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 ...
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 ...
Spectrum Health Systems’ Residential Substance Abuse Programs Receive 3-Year CARF Accreditation in Georgia
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. has received another three-year accreditation from CARF International for the organization’s state-wide Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Programs (RSAT) in Georgia. CARF accreditation is awarded to providers who meet state-of-the-art national standards of performance. Providers who seek CARF accreditation must demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practices and continual quality improvement.
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 ...
Spectrum Health Systems on New England Cable News
You may have seen that opioid deaths are down in Massachusetts. It’s great news, but it’s not the whole story. To date, more than 1,400 residents have passed away from overdoses in 2017 and that’s still a very large number. Following the announcement of Governor Charlie Baker’s new plan to ...
Spectrum’s Annual Meeting Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Address Opioid Crisis
More than 100 people gathered on October 19th for Spectrum Health Systems’ Annual Meeting held at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester, Massachusetts. The evening underscored Spectrum’s ongoing efforts to address the opioid crisis.
Spectrum Health Systems Announces New Vice President of Clinical Services
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, announces today the appointment of Vice President of Clinical Services Lisa Blanchard.
Spectrum’s 16th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Raises Record Amount
Spectrum Health Systems, the largest private, non-profit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider in New England, hosted its 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, October 16th at the beautiful Worcester Country Club in Worcester, Mass. This historic course is known for hosting the first Ryder Cup in 1927, and was also the site of the 1925 U.S. Open. It was Spectrum’s first tournament at the Worcester Country Club where it plans to return next year.
Spectrum Health Systems Partners with Worcester Police and Executive Office of Public Safety & Security to Focus on Treatment, Rather Than Prosecution
A new program spearheaded by the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) will now give those struggling with addiction who get caught buying narcotics a choice: seek help for addiction or face prosecution.
