How Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
affects healthcare

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Investing in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention and Recovery to Improve the Healthcare System

SUD has an impact on the healthcare system, from increasing treatment demands to long-term health consequences for individuals. The opioid crisis, a primary focus of AHPA’s initiatives, underscored this need when it was declared a national public health emergency in 2017. This declaration brought attention to the rise in opioid-related deaths, especially those tied to long-acting narcotics initially prescribed for pain. By investing in SUD prevention and recovery efforts, healthcare systems can help reduce the impact of addiction on patients and create a healthcare system that better serves everyone.

AHPA Recognizes That Substance Use Disorder is a Driver of Health

AHPA views substance use disorder, especially opioid misuse, as a critical public health issue. By advocating for increased funding for community-based mental health services, AHPA aims to keep vulnerable populations out of emergency rooms, jails, and other settings unequipped for long-term care. It also prioritizes education and training for healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community members to improve early detection and intervention. Through partnerships with public health departments, faith communities, and schools, AHPA is building a collaborative network to support and empower communities affected by SUD.

Government Investment Can Create Sustainable Solutions for Substance Use Disorder Nationwide

Funding can support: 

  • Community-Based Support: Community-based resources like counseling and support groups offer an alternative to institutionalization and help individuals access care close to home.
  • Crisis Intervention Training (CIT): By incorporating training modules focused on substance use disorder, law enforcement officers can better understand and respond to situations involving individuals struggling with addiction. This training can help keep individuals from entering the criminal justice system and direct them to the appropriate treatment and support services.
  • Addressing Root Causes: Public health funding can support programs that provide job training and tackle the root causes of substance use, such as food insecurity and lack of affordable housing. By addressing these underlying socio-economic factors, such initiatives help prevent the development of substance use disorder, and keep vulnerable populations out of emergency rooms and jails.

The five AHPA health systems are already leading the way in addressing substance use disorder within their communities:

AdventHealth is Improving Substance Use Care through Collaboration and Training

  • Community Collaboration: The Hope & Healing Center in Sanford, Florida, offers comprehensive substance use treatment, including 30-day residential care and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) with group therapy sessions. The center collaborates with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, EMS/Fire Rescue, Board of County Commissioners, Wal-Mart and local organizations to improve opioid addiction care and treatment approaches in healthcare and criminal justice systems. 
  • ER Staff Training: AdventHealth trains ER staff at Altamonte Springs to improve substance use response.

Loma Linda is Offering Personalized Support to Patients Through its SURW Program

  • Specialized Addiction Care: The Substance Use Recovery and Wellness (SURW) program at the Behavioral Medicine Center provides specialized care for adults with addictions, including alcohol, benzodiazepines, hallucinogens, opiates and prescription drugs. It offers a wide range of treatments, from individual and group therapy to medication management and family support, using evidence-based approaches such as the 12-step program, cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. The program also includes specialized tracks like the Chronic Pain and Medication Dependency Track, which incorporates alternative treatments like acupuncture, acupressure massage therapy and yoga to manage pain without narcotics or mood-altering substances.

Adventist Health is Expanding Access to Addiction Treatment and Recovery Support

  • Addiction Treatment Support: Adventist Health offers Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) programs at locations like Clear Lake, Ukiah and Feather River, using medications like Suboxone to manage withdrawal symptoms and support recovery. Several locations also participate in the CA Bridge program, offering comprehensive support through screening, intervention and navigation services.
  • Substance use Navigation: Substance use Navigators (SUNs) are integrated into care teams to provide personalized support, help patients overcome barriers to treatment and connect them to resources such as rehab or outpatient programs.
  • Opioid Overdose Prevention: To combat opioid overdoses, Adventist Health provides free Narcan (Naloxone) kits and training to patients, families and community members.
  • Integrated Mental Health Care: Recognizing the connection between substance use disorder and mental health, locations like Adventist Health Glendale offer integrated programs that treat both addiction and underlying mental health conditions, supporting long-term recovery.

Adventist HealthCare is Supporting Recovery with Outpatient and Family-Centered Care

  • Flexible Outpatient Support: Adventist HealthCare offers intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and structured outpatient programs (SOP) for adults with substance use disorder, providing recovery support while individuals live at home.
  • Family-Centered Care: Recognizing the impact of substance use disorder on families, Adventist HealthCare provides family therapy and weekly multi-family group sessions to foster communication, educate families about the recovery process and address challenges.
  • Evidence-Based Treatment: Using proven approaches like the Matrix Model, Adventist HealthCare incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing techniques to support recovery.

Kettering Health is Supporting Patients from Prevention to Recovery

  • Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services: The Kettering Behavioral Medicine Center treats patients with both mental illness and substance use disorder through a 14-bed inpatient unit and an intensive outpatient program. Kettering Health also offers a range of mental and behavioral health services, including inpatient crisis stabilization, medication management and counseling, recognizing the connection between mental and physical health. 
  • Alternative Pain Management: Through the “PAUSE – Not All Pain is the Same” program, Kettering Health provides physicians and pharmacists with non-opioid pain management options. A $1.39 million federal grant supports the initiative and includes emergency center pain navigators who guide patients toward alternative treatments.
  • Substance Use Recovery Support: Kettering Health offers Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) in its emergency departments, combining medication, counseling and behavioral therapies. Case managers offer education on responsible prescribing and emerging drug trends while connecting patients to long-term recovery programs.

The Opportunity to Transform Substance Use Disorder

AHPA recognizes the need for a holistic approach to healthcare when addressing SUD. Investing in community-based resources, expanding access to treatment and empowering individuals and families through education are just some of the ways AHPA is expanding SUD support. By implementing these strategies, healthcare systems can reduce the development of SUD and improve the well-being of communities.

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