Patient’s lifelong struggle with substance use disorder has happy, hopeful ending
Hartford Hospital
Hartford, Conn.
For Joe Ferone, the journey from experiencing substance use disorder and homelessness to attaining recovery and stability has been long and difficult yet ultimately filled with hope.
Joe started abusing drugs at 9 and was using cocaine by 11. He lived on the streets for years.
One day he decided to seek help and walked into the emergency department at Hartford Hospital. A team at the Hartford Hospital Community Health Clinic led by Jason Wang, M.D., an addiction medicine physician, has provided personalized care, treatment and support for Joe.
“I’m here because of them,” Joe says.
Joe explains he is determined to “stay on the straight path” in his recovery from substance use disorder, a treatable chronic disease that affects people from all walks of life.
Health professionals at Hartford Hospital Community Health are committed to caring for the whole person and keeping the community “healthy and well, regardless of the ability to pay.” In addition to providing primary care services, community health clinic teams address mental health, nutrition and social service needs.