CPFHR Newsletter - February 2021

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A grassroot, all-volunteer, non-profit organization

In This Issue:

A Message from the Board of Directors: Peter Hoffman
Looking Back on 2020 … and Moving Forward in 2021
Reflections During Black History Month: Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate, but Society Does
Perspective from the Front Line: Tim Volz
COVID Vaccination: Reaching the Vulnerable SUD Population
A Moment of Hope and Gratitude

A Message from the Board of Directors

Peter Hoffman, Retired DVM
Olmsted County Drug Court Steering Committee
CPFHR Board Member

Soon after we settled on a name, vision, and mission, we started to navigate potential community pathways. We ramped up our weekly meetings, organized research, and invited new participants. The horizon was clear and the view unobstructed.

Then, just as the families and individuals we hoped to serve, we were swept into a crisis beyond our control or understanding. With the arrival of the COVID pandemic, we were forced to confront despair, fear, and hopelessness. What was the future of this worthwhile undertaking? Were we to be victims of circumstance?

Isolation and withdrawal were our immediate reactions. We were rescued by a principle: recovery is contingent upon peer support and service. Our focus was on the solution, not the problem. Meetings, engagement, and interviews continued because one member encouraged another. The past year has been a trial, as well as a time to capitalize on hope and develop resiliency. The Board reports that CPFHR is emerging and will carry on to work with and give a voice to those in need.

Gayle Olsen, Dawn King, Mitch Moore, and Peter Hoffman at Project Community Connect 2020

Looking Back on 2020 … and Moving Forward in 2021

We kicked off 2020 in January by sponsoring a booth at the 12^th Annual Project Community Connect in Rochester MN. This event connects people who are homeless or struggling to make ends meet with many available resources and services, including legal advice; food, housing, and employment resources; and medical and Veteran’s services.

Research

In 2020, we completed our first research project, submitted a manuscript entitled Supporting Children and Kinship Caregivers in the Context of Substance Use Disorder: Perspectives of Key Professionals for publication in an interdisciplinary journal, and presented the research findings at international, national, and local research conferences. IFNA Abstract

In 2021, we plan to launch two additional research projects. The first will focus on understanding the needs of children and caregivers impacted by substance use disorder (SUD) in the family, by conducting in-depth interviews. The second will explore the experiences of families during times of crisis and transition, using focus group methodology.

Family Support

In 2020, we met with numerous community professionals about the needs of children and caregivers impacted by addiction. There seems to be widespread agreement, supported by our initial research, that resources and support for children, caregivers, and families are limited and often underutilized.

In 2021, we hope to collaborate with other interested organizations to offer family support groups. We are working to develop an evidence-based curriculum that combines information, skill development, peer support, and referrals for families with the goal of offering ongoing family groups when the pandemic allows.

We are also working to develop a caregiver “toolkit” that would include information and practical strategies to support caregivers as they support children day by day. Two doctoral nursing students are spearheading this project.

Harm Reduction

In 2020, in collaboration with Winona State University and the Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam, several Narcan Training and Distribution events have been held. Narcan (naloxone) can prevent death by reversing opioid overdose. The training is held online and Narcan kits are distributed by a curbside pick-up.

In 2021, we intend to continue to sponsor efforts to distribute Narcan, as well as explore other harm reduction efforts.

SUD Crisis: Coordinated and Continuing Care

for Individuals and Families

In 2020, as we met with professionals and community members, a common concern emerged. SUD is a chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease punctuated with episodes requiring acute intervention. Transitions of individuals from acute care settings (emergency departments, jails, and detox units) to effective long-term management are often challenging and unsuccessful. These times of crisis and transition are often difficult for families as well. They may not know what to expect or how to provide support when their loved one returns from detox, jail, or the emergency department.

In 2021, we hope to engage community organizations, professionals, and concerned citizens in a collaborative endeavor to identify challenges and to develop strategies to facilitate continuity of care across the continuum, from acute to ongoing care for individuals with SUD, especially during times of crisis and transition.

Because SUD is a family disease, our research projects will focus not only on the needs of the individual with SUD, but also on understanding the experiences and needs of children and caregivers during times of crisis and transition.

Reflections During Black History Month: Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate, but Society Does

Recent events have demonstrated that the poison of racism still exists in our country. How does racism affect the onset and outcome of substance use disorder (SUD)? Do people of different racial backgrounds experience SUD differently?

