Combating the drug crisis in Kentucky is a complex and ever evolving issue, with new illicit drugs and compounds complicating the response.

While Kentucky has made strides in getting increasing access to drug treatment and recovery services and resources, many believe there is still more work to do.

As our McKenzie Spink explains, one recovery program is helping to remove that barrier for rural Kentuckians through virtual group therapy.

Whether it's the lack of childcare, transportation or time, there's lots of reasons that someone in recovery may not make it to an in-person counseling appointment.

Groups is a national organization that provides medically assisted treatment, along with group therapy, to treat opioid use disorders, and 71% of their members live in rural areas, meaning many attendees join their therapy sessions virtually.

Members can just literally roll over, open their eyes, log on, and there they are.

They're in group.

They've got that support.

Having that right there on your phone, being able to just connect, knowing that groups can send you all the supplies that you need if you're that far away from an office.

It just makes makes it one step easier.

The virtual sessions just really nice because, you know, work life balance, getting on the call makes it really easy.

If you're not comfortable being around everyone, you know, all you have to do is pick up your phone and be comfortable wherever you are.

Online therapy allows members in rural areas to access counseling they may not otherwise have in their area, but it does have its challenges.

Technology doesn't always want to agree with everybody.

We've had lots of really intense weather in Kentucky lately that has, you know, down some some technology, wire lines and Wi-Fi and things of that nature.

So having workarounds and downtime procedures and backups to be able to still get those members the services, the supports and the resources that they need when they can't connect or can't connect for the entire amount of time.

So just having a lot of flexibility there, it doesn't matter where you're at physically, geographically, emotionally.

We will come to you, we will meet you where you're at and help you get to where you want to be.

The group's model emphasizes community.

Every virtual session consists of three staff members, including a medical provider and 10 to 15 other members in recovery.

Active use is a really solitary time, a lot of time.

It's very kept very secret from people in your life.

If you still even want to be around other people while you're actively using and recovering by yourself is really difficult, and having that support of people who know what you're thinking when you're not able to put put words together and being able to connect with you on that level is invaluable.

To be able to take that and know that you don't have to be alone anymore, and you can do it together as a community.

Heather has been a member of groups for two years, and she says she's achieved goals she never thought possible.

I was able to obtain my bachelor's degree, you know, my first home.

I've done things that I really never thought at that time that I would ever do.

Not proud of, you know, where I was, but I am proud of where I am now.

And groups really, truly has played a very big role in that.

Groups isn't just helping to close the accessibility gap for therapy.

It also works with members to deliver supplies and other resources they need for recovery.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Mackenzie Spink.

Thank you.

Mackenzie.

Since opening locations in Kentucky in 2020, groups has served over 5000 Kentuckians.