January 5, 2026 • 18 mins
We spoke with Roy Sasenaraine, Chief Operating Officer, about Aware Recovery Care's all-inclusive in-home addiction treatment program designed for long-term recovery.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest this morning is Roy Seisnerine from Aware Recovery Care.
He's the CEO there.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning, good.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Morning, thank you for being here, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
So how was Aware Recovery Care founded?
Speaker 4 (00:16):
Yeah, so, Aware Recovery Care the clinical model was developed
at the Yale School Medicine by our founder, Steve Rondazzo,
and really his identification that there was something missing in
the sud market landscape, which is, how do you teach
people to live in the environment that actually has caused
the issue? Something else to find And he's clearby he's
(00:37):
in recovery as well, so really as a position, but
also somebody in recovery really recognized there was a need
and there was a missing link.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Still in the space.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
How do you keep people in sobriety long after you
leave a treatment center or a hospital at acute care setting.
So that was really the genesis of I think of
the organization as a whole. Started in Connecticut with about
twenty employees and then Pandemic Approach in twenty eleven the
company was founded. I really expanded to you eleven different
states over the last multiple years.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
At this point.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
So we are in the five states in the northeast Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia,
Georgia at this point. So and plan sex Man in
the future as well.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
So there's a multitude of things that you do.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And again, if people would like to learn more, they
can go to a ware Recoverycare dot com. Would you
like to start with in home addiction treatment.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Sure, that'd be great, it's our main product. Most folks
you know have to go town a q care setting,
whether it's a hospital or treatment center for detox. The
issue has always been what happens when you go back
home in the same environment. So our product actually it
literally in your environment, in your home, in your community.
We actually will either fully virtually or there's a partially
(01:52):
in person component. We actually navigate that, I help you
navigate that, We provide the families involved, your loved ones
are involved. So it's a full wrap around service to
build you a support structure that includes individual therapy, family therapy.
We have people who lived experience, so who have gone
through recovery either our program or other programs, or in
(02:12):
long term recovery to help navigate our program, but also
as a relationship building to help they understand exactly what
that individual is going through. We also have nurse practitioners
we do medication management, so we help adjust. Not only
most places will only help with your substance use the
sort of medication. We have psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who
are dual certify in substance abuse and psychiatric mental health services,
(02:37):
so instead of sending you to another provider, we actually
do both as substance abuse and the mental health modification
of your medication. So we try to make it as
one stop shop, if you will. To some extent, we
also have which we don't get there's no reimbursements for.
We have what's called care coordinators, so we have people
will interact with you and help you find whatever resources
you need, whether it's primary care provider, what do you need,
(02:57):
some housing assistance, legal assists, since we will find the
resources you need. To remove one less stressed on your plate,
basically anything that will incentivize you to go back to
using a substance, we try to remove that as part
of the element. And then obviously your loved ones are
a key component. The family dynamic is also really important,
so helping your loved ones understand what you've gone through,
(03:19):
what you are going through, and how they can best
support you is really crucial because most often, what I've
discovered I've been doing for by twenty six years now
is someone who has hit bottom quote unquote, has gone
into a treatment center.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
They come out thirty days later.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Nothing has been done to teacher, loved ones, what has
that person has gone through? And the person that is
coming out is going to be completely different than the
human that's gone in. So if you don't really help
the family acclimate to that, this is a different person,
not the same person.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
This is a disease. It's not a choice.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
After a while, I tell people use heroin, cocaine and
things of that nature, or any kind of drug if
you have an addictive personality, the first time is a
choice almost guarantee. After that it is no longer become
a choice. After the second time. Your brain is chemically
wired to actually become addictive to some of these substances.
Phantoml is a fantastically way to get addicted instantaneously opioids
(04:12):
in general, just off all drugs.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Well, you have this amazing care team in place then
to help them, because when they do get out. Unfortunately,
they may not have a place to live. They may
go back to the same old people who aren't good
for them. They may be in a situation where a
family doesn't understand this is everything that you're saying, and
then they'll go back and self medicate once again.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
And what I.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Understood over the years from doing all these interviews, I
heard that family is the medicine and a lot of
these people have a dual diagnosis and that's why they
do drugs, because they have mental health issues and they
need to self medicate in order to feel better. Absolutely,
so this program is absolutely amazing that they can go home,
(04:53):
but make sure that everything is good at home in
order to have success. I believe that the success rate
for a lot of these PAG facilities are only five
to eight percent. Perhaps, however, yours has a higher success rate.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah, you hit the nail right in the head, right.
