Mission Regional Medical Center Launches New Service for Patients Withdrawing from Opioids and Alcohol

New “withdrawal management service” in Mission can help Valley residents overcome addictions, recover  

MISSION, TX, August 2025 – Mission Regional Medical Center is proud to announce the launch of a new service designed to address the critical need for acute withdrawal management for adults suffering from alcohol and/or opioid addiction.

The new hospital-based service seeks to provide medical support for adults in the acute stages of withdrawal — with the goal of helping them to overcome substance use disorder.

The “StepOne Service™” at Mission Regional Medical Center is a three to five-day inpatient program, offered in partnership with Evergreen Healthcare Partners, LLC of Missouri.  The “acute withdrawal management” service is designed to assist individuals who are in the process of withdrawal and seeking help to address their substance use disorder.

Substance use disorders affect individuals from all walks of life and can have a profound impact on their ability to fulfill their responsibilities at home, work, and school.

Cesar Guerra, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Mission Regional Medical Center, said that potential candidates for the StepOne Service™  “are carefully screened by our dedicated staff to assess the urgency of their medical needs prior to admission.”

“Once admitted, patients benefit from established medical protocols and personalized care provided by our experienced medical and nursing team,” Mr. Guerra added. “This approach enables us to alleviate the most intense symptoms of withdrawal, which often pose significant barriers to successful outpatient treatment.”

The new service requires voluntary admission to the hospital by the patient.  Once admitted, the patient receives around-the-clock medical care from the hospitalist team and nurses at Mission Regional Medical Center.  The team utilizes protocol-specific medications to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms — and to keep patients as comfortable as possible.

Throughout their inpatient stay, patients receive ongoing support and counseling from the StepOne Service™  team.  The team also develops a personalized discharge plan that includes guidance for continued care beyond the hospital setting.

Mr. Guerra said the launch of the StepOne Service™ represents Mission Regional’s commitment to addressing the growing need for comprehensive support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

“We are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care to help people find hope in the battle with addiction – and to take the first step toward a life free from addiction,” he added.

The new service is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare.  The first step to find out if a patient is covered is to call Mission Regional Medical Center for a telephone pre-screening.

If the patient is covered, the second step is an in-person assessment — followed by possible admission to the medical unit at Mission Regional Medical Center, for acute withdrawal management.

The community is invited to learn more about this important new service during a ribbon cutting / launch event on September 10, from 5:30pm to 7pm at Mission Regional Medical Center, 900 S. Bryan Road in Mission.  For more information, please call 956.224.9240  (Monday through Friday), and visit www.StepOneService.com and www.MissionRMC.org.