Spectrum Health Systems Announces Five New Leadership Appointments
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., an innovative non-profit provider of evidence-based treatment for substance use and mental health disorders throughout Massachusetts, announced today new personnel and an expansion of leadership. Frank Hight, Ray Semidei, Katrina Casey, Stefania Cunningham and Kathleen Wise will be instrumental in the delivery of the provider’s continuum of care services and its ...
Addressing Racial Disparity in the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across the United States, but the crisis disproportionately impacts the Black population. While overdose deaths have increased for all groups, the rate among Black Americans is particularly alarming, with significantly higher numbers and faster growth compared to other demographics. A Spike in Black Overdose Deaths Recent CDC (Centers for ...
What’s It Like to Work in Addiction Treatment?
Are you interested in working with individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorder? Seeing the stigma surrounding substance use disorder can make this profession appear daunting, however it can also be incredibly rewarding. Following a career path into addiction treatment and behavioral health, you’ll find yourself among a community dedicated to providing unwavering support. ...
The Key Role of Addiction Treatment Services in the Justice System
Despite widespread understanding of the disease model of addiction, substance use is still perceived as a criminal act. Every year, 1.16 million Americans are arrested for the sale, manufacture, or possession of illicit substances. Incarceration is a common punishment for drug-related crimes, with the National Institutes of Health estimating that 65% of the U.S. prison ...
A Letter from Our President: Kurt Isaacson Reflects on 2023
2023 was a year of remarkable progress and achievements at Spectrum Health Systems. We took numerous strides toward our goal of making treatment more accessible for the most vulnerable populations while continuing to look for ways to retain and recruit staff that make it all possible. One of Spectrum’s proudest achievements came in February when ...
Twelve-Step and Non-Twelve-Step Meetings: Which is Right for You?
Twelve-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are some of the most popular formats of addiction recovery meetings. These programs are based on a broad concept of spirituality and encourage members to work through a series of steps to solidify their recovery. While many people have found long-term recovery through twelve-step programs, ...
Congratulations to Athena Haddon on her Salute to Excellence Award
An incredible amount of effort is needed in our mission to provide a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment and recovery supports. That’s why Spectrum Health Systems is proud to employ individuals that are skilled, qualified—and most importantly—passionate about recovery. One employee that embodies these characteristics every day is Athena Haddon. Athena has worked at Spectrum ...
Spectrum Health Systems Announces Five New Leadership Appointments
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., an innovative non-profit provider of evidence-based treatment for substance use and mental health disorders throughout Massachusetts, announced today new personnel and an expansion of leadership. Frank Hight, Ray Semidei, Katrina Casey, Stefania Cunningham and Kathleen Wise will be instrumental in the delivery of the provider’s continuum of care services and its ...
Addressing Racial Disparity in the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across the United States, but the crisis disproportionately impacts the Black population. While overdose deaths have increased for all groups, the rate among Black Americans is particularly alarming, with significantly higher numbers and faster growth compared to other demographics. A Spike in Black Overdose Deaths Recent CDC (Centers for ...
What’s It Like to Work in Addiction Treatment?
Are you interested in working with individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorder? Seeing the stigma surrounding substance use disorder can make this profession appear daunting, however it can also be incredibly rewarding. Following a career path into addiction treatment and behavioral health, you’ll find yourself among a community dedicated to providing unwavering support. ...
Breaking the Addiction Stigma
While cultural awareness around substance and alcohol use disorder have improved in recent years, there is still a substantial amount of stigma surrounding these topics. Despite well-established research identifying addiction as a disease, some still see it as a moral failing instead. The negative attitudes and stereotypes that stem from this belief create barriers to ...
Spectrum Health Systems Unveils Scholarship Program with Assumption University
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment and behavioral health services throughout Massachusetts, announced today its partnership with Assumption University to create a scholarship program for its employees to complete the university’s clinical counseling psychology master’s program. “We continue to see an increased need for both representation and ...
Spectrum Health Systems Awarded Contract with Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts and a range of programming for justice-involved individuals throughout the country, has been awarded a new contract by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) to serve individuals at risk for recidivism. “In addition to our long-standing relationship with the Massachusetts ...
Observing Youth Substance Use Prevention Month
When young people are growing and developing, it's crucial that they understand the risks life can present to them. Not only are they having formative experiences that could impact them well into their adulthood, but their brains are also still in critical phases of development, making them vulnerable to the risks they take and the ...
Celebrating Graduates and Alumni
At Spectrum and NERC, nothing is more important to us than the success of our clients. The people that pass through our programs and go on to find health and happiness are living proof that recovery is possible. The example they set is crucial to the recovery community, supporting and inspiring others along their own ...
National Recovery Month: The Impact of Peer Recovery Centers
Peer recovery centers are crucial to the recovery community, serving as safe meeting places where people in all walks of recovery can both give and receive support. At these free centers, individuals participate in recovery meetings, find parenting and employment resources, learn helpful skills like anger management and financial planning, attend yoga and mindfulness classes, ...
