For Spectrum Health Systems, Treating Addiction Often Means Treating Trauma Too
For many of our clients, addiction is usually not an isolated problem. Many also experience mental health issues and the after-effects of physical and mental trauma. The Trauma-Informed Care Program, which we introduced last year, is designed to build understanding amongst our staff and enhance their ability to effectively interact with clients who have suffered ...
The Opioid Epidemic Isn’t Easing Up – It’s Getting Worse
For a while now, public perception has been that the opioid epidemic is loosening its grip on the U.S., primarily due to a downward trend in opioid-related deaths. While fewer casualties is certainly promising news, addiction professionals have been cautioning the public that these statistics are because of the availability of the life-saving overdose-reversing drug ...
Get to Know Susan Panos, Our Regional Business Development Liaison
Spectrum Health Systems recently added Susan Panos to our Business Development team as Regional Business Development Liaison. To shine a light on our network of top talent in the company, this week’s Q&A dives into Sue’s background and what she loves the most about the behavioral healthcare field. What is your background and why did ...
Get to Know Cheryl Bedard, Regional Business Development Liaison
Cheryl Bedard has been instrumental in moving Spectrum Health Systems and the New England Recovery Center forward since she joined the organization in 2015. Today, we wanted to introduce her to you and shine a light on her important role. How long have you been with Spectrum Health Systems? I have been here since July ...
Examining Co-occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders – A 3-Part Series
Part 1: The Challenge of Mental Illness in Substance Abuse Treatment This is the first of three blogs to examine co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. In this first blog, we review the prevalence of mental disorders among persons in addiction treatment, myths related to mental illness, key problems and challenges, and how to ...
Spectrum Experts Make a Case for Medication-Assisted Treatment in Prisons at Recent Corrections Conference
Earlier this month, our Vice President of Clinical Development Dr. Romas Buivydas and State Director of MA Correctional Services Earl Warren teamed up to present to attendees of the American Correctional Association’s winter conference about the importance of adopting medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in America’s prisons. It’s a hotly debated topic across the country and in ...
Life Expectancy for Americans Decreased for Second Straight Year, Due to the Opioid Epidemic
The Centers for Disease Control recently released a shocking report about the decline in American life expectancy, a rate they haven’t seen since influenza ran rampant in 1962 and 1963, and during the worst of the AIDS epidemic back in 1993. In 2016, the CDC saw a staggering 21 percent death rate fueled by the ...
