Recently, I asked a patient, Nicole, why she looked so happy. She said, “Because I am kicking ass in life now.” She is 28 years old, and she is now keeping a steady job as a waitress and enjoying it. She is attending classes at a community college, and for the first time in years, she can afford her own apartment. For the first time in 10 years, she feels optimistic about her future.

Certainly, some of our patients drop out of therapy and relapse. Relapse is a part of recovery, and we have inducted some patients more than once. In a year and a half, I have lost three patients to overdoses, two of whom I believe were suicides. I have nearly lost a few others to non-suicidal overdoses, but they were rescued with naloxone. I know that I will lose some of my patients, some at young ages, but far fewer of my patients will die than if they weren’t in treatment.

Our clinic now accepts immediate referrals (often the same day) from physician offices, hospital clinics and inpatient units, the criminal justice system, and, of course, the emergency department. In just 16 months, our clinic patient volume has increased by about 150 new, regular patients. During this time, I have heard many stories like Nicole’s. So many patients are back to work, not in jail, paying taxes, attending school, caring for others, or just living a happier and healthier life.

My patients routinely thank me for working there. At least a dozen patients have said to me, very emotionally and sincerely, “You saved my life.” Truly, the work of the clinic has been life-transforming for so many of our patients.

Dr. Ketcham is medical director of the opioid addiction treatment service via New Mexico Treatment Services in Farmington, co-medical director of EMS agencies of San Juan County, and a staff emergency physician at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington and Los Alamos Medical Center.