Scorn. Blame. Rejection. People in recovery from substance abuse disorders are subjected to the stigma that comes with their experiences. That isolation–from people and services–makes it harder for a person to maintain long-term recovery. So how can the Lancaster community empower those in recovery to stay in recovery? ROSC (recovery-oriented systems of care) is a health care model that fosters community-based, person-focused substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. It’s a coordinated effort to improve the health and well-being of the addicted person, his or her family, and the larger community. The ROSC model doesn’t just drop an addicted person into treatment—or prison. Rather it addresses a spectrum of real-life issues that play important factors in an addicted person’s potential for lasting recovery. For example, ROSC might include making child care available for parents in treatment, providing transportation to treatment services, or offering financial counseling to help cope with the money consequences of addiction. These types of services provide the solid foundation a recovering person needs to reclaim his or her life and become a vibrant, contributing member of the community. Another critical component of the ROSC model is the emphasis on reducing addiction-related stigma. These efforts might include events like Recovery Day 2015, a special event hosted by the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team to raise community awareness as well as empower recovering people and their families. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care Guide, additional examples of areas addressed by ROSC include: Substance Abuse Prevention
- Early screening
- Collaboration with relevant groups, such as child welfare offices or the Veterans Administration
- Referrals to intervention services
Substance Abuse Intervention
- Early intervention
- Pre-treatment
- Outreach services
Substance Abuse Treatment
- Range of available treatment options and services
- Alternative services and therapies
- Prevention support for the families of those in treatment
Substance Abuse Post-Treatment
- Continuing care
- Recovery support services
ROSC addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery aren’t the norm in Lancaster—yet. But there is an emerging movement to create an environment here that supports a recovering lifestyle within the community at large. If you’d like to be part of the movement to support and empower those in recovery—whether that person is you, a spouse, a sibling, or a friend—visit the Lancaster County Recovery Alliance (LCRA) Events Page on Facebook. To learn more about substance abuse prevention and treatment, visit Compass Mark’s Lending Library, which offers parents, educators, and health care professionals more than 1,000 resources. Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.