Page 67 - Healthcare News Nov/Dec 2022

Opioids
Continued from page 13
enormous strides in raising awareness
and improving access to quality, equitable substance-use disorder and behavioral- health treatment across the Common- wealth,” Sudders said. “We have invested strategically in evidence-based resources and promising practices including peer recovery, clinical treatment, harm reduc- tion, outreach programs, and low-threshold housing, recognizing that every individual’s path to recovery is unique.”
Cristina Rivera, director of Outpatient Services and Substance Use at MiraVista, agreed with the idea that everyone’s jour-
ney in fighting addiction is different.
“We know that recovery is ongoing, and
there might be bumps in the road. In that sense, we help people wherever they’re at. If you start using substances again, it’s not like we’re not going to accept you into our program and try to get you back on track.”
Piñero said it’s helpful to recognize that mental-health and substance-use chal- lenges require the same attention as any chronic, physical medical issue.
“Recovery has its ups and downs just like other medical issues. Often, with diabetes, cancer, and other medical conditions that aren’t stigmatized, people are more willing to recognize that.”
Krauskopf agreed, citing studies suggest- ing that rates of relapse and loss of control in addiction recovery are similar to those in people managing diabetes, asthma, and
high blood pressure.
“The notion that recovery is a straight
“
line is not realistic; it’s really up and down. Part of the disease is that patients will re- lapse, and we’ll help them get their footing back,” she told HCN. “People have begun to pivot to understand this condition as a
long-term chronic condition that requires people’s full attention at different levels of intensity, and we try to provide that here.
“Recovery is about medication for some, but lifestyle modification, too,” she added. “When you think about diabetes, many people do well with changes in their diet and exercise, and many people do that and need something else at well. It’s all the same goal.”
While the need for more resources is high, she said, especially when it comes to residential programs, the hope is that those struggling with addiction will see past the persistent stigma and seek help from the many resources that are currently available, and that those overdose numbers will start to fall again.
After all, they’re much more than just numbers. v
The notion that recovery is a
straight line is not realistic; it’s really up and down.”
Outreach
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clinical social worker, as that specialty is facing a shortage, and talent is hard to come by. Training is also needed for staff before they’re able to visit seniors in their homes.
“We anticipate getting referrals from the senior centers,”
she explained. “Maybe they’re going to the meal program or activities there, or maybe they volunteer there. But they could have some kind of depression and anxiety, or maybe there’s a life change — there’s a spouse that is having a change in cognition, and they just need to talk to someone about it. It wouldn’t really change their routine because they’re going there every day already.”
Bronner went on to say that area fire and police depart- ments send in a lot of referrals as well because of the amount of calls they receive. As the eyes and ears of the
community, they often get called to homes for issues like falls and well-being checks.
Bronner urges anyone who needs help — or knows someone who needs help — to call WMEC for support, because it’s important they know they’re never alone.
“If people aren’t sure how to get support, they can call WMEC or their local senior center, and we’ll get the person connected. You don’t have to remember a phone number or whatever — just reach out, and we’ll connect you to the right person.” v
HCN INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
A BETTER LIFE HOMECARE ......................... 31 ARMBROOK VILLAGE ................................. 20 BACON & WILSON........................................ 5 BAYSTATE HEALTH FOUNDATION................ 54 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK BHN ....... 12 BFAIR ......................................................... 55 BRATTLEBORO RETREAT.............................. 12 CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER
OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY ....................... 33
EAST LONGMEADOW MEMORY CARE ........ 18
FLORENCE BANK .......................................... 9
GLENMEADOW .......................................... 56
GREATER SPRINGFIELD
ENIOR SERVICES, INC ............................ 19
HCN EDITORIAL CALENDAR .......................... 2 HCN NEWS & NOTES .................................. 15 HCNRESOURCEGUIDE................................7 HOLYOKE CHICOPEE SPRINGFIELD
HEAD START........................................... 35 HOLYOKECOMMUNITYCOLLEGE BACKCOVER HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER......................... 8 HOME CITY DEVELOPMENT ........................ 37 HOSPICE OF THE FISHER HOME ................ 21 JGS LIFECARE ............................................ 57 LINK TO LIBRARIES ..................................... 39 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
FAMILY SERVICES .................................. 41 MEYERS BROTHERS KALICKA, PC ................. 5
MHA (MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION) ...... 43
MIRA VISTA ................................................ 11
MONSON SAVINGS BANK .......................... 26
OASIS SENIOR ADVISORS .......................... 20
PATHLIGHT ................................................. 45
PUFFER DAY SALON ................................... 15
TOM COSENZI DRIVING FOR THE CURE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT................ 47
TOMMY CAR AUTO GROUP......................... 29 UNITED WAY OF PIONEER VALLEY .............. 49 VISITING ANGELS ....................................... 17 YMCA OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD............... 51 YWCA WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ............ 52
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