Observing International Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day occurs every year on August 31st, serving as a stark reminder of the devastation of the opioid crisis. In the past few years, overdose deaths have increased dramatically. In the United States, more than 100,000 people die as the result of an overdose each year. That’s more than double the number ...
Why Exercise Matters to Addiction Recovery
Fitness and exercise might not be the first things that come to mind when considering the most important aspects of recovery. But the impact that physical fitness and exercise can have on people recovering from addiction is substantial. Exercise can be a strong resource for relapse prevention, and there are numerous mental and physical health ...
The Growing Momentum of College Recovery Groups
The “college experience” has long been associated with drinking and substance use. Young people, many leaving home for their first time, are thrust into new social and academic situations when they start college. Alcohol and substances find use among students looking for friendship and social belonging while seeking a reprieve from academic stress. The openness ...
Unmet Addiction Treatment Needs Persist in Correctional Facilities
In 2018, Congress passed the First Step Act, which, among other things, required the Bureau of Prisons to expand the availability of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Medications like Suboxone, which provide the two-fold benefit of preventing opioid cravings and blocking opioid receptors, have been strongly shown to reduce the risk of relapse and ...
Pride Month: Honoring and Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community
With Pride Month in full swing, Spectrum Health Systems honors the LGBTQ+ community and acknowledges the difficulties encountered by its members. The disadvantages, discrimination, and other challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community create an increased risk of behavioral health issues such as substance use disorder, self-harm, depression, and anxiety. The National Institute of Health (NIH) ...
Recognizing the Members of Spectrum’s 2023 President’s Club
Since Spectrum Health Systems was founded in 1969—known then as Challenge House—we have been intently focused on offering the highest quality services to individuals seeking treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. Spectrum’s goal is to assist its clients in establishing and sustaining recovery, giving them the tools needed to lead healthy, productive, and ...
