Implementing Recovery Management in a Treatment Organization

Abstract

(from the chapter) This chapter will provide an overview of how a large behavioral health provider has implemented the principles of recovery management for treating individuals with a substance use disorder over the past 10 years. The story begins with the launching of the Behavioral Health Recovery Management (BHRM) project in 1999 and the subsequent funding of the grant project from the Illinois Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. We will briefly review the differences between recovery management and the broader disease management model. The BHRM project was the catalyst and incubator for implementing many of the principles outlined in this book. We will review the trials launched, successes achieved, barriers encountered, mistakes made, and lessons learned while incorporating the principles of recovery management within the existing, publicly funded addiction and mental health treatment system in Illinois. We will highlight the challenges involved in translating recovery principles into the existing medical or professional model of treatment. In particular, we will discuss the philosophical challenges involved in altering the views and values of staff, limitations with the Federal and State funding streams, and structural barriers associated with publicly funded organizations. The chapter will close with a discussion of how to translate the lessons learned to other organizations, future applications of the BHRM principles in an emerging concept of integrative care, and expanding the model to include emerging technologies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)