Remembering Alcohol Use Disorder Amidst the Opioid Epidemic
As we come to a close on Alcohol Awareness Month 2018, we want to stress that raising awareness of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) should continue to be a priority. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 88,000 people die every year from AUD and other alcohol-related ...
Get to Know Romas Buivydas, Ph.D, Our Vice President of Clinical Development and Host of Airing Addiction
Spectrum Health Systems and the New England Recovery Center provide preeminent evidence-based addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts. The quality of our services is a true testament to Spectrum’s dedicated and experienced staff, including a talented team of leaders, clinicians, social workers, admissions counselors and beyond who contribute to our superior continuum ...
An Inside Look: The Family Education Forum
If you’ve been involved in the Spectrum Health Systems or New England Recovery Center communities for any amount of time, you’ve seen or heard us stress the importance of involving family and loved ones in the recovery process. For many years, we’ve offered the Family Education Forum at each of ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Inside Spectrum – Spring 2018
In This Issue: Letter from the President OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY Michael Earielo is the Heart of the Pleasant Street Peer Recovery Center | The Bright Futures Team Rallies at a Critical Moment | Damaris Diaz Has Multiple Talents | Spectrum Virginia Calls Out Shannon Smith, An Outstanding Role Model ...
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 ...
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 ...
Inside Look: What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
In our Inside Look series, we’re taking you behind the curtain of each of Spectrum Health Systems’ services to prepare you for your journey to sobriety. If you haven’t already, go back and check out our posts on outpatient treatment, inpatient detoxification, clinical stabilization and residential treatment. Addiction is a ...
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 ...
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 ...
An Inside Look: Outpatient Treatment
Entering treatment is critical for anybody struggling with a substance use disorder, but beginning the process can be intimidating. You’re not sure what to expect, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there. In our Inside Look series, we’re taking you behind the curtain of Spectrum Health Systems to prepare ...
An Inside Look: Residential Treatment with Spectrum Health Systems
At Spectrum Health Systems, we’re all about demystifying the road to recovery. So far, we’ve walked you through medication-assisted treatment, insurance coverage, clinical stabilization, and most recently, inpatient detoxification. The next step in the process, following clinical stabilization, is residential treatment. Residential treatment, also known as rehab or inpatient treatment, ...
Get to Know Lisa Blanchard, Spectrum’s New Vice President of Clinical Services
At Spectrum Health Systems, we put great confidence in our employees. Through various educational initiatives and a supportive company culture, we’ve cultivated a talent pool of which we’re very proud. Lisa Blanchard is a shining example of growth within Spectrum, and we’re thrilled to announce her promotion to Vice President ...