SUD doesn’t discriminate. It affects persons of all ages, colors, races, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, religions, socioeconomic classes, and geographic locations.

It is an equal-opportunity disorder.

But we are not yet an equal-opportunity society. Exposure to racial discrimination is associated with psychological distress and increased risk of substance misuse. Researcher have found that, although rates of SUD among Black, Latinx, and White persons are similar, people of color experience:

Increased severity of SUD
Increased risk of death
Increased vulnerability in the criminal justice system
Disparities in access to quality health care, which serve as barriers to timely treatment
Decreased completion and less satisfaction with treatment

References:

Matsuzaka, S. & Knapp, M. (2020). Anti-racism and substance use treatment: Addiction does not discriminate, but do we? J Ethn Subst Abuse 19(4):567-593.
Bailey, Z., Feldman, J., & Bassett, M. (2020). How structural racism works — Racist policies as a root cause of U.S. racial health inequities. N Engl J Med.

Perspective from the Front Line:

Reflections on Recovery 2020

Tim Volz, LADC
Treatment Director, Recovery Is Happening

In March of 2020, the COVID pandemic hit hard, and life changed dramatically. In the world of addiction, recovery decisions had to be made quickly, and most outpatient treatment services were relegated to Zoom meetings and telehealth services. Faced with uncertainty and an ever-changing array of government guidelines, the “safe” bet was to continue services from a platform that eliminated face-to-face recovery services. After careful and thorough deliberation, we elected to continue personal contact meetings with the necessary precautions, although I will admit that running face-to-face meetings was very anxiety provoking.

The forced isolation of addicts in recovery has been devastating. Not only were people supposed to stay at home, limit contact, and not work, but many were getting paid to do that. An addict with ample time on their hands, money in their pocket, and isolated from their recovery community creates the perfect storm for relapse and overdose. I call addiction during COVID the “pandemic within the pandemic.”

We are pleased with the results of our long-term treatment program, which often seem miraculous. Our participants have not only stayed sober but thrived during this extremely stressful time. The recurring theme of success has been face-to-face treatment services. This reinforces the assertion that personal contact, sharing in groups, and engaging personally are critical in recovery. Working in the “trenches” with these folks has been rewarding, and has given hope to many others who have followed them through the doors of recovery. More importantly, it has brought families back together during these uncertain times, a bonus many did not think was possible during the pandemic.

On a personal note, I give credit to my ongoing recovery program, experience as a long-time AA member, and practicing the principles of the program. And would like to humbly state that the decision at RIH to continue careful face-to-face treatment was well worth the risk. God bless you all.

COVID Vaccination:
Reaching a Vulnerable SUD Population

The co-occurrence of the COVID pandemic and the substance use disorder (SUD) epidemic has made both epidemics worse. SUD worsens the impact of the infection, raising the risks of serious complication and death. COVID restrictions have made addiction worse for many, with elevated rates of relapse, domestic violence, and suicide.

The good news: Effective vaccines are available.

The bad news: Vaccine supplies have been insufficient to meet the need, and distribution of the vaccines has been challenging.

In a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Barocas of the Boston Medical Center suggests that, in addition to increased risk from COVID infection due to SUD itself, factors such as housing instability, homelessness, and incarceration often add to the vulnerability of the SUD population. He argues that persons with SUD, as with other chronic disorders, should be prioritized to receive the vaccine, despite challenges in reaching this population. Specific strategies to ensure effective vaccination rates are suggested.

In Rochester MN, we are fortunate that local agencies and professionals have been very proactive in assessing how to distribute the vaccines to this vulnerable population. Vaccination of homeless persons is already in process.

Reference:

Barocas, J. (2021). Business Not as Usual — Covid-19 vaccination in persons with substance use disorders.
N Engl J Med.

A Moment of Hope and Gratitude

Our organization is small, but we have an ambitious and, we think, vital agenda. 2020 posed unique challenges. And yet we have made important progress. This was entirely due to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. We have no paid staff. Many of our volunteers also have full time jobs and several saw their workloads increase dramatically because of the COVID pandemic. But the willingness of all our volunteers to devote countless hours and creative energy to help families that struggle with addiction is cause for unbounded gratitude. While the pandemic has created difficult and sometimes heartbreaking challenges, it also has revealed hidden blessings and inner strengths. The dedication of our volunteers is truly inspiring and appreciated as we continue this very important work in 2021.