Piedmont Newnan Hospital and local nonprofit Coweta FORCE are helping emergency room patients connect with addiction treatment. Instead of handing patients a pamphlet and leaving them to find help on their own hospital staff can contact a recovery coach.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta a coach can reach a patient’s bedside within an hour. Since the partnership began in 2023 hospital staff have made 408 referrals. Those referrals led to 1,000 follow up appointments and 106 treatment placements.
Recovery Coaches Meet Patients at the Bedside
An emergency room visit can lead someone to reconsider their substance use but that decision doesn’t always lead to treatment. Patients may return home without knowing where to go or how to get help.
A recovery coach can talk with patients while they’re still at the hospital. Coaches offer support explain available services and help patients work out what to do next.
Coweta FORCE Founder and Director Hank Arnold said the partnership brings together the hospital’s goal of saving lives, and the nonprofit’s work to support recovery.
Piedmont Newnan Hospital Chief Operating Officer Vicki Kaiser described the program as a leading example in Georgia.
Coweta FORCE Expands Its Newnan Office
Coweta FORCE is building a 3,000 square foot addition to its Newnan offices. The new space will provide a permanent home for staff who work with the hospital partnership. Officials had not announced a completion date when FOX 5 Atlanta published its report.
The program receives funding from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the City of Newnan’s opioid settlement funds.
Connecting Patients With Treatment
Recovery coaches can help patients take the next step after an emergency visit. They may explain treatment options help arrange follow up appointments or connect someone with a provider.
Their work doesn’t replace medical care. People who need detox or treatment for withdrawal still need licensed medical professionals. Coaches help patients connect with those services and understand how to access them.
Addictions.com lists addiction treatment centers in Georgia and provides information about treatment for different substances.
People searching for care can look for programs that address mental health concerns and offer medication when appropriate. It’s also worth asking about support after detox or residential treatment.
Changes in substance use can signal that someone needs professional help. These may include using more often using alone mixing substances or continuing despite problems with health work or relationships.
Why Immediate Support Matters
A hospital visit may be the first time someone openly considers getting help. If they leave without a clear plan that willingness can fade once they return to daily life.
A recovery coach can help turn that conversation into an appointment or a connection with a treatment provider. The Newnan program’s reported referrals and treatment placements show how hospital staff and recovery organizations can work together to help patients find care.
Georgia residents can use Addictions.com to explore treatment centers and learn about options for specific substance use concerns.
When comparing programs ask about mental health services medication options and support after the initial phase of treatment. Call
800-681-1058
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