BIGLER — The single most accurate predictor of successful treatment for an alcoholic or opioid (prescription pain killers; heroin) abuser is the length of time they spend in a treatment program. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combined with therapy improves the chances of success, which is why CenClear is now offering both in St. Marys.

The illegal use of opiates is the fastest-growing substance abuse problem in the U.S. and the main reason people seek addiction treatment, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health. With traditional treatments many of the people facing an opioid addiction return to the use of pain killers or alcohol. Research has shown that maintenance medications (MAT), in addition to therapy, may improve the chances of success.

MAT has been proven to help people overcome their addiction by increasing the amount of time spent in the treatment.

Medication-assisted treatment helps to decrease cravings and eliminate the inebriating effects that occur with the use of alcohol and opioids. This leads to fewer drug-related overdose deaths and more successful treatment results.

CenClear does not rely on MAT alone but uses it in conjunction with therapy and counseling.

CenClear offers both outpatient and intensive outpatient drug and alcohol services in St. Marys. This includes regularly scheduled treatment sessions for one to five hours a week. It may include individual, group and family sessions. Those in CenClear’s addiction treatment program also have access to specialized groups.

CenClear also offers drug and alcohol outpatient services in Brookville, Clarion, Clearfield, Coalport, Huntingdon, Punxsutawney, Roaring Spring and Yeagertown.

In addition to addiction treatment services, CenClear offers Mental Health services in St. Marys. Both the addiction treatment services and mental health services are available at 427 N. St. Marys St., St. Marys.

CenClear also offers preschool in Elk County in St. Marys, Kersey and Ridgway.