SIDNEY — Shelby County Counseling Center celebrated its second graduation from the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, Nov. 8.

The MAT board, Vivitrol Coordinator Kim Moreth, and Executive Director Julie Clay honored four individuals for successfully completing the Vivitrol program at SCCC. Vivitrol is the trade name for the injectable form of Naloxone, a drug used to control cravings and aid in recovery. The graduates began their MAT program 12 to 18 months ago.

The four graduates, Travis Brown, Brittany Ceyler, Savanah Fout and Gregory Murray, were presented with completion certificates and T-shirts designed specifically for the occasion.

In 2015, more than 50,000 Americans died from overdoses, most of those from opioids, such as heroin or fentanyl. In the last year, overdoses in Ohio, in general and in Shelby County, specifically, have increased at a rate exceeding the national average, leading to more aggressive, cross-functional approaches to addiction, such as the MAT Team approach.

Clay said, “SCCC is so thankful to be a part of these four individuals’ journeys on their road to recovery and success. Each person has taken the path less traveled and determined they wanted a different one. Through it all, they stuck with it and continued to strive for their recovery. Their dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed. Each person has their own unique recovery, and we are honored that we have been able to be a part of it.”