Opioid Response

Culture of Recovery

Substance Use Disorders (SUD), including Opioid Use Disorder, are treatable, chronic medical diseases impacting brain chemistry and behaviors. They involve compulsive substance craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of severe negative consequences. For most people, SUD becomes chronic, with recurrence of use possible even after long periods of abstinence. As a chronic, recurring disease, SUD may require ongoing treatments to increase the time between recurrences of symptoms, and to reduce their intensity.

Through treatment tailored to each person’s needs, people with SUD can—and do—recover and lead fulfilling lives. In fact, the National Institutes of Health have found that with appropriate treatment, individuals with SUD have similar outcomes to patients with other chronic, recurring diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.

Today, over 23 million Americans are living in recovery from Substance Use Disorders. There are many different pathways to recovery, and individuals are free to choose the path that works best for them. To ensure that we are meeting the needs of all in our community, AtlantiCare defines recovery as:

“A process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.”

Reducing Stigma

Over 40% of individuals with SUD don’t seek treatment due to stigma. AtlantiCare is committed to reducing the stigma around SUD, and we hope that you’ll join us in this effort. The easiest place to start is with the language we use. It is important to remember that any individual with a disease is a person first, and are not defined by their disease. Below are some simple changes we can all make to reduce stigma around SUD:

Say “person with a substance use disorder,” not “addict” or “junkie”.

Say “substance use” or “substance misuse,” not “substance abuse”.

Say “recurrence of use,” not relapse.

These changes may seem simple, but they have a profound impact on eliminating stigma, and changing the conversation from one that blames an individual to one that sees them as a person and encourages healing, hope, and recovery. Please join AtlantiCare by modifying your word choices today. Together, we can end the stigma of Substance Use Disorder.

Recovery Champions

A Recovery Champion is someone who, through individual actions, has become a critical part of AtlantiCare's effort to eliminate opioid-related deaths and improve the lives of people with Substance Use Disorders. They promote healing by providing exceptional patient experiences and evidence-based care; they are beacons of hope who provide exceptional customer experiences to an often-stigmatized population; and they are advocates for recovery, breaking down barriers and helping patients on their individual journeys to health and happiness. Some of AtlantiCare’s many healthcare champions include:

Kim Mazur: Dr. Mazur is the Medical Director for AtlantiCare Health Services. She consistently goes the extra mile for her patients, and since assuming leadership of the Substance Use Disorder Clinic in Atlantic City, has inspired countless of providers, residents, and staff to learn more about Substance Use Disorder and become advocates for this patient population. She recently became boarded in Addiction Medicine and continues to demonstrate her commitment to making recovery possible for her patients. Her efforts reduce the stigma around substance use disorder and have changed and saved hundreds of lives. She serves as a champion for her patients, and in ensuring AtlantiCare provides exceptional care when treating individuals with substance use disorders.

Beth Bates: Beth is a recovery specialist with AtlantiCare. Beth is always ready to jump into something new, especially when it has to do with helping some initiate the recovery process. She has a way of interacting with people that takes their guards down and lets them know she truly cares. She is dedicated and goes the extra mile with every person, every time. Her innovative and creative ways of thinking about recovery allow AtlantiCare to reach countless individuals who may not have otherwise been engaged. Her willingness to share her own experiences and story resonate with so many to change the way we think about substance use and recovery. She is a true champion.

Martha (Marcy) Wallace: Marcy is an RN with AtlantiCare Behavioral Health’s outpatient programs. Marcy is a true healthcare champion, providing genuine and compassionate care to every patient and client she encounters. She sees all clients, first and foremost, as individuals and she treats them as such. She spends time with them to ensure their questions are answered and they feel comfortable, safe and most importantly supported. Clients know that she is there for them no matter what and that she is one of their biggest champions.

Danielle Trojan: Danielle is a Central Office Billing Clerk with AtlantiCare. Time after time, case after case, she diligently goes above and beyond to ensure that patients are getting the care they need and that cost does not create a barrier. She always has a solution to bring to the table for any barriers and serves as a champion in dispelling stigma and myths across the system. Danielle is always kind and caring and works with team members and clients to ensure a person’s first steps into recovery are as easy as possible. She is a true champion and this work could not function without her.

Vinnie Kirkland: Vinnie is a Care Manager with AltantiCare. Vinnie has served as an inspiration to countless individuals in the community, and consistently works to make sure that anyone—regardless of life circumstance or medical condition—feels valued. His name is top of mind whenever anyone needs assistance with Substance Use Disorder, whether that be connection to outside services or to treatment. Vinnie works as a tireless champion, consistently identifying new ways to connect with individuals with Substance Use Disorder to whatever it is they need, helping countless people into recovery along the way.

Additional Resources

If you or a loved one are seeking treatment for addiction, please call our Access Center at 888-569-1000.