Every life is worth saving

PHOTO: David Bilodeau and Sarah Pratt of Tri-County Mental Health Services in Lewiston. (Submitted photo)

By Jamie Owens
Tri-County Mental Health Services

COVID-19 has created a public health crisis not seen in more than 100 years. The virus is not only a killer but also is exacerbating an avoidable and tragic public health crisis — substance misuse in general and overdose and death due to opioid addiction. Five-hundred-four people died from overdoses in 2020, outpacing accidental deaths, and 2021 is on track to record more than 600 deaths compared to the very real potential for 9,000 total overdoses by the end of this year. 
Illness encompasses physical and emotional dimensions. Emotional trauma causes actions and reactions creating diseases that are highly treatable.  Mental health and substance misuse illness are diseases with a good recovery rate, but like many health disease conditions — such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease — recurrence is possible.  Continued treatment and social supports using current or new best practice methods are used when this occurs to give its sufferers help and hope to recover again.
To illustrate how we help and give hope for a better life in the midst of trauma and despair, we share a few real stories to illustrate what recovery looks like and that it is possible. To protect the privacy of those we work with, we aren’t sharing real names or images. Unfortunately, stigma is real, and protecting those working hard to make recovery successful from ridicule and judgement is critically important.
These are their stories:
Victor is a 30 year-old with a debilitating back injury suffered on the job, requiring opiate pain medication. He became dependent on the medication, impacting his ability to function and return to his normal, day-to-day life.  Fortunately, because of the OPTIONS (Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone and Safety) program — Maine Gov. Janet Mill’s initiative to save lives and strengthen communities — we were able to intervene and get Victor the help he needs.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and OPTIONS responder Dave Bilodeau, a mental health rehabilitation technician and hormone replacement therapist, was able to help Victor enroll in Tri-County’s Opioid Health Home program, where he had the benefit of being helped by a treatment team staffed by a physician, substance use counselor, peer recovery coach and nurse care manager.
Mary’s family has experienced intergenerational trauma. She grew up with an alcoholic father and began experimenting with substances in her early teens, leading to serious use as she moved through her teens into her 20s.  Estranged from her family, Mary’s substance misuse led to repeated involvement with law enforcement, homelessness and interactions with child protective services. 
In an effort to regain custody of her child, she entered a community program where she received support and job training. Despite her best efforts, exacerbated by the trauma experienced due to losing custody of her child, she relapsed, became homeless again and was arrested. 
Bilodeau intervened to help her and enlisted the assistance of Sarah Pratt, Tri-County’s PATH care manager. PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) is a federal-state grant program intended to help individuals with serious mental illness get treatment, healthcare, job training and housing. With Pratt’s helping hand, she restarted her path to recovery.
Abby was pregnant, homeless and using heroin daily. As a result of a call from a soup kitchen volunteer, Pratt contacted Abby to help connect her to medical care and emergency shelter housing. After repeated attempts to get her into residential treatment initially failed, Pratt maintained contact with her over the ensuing weeks until Abby successfully agreed to detox treatment.
It is vital to remember, always, that treatment works and recovery is possible. Just as we would not give up hope or fail to help someone with diabetes, cancer or heart disease, the same is true for those who live with mental illness or a substance use disorder. We can and must bring all resources available for support, creating them when they are not, to help those in need. Every life is worth saving.

— Jamie D. Owens is chief development officer for Tri-County Mental Health Services, 1155 Lisbon St., Lewiston