By: Sasha Millington, Durham CRP & Jack Register, High Point CM The LGBTQI movement began as a riot. Black and Brown and Gender Non Conforming LGBTQI people stood up at Stonewall and said enough is enough. They fought for the ability to be who we are without harassment. The PRIDE we celebrate today is built on the courage of so many who have come before us. Many LGBTQI people have struggled with substance use and/or mental health conditions because of discrimination. The recovery journey can be a lonely one if you do not know that others really know and see you as you are. Whether recovery is from a substance use disorder; a mental health disorder; or loving someone who is struggling with recovery we all want to be seen and heard as we are. We at Eleanor Health are committed to serving those from the LGBTQI spectrum of communities. Our staff and our services are designed to address the needs of those who have not been honored because of gender identity/expression and/or sexual orientation. We have specialists from medical and counseling staff to our peer recovery specialists who see us as we are. We understand sexuality and gender as fluid and can walk with you through recovery. Wherever you are in your journey, we can help. If you love someone who identifies as LGBTQI and is struggling with substance use and/or mental health concerns we can help. The statistics of suicide and overdose in our communities is staggering. Many of us struggle to find a place to be ourselves. We also struggle to find help from care providers who understand the needs we bring as well. What we value most at Eleanor Health is that we can go beyond being LGBTQI “friendly.” We are an organization that lives its mission. Our team has the capacity to be transparent because we can be ourselves in our work. We can build genuine relationships with our members so that treatment is effective by being informed of the person’s needs. How do we do this? Eleanor Health embraces our team as they are where they are in the journey of identity and recovery. Hear a little about our stories: Sasha: I was looking to be seen or heard as my family did not accept me due to their Religious Beliefs. I self medicated, and did things that did not show the best version of myself because I wanted to “fit in”. At that time Therapy wasn’t really an option as I was unaware that it could be an option. Therapy within my community wasn’t talked about, and being gay while being black is also not to be talked about. The only options for me were 1)Establish a better relationship with God, and 2) try your best not to be gay as it shows disrespect to your family. When I finally began therapy I had many layers to unpack, and the environment that I began therapy in didn’t make me feel very comfortable to do so. I’m aware that they are usually support groups specialized for different things such as AA, or NA. But there weren’t any groups or anything really pertaining to LGBTQI for me to feel connected to. Jack: I became a helper because I spent much of my life feeling broken and wrong. I never knew another person who was LGBTQI. I survived much abuse and ridicule because of who I am as a queer person. In this day and age where we see many folx out everywhere it can still be lonely and isolating if you do not feel safe to be yourself. Many of us are called crazy or turn to substances to cope with the emptiness we feel. I struggled for years to find a safe place to be myself. Corbin: As CEO of Eleanor Health, and a member of the LGBTQI community, our commitment to the needs of the LGBTQI community are uniquely understood. For many in the LGBTQI community, societal pressures and the daily struggle and decision to be out and yourself can be stressful. Like the familiar head nod when you recognize that someone is a member of your LGBTQI family, working through recovery with those who have shared experience can feel more safe and affirming. Research statistics have determined that the LGBTQI community has a greater likelihood than non-LGBTQI persons of experiencing a substance use dependence in their lifetime, and often enter treatment facilities with more severe substance use dependence. The importance of the LGBTQI community “being seen” is one of the reasons our chances are greater of having a SUD is due to not being seen and not being heard. It also contributes to many people within our community struggling with and ultimately being overwhelmed by death by suicide. It does not matter if you are a person that is out or not, being with those who see you as you are feels good. When working with a member who identifies under the LGBTQI community they always appreciate it when we can be open about our fiancé in Sasha’s case or Jack’s chef hubby’s latest grilling adventure. We are open because when a person is ready to share something personal about themselves we want them to be comfortable. At Eleanor Health we want them to know that they don’t have to carry the weight of fear around. Come on in and meet us (in person or virtually!) at Eleanor Health. You can request a free consultation, schedule an appointment or drop into our free, online LGBTQI recovery support group. We are happy to be of service and happy to celebrate PRIDE! from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/06/finding-safe-recovery-space-when-you.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/finding-a-safe-recovery-space-when-you-identify-along-the-lgbtqi-spectrum/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/06/finding-safe-recovery-space-when-you.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/finding-a-safe-recovery-space-when-you-identify-along-the-lgbtqi-spectrum/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/06/finding-safe-recovery-space-when-you.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/finding-a-safe-recovery-space-when-you-identify-along-the-lgbtqi-spectrum/
