Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Summer 2018

Successful treatment for drug and alcohol addiction Rainforest Recovery Center (RRC), Bartlett Regional Hospital’s residential inpatient recovery facility for people with drug and alcohol addiction, has taken on a new philosophy. “Every week we have a different theme to teach patients skills,” says Janell Meade, RN, Director. “There’s mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance.” Helping patients recover from addiction Known as the gold standard for working with people who are experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) emphasizes individual psychotherapy and group therapy activities to help patients develop new skills and strategies to create a life they can experience as worth living. “Patients work hard in our program,” Meade says. “Our priority when they enter is to let them know that they are in a safe environment. Group attendance, including participation in daily recreational activities, is mandatory. We have excellent counselors who work with patients to create individualized treatment plans. We also have a psychiatrist, nurse and case manager in addition to behavioral health assistants, who work as a team to ensure a positive treatment experience as well as the most appropriate discharge plan. Our mission statement is ‘Empowering individuals to create positive change in their lives.’ ” Community-building activities include tending on-site garden boxes or playing volleyball. Each afternoon, staff take patients on recreational outings in the community, where they practice the skills they are learning in groups. On the weekend, they might go to Sandy Beach and fly kites. Other places they go include the glacier, State museum, Brotherhood Beach and the salt cave. Tailored care for each individual The focus is no longer on 28-day programs and the 12 steps. Length of patient stay depends on individual needs. “In the past, patients would be in our program for 28 days; this is no longer true,” notes Meade. The length of stay is now determined by patient need, the progress they make on their treatment plan, the skills they learn and practice, and their overall readiness to move on to a lower level of care. As a registered nurse, Meade brings a nurturing touch to RRC. She also encourages fun and celebrations. Staff present birthday cakes to patients and make care packages for them. “She’s the epitome of support and personal touch,” says Bradley Grigg, Behavioral Health Director, who calls her approach a nursing leadership model that is very solution-focused. Some patients move on, while others may be admitted to the outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program to finalize recovery. 6 House Calls Summer 2018 Focus on TRICK OR TREAT: Rainforest Recovery Center Director Janell Meade with a basket of candy for patients on Halloween. GARDENING: Patients at Rainforest Recovery Center tend on-site garden boxes like this one.