Partners in Recovery Wellness: How Hospitals and Recovery Coaches Can Improve Outcomes for Substance

Use Disorder Patients

Presenters: Daisy Pierce, PhD, Executive Director, Navigating Recovery

daisy@navigatingrecovery.org

Corey Gately, MLADC, Clinical Program Coordinator, LRGHealthcare Recovery Clinic

cgately@lrgh.org

What is Substance Use Disorder?

TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE DISEASE

Why drugs are so effective!

• Drugs release 2-10x more dopamine than natural rewards!

• Drugs affect the limbic system, spinal cord, and brain stem. Overdoses happen when tolerance to the reward system (aka “feel good” center) develops faster than the respiratory system tolerance to suppression – in order to still feel good they need more drug than the respiratory system can handle.

How NH compares nationally

What is stigma?

• STIGMA = an attribute, behavior, or condition that is socially discrediting. Known to decrease treatment & recovery seeking behaviors in individuals with substance use disorders.

• Stigma is the #1 barrier to someone with SUD asking for help!

• When someone is ashamed, they are too embarrassed to waive the white flag.

Why language matters

“Words are beautiful tools, but when improperly

wielded, they can be dangerous weapons. Words do indeed matter. Let’s take the time to learn to use

them well.” – Jeff Goins

What to say instead:

• Person with substance use disorder • Avoid addict, junkie, pill seeker

• Abstinent vs. Clean • Actively using / positive for substance misuse vs.

Dirty urine • Recovered addict vs. Person in recovery / long

term recovery • Medication Assisted Treatment vs. Opioid

replacement

Engaging people in treatment

• Studies show that when we engage people in treatment resources through our ED, we give them a much better chance at long term recovery.

• Yale Study – 78% still in recovery at 30 days after being connected through the ED.

• Otherwise, we generally see that less than 25% of people will follow through.

Multiple Pathways

Why is this so hard in hospital settings? • Hospital staff (ED & inpatient) generally only ever see

a “snippet” of the person’s life … which is often when they are at their worst.

• There is very little opportunity to see people get well, complete treatment, and heal their lives.

• How is this different from other diseases? Is it? • We know that when we utilize our resources, provide

positive reinforcement, and help people with kindness, that we increase their chances of getting well!

Endocarditis Example

• 1 case of endocarditis costs ~ $100k - $200k – Typically includes a 6 week hospital stay

• Estimated 40,000-50,000 new cases per year in the US – Number of new cases has doubled in past 2 years

• Lawmakers estimate that it would cost ~$45billion to treat our current drug crisis

Alternative Pathway

• When we can connect someone to treatment (MAT, recovery coaching, other supports) we reduce the hospital stay and the medical costs associated with the disease: – MAT is generally covered by insurance, or a small

co-pay – Recovery Coaching is FREE – Medicaid (and some private insurers) covers SUD

counseling and recovery supports

What is Recovery? “Recovery, for me, means a second chance at life. A life where I have a purpose today. A life where I make my community a better place.” ~ Recovery Support Worker

Recovery Community Organizations

How we can help our recovery community today: • A place to start a recovery journey • Host location for 12-step meetings,

and all other types of recovery meetings (SMART Recovery)

• Peer-to-peer recovery support services

• Health & Wellness workshops • Art therapy • Yoga & Meditation • Resources for individuals and

families seeking assistance as they navigate their journey of recovery

• A safe place for the recovery community to organize and support one another

Why do we need RCO’s? Where does someone go

when they are ready to start their journey of recovery?

Where does someone go when they are released from the Emergency Department after over-dosing? Or, a corrections facility?

Where does a family member go to seek support for someone suffering from a substance use disorder?

• 24/7 Hospital Support Program with Navigating Recovery and LRGHealthcare – Recovery coaches respond to the hospital within

30mins for any overdose survivor & bring Narcan – Coaches also go to visit with inpatient individuals

who are identified as having a SUD • Since June 2017, we have seen 155 patients

– 54 have received services / referrals – 71 did not provide contact info – 30 were “other”

Hospitals & Recovery Coaches

Questions & Answers