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Big problems get smaller when the people closest to them lead the fix. We sat down with NIATx consultant Matt Russo and our own leaders to unpack how a relationship-first framework, rapid testing, and staff voice turned a chronic pain point into a durable win: medication errors in residential and withdrawal management dropped from 55 to just four in a month, with daily audits and a higher census.

We start by demystifying NIATx and why it works in human services: it blends data with lived experience, honors the client relationship, and makes improvement less overwhelming through quick, measurable tests. Jamie connects quality to engagement and retention, reminding us that faster, clearer processes help clients feel held and stay in care. Gina then takes you inside the change project: a small cross-functional team, inclusive brainstorming with nominal group technique, and a deceptively simple idea—auto-generate the medication tracker from the state log to eliminate double entry and mismatches. Training, retraining, and clear accountability followed, backed by ObserveSmart technology that ensures 30-minute checks are real, timely, and visible.

The results speak for themselves, but the deeper story is cultural. Executive sponsorship set the aim. A trusted, hands-on change leader rallied the team. Frontline insights drove the design. We measured often, learned fast, and kept what worked. We also dig into how to spread improvements to similar programs, when to re-run staff-inclusive steps, and why peer-to-peer sharing beats top-down mandates. If you care about safer care, cleaner data, and a workforce that feels ownership, this conversation offers a practical playbook and a dose of hope.

Enjoy the episode, share it with a colleague who leads change, and if this helped you think differently about improvement, subscribe, leave a quick review, and tell us the one small test you’ll try this month.

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For the first time in 25 years of America's opioid crisis, we're witnessing a significant decline in overdose deaths. Dr. Andrew Kolodny, Medical Director at the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University, joins us to unpack this promising trend while emphasizing that the numbers remain unacceptably high.

The conversation reveals shocking new statistics: approximately 10 million Americans currently suffer from opioid use disorder—roughly 5% of all adults—a dramatic increase from previous federal estimates of just 2 million. Despite reduced death rates, Dr. Kolodny stresses we're still failing those who need help most.

We dive deep into the settlement money flowing from pharmaceutical companies to states and localities, exploring the concerning lack of guardrails protecting these funds from being diverted away from addiction services. Without proper oversight, history may repeat itself as we saw with tobacco settlement funds that often went to unrelated expenses rather than addressing the health crisis.

Dr. Kolodny outlines what real progress would look like: dramatically improved access to outpatient treatment with medications like buprenorphine, available on demand regardless of ability to pay. He shares several compelling theories behind the declining death rates—from improved treatment access to changes in the drug supply itself—while emphasizing how crucial it is to understand which interventions are actually working.

This eye-opening discussion challenges conventional wisdom about border security, fentanyl trafficking, and addiction treatment while offering a roadmap for continuing positive trends. If you're concerned about America's opioid crisis or work in healthcare, addiction services, or policy, this episode provides essential context for understanding where we stand and what must happen next.

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The episode dives deep into the transformative role nutrition plays in addiction recovery. Christina Veselak emphasizes the necessity of nourishing the brain with real food, addressing emotional regulation, cravings, and the importance of nutritional literacy in treatment programs.

• Discussing the role of nutrition in recovery
• Describing real food vs. processed food
• Emphasizing the biochemical needs of the brain
• Addressing health literacy challenges affecting food choices
• Highlighting the importance of cooking education
• Promoting community initiatives to enhance nutritional knowledge
• Advocating for the integration of nutrition in treatment plans
• Announcing the Feeding the Recovery Brain Summit

Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition
Home - Eating Protein Saves Lives - Eating Protein Saves Lives
Feed The Recovering Brain Summit 2025

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How can we transform healthcare into a more inclusive and equitable system for all? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Roland Williams, an experienced addictions therapist and author, who shares his expert insights on cultural diversity in healthcare. Together with our host Jen Slusser-MacTernan, Director of Outreach and Talent Development at Horizon Treatment Services, we promise to unpack the critical role of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) and how they can revolutionize patient outcomes. This episode is a deep dive into the nuances of effective communication tailored to diverse cultural and linguistic needs.

Roland and Jen navigate the intricate landscape of cultural competence and inclusion within healthcare and addiction treatment organizations. They address the complexities of understanding privilege from various perspectives, such as gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. [Privilege Wheel Activity referenced in this episode is from Heart of Hope by Kay Pranis]. The discussion also highlights the differences between urban and rural cultural contexts and their impact on implementing inclusive practices. By creating safe spaces for staff to share experiences and perspectives on privilege and discrimination, healthcare organizations can foster a more inclusive environment for patients.

Our episode wouldn't be complete without tackling trauma-informed care and its significance in healthcare. We highlight the importance of organizational and clinician buy-in for culturally sensitive approaches, addressing the long-term impacts of childhood trauma on health and behavior. Roland and Jen emphasize the necessity of recognizing implicit biases within healthcare organizations to ensure equitable treatment for all patients. With practical steps for sustaining cultural competence, including regular client feedback and the role of CLAS Champions, this episode equips you with the knowledge to contribute to continuous improvement in healthcare. Tune in to transform your understanding of cultural diversity in healthcare and its broader implications.

Learn More: 

• HHS.gov Think Cultural Health
• CDC.gov Health Equity in Communication
• CMS.gov Implementation of CLAS - A Guide
• HHS.gov Blueprint for Advancing & Sustaining CLAS
• OMH.gov Cultural and Linguistic Competency
• plainlanguage.gov 
• video: PACEs and health outcomes (why we need trauma-informed care)
• [trigger warning] video: Adverse Childhood Experiences (why we need trauma-informed care)

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Unlock the secrets to successfully treating co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health conditions with insights from Dr. Anna Phillips, Chief Program Officer at Horizon Services. Dr. Phillips brings her 17 years of experience to the table, sharing how the field has evolved from treating these issues separately to a comprehensive, integrated approach. We tackle the persistent barriers to effective treatment, including the lack of training for mental health providers in SUD treatment and the stigma that still surrounds these issues.