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What is alcoholism? Alcoholism, which is often referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder in which a person has a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol and experiences a pattern of excessive or uncontrollable alcohol use. This means that it’s hard for a person to stop thinking about alcohol and change how much they consume, even if it has a harmful impact on their life. Even if they try to stop drinking, they may experience difficult or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. AUD can lead to serious health complications, such as:
What are the symptoms of alcohol use disorder? It’s not always easy to determine if someone has an alcohol use disorder. Some people may seem perfectly healthy and functional in their daily lives but they keep their alcohol use a secret from loved ones. Common symptoms can include:
Is binge drinking the same thing as alcohol addiction? Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, binge drinking refers to drinking a large amount of alcohol at one time. For men, it’s drinking five or more drinks within two hours. For women, it is four or more drinks within two hours. Drinking excessively from time to time does not mean someone has an AUD but it does put them at a higher risk for developing it over time. Can alcohol addiction be cured? There is no magic cure for AUD but it is treatable and manageable. With a treatment plan that meets a person’s specific needs, the brain and body can recover from the effects of alcohol while a person learns coping skills to control cravings and sustain long-term recovery. Some common components of an AUD treatment plan include:
Are you worried you or a loved one may need help to manage alcohol use? Find out more by taking this quiz about alcohol use. from from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/06/what-is-alcoholism-faq-about-alcohol.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/what-is-alcoholism-faq-about-alcohol-addiction/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/06/what-is-alcoholism-faq-about-alcohol.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/what-is-alcoholism-faq-about-alcohol-addiction/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/06/what-is-alcoholism-faq-about-alcohol.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/what-is-alcoholism-faq-about-alcohol-addiction/ Since the COVID-19 pandemic, benzodiazepine prescriptions, commonly used in the treatment of anxiety, have been on the rise. According to a recent study of 3 million people, prescriptions for benzodiazepines increased by 34% from mid-February to mid-March. This spike aligns with the timeline related to coronavirus information becoming more widespread in the news and social media, while millions of Americans grappled with stress and worries related to their job security and health. While this class of medications can be helpful in the short-run, benzodiazepines are associated with serious long-term risks and addiction. Here is what you need to know. What are benzodiazepines? Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive medications that depress the brain’s central nervous system and produce a calming, sedative effect. Often referred to as benzos, some of the most familiar brand names include Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
How addictive are benzodiazepines? While benzodiazepines can be very beneficial for treating symptoms in temporary situations, in no short time, these medications can create a dependency risk for the person taking them. Benzodiazepines are habit-forming, even when they are prescribed at therapeutic doses. In as little as 30 days, a person can become physically dependent on the medication, which is generally why they would only receive a short-term prescription, in addition to other behavioral or medical health resources. What are the signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction? It’s not always clear to tell if someone is addicted to benzodiazepines, especially because they might keep their drug use private and not show public or obvious signs of it. If you are concerned that you or someone you know has a problem with benzodiazepines, some signs of addiction include:
What are the dangers of benzodiazepine misuse? Taking benzodiazepine drugs as directed for short-term use presents little risk. However, misusing the medication or taking it in addition to other substances can be very dangerous. Alcohol and benzodiazepines have a similar depressant effect on the brain, so when taken together, this effect is intensified. Mixing benzodiazepines with opioids can also produce a strong sedative effect that puts a person at risk for serious respiratory difficulties that can even be fatal. What is benzodiazepine withdrawal like? Once physical dependency sets in, withdrawal symptoms can happen as soon the dose is reduced or stopped abruptly. With shorter-acting drugs like Xanax and Ativan, symptoms typically begin with 24 hours and peak after 72 hours. For longer-acting drugs like Klonopin and Valium, withdrawal usually begins within 48 hours to one week after the last dose. Symptoms of withdrawal can include:
