Aspire Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Services RISE program hosts ‘Run for Recovery’ events
ALBANY, Ga. – The RISE program of Aspire hosts its ‘Run for Recovery’ events, providing a platform for individuals to come together in support for addiction recovery efforts.
Albany residents united in support of the Aspire RISE program, showcasing their commitment by lacing up their running shoes.
The RISE program, founded on the principle that “recovery is everything” employs a collaborative care framework. This approach harnesses the combined expertise of licensed mental health professionals, certified addiction recovery empowerment specialists, and medical practitioners.
Together, this integrated team strives to offer holistic support and resources to individuals navigating opioid or alcohol use disorders.
“So, this is our first year doing it. We hope it becomes an annual thing. Our biggest thing was a lot of people didn’t know that we’re here. We are a federally-funded program for people who are struggling with opiate and alcohol use disorder. Our program is funded to the point that you don’t have to be insured. And, that is a big issue for a lot of people struggling in recovery, is having the money to seek the care that they need. We offer counseling services, peer support, and a nursing staff does labs, so we make sure everything is good from a medical standpoint, as well as my job of prescribing medicine to help people who are struggling with addiction. So, we decided that this event would not only be a great way to let the community know that we exist, but also to raise money, because while we are federally-funded for certain aspects, we want to be able to do more for our individuals. We want to do family funding so we can get their families back involved in their lives and as well as provide that education,” said Taylor LeBlanc, Nurse Practitioner & Provider for RISE program.
As a key nursing practitioner and provider within the RISE program, Taylor LeBlanc, delves into the range of resources and medicinal aids offered to individuals undergoing recovery.
“Some of our individuals just walk in the door who have used it as recently as just a few hours ago, and other individuals come through our crisis unit at aspire. Depending on where they come, dictates a little bit about what treatment we offer. Our team evaluates them there, evaluates the counselor first, and then they get to me and I have a conversation with them about what they want their treatment to look like. Some individuals who have not used substances such as opiates of any kind; including fentanyl, anywhere from one week to two weeks, can start them on medication called Vivitrol. It’s an injection once every 28 days that helps prevent cravings. And, also, if they do venture out and use it, it blocks the effect of that. So it’s very safe. We also offer that same medicine for alcohol use. So we try to get people in because I know that moment when you decide you want to be in recovery, it might be short-lived. So we like to capitalize on that and try to get people in as quickly as possible,” said LeBlanc.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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