With the cases of opioid related overdose and death on the rise in the state of Arizona, the need for effective and compassionate treatment services has increased. Vicky Dramaretska has stepped up to answer that call with her company, Sunlight Medical Services.

“We are a team of addiction treatment professionals that decided to do a better job at it,” Dramaretska says. “We offer comprehensive addiction treatment, custom crafted to the needs of every patient.”

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there have been more than 3,800 opioid related deaths and over 31,000 suspected opioid overdoses in the state since June 2017.

“We are literally saving the lives of people by preventing overdoses,” Dramaretska shares.

Sunlight Medical Services offers a list of services aimed at treating substance abuse and addiction, including individual and group counseling, intensive outpatient programs, and outpatient detox options. Clients looking for support outside of individual and group counseling can also utilize Sunlight Medical Services resources and obtain referrals to local support groups.

Medication assisted treatment options offered by Sunlight Medical Services include the use of suboxone, sublocade, vivitrol and methadone, a long-acting opioid agonist that reduces withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and blocks the euphoric effects of opiates, according to the website.

Behavioral interventions and counseling are available to help clients who rely on substance use to treat chronic pain. These individuals and individuals with other health issues can also be recommended to and utilize primary care physician services to facilitate treatment.

“Many of the patients we serve have a drastic improvement in functioning,” Dramaretska says. “Reduced homelessness, getting back to work, picking up their careers, and rebuilding families and relationships.”

While Sunlight Medical Services is providing services that help combat the opioid epidemic and those impacted by it, their services are also available for alcohol and other substance abuse disorders.

According to Sunlight Medical Services, they work with several insurance providers including Aetna, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and Medicare. For clients with insurance not currently supported, Sunlight Medical Services will help patients communicate with their insurance companies about reimbursement for payments.

For Dramaretska, the desire to help people goes back to her childhood in Europe. She shares that often she would “treat” her dolls and friends when they would play. Receiving an education in medical school in Europe and continuing her education in the States, Dramaretska has a Master of Science in Medical Science and is a certified Physician Assistant.

“I specialized in addiction medicine because this is where I can make the biggest difference in the lives of my patients,” she shares.

Dramaretska says one of the most important things she wants people to know is Sunlight Medical Services understands the struggle their clients are facing in beating addiction. Because the team is composed of experienced professionals, she says they can see the telltale signs that others might miss and provide clients with through and effective treatment.

“We know, we care,” she shares. “We treat our patients like family, because we understand how desperately they might need one, even if they may not realize it themselves. We go above and beyond in making our patients feel welcome and comfortable.”

Dramaretska shares that understanding goes a long way in treatment and building confidence is key in helping clients take back their lives. Sunlight Medical Services helps remove some of the common labels put on substance abuse and addiction to help clients get on paths that will allow them take back control of their lives.

“We would like to help people who struggle with addiction realize that they do have the power to change their lives, but they may not know how,” Dramaretska says. “We know how to help them, and we're there to provide support and channel their power to help them to unfurl their wings and fly.”

Learn more about Sunlight Medical Services by phone at 480.300.6065 or email at info@sunlight-ms.com. A list of available services can be found at http://www.sunlight-ms.com. To keep up on the latest news, follow along on Facebook at @addictiontreatmentphoenixmetro.

By Jenna-Lee Neff
Photo Courtesy of Sunlight Medical Services