Resources for those seeking help for substance misuse or mental health care services As always, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. The New Hampshire Statewide Addiction Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at: 1-844-711-HELP (4357) You can also visit the website: dhhs.nh.gov/ dcbcs/bdas/crisis-line.htm
Pictured: Amanda Hitchings, PsyD listens to a mother in recovery.
“
The best thing I can do for my children is to be in recovery. I felt hopeless for the longest time. Now I have real hope for the future. I’m more resilient than I realized. And I’m not alone.
”
−Participant in the Mothers in Recovery Program
specialized prenatal and postpartum care,” notes clinical psychologist Amanda Hitchings, PsyD, who assesses each woman’s candidacy for the program. Medication management involves careful, ongoing administration of a maintenance drug called buprenorphine (brand name Subutex). This medication helps to decrease cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms, increasing the mother’s likelihood to be successful in treatment and maintain sobriety. Group therapy, led by Dr. Hitchings, is held weekly, three weeks out of every four. The fourth week is devoted to group prenatal care, also referred to as the Centering Pregnancy model—a standard
part of prenatal care offered at CMC/ DH. Also standard is the involvement of certified nurse-midwives during every labor and birth. When MIR babies are born, they are screened for neonatal abstinence syndrome. NAS can occur when a baby is exposed to drugs while in the womb, then goes through withdrawal after birth. “We partner with the parents so they understand how to comfort newborns who are affected,” says Glasschroeder. Group therapy and medical management also continue postpartum. “This support is extremely important to help reduce relapse,” Hitchings says. “The focus is not only on substance use therapy
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day no matter what problems you are dealing with to help you find a reason to keep living. When you call, you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area. 1-800-273-TALK (8255) The NH Alcohol and Drug Treatment Locator offers a map of treatment agencies and individual practitioners for substance use disorder services around the state: nhtreatment.org Download a user-friendly guide to navigating the world of insurance coverage when it comes to substance use disorder and mental health services at: dhhs.nh.gov/ dcbcs/bdas/documents/resource-guideconsumers.pdf Cheshire County’s 24/7 helpline to assist individuals and families struggling with substance misuse and addiction: Cheshire County Addiction Assisted Recovery Initiative (ChAARI) 1-844-604-7878 Cheshire County’s single point of contact for assessment and referral for substance use disorders: Southwestern Community Services’ Coordinated Access Point Program (CAPP) 1-844-604-7878 Keene Serenity Center offers peer recovery support services: 603-283-5015 keeneserenitycenter.org Phoenix House offers comprehensive treatment services for drug and alcohol addiction: 1-888- 671-9392 phoenixhouse.org
Health + Wellness | Spring 2017 5