Ascension adds program to Fox Valley hospitals to help patients struggling with addiction
OSHKOSH – Amy Richards faced a lot of struggle in her life.
Over a decade ago, Richards dealt with a lot of trauma and some stretches where she experienced homelessness, which helped lead to drug use. For her, that was mostly heroin or other opioids. But she said she was "trash can user," trying almost any type of drug just so she could black out and forget soon after she woke up.
"I was really in a bad place," Richards said.
Despite facing some legal troubles and going through drug court in Outagamie County, she eventually started to get back on her feet. She has now been sober for 10 years and has been working for Apricity Health Services, a treatment program that offers in-patient treatment, transitional housing and employment opportunities, in a variety of roles.
Today, she's a recovery coach and peer support specialist for Apricity, supervising the Emergency Department 2 Recovery Program with Ascension, which helps patients suffering from substance abuse disorders get support to help them recover.
Now, Ascension is expanding the program to the Fox Valley, providing recovery coaches in person at all three of its hospitals here — Ascension NE Wisconsin - Mercy in Oshkosh, Ascension NE Wisconsin - St. Elizabeth in Appleton and Ascension Calumet in Chilton.
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Kathleen Crean, an Ascension public relations specialist, said the program expanded into the Fox Valley in April after a successful program started in Milwaukee-area hospitals in 2018.
Alongside a grant from Wisconsin Voices for Recovery that covers peer coaches recovery to individuals who have experienced an opioid or stimulant overdose, the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation covers alcohol overdoses, as well.
Since the program launched, Apricity recovery coaches have helped 29 people across the Fox Valley, referring patients to a variety of treatment programs.
Richards understands that the program can be a life-changing means of support.
"If I had somebody like a peer coach, who wanted to meet with me, show interest in me, I may have gotten clean sooner," she said.
Richards helps patients struggling with substance abuse get support by directing the recovery, walking them through treatment options and providing help as they undergo recovery. She knows the experiences her patients face. Their shared knowledge makes it easier to build a relationship.
"Having that background experience of struggling with mental health, substance use and being in the court system ... it's really helped me connect with (the patients)," she said.
Richards currently works with five patients, supporting them on their path to sobriety. That can mean helping them navigate insurance issues in getting into treatment programs, but it can also just mean checking up on them with messages or texts.
Even though sometimes they might ignore her, she believes the simple act of showing interest is crucial for helping those patients feel wanted and supported.
"A lot of people with substance-use disorder are very lonely," Richards said. "Just having that person they can connect to and talk to, that alone does a lot."
Dana Jahr, manager of Emergency & Trauma Services at Ascension St. Elizabeth, said there's been lots of positive feedback from hospital staff about the ED 2 Recovery program, and almost all of the patients referred to Apricity have met with a recovery coach.
Jahr said the program helps act as a way to support people in need of mental health or behavioral health resources, despite a lack of resources across the country to address those needs. Since there has been an increase in people with mental health issues and people struggling with substance abuse issues, Jahr said the help offered through the peer resources adds a lot to the community.
"The program itself really aligns with our values here, and our mission to help those that are vulnerable," Jahr said. "To be able to discharge them, knowing they have a resource at their side immediately, it’s very heartwarming."
Contact Bremen Keasey at 920-570-5614 or bkeasey@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Keasinho.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Ascension adds addiction program to Oshkosh, Appleton, Chilton sites
