CINCINNATI -- After working out of the same building for over four decades, the Center for Addiction Treatment will expand to better serve those with a substance abuse disorder.
The expansion of the facility means more detox beds and an opportunity to provide more comprehensive health care.
The Center for Addiction Treatment, also know as the “CAT House,” has seen many changes over the last 46 years.
"When we first got here it was pretty much we were treating alcohol and crack cocaine addiction and now as the world knows it's the opiates and heroin addiction,” said Ron Derstadt, Center for Addiction Treatment administrator.
The growing problem has caused the treatment facility to outgrow its old building as it can no longer accommodate the number of people seeking treatment.
The expansion, which will add 14 detox beds, will also allow for doctors to provide primary care.
“We find out that a lot of addicted patients are successful with their addiction but they've neglect their physical needs,” Derstadt said.
Other services, such as mental health care, behavioral counseling and medication assisted treatment, will also be expanded.
"What we're striving for is an integrated healthcare system, so they come in and treat their addiction and then go to an outpatient program for follow up care, and that's something that's not existing right now in the community,” Derstadt said.
The $5 million project was funded partly by the state, the City of Cincinnati and local foundations.
In addition to more services, the expansion will also add more than 20 jobs.
The project is expected to be complete by November, and the center is expected to serve more than 2,800 people in its first year.