Advocating for Change: Empowering Each Other to Confront the Opioid Crisis

By Mike Derkacz, President & CEO
October 2, 2023
Mobilize Recovery 2023 in Washington, D.C.
Mobilize Recovery 2023 in Washington, D.C.

As we continue confronting the public health crisis of opioid misuse and working to remedy its untold harm, the significance of September’s National Recovery Month prompts us to pause and reflect, offering a time to acknowledge personal and collective achievements in supporting recovery and reaffirming our belief that transforming the management of OUD is possible. Nearly half of people in the U.S. have a family member or close friend living with OUD.[1] While access to treatment and services are core components of a holistic approach to recovery, the value of a strong support network cannot be overstated.

During our lives, many of us will be presented with an opportunity to advocate for someone we care about who is living with OUD. This support from loved ones, patient advocates and recovery partners can have a profound and positive impact on the recovery journey. There is much we can learn from the people who are already creating change and championing the transformation of the management of OUD for themselves, their loved ones and their communities.

I encourage everyone to rely on the invaluable guidance of the recovery community’s patient advocates and the many credible resources and tools available to us.

Standing Up and Speaking Out for the OUD Community

Advocacy comes in many forms. Whether supporting a loved one as they pursue recovery, participating in a local supply drive, or getting the word out about OUD health policy initiatives, there are many opportunities to advocate and support the OUD community.

Earlier this month, my Braeburn team joined Mobilize Recovery in Washington D.C. and connected with our advocacy colleagues to discuss strategies for supporting patients in their pursuit of recovery. We also frequently join Shatterproof Walks to honor those who have lost their lives to OUD, celebrate those who are living in recovery and offer hope to the millions that are still suffering. We’re looking forward to being a part of the Shatterproof Walk in New York City this October. I am proud to be part of this community, united in our mission to support people as they begin and maintain recovery, as we work to ultimately transform the perception and management of OUD.

One incredibly important element of advocacy is including the voices of lived experience – people who have been directly affected by OUD. They have a unique understanding of the challenges and barriers that people with OUD face. They can speak to the stigma, discrimination and lack of access to care that people with this disease often experience. They can also share their own stories of recovery and hope, which can be incredibly motivating and inspiring to others.

When people with lived experience are included in advocacy efforts, they can help to ensure that the voices of people with OUD are heard and that their needs are met by:

  • Educating the public about OUD. They can dispel myths and misconceptions about addiction, and they can help people to understand the complex factors that contribute to OUD.
  • Helping to develop policies and programs that are responsive to the needs of people with OUD. They can provide input on what works and what doesn’t, and they can help to ensure that policies and programs are truly inclusive and accessible.
  • Serving as role models and mentors for others who are struggling with OUD. They can share their own stories of recovery and hope, and they can provide support and guidance to others who are on their journey to recovery.

“Mobilize Recovery is about community, connection and action. People with lived experience need a more substantial voice in the policies that impact us and our communities. ‘Nothing about us without us’ is our call to action. We’re grateful to Braeburn for joining us on this mission. We believe that’ll take all of us moving towards more compassionate and community-based solutions to end this crisis…for good.” – Ryan Hampton, recovery advocate and political activist

Education as a Form of Advocacy

To create a more compassionate and effective culture of care, we must start with more education. Many people – and healthcare providers are not immune – do not know that OUD is a chronic condition, much like heart disease or diabetes. OUD can be managed with multiple treatment options, including a combination of medication, counseling and other psychosocial support.[1,2]  This lack of education can entrench shame, misconceptions and stigma, ultimately preventing people from pursuing recovery.

Whether advocating for yourself or a loved one, I encourage everyone to rely on the invaluable guidance of the recovery community’s patient advocates and the many credible resources and tools available to us. If you’re just beginning as an advocate, here are some helpful starting points for expanding your OUD education:

  • Words matter – Language is a powerful tool for transforming negative attitudes and stigmas that may deter people from pursuing treatment and recovery services. By using medically accurate, person-first language, we can reduce prejudice, alleviate shame and center the patient experience so people with OUD receive the care they need. For example, referring to a “person in recovery” rather than calling them an “ex-addict” sounds like a simple change, but carries a big impact. Braeburn’s non-stigmatizing language guide offers more guidance.
  • Become familiar with available treatment options – Currently just one-fifth of U.S. adults with OUD receive medication to treat their disorder.[3] The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers several educational resources including specific information about OUD treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Decision in Recovery Handbook also provides information about medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and can help identify whether MOUD might be an appropriate option.
  • Know your rights – For those who choose to seek MOUD, the Legal Action Center’s MAT/MOUD Advocacy Toolkit provides advocates with information about accessing treatment and services as well as resources to safeguard against discrimination.
  • Connect with Advocacy Organizations – Shatterproof– Young People In Recovery– Partnership to End Addiction

Building a Support System

Embracing an active role in a loved one’s recovery requires meeting that person where they are, suspending judgment, and affirming that they are seen and heard. SAMHSA has developed a library of multimedia resources to help families facilitate conversations about OUD and find additional support.

It’s important to remember that supporting a loved one experiencing OUD presents its own set of challenges – this is normal and to be expected. Just like with any caregiving role, recovery partners should recognize the toll this undertaking can take on their own health and wellbeing and protect time and energy to seek support from friends, family, peer groups and/or professionals. These support systems, in addition to resources like the book Beyond Addiction, can help maintain critical personal boundaries and prioritize self-care, both of which are essential ingredients in order to show up consistently for a loved one in need.

At Braeburn, we stand alongside members of the OUD community who are making a difference in the lives of others impacted by this disorder – and we stand, resolutely, with patients throughout their recovery.

  1. Partnership to End Addiction. Advocate for Change. https://drugfree.org/advocate-for-change/. Accessed July 18, 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541389/.
  2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Facts About Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction. Available from: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4442.pdf.
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Only 1 in 5 U.S. adults with opioid use disorder received medications to treat it in 2021. Available from: https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/08/only-1-in-5-us-adults-with-opioid-use-disorder-received-medications-to-treat-it-in-2021.