While there is cause for concern on the impact COVID-19 will have on Lehigh Valley’s recovery community, there are equal parts of hope for how

community agencies are working together to provide support for people who struggle with substance use.

“I know there is a lot of fear surrounding the spread of this pandemic, but hope is contagious, too. We’re spreading hope here at MARS. We have evolved

with the current global crisis to offer Telehealth to those who need treatment and support,” stated Angie Stevens-Carr, Clinical Supervisor, at Mid Atlantic Rehabilitation Services (MARS), located in Fountain Hill.

MARS’ treatment team has been coordinating with outside agencies since March 15, when COVID-19 transmission became apparent in the Lehigh Valley. MARS created an online platform mechanism to help clients seek treatment and support-wherever the client is.

“MARS staff reacted quickly and with tremendous cooperation in response to the pandemic. We connected with our community partners and began to investigate the potential barriers to delivering care. By establishing platforms to operate remotely, gathering devices to help clients without resources (i.e. webcams) and setting up protocol with our partners, we were able to provide our services uninterrupted despite the shelter in place order,” stated Betsy Martellucci, Clinical Director at MARS.

MARS’ collaborative efforts with community outpatient facilities, inpatient facilities, family support groups, non-profits, and even the criminal justice system, were largely due to MARS’ belief that a crisis of this magnitude is much like the disease of addiction.

“This is a global effort. Not just against the virus, but to preserve the recovery community that many have spent decades building. Most of us in the field are aware of the impact historical collective trauma has on substance use. This is our moment to fight-not individually, but collectively. We are not the only agency that is doing this. Most in our recovery community have

united together to build an online platform where clients have the space to be heard and treated with compassion and understanding,” added Stevens-Carr.

While Telehealth is emerging throughout the Valley, MARS is still providing treatment at its outpatient facility, following physical distancing and CDC guidelines for the prevention of transmission and safety of its clients and staff. “You are not excluded from treatment if you lack either the technological devices or knowledge to obtain Telehealth. We have both technical support (for people struggling with how to use the technological aspects of Telehealth) as well as several private webcam stations at our physical location (for people who lack the devices) using online platforms with enhanced security measures to ensure patient confidentiality,” stated Martellucci.

The collective unity of the recovery community has been inspiring and hopeful.

“We are communicating effectively and reaching out to each other and sharing what is working and what hasn’t worked. We recognized the needs of those with substance use concerns and have focused on working together. Instead of being competitive, the field as a whole has said, ‘together we are more than the sum of our parts,’ and focused on working jointly to meet our community needs in an entirely different way than we have in the recent past,” shared Greg Krausz, MARS director.

And while so much has changed due to this rapid shift from in-person drug and alcohol treatment to Telehealth, new opportunities appear to be emerging.

Transportation barriers and stigma have been historical systemic barriers for clients to access treatment. Yet with changes to policy regarding Telehealth services for drug and alcohol treatment, clients now have the opportunity to access treatment through their telephones, computers, or other electronical devices. “Our staff is passionate about delivering the same quality of care that we have built our reputation upon and are able to be flexible to the needs of our clients. I want to remind our community that keeping physical distance for safety does not mean that they need to be emotionally isolated or alone,” Martellucci added.

While it is important to focus on the disparities regarding access to drug and alcohol treatment in the midst of this unprecedented global pandemic, it is equally important to highlight the work that hundreds of counselors and community members around the Lehigh Valley have done. The recovery community continues to provide a safe place for people to access treatment and support.

While Telehealth has not been previously the norm, MARS is excited at the endless possibilities it provides. Telehealth could potentially be an opportunity to offer people a more confidential and anonymous experience without the stigma. Research suggests that only around 10% of people with substance use disorders seek treatment. Many never ask for help in fear of being judged. What if this is someone’s chance to access treatment without having to walk into a drug and alcohol treatment facility? MARS is proud and excited to offer Telehealth to our community. We hope that those who were

unaware can now seek treatment. The Lehigh Valley recovery network is strong and ready. We are here.

If you are a Lehigh or Northampton County resident and have lost insurance due to job loss or don’t have insurance, MARS offers Lehigh and Northampton County funding. To schedule an intake, please contact MARS’ Intake Coordinator, Jonathan Nivar, at (610)419-3101 ext. 227 or at jnivar@marscare.com

Angela Stevens-Carr

MARS clinical supervisor

Betsy Martellucci

MARS clinical director

Greg Krausz

MARS director