Spero Health Brings Addiction Treatment Services To Chattanooga

Spero Health, an outpatient addiction treatment and a CARF-accredited organization that specializes in “local, affordable, outpatient care for individuals suffering from substance use disorders,” announced the opening of a new clinic in Chattanooga, 7030 Lee Hwy., Suite 201.

The Chattanooga clinic is the organization’s 26th outpatient location and is expected to start seeing new patients at the end of June. Appointments are available now by calling 423-301-5930, or stop by the Lee Highway location for more information.

“The opening of the Chattanooga clinic comes at a critical time as Spero Health meets the growing demand for a local, high-quality and affordable option to treat addiction,” officials said.

“Spero Health accepts TennCare and participates with select commercial insurance plans so that individuals suffering can seek help immediately without the cost barrier to treatment.”

Spero Health has appointed Dr. Lisa Fara, who is fellowship trained in addiction medicine, as the Chattanooga medical director. She joins the organization with a background focused on substance use disorders, treatment and prevention, and will be the lead physician at this new location. “After many years of practicing as a board-certified family physician, Dr. Fara furthered her knowledge and proficiency by completing a fellowship in addiction medicine, qualifying her to provide comprehensive and experienced addiction medical care to patients through such modalities as medical detoxification and medication-assisted therapy, as well as ongoing, in-depth addiction care for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings,” officials said.

Dr. Fara describes the disease of addiction as an “individual, desperate, internal struggle that each patient (and their loved ones) experiences,” and she cites the current definition of addiction put forth by ASAM: “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations.”

“Data released by the Tennessee Department of Health shows deaths from overdoses have been steadily increasing year after year as the opioid epidemic grips the nation,” officials said. “Chattanooga is ranked 20th among the worst 25 cities in the U.S. for opioid prescription abuse. The state has expanded resources to address the epidemic, and leaders from Spero Health believe they can be part of the solution as there is a considerable need for high-quality treatment providers locally.”

“Tennessee communities have been hit extremely hard by the drug epidemic, and the landscape of the types of drugs individuals are using is changing rapidly,” said Steve Priest, CEO of Spero Health. “We have heard from payors, state officials and healthcare partners about the need for access to quality care close to home, and are committed to bringing local, affordable and comprehensive solutions to communities across the state that can meet the needs of those struggling with opioid addiction and other substances.”

Dr. Fara stated, “We are deeply aware that not treating addiction appropriately has dire ripple effects in our local and national communities. Our most current scientific and evidenced-based knowledge regarding effective addiction treatment tells us that this disease requires comprehensive, sustained and collaborative medical and psychosocial therapeutics. The community-based options that Spero Health offers — with the utilization of multiple modalities including medication, recovery support services and focused addiction and related counseling strategically — position the organization to better help patients successfully manage their chronic condition.”