This Petition is presented as a statement of need; specifically the needs of a growing population of Connecticut families shattered by addiction. It is an initial set of solutions  to a progressively threatening public health crisis. We are aware of the State’s most recent budget cuts and that currently there are no additional funds for addiction recovery solutions. However, lack of funds does not diminish the need. We feel strongly that these needs should be printed and presented to our legislators so that as funds become available they will be used to support these initiatives. This initial set of solutions reflects an informed approach which recognizes that recovery is ultimately the core solution both for the afflicted individual and the afflicted society. 

With these intentions we set forth the following viable recovery solutions:

1.      Establish a 12 month recovery/rehabilitation period as evidence based best practice, during which the individual in recovery, under the guidance of a counselor or case manager, will select from all available support service options to set a treatment plan which will be updated monthly. Service options will include a combination of peer delivered services, professional services, recovery housing and community supports

2.       Recognizing the value of peer delivered services, all state funded Recovery Housing and all nonprofit and for profit Recovery Housing will comply with minimum guidelines established by the National Alliance of Recovery Residences (NARR), and will be inspected, certified and reviewed by a State appointed agency  in tandem with NARR’s Connecticut affiliate, Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR).

3.      State health insurances and private health insurances will pay for state certified Recovery Housing when identified as part of a treatment plan.

4.      Upon discharge, detoxes and inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment centers will create a step down continuum of care utilizing a combination of peer delivered services, professional services, recovery housing and community supports.

5.      The state will pay for a Recovery Support Specialist to support clients’ ongoing recovery efforts, as an evidence-based cost effective way to reduce relapse and recidivism.

6.      In medication assisted treatment facilities (eg methadone clinics), the state mandate of client attendance at one alcohol/drug group monthly will be raised to a minimum of one group weekly plus weekly individual therapy. State mandated treatment plan updates will be increased from the current 3- month interval to monthly. Each updated treatment plan will indicate either the individual’s success, or, changes implemented to support the individual’s continuing recovery.

7.      In medication assisted treatment facilities, the client’s choice of medication maintenance or medication detox will be documented in each treatment plan. In the case of the individual’s choice to detox, the providing agency will make and document appropriate referrals and/or increase the level of care as necessary to support the individual’s desired outcome.

8.      All medical professionals who prescribe medications will engage in 12 hours of continuing addiction education annually.

9.      Naturopathic care is proven to help some recovering individuals, is medically coded and will be paid for by state and private insurances.

10.   Acknowledging the alarming statistics regarding illicit drug use by minors and the success of the 36 recovery high schools across the nation (5 located in Massachusetts), the State will establish four Recovery High Schools within the public school system, as evidence based practice, where students can earn a high school diploma while being supported in their recovery from alcohol and drug use.