Levelland Covenant program helps substance abuse recovery across West Texas

A recently launched program based in Covenant Health's Levelland location is making a difference for area residents suffering from substance abuse, just months after opening.

Covenant Health Levelland began its One-Eighty program in Fall 2024. The program is a "hospital-based inpatient service designed to provide medical stabilization for individuals experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication," the release stated.

It helped five patients in December and has four more receiving assistance as of Monday. Since starting, all patients have come from outside of Hockley County.

"We are proud to have developed a comprehensive, start-to-finish program that addresses the urgent needs of our community," said Chief Administrative Officer Newman Wheeler. "Our goal is to ensure patients receive the necessary medical stabilization and are connected with appropriate follow-up care and treatment centers, facilitating a smoother and more supportive journey towards recovery."

The program, led by Hospitalist Dr. MuMing Chen, stemmed from a community assessment two years ago. That assessment identified substance abuse as a critical issue, according to a news release from Covenant Health.

"The early success of the One-Eighty program is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, including One-Eighty Service Coordinator Vanessa Leos, who has played an integral role in making the program all it can be," added Wheeler. "We have had a positive response so far, with patients expressing their appreciation for the empathy and understanding they received from Dr. Chen and the nursing staff."

The program offers:

• Inpatient medical service, including a three-day stay where people receive treatment for acute withdrawal symptoms.
• Discharge planning, which ensures patients receive care post-stay. The program accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most insurance plans and private pay options.
• Comprehensive care, starting with a person on-site who will work with each patient to find the proper treatment center.

People can contact the One-Eighty program at Covenant Health Levelland at 806-568-1304.