So what is family support? We call them allies so
they can be family friends. We need to build a
network around you. So for example, I'll give it us
a take for you. So almost ninety percent or more.
Numbers keep changing on an ongoing basis, but one year
post discharge from our program do not have an inpatient
admission stay. Again, so from a healthcare so let's take
(05:30):
it from multiple perspective. From a straight healthcare cost perspective, right,
there's a significant reduction in how much that costs drain
on our healthcare system. It's one more bed for someone
who's more medically acute than actually who's going through some
kind of psychiatric issue that has multiple relapses in our
system that find themselves back in there. Our program also
(05:51):
is unique that you do not have to actually stop working.
We meet with you at night on the weekends, seven
days a week. So someone who is as you know,
someone who is struggling with SUD come out of the treatment,
they had to go back to work most of these places,
which is great for stabilization in patients, absolutely needed for
a cute stabilization. But we will work with those folks
(06:12):
to keep them on tracks. They can still keep going
to work. So from an employment standpoint, from a productivity standpoint,
employees still have their employees working for them. They don't
lose benefits, so they still have their medical benefits, they
have their salary income. Their family isn't impacted negatively by that.
Most of our business occur anywhere between the hours or
four o'clock and eight o'clock at night, seven days a week.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
We provide that care.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
We'll meet you if it's virtually great, anytime anywhere for
our recovery specialists.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
We'll meet you at a coffee shop, in.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Your home, wherever that individual feels comfortable.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
We meet them where they're at. People do sometimes fall off.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
We don't just discharge you because oops, I had a
drink yesterday. Like wait a minute, well, let's get you
about why did you have that drink? Like, get to
the root cause of that. So from a straight societal standpoint,
from a productivity standpoint, from a financial standpoint, from a
family engagement standpoint, it really is a win win. And
that's why I like to say, while I've been doing
this a long time away, recover care is the last
(07:08):
piece of a very unfortunate and sad disease process. Is
you know, how do you survive in the environment that
causes that issue. For in the beginning, people say, well,
they can move, Well, that's not true. Most people can't
afford to just leave that environment. So how do you
teach someone to sustain and live and thrive in that
(07:28):
environment that they're constantly surrounded by the things that is
tempted to them. We also offer program which is long term.
We offer one hundred groups a month post discharge our
alumni program. They'll per app one hundred different groups a
month that someone could come to just to keep them
back on track as well. That there's no charge for that.
Part of our programs is part of what we offer.
(07:48):
We have in person meetings to keep them on track.
We offer the same resources that we do in the
program of do you need a lawyer, do you need home,
do you need medical attention, do you need a primary keit?
Whatever you need and all eleven states we've identified resources
and we will provide to them free of charge. Help
them get connected to those resources as well. The long
term goal Doctor Rondezzo, his vision has been how do
(08:10):
you keep people in long term recovery, reduce the burden
in the system, improve people's lives. Folks that go to
our program, he's one for you. Seventy seven percent almost
eighty percent report that their family relationship have increased has
improved significantly by going through our program. Why because they're
involved in the program, it's part of that they're actually
going through the treatment with the individual at the time.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
So that's incredible feedback. And this doctor you said, also
struggled with substance abuse, so he gets it absolutely.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
He talks to talk to walk, talk to talk.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
It's the reason why he developed this model, because while
it was great on the inpatient side of it, there
was that out of piece missing. Well, how do you
help someone navigate the temptations that's there in their existing
environment day in, day out at this point, So it's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
So somebody's listening right now, I know you have specific
steps for them to take. The first thing is to
call you sure and then you find out about their insurance.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Yeah. So we actually this is exciting because we are
expanding our footprint. Our largest was Anthem Cross Blushela across
the country. Actually, as I sit here today, I've just
signed twelve new pair contracts.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
So we are expanding are the large.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Pairs In twenty twenty six, specifically, we'll expand to signa
United Healthcare ETNA almost all the states will have that day,
and so we're also expanding our footprint into Medicare advantage,
so that population which is underserved as well. We'll start
taking the Medicare advantage as well in twenty twenty six
for many of these states.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
So we are either self pay.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Or insurance based at this point as well, or other
network as well.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
So then you take it from there and create a plan.