The most severe form of benzo withdrawal is delirium tremens (dTs), which most commonly develop in individuals dependent on shorter-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax and Ativan but can also occur with longer-acting benzos. If a person develops any dT symptoms from benzodiazepine withdrawal, seek medical attention immediately. Struggling with benzo usage? Eleanor Health can help you to get through it. Contact our Treatment Specialists today for more information. from from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/06/are-benzodiazepines-next-addiction.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/are-benzodiazepines-the-next-addiction-crisis-faq-about-benzos/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/06/are-benzodiazepines-next-addiction.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/are-benzodiazepines-the-next-addiction-crisis-faq-about-benzos/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/06/are-benzodiazepines-next-addiction.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/are-benzodiazepines-the-next-addiction-crisis-faq-about-benzos/ This letter was sent to all Eleanor Health employees on May 31, 2020. Dear Eleanor Health Team Members, As your Co-Founding and Executive Leadership Team, responsible for embodying the culture, compassion and whole-person values of #TheEleanorWay, we are writing this letter to recognize and validate the pain that our Black community is experiencing acutely as a result of the false 911 call against Christian Cooper and the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd; and chronically as a result of pervasive systemic racism. While we know the pain of police brutality and racism is shared among all people, we also know that a Black man is three times more likely to be killed during a police encounter, than a white man – just one statistic that represents the disproportionate impact to Black communities. We know that traditional corporate cultures do not create space for meaningful dialog about racism and systemic inequity, often instead, continuing work as usual as if many of us are not bleeding from the wounds of current and historical events. At Eleanor Health, we commit to be different. We commit to support you, to raise our voices, to create an anti-racism culture, to let you know you don’t have to hide your pain at work and to truly care for you as a whole person. From Corbin: Over the weekend, the founding and executive team spent a lot of time discussing racism, what we could do, and checking in on one another. Specifically, I wrote Nzinga to see how she was doing and ask, as a white woman, what I could do, knowing she must be feeling incredible pain, hurt, and fear. As leaders, it’s important that we make sure our teams feel safe – both physically and to be open and honest about what they are feeling – and to create a space for open dialogue. As an organization, we must focus on being anti-racism both for our teams and for our communities. We will be opening up our All Hands meeting on Tuesday to let people share what they are feeling, and offer ideas on what we can do to act. We hope this will be the start of an ongoing discussion focused on healing and understanding. From Nzinga: As a Black woman, daughter of a Black man, wife of a Black husband, mother of two Black sons who at 13 and 14 years old, are no longer seen by whites and police as cute little boys, but rather as scary Black men, this is personal. I know firsthand what it means to be terrified for my husband and sons’ lives and outraged in my personal life, but asked to conduct business as usual in my professional life. We care too deeply about you, to ask the same at Eleanor Health. A core part of our identity is advocacy, equity and justice. We must apply those core values not only on behalf of the members we serve, but for you, our Eleanor Health team members. From Michael: I can’t pretend to know what members of the Black community are feeling right now. I won’t ever experience the confusion, fear or anger of having to navigate a world that has so much institutional bias to fight, let alone have to deal with the individual cases of prejudice and hate. What I can do, however, is fully commit to appreciating the challenges you face and to offer my support by fully embracing anti-racism. The challenge is that racism isn’t always obvious or intentional, especially for those who haven’t experienced its effects on a personal level. So, we’re going to have to tackle this together. It won’t always be easy – I know that I like many still have much to learn and there will likely be plenty of mistakes and forgiveness required along the way. Also, there is no real endpoint to this effort so long a racism persists in our society. That said, rather than be discouraged, I see this as another opportunity for us to distinguish ourselves as company. If there is one thing that sets us apart at Eleanor, it is our shared commitment at all levels to take on what makes others uncomfortable and an unwillingness to settle for the status quo when change is needed. From Srishti: Compassion is at our core at Eleanor, and we see the pain of our team members, of our community members, of our society, and yet it persists. Breonna Taylor was killed in her Louisville home, and Christian Cooper was subjected to a dangerous accusation and 911 call in his favorite Manhattan park. These are both places I call home. These are both communities meant to be progressive and thoughtful, and yet the most unjust reflection of human judgement and institutions has reared its ugly head: racism. We must counteract, we must speak up, and we must continue growing our capacity to do so. In the coming weeks, we hope to provide opportunities to have real conversations and to share your concerns and feelings. A very common question is What Can We Do? In the words of Ijeoma Oluo, the beauty of anti-racism is that it does not require us to be free of racism, but rather to fight it wherever we see it, even in ourselves. The first step is to recognize we have a problem and to overcome the barrier and stigma of talking about it, so that we can be of support to each other.
