Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital improving care for those with substance use disorders

Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital is excited to announce that it is bolstering its care team with the addition of a new patient navigator designed to provide recovery support for patients who are initially seen at Ascension Saint Alexius or Ascension Alexian Brothers. This role provides an increased presence additional to the trained social workers and counselors already providing care at those sites.

The addition of this role creates improved coordination between the three hospitals, and allows patients to have face-to-face meetings with someone from the behavioral health hospital while staying at Saint Alexius or Alexian Brothers. The ultimate goal of this position is to determine if a patient requires additional care from our specialized behavioral health hospital, and to then seamlessly move the patient over if needed.

"I have to take so much into account when discussing further care options with a patient. There are always complicated factors like their own willingness to receive additional care and financial and employment realities," said Cary Frick, patient navigator at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital. "Even if a patient may not follow through with additional care when they first come in, I've at least planted the seed. Recovery is possible to anyone willing. And of those willing, we have seen remarkable improvement in their lives and in the lives of those who care about them."

This role was funded through the Ascension Illinois Foundation, and comes at a time when substance overuse and abuse has a stronghold on much of the country. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 50 million Americans have a substance use disorder (SUD). SUDs can be characterized by the use of many different types of drugs, and simply relate to the compulsive use of substances despite harmful consequences.

A large number of people who suffer from substance use disorders have suffered trauma in their past, or they may suffer from anxiety and PTSD. As a full-service behavioral health hospital, our teams are fully suited to treat these co-occurring conditions. Receiving treatment and developing the tools to address these co-occurring issues are critical to achieving long-term freedom from substance use.

By adding a role like this to our care, some of our area's highest risk patients are able to have conversations with a professional who can provide an individualized plan, and who wants to learn more about a patient's motivation and barriers to accessing care. With the addition, there is a more likely chance that patients are able to receive a "warm handoff," a transfer of patient care between two teams. This also mitigates the need for the patient to come back to our care sites for specialty care, and instead allows patients to receive behavioral health care when they first are admitted at either of the Ministry's suburban hospitals.

Ascension Illinois is committed to our communities' needs, and the health system is intent on serving people with SUDs in the northwest suburbs. If you are worried about yourself or someone you love, please call our behavioral health team for a free assessment 24/7 at .