In a groundbreaking move, the landscape of mental health care and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the United States is undergoing a significant transformation. The shift began with the proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, a document that outlined sweeping changes aimed at enhancing mental health and substance use services for millions of Americans.
Every September, National Recovery Month serves as a beacon of hope for those grappling with addiction, reminding us that recovery is achievable. It highlights the stories of individuals who have embarked on the challenging path of recovery and emerged as victors. Initiated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Recovery Month emphasizes the societal advantages of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental health and substance use disorders.
The cause of a drug overdose is either by accidental overdose or by intentional misuse. In 2021, almost 107,000 drug overdose deaths occurred, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Read on to learn about signs of a drug overdose.
The surge in substance use, including xylazine, is causing significant harm to individuals and communities, leading to an increase in drug overdoses. There is a need for the development of innovative addiction treatments tailored to these modern substances.
The behavioral health industry is facing a workforce shortage. As behavioral health problems are becoming less stigmatized, more people are reaching out to receive care. It is positive news that people are seeking help, however at the same time, meeting the needs of the population is becoming harder to do with existing workforce strategies. There is one growing trend that, coupled with a vibrant telehealth strategy, can improve access to care and strengthen business opportunities. That trend is the move toward professional licensure compacts. One very important compact is known as the Counseling Compact.
In Part I of this series, we explored the dynamic changes in the regulatory and business landscape within the behavioral health industry since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. One significant obstacle to effective and accessible substance use treatment has been the presence of outdated and ineffective regulations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially lifted the global emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a positive trend in containing the spread of the virus worldwide. Additionally, the United States' public health emergency has also ended. As a result, healthcare providers, including treatment providers, are navigating a new world with significant changes compared to the early months of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread changes in the healthcare industry, including the adoption of new protocols and technologies, which providers must continue to adapt to moving forward.
Just as the name implies, a Center of Excellence (CoE) designation in an addiction treatment provider ensures the treatment center will provide exemplary service in all aspects of addiction care, from treatment to technology. Qualifying as a CoE demonstrates that a facility is an industry leader for providing the highest quality of clinical care, using evidence-based and emerging promising practices, with substantiated positive outcomes.
We are living in an unfortunate time where addiction and addiction-related deaths have reached an all-time high. Many have seen this as an opportunity “get into the addiction business,” offering substandard treatment services in a resort-like setting.
While these accommodations may be appealing to some, achieving sobriety and building a foundation in recovery that can last a lifetime should be first and foremost.
Anyone can open a treatment center; however, not everyone can keep a treatment center open and running successfully.
Why do treatment centers, such as Elements Behavioral Health (EBH), who recently filed for bankruptcy, fail?
Read on to learn more.
Ascension Recovery Services’ team of experienced professionals have successfully launched addiction treatment centers that focus on two goals: quality care and a financially viable and sustainable business model. The need for quality addiction treatment continues to rise and starting your own treatment center can be a great way to have a profitable business that makes a difference. However, if you have decided to open your own treatment program, there are many factors to consider.