We commit to be different at Eleanor Health. We commit to condemn racism wherever we see it – even when it is in ourselves. We commit to raise our voices in advocacy for others to do the same. We commit to be anti-racist. We commit to care for the whole person including racism-based wounds, and that starts with us raising our voices for you. Please reach out to us for any support you need and with any ideas you have for how we at Eleanor Health, can be part of the solution on this painful journey to healing. Yours in solidarity, Corbin, Nzinga, Srishti and Michael
from from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/06/statement-from-eleanor-healths-co.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/statement-from-eleanor-healths-co-founders-and-executive-team/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/06/statement-from-eleanor-healths-co.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/statement-from-eleanor-healths-co-founders-and-executive-team/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/06/statement-from-eleanor-healths-co.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/statement-from-eleanor-healths-co-founders-and-executive-team/ What is addiction? Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder of the brain’s reward system. This is associated with compulsive and continued drug use despite harmful life consequences or physical side effects. Addiction, known medically as substance use disorder, is considered as both a mental health condition and a complex brain disorder. As time goes on and usage continues, how the person’s brain, body, and mind function can change dramatically and negatively impact their life. What drugs can a person be addicted to? Different drugs have different effects on different people. This is why some people can use drugs experimentally on occasion and not become addicted. However, if usage becomes more regular, some people become unable to control when and how much they are using. Certain drugs like stimulants, cocaine, or opioid painkillers, can cause a person to develop an addiction more quickly than other drugs. People can become addicted to legal and illegal drugs or substances, including:
Who can develop an addiction? Addiction can affect people from all backgrounds and can happen to anyone, at any age. There is no easy way to spot an addiction disorder because not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. The people with a high risk of developing an addiction may experience:
Is there a cure for addiction? There isn’t an easy or magical cure for drug addiction but it is a treatable medical condition. With the appropriate treatment for their specific needs, a person can improve their addiction over time, reduce their risk of relapse, and achieve a successful long-term recovery. Seek addiction help today. Contact us to learn more about starting treatment. from from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-is-addiction-faq-about-addiction.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/what-is-addiction-faq-about-addiction/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-is-addiction-faq-about-addiction.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/what-is-addiction-faq-about-addiction/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-is-addiction-faq-about-addiction.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/what-is-addiction-faq-about-addiction/ Alcohol addiction impacts millions of people, as well as the people closest to them. It affects all types of families, no matter their background, race, or circumstances. Witnessing a loved one struggle with alcohol addiction can be stressful. It can be confusing or difficult to know how to help them with their struggle, especially if you are unsure when or how to start. Here are some steps you can take to get alcohol addiction help for your family.
Alcohol addiction is often referred to as a “family disease” because it strongly affects the spouse, siblings, children, and parents of the person with the addiction. Family members are grappling with mixed emotions–loving the person with addiction but hating the effect that the addiction has on the person. Living in a home where alcohol addiction is present can feel very tense, stressful, and chaotic. While you may feel like you are to blame for your family member’s alcohol addiction, remember, it is not your fault. Addiction is a disease and you alone are not responsible for causing it or making it stop. 2. Remember that you need and deserve healing for yourself Whether or not your loved one is in treatment for their addiction, don’t wait to start the healing process for yourself and others in the family. There are special groups, designed specifically for families living with alcohol addiction, that connect you with other families in the same situation and facing similar struggles. Together, you learn how to best support your loved one throughout their recovery and how to cope with your emotions related to the addiction.
