Officials with Independence Health System's Butler Memorial Hospital held a ribbon cutting for a $2.3 million renovation to the drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit on Wednesday, May 21 in Butler. Hunter Muro/Butler Eagle

BUTLER — A critical lifeline for addiction recovery in Western Pennsylvania recently received its most significant upgrade in more than 40 years.

Officials at Independence Health System’s Butler Memorial Hospital held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 21 to unveil the results of a $2.3 million renovation to the inpatient drug and alcohol unit that will offer a more accessible and modernized space for patients taking their first steps toward sobriety.

“Now that we have these ADA facilities, it’s about breaking the stigma of addictions,” said Ruthane Durso, director of therapeutic and social work services at Butler Memorial Hospital. “It’s being able to provide all the care on site in a beautiful environment to help people understand it’s a new beginning for them.”

The unit was opened in 1983 and has seen minimal improvements over the years outside of painting and carpet replacement.

Among the notable renovations that began in October of last year include two new accessible patient rooms, new restrooms and bathing facilities and two additional inpatient beds, increasing the total to 20.

There were also increased safety measures with the installation of new anti-ligature fixtures in two rooms and a specialized anti-ligature shower for behavioral health accommodations.

Additionally, the unit received updated flooring, lighting, wall finishes, furniture, casework and mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.

Employees also saw improvements with a newly designed nurse's station and medication room.

Butler Memorial Hospital is one of the only hospital-based detox and rehabilitation programs in the state. The center takes in patients who otherwise could not attend other freestanding facilities.

“These updates create a more therapeutic and welcoming environment for patients in need of critical behavioral health services,” said Karen Allen, president of Butler Memorial and Clarion Hospitals, in a news release.

HealthChoices, a program overseen by Southwest Behavioral Health Management, supplied $2.2 million to push the project forward after Butler County Human Services spearheaded the funding proposal.

“I think (the project) speaks to the renewed commitment the hospital has to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment and that this isn’t an afterthought,” Durso said. “This is an investment in moving forward and something we intend to keep doing for a long, long time to come.”