“A Collaborative Backbone of Support”

How Summit Recovery Hub RCO is bridging the gaps in the path to recovery

Words by Sophie Franchi

“We’re trying not to wait until someone is at the severe level of need for their mental health or substance use issue…”

Summit Recovery Hub RCO

Why don’t they just get help?

This question often runs through the hearts and minds of friends and relatives of people suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders. The truth is, it’s not that easy. Recovery looks different for different people, and the support systems needed to recover are not always accessible. Sometimes there are major gaps in the supports available to people seeking a pathway to recovery. Sometimes people have a difficult time finding any path at all.

Summit Recovery Hub RCO is working to bridge some of those gaps for our community.

“We really want this to be a collaborative backbone of support to help,” says China Darrington, Board President of Summit Recovery Hub. “No one can do the work for you, but we can make sure you’re not alone and that you have someone who knows a little something about helping someone navigate that process of change.”

Understanding Addiction

 

A recent publication about the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board (ADM ) was completed by Akron Life Magazine. It includes stories about recovery, education for the next generation, a local resources recovery guide, and what you can do to help. The following article, “Understanding Addiction,” is from the Recovery It’s Worth the Fight, edition.

Fighting a public health issue like opiate addiction takes cooperation. Organizations must come together at the local, state, and national levels to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in communities. At the local level, there are many initiatives to inform and assist Summit County residents trying to help loved ones stay safe.

Reducing Opiate Abuse in Summit County

The Summit County Opiate Task Force is comprised of over 200 Community Stakeholders representing medical, law enforcement, business, treatment providers, the courts, social services, and persons in recovery. Together, they are addressing this epidemic collaboratively in order to educate, inform, and advocate. Community problems require community solutions!

Over the last decade, we have seen a tremendous increase everywhere in street heroin. More recently this problem has been compounded by the diversion (sharing or sale) of prescription opiates (Oxycontin, hydrocodone, and fentanyl).