3. Take steps in the right direction for supporting your loved one As much as you want your family member’s addiction to stop, ultimately, it’s up to the person with alcohol addiction to seek treatment. But your actions can help break down the walls that addiction builds. Here are some approaches to take with your family member that can put them on a better path:
4. Find a treatment program and heal together There are many types of treatment programs and supportive resources available, depending on your loved one’s specific needs. Once your family member is in treatment for their alcohol addiction, some treatment programs offer family therapy, which can help you rebuild trust, communication, and stability. Some programs even provide community-based resources for families to help with any needs related to housing, employment, childcare, healthcare, and legal services. If you’re seeking help with your loved one’s addiction, call us today to speak with an Addiction Treatment Specialist.from from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-do-families-get-help-when-loved-one.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/how-do-families-get-help-when-a-loved-one-has-alcoholism/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-do-families-get-help-when-loved-one.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/how-do-families-get-help-when-a-loved-one-has-alcoholism/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-do-families-get-help-when-loved-one.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/how-do-families-get-help-when-a-loved-one-has-alcoholism/ Eleanor Health launched in NJ and Cherry Hill Received Local and National News CoverageEleanor Health launched in New Jersey with a Virtual Open House and Q&A – watch the entire event below! NBC Philadelphia coverage of our launch, including an interview with NJ GM and Eleanor Health Co-Founder, Srishti Mirchandani. Fierce Healthcare profiled Eleanor Health, including our work in North Carolina and New Jersey: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals-health-systems/launched-to-rethink-addiction-treatment-eleanor-health-opens-new-virtual New Jersey Business shared the news of Eleanor Health’s expansion into the state https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/eleanor-health-expands-to-nj/ from from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-news-clips-from-nj-and.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/eleanor-health-news-clips-from-nj-and-cherry-hill-launch/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-news-clips-from-nj-and.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/eleanor-health-news-clips-from-nj-and-cherry-hill-launch/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-news-clips-from-nj-and.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/eleanor-health-news-clips-from-nj-and-cherry-hill-launch/ Addiction treatment startup Eleanor Health expands reach with Horizon BCBSNJ partnershipby Tina Reed | May 12, 2020 4:00pm Eleanor Health—which launched in October 2019 in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina—was designed to be the first to use a value-based delivery and payment model for substance abuse treatment delivered on an outpatient basis. (Getty/KatarzynaBialasiewicz) ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPrint What is the most effective way to treat addiction? As concerns around the opioid crisis dominated headlines over the last several years, it was a question a group of healthcare industry veterans wrestled with before coming up with Waltham, Massachusetts- and Asheville, North Carolina-based Eleanor Health. The addiction and mental health services startup—which launched last October in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina—is no 28-day program. Instead, they say it was designed to be the first to use a value-based delivery and payment model for substance abuse treatment delivered on an outpatient basis. They’ve got backing from some heavy hitters. To date, the group has raised more than $15 million in investor backing including from Town Hall Ventures, the venture firm started by former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) acting Administrator Andy Slavitt and Oxeon Holdings. Now, amid the COVID-19 crisis, it’s expanding with a new value-based partnership with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Eleanor plans to serve hundreds of patients across New Jersey with ten additional clinics in 2020 and 2021. RELATED: Former CMS administrator Slavitt’s venture firm closes $115M fund Eleanor also recently expanded addiction care on a digital basis with its first virtual clinic in Asheville, North Carolina. “There’s been a lot of misunderstandings and bad actors in this space,” said CEO Corbin Petro, who’s previously served as founding CEO and president of Benevera Health, a first-of-its-kind payer-provider joint venture with Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare’s New Hampshire insurance business and a newly formed population health services company. Petro was also formerly the chief operating officer of the Massachusetts Department of Medicaid. “We really are literally following the evidence and the outcomes and treating addiction as a chronic condition,” she said. New kind of addiction treatmentEleanor began with a mission to deliver evidence in a setting that was designed to be warm and