Drug addiction treatment sign-up uncertain in Indiana

Drug addiction.

One of the provisions that the Affordable Care Act is set to provide is substance abuse treatment to millions of Americans who never had access to it before.

The question now among many health care professionals is: Will those who need addiction treatment take advantage of that access?

Hospital and drug treatment officials here, by and large, are taking a somewhat wait-and-see approach when it comes to preparing for an influx of patients.

But at some facilities, they’ve already been trying to ramp up the number doctors and psychiatrists to keep up with people coming through the doors seeking treatment to begin with.

“The demand is already so great,” said Eric Looper, CEO of St. Joseph Hospital. “Will we see more patients? Probably, but we just don’t know.”