(Note: This article is a paid placement and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Billy Penn at WHYY.)
It’s been seven years since the opioid epidemic vaulted on to the front pages of newspapers and was declared a U.S. public health emergency. Today, with fentanyl sweeping the nation, overdoses are on the rise and it’s hard to meet someone who hasn’t been directly or indirectly impacted by the crisis.
Despite its pervasiveness, drug addiction is widely misunderstood, and many do not realize that individuals addicted to opioids are living with a complex — yet treatable — chronic disease, called opioid use disorder (OUD).
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the devastating burden of addiction on those living with the disease, as well as everyone around them. But it’s critical to remember that community support is where recovery begins.
Challenge preconceptions and break stigma with education and awareness
One of the first steps in recovery is education. We must challenge our own preconceptions, reframe the way we talk and think about addiction and recovery and work collaboratively so that all people living with OUD receive the care and dignity they deserve.
This social stigma prevents access to resources and creates barriers to evidence-based care and community support. Anti-stigma interventions are required in multiple settings outside healthcare, including the workplace, education, housing, and the criminal-legal system.
“I believe that if we can lift some of the stigma and pull this out of the shadows, we can start to really see a transformative change in our policies,” says Harry Cunnane, Vice President of Business Development at Caron Treatment Centers, and Managing Partner at Ghost Pepper.
Create ready access to diverse pathways of care
Implementing coordinated care and access to resources is critical for fostering effective and personalized recovery journeys. By offering a range of care options, such as inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient programs, therapy, and support groups, as well as accessible services like walk-in clinics or mobile clinics, we can support the unique needs of each person. This coordinated approach ensures that everyone has the opportunity to find their own path to recovery, regardless of their circumstances or challenges. Additionally, integrating these pathways into a cohesive network can help promote long-term success in recovery and sustained well-being.
Believe that recovery is possible for all — no matter what path is taken
Meeting individuals where they are, both logistically and on their path to improved health and recovery, requires a multipronged approach consisting of evidence-based practices.
One example is harm reduction, which incorporates community-driven public health strategies — including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion — to empower people who use drugs to reach their own goals through incremental change. Harm reductionists incorporate a spectrum of strategies and can serve as a pathway to desired health and social services, including recovery services and treatment. This potential connection is critical given the significant gap in those with OUD who have not received treatment or are not ready for it.
“When we participate in harm reduction, we’re not enabling people, we’re recognizing their humanity and recognizing that they might need support in a different way,” says Sarah Andersen, a clinical research coordinator and aspiring emergency room physician.
While the challenges to address the opioid crisis may seem overwhelming, they are not insurmountable. It’s time to reframe the way we talk about OUD. There are multiple resources and countless, inspiring local changemakers, many who have personally struggled with addiction, that are uplifting our whole community.
Hear more from Harry Cunnane, Sarah Andersen, and other Philadelphians finding innovative ways to help people with OUD “Reframe and Reclaim” their recovery stories in a new docuseries at BraeburnRX.com.Â