welcoming. Treatment is based on what Petro called a “harm-reduction approach” which measures success based on improvements rather than black and white metrics. That means a patient doesn’t get disqualified from care, for instance, if a patient only reduces but doesn’t completely abstain from alcohol consumption, Petro said. The organization officially launched its first clinics in North Carolina with the help of partner BCBS of North Carolina, an insurer that has established itself as a leader in value-based care. It was a move that was key to standing up a care model that would be more effective, she said. “That’s the tough part, being able to do this work and do it sustainably. In order to do that, you really have to get buy-in from payers,” Petro said. RELATED: Industry Voices—More than dollars: Following the evidence to better addiction treatment When it comes to insurers investing in value-based payments for chronic conditions, there is always the hurdle of churn: Will their members stay members long enough to reap the benefits of their improved long-term outcomes? “When you think about Blue Cross of North Carolina, they are by far the dominant health insurer in that state. They have such market share, they’re not losing a lot of people. For them, from a business perspective, they have patients longer than a state where you might have five or six competitors.” They are also philosophically committed to the idea of value-based payments. “They’re doing that on the primary care side with Aledade, with City Block on the Medicaid side. Iora is coming into the state,” Petro said. “So they’re really trying to push value-based care as sort of a fundamental principle with the hopes of longterm gain. And part of it is, they just don’t see as much churn.” RELATED: Blue Cross NC, Quartet roll out value-based payment model for mental health Kate Hobbs Knutson, the chief of behavioral health at BCBS of North Carolina, said the insurer decided to partner with Eleanor because of the strength of the talent behind it as well as its commitment to the comprehensive approach needed in value-based care. “There are a few key things: One of them is same-day access. That’s really important with substance use,” Knutson said. “If a person is in a place where they are ready to change and seek treatment, you have to be available to help that need and that intention at that moment. Eleanor being able to do that has been really important.” Going virtualOf course, access is one of the primary challenges for any addiction services provider in the midst of shelter-in-place orders. Eleanor quickly had to shift to expand its virtual services, Petro said. “Quarantine, isolation, and lack of mental health services can have an adverse effect on those in recovery and the public at large,” she said. “Because we recognize the increased need for mental health services, higher incidences of alcohol and other drug use, and decreased access to addiction treatment as a result of COVID-19 and social distancing, Eleanor Health is now opening our suite of fully virtual services to anyone living in NC.” The virtual clinic was the fifth of more than 10 Eleanor Health plans to open in North Carolina this year, officials said. It will be fully staffed for virtual care, offering medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric management, therapy, nurse care navigation and recovery support services online, they said. It will also have limited walk-in hours and in-person appointments for those who are unable to connect virtually. “We built our model to be comprehensive and flexible—able to be delivered in our clinics, in patients’ homes or communities, and virtually—100% of our clinical model has always been able to be delivered virtually,” Petro said. “Still, some patients want to come in person, and we have enhanced procedures in place and screen all patients for COVID. We have delivered care from behind glass, in the car, and adhering to the six-foot distancing. Petro said the group has seen increased anxiety from community members being treated for addiction. That can make them more susceptible to more negative outcomes since they are still building their recovery capital. “We’re doing a lot more checking in and outreaching to community members, and seeing a lot more inbound emails, phone calls, and other correspondence.” The goal is to ultimately continue proving Eleanor’s model by capturing data that shows its ability to engage retain and improve the outcomes of our patients. “Really our goal ultimately is to provide a national platform for substance use disorder and addiction,” Petro said. “In 2021, our aim is to go into an additional three markets, grow the markets we’re in, and partner with innovative plans that really want to address this.” from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-expands-to-nj.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/eleanor-health-expands-to-nj/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-expands-to-nj.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/eleanor-health-expands-to-nj/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-expands-to-nj.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/eleanor-health-expands-to-nj/ One year ago, I started my journey as Co-Founder & CEO of Eleanor Health. At this major milestone, I have taken a moment to reflect on what we have achieved in our first year, our learnings, and what we have yet to accomplish. It is hard to fathom that thirteen months ago, Eleanor Health, backed by incredible investors committed to treating the most vulnerable, was a concept for changing how we treat, pay for, and deliver whole-person care for people affected by addiction. One year in, we’ve put our concept into action:
