All insurances accepted

Q: What types of services does Atlantis Health Services offer for addiction?

A: Services offered include:
Medication Assisted Treatment
Intensive Outpatient Program
Individual and Group Counseling
Management of Mental Health Symptoms
Medication Management and Support
Relapse Prevention
Individualized Goal Setting
Education to Consumers about Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment

Q: Who provides the treatment at Atlantis Health Services?

A: Dr. Joseph Vanderpool is our Chief Medical Officer. He has been providing services to adults, adolescents, and children for the past 20 years. He is a practicing psychiatrist who works closely with his medical and treatment staff to provide quality services to the El Paso community. Medical services are provided by Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Board Certified, and Masters Level and Licensed Addiction Counselors.

Q: How is Atlantis different than other services in the community?

A: Individuals who seek help through Atlantis Health Services receive treatment in a private, respectful environment using a combination of services such as counseling and medication management. Some individuals may even qualify to receive case management services for further external support.

At Atlantis, we are dedicated to our patients’ recovery and personal growth. We uphold values of empathy and respect throughout all services provided. Treatment is designed to be personalized for each of our clients. Our ultimate goal is for our patients to achieve autonomy and live life to its full potential.

Q: How do I pay for services?

A. Atlantis accepts all insurances. If you do not have insurance, we are able to provide you with a payment plan to fit your needs.

Q: I do not think I have an addiction. How can I know for sure?

A: You may schedule an appointment to see one of our medical providers to receive a psychiatric evaluation and assessment.

Q: What is Medication Assisted Treatment?

A: Medicated-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA- approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.

There are three medications commonly used to treat opioid addiction:
Methadone – clinic-based opioid agonist that does not block other narcotics while preventing withdrawal while taking it; daily liquid dispensed only in specialty regulated clinics

Naltrexone – office-based non-addictive opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of other narcotics; daily pill or monthly injection

Buprenorphine – office-based opioid agonist/ antagonist that blocks other narcotics while reducing withdrawal risk; daily dissolving tablet, cheek film, or 6-month implant under the skin

At Atlantis Health Services, we offer SUBOXONE which is a combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone. We only prescribe SUBOXONE film.

Q: How does SUBOXONE work?

A: SUBOXONE binds to the same receptors as other opioid drugs. It mimics the effects of other opioids by alleviating cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This allows the person to address the psychosocial reasons behind their opioid use.

SUBOXONE is a medication proven successful in helping persons quit heroin and prescription opioid medications. When combined with counseling and medication management, SUBOXONE has been shown to decrease opioid withdrawal symptoms and increase abstinence rates.

Q: What is an opioid?

A: Opioids and opiates are synthetic and natural drugs that are related to drugs found in opium; many, such as heroin, are addictive narcotics. Many prescription pain medications are opioids, such as codeine, Vicodin®* (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen), Demerol®† (meperidine hydrochloride, USP), Dilaudid®* (hydromorphone), morphine, OxyContin®‡ (oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release), and Percodan®§ (oxycodone and aspirin tablets, USP). Methadone and buprenorphine are also opioids.

Q: Why are opioids used to treat opioid dependence?

A: Many family members wonder why doctors use buprenorphine to treat opioid dependence, since it is in the same family as heroin. Some of them ask, “Isn’t this substituting one addiction for another?” But the two medications used to treat opioid dependence—methadone and buprenorphine—are not “just substitution.” Many medical studies since 1965 show that maintenance treatment helps keep patients healthier, keeps them from getting into legal troubles, and reduces the risk of getting diseases and infections that are transferred when needles are shared.

Q: How do I know the Medication Assisted Treatment is right for me?

A: This program may be right for you if you are:
Ready to commit to long-term treatment.
Prepared to stop using substances beyond those prescribed.
Interested in learning about the disease of addiction as well as methods for coping without substance use.

Q: Can a person come for detox and not participate in the counseling part of our program?

A: No. We have found that when detoxification is done without the person participating in the program, the rate of relapse among clients is high, so clients must be part of a comprehensive treatment program.

Q: Does Atlantis treat dual diagnosis (clients with substance use disorders as well as another behavioral health condition such as depression)

A: Yes.

Q: What is the Intensive Outpatient Program?

A: A. Atlantis offers individual and group counseling. The group counseling comes in the form of an Intensive Outpatient Treatment program (IOP), wherein participants engage in group counseling following the Matrix Model curriculum three times weekly for a total of 16 weeks. Group sessions last three hours in length with lunch provided and cover topics such as Early Recovery Skills, Relapse Prevention, Life Skills Training, as well as Family Education.

Q: What is the Matrix model?

A: The Matrix Model is a 16-week intensive treatment model for drug addiction. This is an evidence based model. It was developed to treat cocaine and methamphetamine users, but it can be implemented in the treatment of any type of substance use disorder and has even been adapted for residential inpatient settings. (Please note: We do not offer residential inpatient treatment).

Q: Can my family participate in the group counseling provided by AHS?

A: Yes. The Intensive Outpatient Program offers a family component where family members identified by the client over the age of 18 may participate in one of the groups per week designed to provide the family members education on addiction and other significant topics.

Q: What is the group schedule?

A: The group schedule varies upon the needs of our clients and availability of staff. It is our intention to provide a schedule that can accommodate your lifestyle and allow you to continue working, going to school and attending to your family while in the recovery process.

Q: Are the programs guaranteed to work?

A: There is a saying “it works, if you work it”. Atlantis believes the strategies utilized in our programs provide useful intervention for chemical dependence problems, however no specific outcome can be guaranteed.

Q: What if I do not feel comfortable in group settings?

A: A. Atlantis counselors and staff are trained to assist you with your needs. You may want to schedule individual counseling sessions or talk to your assigned counselor about those difficulties and how to overcome them. Counselors may speak to you about your individual needs and describe what may make you feel more comfortable to participate in groups. Our programs are designed for you.