Like many people who begin misusing substances, Roslyn didn’t immediately see that she was developing an addiction. She started using opioids here and there, would try to stay clean for a while, and then start using again. It was a pattern that continued to get worse and worse, until a series of personal tragedies forced her to stop using and really take stock of her life.
Several years ago, Roslyn was arrested and spent three months in jail. During this same period, her boyfriend passed away from an overdose and a cousin was in a fatal car accident. While this was a devastating period in her life, it also made Roslyn realize that she wanted to recover from her addiction and start living a better life, for herself and for her daughter. “I can’t disappear on her again,” she realized. Of course, it takes a lot of support to have a successful recovery, as Roslyn already knew from her previous attempts. This time, while she was incarcerated and ready to seek treatment, it was readily available right then and there.
As one of the leading addiction treatment organizations, Spectrum works with a number of correctional facilities throughout the U.S. to provide in-prison addiction treatment services. During her incarceration, Roslyn was referred to Spectrum’s Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) program in the Massachusetts Department of Correction where she began receiving buprenorphine under a physician’s care along with counseling services for opioid use disorder. It was the first time she was able to remain in sustained recovery, as opposed to her previous treatment attempts in which she eventually returned to active addiction. Roslyn had tried methadone in the past, but it didn’t work for her. Spectrum’s medical team helped her find the medication and treatment model that best suited her individual needs.
The day she was released from prison, Roselyn was set up with one of Spectrum’s outpatient treatment centers to continue her treatment program. This is exactly how our hub and spoke model is designed to work: clients are given their initial intake at the hub (typically at 475 Pleasant Street in Worcester, Mass, but in this case through our in-prison treatment program), where they receive rapid access treatment. After stabilization, clients are referred to a treatment center closer to home (“the spoke”) where they’re able to receive longer-term treatment. In this way, clients receive treatment when they need it, instead of waiting for days for an appointment, which can greatly increase the risk of overdose or death.
Roslyn continued treatment with us during the pandemic, through phone and video calls during the peak of COVID, and then back to in-person services. She was glad that we were ready to transition to the remote model so quickly when it was necessary but was excited for the return of in-person meetings with her counselor.
Roslyn also found help from Spectrum in finding employment and dealing with her personal finances. Our staff is available to help all of our clients with financial and housing services, school and employment, knowing that these everyday challenges and stresses can compound an addiction or make it harder for a person to seek and/or maintain treatment.
“You get help with a lot of things at Spectrum,” Roslyn said. “Beyond just recovering from drugs or alcohol. Sanjay Grant, Spectrum’s Program Director helped me look for a doctor, and we have conversations about what’s going on in the world, how it makes you feel. Whatever you need, they will find someone who can help you.”
Spectrum’s hub and spoke model has proven life-changing for many people like Roslyn, who need both rapid access to addiction treatment and an individualized approach from clinicians and counselors.
Spectrum’s hub is located at 475 Pleasant Street in Worcester, Mass. Same-day admission and walk-in access are available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm and on Friday from 8am to 11am. Call (774) 314-4761 to learn more or to schedule an appointment. For more information on Spectrum Health Systems, visit www.SpectrumHealthSystems.org or call 1-877-MyRehab.
