Why It’s Okay (and Important) to Mourn Your Past Self in Addiction Recovery
Focusing on a brighter future is a cornerstone of addiction recovery. But reconciling the person you are now with your former self can be a complex and painful process. For many, a crucial step towards healing is learning to mourn that past self, the individual whose actions were impacted by substance misuse. Acknowledging and grieving ...
Spectrum Board Member Spotlight: Kashif Siddiqui
Spectrum Health Systems is committed to providing comprehensive treatment options for those struggling with addiction. A strong and passionate board of directors is essential to achieve this mission. We are pleased to spotlight one such member, Kashif Siddiqui, who brings a wealth of financial knowledge and personal commitment to the fight against addiction. Professional Background ...
April is Alcohol Awareness Month – A Time for Understanding and Healing
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and reducing the stigma surrounding alcohol addiction. This month highlights the dangers of alcohol misuse and provides resources to seek help. The Prevalence of Alcohol Misuse in the U.S. The numbers are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive ...
A Letter from Our President: Kurt Isaacson Reflects on 2023
2023 was a year of remarkable progress and achievements at Spectrum Health Systems. We took numerous strides toward our goal of making treatment more accessible for the most vulnerable populations while continuing to look for ways to retain and recruit staff that make it all possible. One of Spectrum’s proudest achievements came in February when ...
Twelve-Step and Non-Twelve-Step Meetings: Which is Right for You?
Twelve-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are some of the most popular formats of addiction recovery meetings. These programs are based on a broad concept of spirituality and encourage members to work through a series of steps to solidify their recovery. While many people have found long-term recovery through twelve-step programs, ...
Congratulations to Athena Haddon on her Salute to Excellence Award
An incredible amount of effort is needed in our mission to provide a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment and recovery supports. That’s why Spectrum Health Systems is proud to employ individuals that are skilled, qualified—and most importantly—passionate about recovery. One employee that embodies these characteristics every day is Athena Haddon. Athena has worked at Spectrum ...
Spectrum’s Ondrea Hilts on Helping People Find Recovery
Before she began working with Spectrum Health Systems, Ondrea Hilts was in college, pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in justice studies. She knew she wanted to help people but hadn’t decided on a specific career path. Soon, though, a family tragedy would shape her plans for the future when she lost her ...
Why It’s Okay (and Important) to Mourn Your Past Self in Addiction Recovery
Focusing on a brighter future is a cornerstone of addiction recovery. But reconciling the person you are now with your former self can be a complex and painful process. For many, a crucial step towards healing is learning to mourn that past self, the individual whose actions were impacted by substance misuse. Acknowledging and grieving ...
Spectrum Board Member Spotlight: Kashif Siddiqui
Spectrum Health Systems is committed to providing comprehensive treatment options for those struggling with addiction. A strong and passionate board of directors is essential to achieve this mission. We are pleased to spotlight one such member, Kashif Siddiqui, who brings a wealth of financial knowledge and personal commitment to the fight against addiction. Professional Background ...
April is Alcohol Awareness Month – A Time for Understanding and Healing
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and reducing the stigma surrounding alcohol addiction. This month highlights the dangers of alcohol misuse and provides resources to seek help. The Prevalence of Alcohol Misuse in the U.S. The numbers are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive ...
Spectrum Health Systems Continues to Expand in Response to Rising Demand for Services
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, has increased access to recovery resources across the state to continue combatting the addiction crisis. New outpatient treatment centers are now open in Millbury and Weymouth, and the company’s existing Pittsfield program moved to a larger facility to adequately serve the local population.
Get to Know David Nefussy, Spectrum’s New Vice President of Business Development
In case you missed it, we recently hired a new Vice President of Business Development, David Nefussy, to help Spectrum Health Systems continue to promote its mission while providing quality addiction treatment services amidst the ongoing opioid crisis. In addition to leveraging his relationships with managed care organizations, insurance companies, and private sector providers to ...
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) And Why Do Our Prisons Need It?
Last month, our Vice President of Clinical Development, Dr. Romas Buivydas, and State Director for Massachusetts’ Correctional Services, Earl Warren attended the American Correctional Association (ACA) conference in St. Louis, Missouri. While there, they led a workshop designed to educate the audience of non-clinical corrections professionals about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for addiction and substance use ...
Opioid Epidemic Declared a National Emergency
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 35,000 people across America died from heroin or opioid overdoses in 2015, and a study released by the University of Virginia on Aug. 7th concluded the mortality rates were 24 percent higher for opioids and 22 percent higher for heroin than previously reported. Clearly, more must ...
Spectrum Health Systems Announces New Contract in Virginia
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. was recently awarded a new contract by the Virginia Department of Corrections to implement a Community Corrections Alternative Program (CCAP) at the Cold Springs Correctional Unit in Greenville, Virginia. The CCAP operates as a drug treatment facility serving offenders with moderate to severe substance use disorders. The program currently houses 100 offenders in a dormitory setting with the capacity to double in size if needed.
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. Hires New Vice President of Business Development
Spectrum Health Systems is pleased to announce the appointment of David Nefussy as the new vice president of business development. Reporting to Chief Operating Officer Sherry Ellis, Mr. Nefussy is responsible for leading Spectrum’s business development efforts including the cultivation of referral relationships and negotiating agreements with managed care organizations, third-party payors and private insurance companies. In this role, he will also work closely with Spectrum’s admissions department to facilitate timely admissions for individuals in need of services.