The impact we have had on our community members and our results have been incredible:
The team responsible for this impact has been challenged, particularly during COVID-19, and has responded with unbelievable resilience, adaptability, and reaffirmed commitment. We’ve created supports that illustrate our culture including daily, bi-weekly, and weekly check-ins, meetings, and communications. Our employee engagement is at an all-time high as we take care of each other. I am in awe every day of our team members’ commitment and demonstration of going above and beyond to meet the needs of our community members. The results speak to their commitment. Our Vision is More Important Now than EverFor decades, healthcare has viewed the brain as separate from the body and prioritized acute interventions over long-term, whole-person care. We have stigmatized addiction as a moral failing and allowed treatment to be unregulated and without evidence. We now know that addiction is a disease — a chronic medical condition that requires long-term management just like diabetes or any other chronic condition. Yet we have continued to view our mental healthcare, particularly addiction, as separate from the rest of healthcare, and without holding mental healthcare to the same standards. More than 20 million individuals are struggling with alcohol and other drug addictions, and their impacted families need different types of help, support, and care than offered today. Despite the significant attention on the opioid epidemic which caused more than 47,000 overdose deaths in 2017 alone and is now the number one cause of premature death for those under 50 — we have continued to ignore the most important fact about addiction: it’s chronic. Addiction is a chronic medical illness that is highly treatable. People have the potential to not only survive but thrive if supported and cared for in the right way. Meeting this challenge — helping people affected by addiction live amazing lives in recovery — is why we created Eleanor Health. Our TeamFor nearly 20 years, I have worked across all aspects of healthcare looking to improve how we design policies, use technology, and deliver and pay for care, particularly for our most vulnerable and underserved populations. I have learned that changing the existing system takes time, but when we get those parts right, we see dramatic improvements in outcomes. Expanding our thinking about healthcare to encompass the whole person has been the most meaningful focus of my work because it’s where I have seen the most dramatic impact for the most efficient investment of resources. Similarly, my co-founders, Nzinga Harrison, MD and Srishti Mirchandani, have spent their careers immersed in changing and improving our physical and behavioral health systems. As a physician specializing in psychiatry and addiction medicine, Nzinga has become a nationally recognized expert in stigma reduction and increasing access to care that addresses the medical and psychosocial aspects of addiction and other psychiatric disorders. Working with stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem with a focus on incentive redesign toward high-value care, Srishti brings experience in building new companies and solutions that enable the transformation of health and healthcare. Together, we created Eleanor Health to bring evidence, technology, and an outcome-driven whole-person approach… with the goal to fundamentally change the way addiction is managed by this country’s treatment system. One year in, we have had the opportunity to build our team to be the most talented and mission-driven I could ever imagine. Why Eleanor?One of the questions we’re asked most is “Why Eleanor?” The Greek meaning of the name Eleanor is “shining light.” Eleanor Health aims to set forth a new paradigm for addiction treatment and recovery by illuminating a path for each person seeking our services, each community we join, and the industry as a whole. The name is also an ode to Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the earliest champions for universal human rights including medical care. At the age of 15, Eleanor lost her own father to alcoholism. Dating as far back as the late 1800’s when Eleanor Roosevelt’s father was confined in a sanitarium for his alcoholism, we have allowed “treatment” to exist without evidence and often in counterproductive ways, given what we know now. As demonstrated throughout her life, Eleanor Roosevelt was far ahead of her time when she astutely compared those with addiction to be similar to those suffering from diabetes. Looking AheadWith a year under our belt, we have learned a lot and are even more committed to our vision to help people affected by addiction live amazing lives. We never could have envisioned a year ago that COVID-19 would emerge and turn our world upside down. The adaptability of the Eleanor Health team to continue providing access and evolving methods of interacting with community members has been nothing short of amazing. As we look ahead, we know our work and vision will be more important than ever