According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, 70-90% of people who engage care for their mental illness report improvements in quality of life.
Britten Devereux, Chief Clinical Officer at D’Amore Healthcare, describes to our audience how important it is for the mentally ill individual, the addicted and/or their loved ones to change the map if they want the destination to change. In other words, D’Amore Healthcare helps the patient and their family or friends get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s not easy to drive a different way, to take a new route, to try the middle instead of the aisle. But, at some point, it becomes necessary to alter one’s routine when a patient or a loved one demand the destination that is big enough, personal enough for their dignity, value, talents and passion as an individual.
In order to address common symptoms of isolation, grief, loss, cynicism and fear, D’Amore Healthcare addresses the behaviors, disorders, cognitive distortions, suffering, or irrational beliefs that are temporary barriers between the patient and newer, safer ways of creating comfort, purpose and safety. Similar to using a map to reach a destination, individuals recovering from a mental health disorder or substance use disorder need a plan with milestones (evidence of progress), they need rest along the way to get acquainted with new feelings and they need their senses stimulated to create new forms of pleasure and healthy memories associated.
At D’Amore Healthcare, highly trained staff are addressing the stigma and suffering around mental illness. Noticing that patients have a history of being criminalized, alienated or marginalized, D’Amore exists to remind every patient of their dignity and value. Helping individuals navigate a few simple goals is the beginning of recovery. Little by little patients develop self-efficacy and self-regulation to live independently and enjoy improved quality of life.
The prevalence and co-occurrence of substance and process addictions, such as prescription drugs, tobacco, illicit drugs, exercise, eating, gambling, internet, alcohol, love, sex, work, or shopping changes communities, not to mention individuals. Through screening, assessment, counseling, recreation, nutrition and mindfulness exercises, patients find a safe place to look at their history and their goals, scaling the barriers limiting their quality of life.
In this not-to-be-missed interview, join us as Devereux shares that although a person’s age, mental health history, creed, drug or, combination of substances and behaviors are certainly important factors in designing treatment protocols, the real key to long-term recovery involves a team. Bottom line, a recovering person’s humility to accept help unlocks awareness, engagement, integrity and purposefulness.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Opioid Painkiller Prescribing, Where You Live Makes a Difference. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/opioid-prescribing/. 8 Jones CM.
ABOUT BRITTEN DEVEREUX
Britten brings her knowledge of change management, public policy, and business analytics to healthcare. Committed to lifelong learning, Britten completed a Master’s of Science in Addiction Counseling, then attaining her Licensed Advanced Drug and Alcohol Counselor credential. Britten is certified by the NAADAC as a Master Addiction Counselor and by the Department of Transportation, as a Substance Abuse Professional.
Translating D’Amore, Italian for of love, Britten is passionate to see patients reckon with their dignity and worth. “Healthcare is complicated, requiring several linkages between patient history and patient goals. We keep it personal.” Although she loves her work, she makes time to relax at the yoga or barre studio
