach Director Shane Farris said the organization only has 24 detox beds in Cookeville.
“As far as I know, that is the only detox beds available for the Upper Cumberland,” Farris said. “The same would go for the 28-day residential program. It is a male only program and there are 16 beds available for that program.”
Farris said transitional housing or sober living programs have available beds, but those services are usually for patients who step down from these 24/7 programs. Farris said there is a small supply of beds that are medically necessary in treatment.
Farris said the organization uses a national assessment tool to determine a patients level of care. Farris people who rank high are hospitalized into the detox or residential program.
Farris said a wait list does not exist today, but the need could grow at anytime based on the substance abuse issues in the region. Farris said discussion are happening at the state level to increase capacity.
