Refining Addiction: Notable Changes and Future Implications
Language nuances change over time as society gains greater awareness and sensitivity regarding the struggles experienced by various groups of people. In the addiction treatment community, we’re well aware of the stigma often associated with the disease and its related vocabulary. The concepts of alcohol and drug dependency weren’t considered ...
Understanding Naloxone: Here’s How You Can Make A Difference for People Struggling with Addiction
Did you know that October 26 is National Make A Difference Day? Coming together to make a difference strengthens communities, overcomes adversity and builds resilience. To honor the event, we’re encouraging all to carry naloxone (otherwise known by brand names NARCAN® and EVZIO®) to save the lives of people dying ...
Spectrum Health Systems to Host Free Family Education Program on November 23rd – Sign Up Today!
At Spectrum Health Systems, we know from experience that when someone is struggling with substance use disorder, he or she does not suffer alone – the family suffers as well. As part of our client-centered, holistic approach to addiction treatment, we believe in the importance of family-focused programming. As a ...
National Recovery Month: A Peer Recovery Success Story
Every September, we observe National Recovery Month. Hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Recovery Month aims to increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders, while promoting professional services that help people in need. To wrap up National Recovery Month, we are sharing ...
How Has Addiction and Treatment Changed in the Last 50 Years?
Spectrum Health Systems was founded 50 years ago, and in that time, we’ve seen extensive strides taken in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Much has changed, and much has stayed the same – some treatments still in use today were introduced as early as the 1960s. Before we jump into ...
It’s Tee Time for Spectrum Health System’s 18th Annual Golf Tournament
We’re eagerly preparing for Spectrum’s 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament – our largest fundraiser of the year! On Monday, September 30th, Spectrum will take over the links at the Worcester Country Club in Worcester, MA to raise money in support of our mission to improve the lives of individuals impacted ...
Spectrum Health Systems Makes Long-Term Investment in Employees’ Professional Development
At Spectrum Health Systems, we attribute our success to our incredible staff. In order to attract and retain talented individuals who share our mission of providing the highest quality of addiction treatment, we offer a robust Educational Assistance program which supports all employees in their professional development. This year alone, ...
Spectrum’s Edition of Extreme Makeover
Recently, our peer recovery centers received a home makeover! As we celebrate our 50th anniversary of serving those struggling with addiction throughout Massachusetts and beyond, we thought it was time for some new digs. In Worcester, our peer recovery center, Everyday Miracles received brand new awnings, conference tables, flooring, TVs, ...
Get to Know Shannon Coolahan, Spectrum Health Systems’ Outpatient Clinician
Working in addiction treatment can be tough, but our incredible staff love their jobs. This week, we’re talking with one of our Master’s level clinicians, Shannon Coolahan, who has worked in our outpatient treatment center located in Waltham, Massachusetts for the past two years. What brought you to Spectrum Health ...
50 Years of Spectrum
As you may have heard, Spectrum Health Systems has been celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! We’ve come a long way since the company’s founding in 1969. As substance abuse has changed over the past 50 years, so too has Spectrum – in order to better treat individuals impacted by ...
How to Deal with Triggers in the Workplace
Many believe that addiction only affects the unemployed and homeless when, in reality, most are employed. In fact, of the estimated 96 million adults reported to have a substance use disorder, 72 percent are employed. Many factors can be attributed to substance use and dependency, with stress being one of ...
PTSD Awareness Day – June 27th
Back in 2010, Senator Kent Conrad spearheaded a campaign to create an official form of recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through a “day of awareness.” Senator Conrad was passionate about the creation of an awareness day as a tribute to North Dakota National Guard serviceman, Staff Sergeant Joe Biel, ...
Pride Month: How Addiction Impacts the LGBTQ+ Community
Pride Month is here! The month-long celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community is a time for fun, raising awareness and reflection. The LGBTQ community faces many hardships, from accepting their own identities to coming out to facing social and political adversity. Studies show that an estimated ...
Four Outstanding Spectrum Employees Celebrate 20 Years with Spectrum Health Systems
Four of our talented employees recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with Spectrum! Barbara Tingley, Lisa Blanchard, Earl Warren, and Carole Palaima have all dedicated decades to our organization. To show our gratitude for their hard work and support for Spectrum’s mission, we hosted a celebration luncheon for all home office ...
Mental Health Month: The Connection Between Addiction and Mental Health Grows
While mental health has become a widely talked about topic in recent years, May is the official observance for mental health awareness. In its 70th year, Mental Health Month was launched by Mental Health America in May of 1949 with a mission of reaching millions of Americans through the media, ...