They may need detox, they may need to go sure
right into the home and start treatment there.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yeah, so we do an initial assessment to determine what
their level of care they need. So there are times
people are coming to us and they're so acute they
cannot start with us because they truly need for medical safety,
for medical reasons, they have to go to an inpatient
facility that could be hospital for a stabilization, a treatment center,
or a detox program, or some level that is significant
(10:15):
to get them to a stable position where they're safe
to come to us. Will refer them to those facilities
and then they can then enter our program after discharge.
At that point, or to your point, they can go
straight into our program immediately. Our time frame to get
someone started is within forty eight hours of calling us.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
And basically they're in it forever as long as they
want to be.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Yeah, So our program can go. It really is based
on medical necessity. We are average lent of stay is
almost eight months at this point, but.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
We go up to as much as fifty two weeks.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
The goal is not to have people stay with us forever, Honestly,
our goal is really to get them back on their
feet as soon as possible. Some people six months, they're done,
they're really on a solid path, and they staying with
our alumni program, they keep going. Some people go all
the way fifty two weeks, two weeks, twelve months, or
some people need a little bit longer. It really does
depend on the individual and how how much they're struggling
(11:08):
at that point, and they can always come back to
us also if they relapse at some point.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
What I meant by forever was the long term treatment
will always be there for always be there. You can
always access the website, they can always call.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Absolutely we're always available. We have even a chat feature
on our website. We implement thing as well too, so
they can always get a hold of us, and if
they've gone through our program, our alumni app give them
immediate access to us. They can literally send a message
to us and someone will pick up before and call them.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?
Speaker 4 (11:37):
We didn't mention two things I would tell mentioned as
from a product standpoints, so we also have amateur detox,
so we do detox people off of alcohol and opioids.
It's a five day detox that's also in home. So
there's a great other way. We are the largest provider
of at scale in the country for alcohol detox of
detox in the country, so from a virtual standpoint in
(11:58):
that sense. But we also a medication assistant treatment program
which also that is long term you can go for
forever on that we will keep you to modify your medication,
to make sure what is behavioral health or SUD services
in general. So that's probably those are the three products,
if you will. And this time is probably is really difficult.
This time of year, holiday seasons November to honestly February
(12:21):
is really a rough time for a lot of folks.
Family dynamics is always difficult, which also unfortunately leads people
to relapse sometimes or exasperate their issues. So we tell
people take a deep breath, step away, walk away, but
honestly call us. We're also there to just help people
in general find the resources. If we're not it, we'll
find you the appropriate resources.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Do you need in the.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Community that's part of our mission as well. It's an organization.
But Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years are all really the biggest
temptations for folks at this point, peer pressure, but just
pressure in general to celebrate and fit in.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
It's also very difficult.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
At this time of year, and there's many triggers. Absolutely,
and again if they're battling depression, anxiety, or something else,
there's the temptation to self medicate.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
Yeah, it's also a difficult time a year for folks
in the sense of as many of us reflect on
the previous year, our successes, our failures, and unfortunate as humans,
we tend to dwell on our failures instead of looking
at our successes. We reinforce all the negative beliefs that
we have in our head. And that's this time of
the year is really difficult for folks as they look
back it's another year. Folks who are depressed specifically, will
(13:25):
whatever I accomplished, I've done nothing good right, and they
forget all the great things they've done. And that's why
it really is important this time of year, specifically to
stick to those people who are close to you, your
family members, to let them help reinforce all the great
things about you, your family, why you're so valuable, and
a lot of people. You may not think you're important
to other people. I guarantee you there's a lot of
(13:46):
people out there are you're important to on that value that,
so really sticking to that is important.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
There's always hope.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Always always. That's one of my faults.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
And no matter how bad it is, once someone has
it worse than you, whether you believe it or not,
but there's always there's always light eventually. It's not perpetual darkness.
