Category Archives: Substance Use Services

Serenity House CRT Program Reopens

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We are pleased to announce that the Serenity House Crisis Residential Treatment (CRT) program opened on Monday, October 3!

Serenity House is a 13-bed CRT program serving adults age 18+ with a diagnosis of mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. In partnership with San Mateo County, the CRT will provide care to individuals aged 18 and above, 24-hours a day, 7 days per week.

The CRT will help people find relief from distress, maintain stability, and emphasize choice-making skills and harm-reduction techniques. Prior to arriving at the program, all referrals should call 650-539-0340 to access services.

Referrals may be generated through self-referral, local law enforcement, emergency responders, or being diverted from psychiatric emergency departments.

Learn more here.

Medication ASsisted Treatment Support Line – Here to Help

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The science is clear: addiction is a chronic disease that changes our brain and IS treatable with medication, behavioral therapies, and support.

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Integrated MedicationAssisted Treatment (IMAT) Support Line is staffed by experienced IMAT case managers who provide informed and non-judgmental support, no matter where you are in the recovery journey.

They can help answer your questions about starting medication assisted treatment, insurance issues, treatment options, and other behavioral health services….or, call them if you just want to talk to someone who gets it. 

Current IMAT clients or anyone interested in IMAT can call:

IMAT Case Management Support Line
650. 573. 2735
9AM – 9PM, 7 days a week, even holidays

Dowload their flyer for more info. If you, or someone you love is having a medical or psychiatric crisis please dial 911.

Medication Assisted Treatment

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According to a recent report, 40% of adults in the U.S. are dealing with depression, anxiety or substance abuse linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day, over 130 people die from opioid related drug overdoses.  

See the full graphic here.

Much like heart disease or diabetes, addiction is a chronic disease and can be treated and managed. 

Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders and prevent or reduce opioid overdose. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines behavioral therapy and FDA approved medications (which reduces withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and prevents relapse), and to provide a holistic approach to treating substance use disorders. 

Learn about San Mateo County’s Integrated Medication Assisted Treatment program for alcohol and opioid use at www.smchealth.org/imat or mental health services at www.smchealth.org/bhrsservices 

Recovery Month: Help is Available

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National Recovery Month highlights that recovery works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.  

We know that each recovery journey is unique—there are numerous treatment options and recovery pathways available to those dealing with substance use and/or mental health disorders in San Mateo County.

Learn how you can support someone who has who is struggling with alcohol or drugs and the types of treatment options available.   

Call the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Access Call Center at 1(800) 686-0101 (or for hearing impaired, dial 711). For more information or visit www.smchealth.org/bhrsservices 

Integrated Medication Assisted Treatment Program Recognized for Statewide Innovation Award

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Congratulations to the Integrated Medication Assisted Team (IMAT), recipients of the 2019 California State Association of Counties Challenge Awards, which recognizes programs that find innovative, creative, effective, and cost-saving ways to provide services to their citizens by California Counties. 

IMAT Team: Erin Davis, Camilo Gonzalez, Matthew Boyle, Mark Ross, Alberto Ramos, Mary Taylor Fullerton, Gabriel Lemus, Joe Gutierrez.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) helps people with an alcohol or opioid addiction using a proven and comprehensive approach which combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and other lifestyle/behavioral therapies to support treatment and recovery.

Learn more about the IMAT program and the work being done in the County to help people with an opioid use disorder.