Community Resilience Equals Prevention and Recovery Services Working as One
Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) believes that prevention and recovery services need to function in unison to affect communities. For years, TTC’s clinical and administrative staff have worked together to realize both goals. Moreover, Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the current Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration under the Biden-Harris Administration, expresses the same priorities. Hence, given the synchronicity of SAMHSA and TTC, the result is an undeniable positive.
In a recent article, Dr. Delphine-Rittmon, former the Director of Cultural Competence and Research Consultation with the Yale University Program for Recovery and Community Health, underscores this connection. Published on November 9, 2021, the article’s name is “Building Community Resilience – Prevention and Recovery Services Working Together.” Indeed, in a time of great division, working together to save lives makes perfect sense.
Prevention and Recovery Services Go Hand-in-Hand
In her analysis, Dr. Delphine-Rittmon concludes that “Prevention and recovery services are critical elements of a health safety net for communities. Let us sustain and bolster these services and work together to ensure seamless support for people in recovery and their families.” Backing this conclusion, Dr. Delphine-Rittmon highlights the ravaging of communities nationwide by substance use disorders. The damage is beyond words from the opioid epidemic, including record overdose deaths (93,331 in 2020 alone).
From the perspective of TTC, as it states on the home page of our website, “We provide whole-person healthcare through our integrated programs of primary medical and behavioral healthcare.” Thus, it is easy to mark the crucial shift in policy. The Biden-Harris Administration champions a full continuum of care to address the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis nationwide. Hence, while prevention services try to stop the problem from spreading, integrated recovery services help people and families already under siege.
For Dr. Delphine-Rittmon, the nexus point between prevention services and recovery services is clear. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) leads the charge in the federal government. Moreover, SAMHSA’s newly announced Office of Recovery focuses on promoting recovery for all Americans. Through agency and stakeholder activities, the office will help to ensure equity in prevention and recovery services across the country. By working in unison with healthcare providers, the response rises to a higher level.
Recovery Services and Support Services Connected to Mental Health
In her comprehensive article, Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon also underlines the connection between recovery services and mental health (MH) support. Indeed, the greater continuum of care that includes recovery services only thrives with the recognition of co-occurring disorders. Thus, both prevention and recovery services need to operate under a dual umbrella of behavioral health and mental health. Hence, root causes like childhood trauma that lie behind behavioral health issues remain a treatment priority. As Dr. Gabor Mate emphasizes, “The question is not why the addiction but why the pain.”
Following this model of comprehensive healthcare strategies, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon emphasizes that “Prevention and recovery services operate under the behavioral health umbrella, share common goals, have distinct sets of services funded through separate sources, and address social determinants of health. To build community resilience, there is tremendous potential to work together in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.”
Tarzana Treatment Centers Equals a Nexus Point of Support
Therefore, as a provider of such integrated services, Tarzana Treatment Centers is proud to work closely with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Indeed, the values and approach of Dr. Delphin-Rittmon reflect the values of our organization. Thus, if you or a loved one needs integrated healthcare support for SUD or mental health challenges, please do not hesitate to contact us today.