Even the very best addiction treatment facilities face a sobering reality: once a patient is discharged, there’s only so much they can do to influence what happens next. Roughly two-thirds of individuals who struggle with substance use disorder relapse shortly after completing inpatient treatment. Often, this has less to do with the quality of care they received during their treatment than with the environment and support (or lack thereof) that awaited them on the other side.
Several factors can impact a person’s ability to stay on a positive recovery path, including heightened stress levels, overconfidence, or unhealthy exposure to environmental or social triggers. Additionally, the reasons for relapse can include behavioral health issues; neglect of basic needs like sleep, nutrition, and exercise; inadequate support from family and friends; lack of a solid, long-term plan for recovery; or an inability to effectively address social determinants of health (SDoH) needs such as housing, food, transportation, and even securing a reliable means of communication.
Equipping patients with a solid transition plan and ongoing support post-discharge can help individuals overcome many of the obstacles they face while striving for a lasting recovery. However, those strategies require a bridge between inpatient treatment and navigating the outside world — and we are partnering with numerous providers across the nation to build this bridge. We support both inpatient and outpatient providers.
At Wayspring, we work closely with our provider partners to ensure that each eligible individual has a solid plan in place after discharge. The first step is to assess their critical needs that might impact their recovery journey at that exact moment. From there, we discuss the patient’s personal recovery journey and any other physical, behavioral, or social needs they may have. We can help patients secure timely post-discharge appointments or address daily necessities such as food, transportation, clothing, and other essential needs.
“It’s been really helpful partnering with Wayspring,” said Amanda Case, a case manager at UofL Health – Peace Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. “They work with us to figure out what patients need after discharge, so we can get ahead of it while they’re still here. It adds an extra layer of support to work we’re doing.”
For at least 30 days post-discharge, we are in consistent communication to facilitate a successful transition to lasting recovery. The goal is for patients to land more successfully on their feet by providing a safety net and acting as a connector to care. At the same time, some members will ultimately need additional inpatient support. We collaborate with providers to help these members find their way back to needed treatment.
By collaborating with treatment facilities to establish transitional support, we can significantly reduce the number of readmissions. This leads to better outcomes for providers and an improved quality of life for the patients they care for.
Learn more about how we partner with providers here.