Explore the intricate web of addiction, mental health, and trauma as we dissect the factors contributing to substance dependency, from genetics to lifestyle choices. Dr. Phillips helps us understand the parallels between addiction and chronic illnesses like diabetes, illustrating the progression and potential for recovery. We also highlight the critical role of early intervention and community support, stressing how trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can intensify these challenges.

Get an insider's look at the latest advancements in individualized care, from measurement-based strategies to the use of EMDR therapy for trauma. Discover how programs like Horizon Services are pioneering these methods to enhance treatment outcomes. We also discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for young people and the ongoing efforts to meet the mental health needs of clients within SUD treatment facilities. Don't miss out on these cutting-edge insights—visit Horizon Services' website for more information and resources.

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Uncover the harsh realities of the opioid crisis through the expert eyes of Dr. Andrew Kolodny, an addiction specialist with an impressive two-decade track record in the field. This episode peels back the layers of a national emergency, revealing the transition from prescription misuse to the life-threatening presence of illicit drugs like fentanyl. Dr. Kolodny and I navigate the complexities surrounding three distinct demographic groups ensnared in addiction's grasp, dissecting the shifting dynamics and mortality rates that these populations face in the shadow of this unforgiving epidemic.

Drawing stark parallels with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we strip away the stigma and misinformation that have long obstructed effective responses to public health crises. Listen closely as we go beyond mere statistics to understand the deceptive pharmaceutical practices that have contributed to opioid overprescription, and why harm reduction is not just a strategy, but a vital lifeline for those struggling with addiction. This episode is a testament to the dire need for comprehensive treatment approaches, and the role of empathy and science in addressing the epidemic.

Venturing into the conversation on "deaths of despair," the doctor challenge the narrative that economic downturns are the sole drivers of the opioid crisis. Instead, we examine the often-overlooked contributing factor of overprescribing and the urgent need for accessible, life-saving treatments across socioeconomic divides. Dr. Kolodny and I also engage in a candid dialogue about integrated care approaches, and Horizon's innovative efforts in Northern California to confront addiction with multi-dimensional support. Tune in for a sobering yet essential exploration into a crisis that continues to shape our nation, and the ongoing battle for recovery and healing.

Dr. Kolodny's testimony before for the United States Congress is available here.

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A mother's desperate search for effective addiction treatment ignited a revolution in how we measure recovery success. Joanna Conti founded Vista Research Group after discovering that despite the life-or-death stakes of addiction treatment, virtually no facilities were scientifically measuring their effectiveness. Today, her company has tracked over 80,000 patients, revealing crucial insights about what truly works in recovery.

The data paints a clear picture: patients completing recommended treatment achieve 41% recovery success versus just 25% for those who don't. Treatment duration matters enormously - those staying 90+ days have double the recovery rate of those leaving before 20 days. And perhaps most striking? Treatment center effectiveness varies dramatically, with the best facilities helping over half their patients maintain recovery while the worst help fewer than one in five.

Through real-time feedback systems, clinicians gain insights patients might never share face-to-face. As one therapist discovered, showing a discouraged client her dramatically improved depression scores provided the confidence boost she needed to embrace her recovery journey. For treatment teams, aggregated data identifies program strengths and opportunities for improvement while validating their challenging work.

The research has identified ten key factors affecting recovery outcomes: treatment completion, duration, facility effectiveness, substance type (alcohol shows highest success rates), post-treatment behaviors (support groups, sober living), initial motivation, smoking status (non-smokers fare better), PTSD symptom levels at discharge, and number of previous treatment attempts.

Horizon Treatment Services is pioneering this approach at their Cronin House residential program, embracing measurement-based care to enhance treatment effectiveness. By collecting standardized assessments throughout treatment and following up after discharge, they're gaining invaluable insights to provide more personalized, responsive care while demonstrating their commitment to science-based approaches.

Ready to learn more about evidence-based addiction treatment? Visit www.horizonservices.org or connect with us on social media to discover how measurement-based care is transforming recovery outcomes.

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Sobering centers provide a humane alternative to jail or emergency rooms for acutely intoxicated individuals, offering 4-12 hours of supervised care while saving public resources and respecting human dignity. Dr. Shannon Smith-Bernardin explains how these programs serve as a crucial intersection between law enforcement, healthcare, and substance use recovery.

• Sobering care focuses on short-term monitoring for people acutely intoxicated on alcohol or other substances
• Unlike detox programs, sobering centers aim to get individuals safely through intoxication, not remove all substances from the body
• Most clients are experiencing homelessness or cannot safely return home while intoxicated
• Law enforcement can complete drop-offs at sobering centers in under 10 minutes versus 45+ minutes for jail bookings
• Staff typically includes medical professionals (EMTs/nurses) and peer recovery specialists with lived experience
• Centers provide continuous monitoring for safety, particularly important with the rise of fentanyl in the drug supply
• One in three law enforcement encounters nationwide involve someone acutely intoxicated
• Funding comes from various sources including city/county funds, state programs, Medicaid reform, and criminal justice initiatives
• Success means treating people with dignity while reducing stigma and shame around substance use

For more information, visit the National Sobering Collaborative at nationalsobering.org or learn about our services at www.horizonservices.org.

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