Image: Lifespan
Since opening last June, the Lifespan Recovery Center has been recognized by state and health care leaders for its unique position to address the opioid epidemic. Operating as a Rhode Island Hospital program, the center provides comprehensive outpatient treatment integrated into a complete medical center for those seeking to overcome opioid use disorder.
Located on Corliss Street in Providence, the center’s team is highly experienced in treating patients struggling with substance use. From prescribing physicians and psychologist services to a program manager, care coordinator and recovery coach, the staff takes a coordinated approach to care. Along with medication-assisted recovery utilizing Suboxone, a low-risk medication that’s an effective medically-supervised method for potentially weaning off opioids, the center offers comprehensive education and support.
“This is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary recovery program that regards opioid abuse as a chronic medical illness,” says Richard J. Goldberg, MD, MS, Lifespan Senior Vice President of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. “We know that if you offer psychological therapies in addition to medication, more patients have a better outcome.” Further bolstering its services, Rhode Island Hospital recently received a generous $184,000 gift from the Gruben Charitable Foundation to fund the center’s Family Education and Support Program. The foundation’s trustee and executive director, Diana Oehrli, is the daughter of Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince of Newport, who together with her children, including sons Guillaume and Regis de Ramel, established The Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute with a transformational gift from The Frederick Henry Prince 1932 Trust.
“My family’s historical philanthropy has always centered on health, so focusing on addiction keeps with that tradition,” says Diana. “Addiction is a painful, chronic disease and I truly believe educating the family is key to helping people get better and halting addiction’s spread to future generations.”
Developed specifically for family and friends of individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, the Family Education and Support Program employs a dual-pronged approach. Patients and their loved ones together attend a weekly group session, learning about addiction, recovery, treatment, and interpersonal dynamics. Separately, family and friends are also provided a group forum to share their experiences and the challenges of supporting someone in recovery. “Family and friends play critical roles in helping individuals with substance use issues enter and remain in treatment—our goal is to empower them in a way that makes a positive impact on the long-term recovery of their loved one,” said Kirsten Langdon, PhD, a clinical psychologist and Director of Behavioral Therapy at the Lifespan Recovery Center.
“We could not be more grateful to Diana for her extraordinary generosity and her commitment to this community health crisis.” Adds Diana, “There is an incredible need to provide comprehensive treatment, and I believe Rhode Island Hospital and Lifespan have begun to create a model for addiction recovery medical centers across our country.”
Excerpt: Rhode Island Hospital Breakthroughs Newsletter, 2018
