Hickory faces significant challenges with substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction. Our community ranks fifth nationally for opioid abuse, with approximately 9.9% of the population affected, making Hickory one of four North Carolina cities among the nation’s top 25 for opioid abuse rates. This crisis touches many lives in our community, from individuals struggling with prescription medication dependence to those battling alcohol use disorder.

The rising rates of substance use disorders in Hickory make accessible, evidence-based addiction recovery services crucial for our community’s health and well-being. At Eleanor Health, we’re committed to addressing this crisis through our comprehensive outpatient programs, flexible treatment options, and evidence-based approaches. Our combination of medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and peer support services provides the tools and support our community members need to achieve lasting recovery.

Mental health challenges significantly impact our Hickory community, with residents experiencing poor mental health at increasing rates. In Catawba County, we’re seeing a critical shortage of mental health providers, and our suicide mortality rate is 23.4% higher than the North Carolina state average. These statistics underscore an urgent need for accessible, quality mental health care in our area.

Eleanor Health fills this crucial gap by providing integrated mental health services alongside addiction treatment. Our dual approach ensures that underlying mental health conditions don’t become barriers to recovery, while our flexible virtual and in-person options help overcome the local provider shortage.

Different stages of recovery may require different levels of care. Addiction treatment centers offer several programs to match your specific needs and circumstances:

Inpatient treatment programs provide 24/7 medical care in a hospital setting, which is often necessary for alcohol detox or when more intensive support is needed.

Residential treatment programs offer a structured living environment with full-time therapeutic programming for those who benefit from around-the-clock support.

As an outpatient treatment provider, Eleanor Health offers flexible care that works around your daily life, allowing you to maintain work and family commitments while receiving treatment.

While we specialize in outpatient services, we understand everyone’s journey is different. If you need a higher level of care first, we’ll help connect you with trusted providers who can support those early stages of recovery.

Outpatient addiction treatment centers offer several levels of care within a comprehensive continuum of care. Each level provides a different intensity of treatment to match individual needs:

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) offer the most structured environment, with treatment sessions running several hours per day, multiple days per week.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) provide a balanced approach, typically meeting 2-3 times per week for several hours each session.
• Standard outpatient services involve regular appointments that work around daily commitments.

Your care team will continuously evaluate your progress and adjust the level of care accordingly. This flexible approach ensures appropriate support at every recovery stage while accommodating work, family, and personal responsibilities.

Your recovery journey deserves a treatment approach that’s as unique as you are. That’s why our interdisciplinary team combines evidence-based treatments with personalized support to help you heal and grow. We offer proven behavioral health therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to build emotional regulation skills, and family therapy to strengthen your support system. Combined with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), these therapeutic approaches help you develop practical life skills, manage stress, and build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. Whether you choose virtual or in-person care at our North Carolina locations, you’ll have access to both individual therapy sessions and peer recovery support, creating a comprehensive personalized treatment experience in a structured environment.

Co-occurring mental health disorders happen when someone experiences both a substance use disorder and mental health challenges at the same time. Research suggests that more than 40% of people with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring disorder. Common examples include:

• Depression or anxiety alongside alcohol abuse
• PTSD combined with substance abuse
• Bipolar disorder with drug abuse
• Attention deficit disorders with substance abuse

Co-occurring disorders often influence each other, which is why treating both simultaneously through our integrated approach leads to better outcomes. Many people find that addressing underlying mental health disorders is a crucial part of their recovery journey.

At Eleanor Health, we understand that your recovery process needs to work seamlessly with your daily life. That’s why we’ve created a unique approach that combines both virtual and in-person outpatient care. Your treatment team will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that offers the best of both worlds: the personal connection of face-to-face visits and the convenience of online sessions. This flexible approach not only enhances the quality of care but also makes treatment more accessible and affordable.

Our opioid treatment programs combine several evidence-based strategies:

• Medication-assisted treatment using FDA-approved medications to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Individual counseling to address underlying causes and develop coping strategies
• Group therapy sessions for peer support and shared learning
• Regular check-ins with your dedicated treatment team
• Mental health support for co-occurring conditions
• Case management to coordinate your care and recovery needs

We understand that recovery from opioid use disorder looks different for everyone. That’s why we create flexible, personalized opioid treatment plans that evolve with your progress. Our long-term support includes relapse prevention strategies, medications for opioid use disorder, and ongoing connection to our recovery community, ensuring you have the tools and support needed for sustained recovery.

At Eleanor Health, we take a whole-person approach to alcohol addiction recovery. Our comprehensive treatment program includes:

• Evidence-based behavioral health therapies
• Medication management when appropriate
• Individual and group counseling sessions
• Trauma-informed mental health treatment
• Case management services
• Art therapy, music therapy, and expressive therapies
• Connection to local support groups
• Ongoing recovery support

Our experienced team creates personalized treatment plans that combine these services to address both the physical and emotional aspects of alcohol addiction. We understand that recovery looks different for everyone, which is why we offer flexible programming that adapts to your specific needs while providing consistent support and structure throughout your journey.

Recovery-focused life skills training is an essential component of sustainable addiction treatment that helps rebuild practical abilities needed for everyday life. At Eleanor Health, our life skills program addresses key areas, including stress management, healthy communication, financial planning, and time management, which are skills that support long-term recovery and independence.

Through individual counseling and group therapy sessions, we help you develop strategies for handling daily challenges without turning to substances. Our program emphasizes practical tools for workplace success, relationship building, and emotional resilience. This comprehensive approach ensures you’re not just achieving sobriety but developing the foundation for a fulfilled, self-directed life in recovery.