before. While our ability to engage with people in new ways has expanded our footprint, we know the need for our care will be increasing as we approach the “second curve” of the novel coronavirus — our nation’s mental health. We’ve seen new and existing community members struggle with their recovery and more people using alcohol and other substances to cope with uncertainty, isolation, and anxiety. As we return to normalcy, these patterns and habits may impact health — and we’re committed to being here to help. It is clear to me that we have the economic resources invested in today’s system to achieve far better results, but we need to transition to comprehensive delivery models that produce value and reverse the perverse incentives that perpetuate dysfunction and fragmentation. The human and economic costs for this fragmentation and inefficiency are unsustainable. To be sure, it is a big challenge to create a centrally managed healthcare delivery and social ecosystem that treats addiction for what it is — a chronic health condition. However, payers, health systems, treatment providers, patients and their support systems share a common pain, and there is no better time than now to drive this necessary change. Eleanor Health is committed to taking on this challenge. The team at Eleanor Health contributed to this article including co-founders Dr. Nzinga Harrison and Srishti Mirchandani, and Advisors Greg Williams and David Smith. We would love to hear from you. from from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-one-year-in.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/eleanor-health-one-year-in/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-one-year-in.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/eleanor-health-one-year-in/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/05/eleanor-health-one-year-in.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/eleanor-health-one-year-in/ With millions of people practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are seeking alternative ways to connect. One growing method of communication during the coronavirus outbreak is online gatherings. At this time when people are craving social interaction and distraction from the stress of the COVID-19 outbreak, virtual meet-ups are an important lifeline to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness. Groups of friends are meeting online to chat, replacing their usual weekend hangouts. Instead of organizing in-person team building events, companies are hosting online events where colleagues can socialize. Even grandparents and less technology-savvy family members are firing up the webcam or downloading apps like Zoom, Facetime, and Skype to see loved ones on the screen. At the same time, liquor stores have been deemed essential businesses in most of the country, and are continuing to experience increased sales since the stay-at-home orders have been put in place. As app downloads and alcohol sales rise, this combination of factors indicates that people are even using these online gatherings for virtual happy hours. While it’s hard to determine if this will lead to more people excessively drinking, it’s important to be aware of the warning signs of unhealthy habits, and the health and safety risks associated with excessive alcohol use, including:
Know the Healthy Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption
Manage Drinking During Social Distancing
“Getting help for the underlying problems, like stress, depression, and anxiety that may be causing you to drink more often is very important,” says Dr. Nzinga Harrison, a Psychiatrist, Addiction Expert and Chief Medical Officer for Eleanor Health. “When left unaddressed, stress, depression and anxiety can make it extremely difficult to reduce or stop drinking, even for a person who is extremely motivated to do so.” Staying at home to reduce the spread of the virus comes with the added benefit of more flexible scheduling so you can arrange to speak with a specialist from the comfort and privacy of your home. You may even be able to join a virtual support group to meet with other people online who are in the same position as you or even medical professionals are available for video conferencing these days through telehealth services! . Need help with alcohol during quarantine? Eleanor Health is here to support you during the COVID-19 outbreak. Try us out by joining one of our free virtual support groups or booking a free 15-minute consultation. from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.blogspot.com/2020/05/virtual-happy-hours-drinking-little.html from Eleanor Health Durham https://eleanorhealthdurham.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/virtual-happy-hours-drinking-a-little-more-alcohol-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/ from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab8.blogspot.com/2020/05/virtual-happy-hours-drinking-little.html from Drug Rehab https://drugrehab88.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/virtual-happy-hours-drinking-a-little-more-alcohol-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/ from Opioid https://opioid0.blogspot.com/2020/05/virtual-happy-hours-drinking-little.html via Opioid https://opioid0.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/virtual-happy-hours-drinking-a-little-more-alcohol-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/ |