LYNN — Dan Buhay, a community outreach manager for BrightView — an addiction treatment center in Lynn — says overdose deaths in 2024 have “skyrocketed” compared to a year ago. He thinks his organization can help stem that tide.

BrightView, located at 110 Munroe St., held an open house and a tour this week, allowing citizens to learn about treatments offered and its recovery services.

“We offer a very comprehensive treatment program that’s a positive way of helping our patients. We just want to get out there and help as many (people) as possible,” Buhay said.

The outpatient treatment facility offers medication assisted treatment, individual counseling, group therapy, case management, and social support. Medications provided for withdrawal include buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), or naltrexone (Vivitrol).

“Anybody who comes in, we’ll provide medication to offset their cravings and help with their withdrawals if they’re coming off of anything and we also provide therapeutic services to all our patients too,” Buhay said. “Patients can use that time to really get down to the root of why they maybe are suffering from an addiction, and how to overcome it.”

Buhay said that addiction is very individualized, and the facility takes that into account when deciding the best treatment for the patient.

“There’s time, when someone comes in, and we may determine that inpatient is the best choice for them. Maybe they need somewhere where they need to detox,” Buhay said. “So when someone comes in, we have to put them in the best position to succeed in their recovery, whether it’s coming here or (going to a different facility).”

As an outpatient center, patients experience flexibility in treatment, Buhay said. They can still go to work, see their family, and participate in daily life while actively seeking treatment.

“Our patients like to have the flexibility of being able to come here once a week or every other week,” Buhay said.

He talked about the importance of centers such as BrightView, saying that it’s important for people with addictions to have access to constant treatment.

“I really just think walking into a doctor’s office or a help center and getting a prescription for 30 days with no follow up or anything can do more harm than good in the long run,” Buhay said. “So that’s why I feel like having a treatment center that provides follow-up and drug screening and therapy, all of that, really … is a way that can really dramatically help the trend that we’re facing right now.”

In a phone call with an official from Lynn Public Health Services Buhay said he was informed that deaths from overdoses in Lynn have “skyrocketed” in the first few months of 2024, compared to 2023. 

Buhay said his objective is to try and make Lynn the best community possible when it comes dealing with substance abuse and alcohol (abuse).

BrightView accepts walk-ins as well as scheduled appointments.