And unfortunately this disease mental health in general, our brains
wired to think that there's always darkness. It's not always
going to be dark. No matter how dark it is
this moment, it always gets better.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
And you need to feel it in order to heal it.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Absolutely absolutely and listen, what doesn't break you mikes you stronger,
and honestly, we are part of that support structure for
you to help you stand up. If you're going to fall,
grab on to someone else. I tell my team be
the parachute for someone someone is going off a cliff.
Our job is literally to be that parachute to make
sure they land safely where they're going to be. This
(14:37):
is a very difficult job for my team as well.
Imagine I use the phrase we're like lint brushes. We
pick up the lint of other people, right, So I
teach them as well, you have to You have to
find a way to shed that off. If not, you
become weight down by that. So it really is I
can't do what our team do, the frontline team, they
truly are amazing. Our organization will be nothing without them.
(14:57):
These people are doing I define as god work. And
I know there's a lot of great things in healthcare.
Don't get me wrong. I'm parts of those organizations and
different parts of entities I've ran before. But behavior health
SUD services are really some of the most difficult patient population,
just because it's a disease of the mind is so
more different than a physical ailment.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
The doctor told me once, it's easier to treat cancer
than it is mental health. He goes, and people with
cancer get cast roles, But people who have mental health
issues they're scorned or turned away from because of the
stigma and the people who treat your care team. You
can't pour out all the time and not get poured
back into. You become empty. So it is God's work.
(15:39):
They truly are blessing God's people and helping them listen.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
It is and I would tell you, you know, you mentioned something.
I was actually very excited because behavior health in general,
mental health services has come out of a dark room
that's been in for decades. Unfortunately, substance use is still
a significant stigma that it's a choice someone makes. And again,
the first time is probably was a choice. Honestly, after that,
(16:03):
it really isn't a choice. And that's a difficult thing
for folks to understand. And why can't someone just stop.
You're literally changing neurochemical structure of your brain. Your brain
is becoming wired to not produce that chemical it's becoming
dependent on the external stimulus to generate that same feeling
of content happiness. And it isn't something that you can
(16:24):
just stop doing it and your brain's going to self correct.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
It's a process to go through.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
And there's no cure for substance you it's it's something
you learn to live with, manage and that's what we do.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Or there's no cure for that. I'm not sure there's.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I hope that at some point there will be a
cure for it, but there's no, really cure, it's how
do you stay in sobriety recovery, And it's a struggle
for folks every single day, and it's every day. It's
truly is a winning it's every day you make it
that you don't take a drink, you don't use a substance,
is truly is a gift and a reward, and it's
a success every single day, no matter how many days
(16:58):
you make it.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
Seven days is a reward. I get to tell the
seven days if you.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Go without a drink, it's something to celebrate every seven days,
every one day, every hour, I tell folks, minute by minute,
hour by hour, day by day, week by week. That's
how you have to do it. You can't think of it.
It's only been like a week. Well, great, it's been
a week. Celebrate that week. Celebrate a week and have
a week and one hour at that point.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
There's so many things that can contribute to it, even
a genetic component.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
So thank you for.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Explaining it the way that you have, because people just
they can be judgmental, like as you said, the stigma,
and they don't understand. But now scientifically you've explained it
in a way that they can.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
Great now I appreciate the time. It really is more
people need to pay attention to be over health services
in general, whether it's substance or mental health service in general.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
It's we don't talk about it enough.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
I think as a society we need to do a
lot more and pay a lot more attention to it,
and a lot more research and a lot more funding, a
lot more things from our society but organizationally, governmentally that
we need to do to get to a better place.
So I appreciate the time, and also to participate and
actually help you, hopefully on some level of helpfulness to
them as well too.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Oh my goodness, you guys are just the bomb dot com.
I mean, holy cow, what an amazing organization. I'm speaking
with Roy Saisnarin. He is CEO of Aware Recoverycare. For
more information about all of the services and programs that
they offer, please go to Aware Recoverycare dot com. Thank
you so much for being here today.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Thank you appreciate the time.
Good morning, Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest this morning is Roy Seisnerine from Aware Recovery Care.
He's the CEO there.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning, good.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Morning, thank you for being here, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
So how was Aware Recovery Care founded?
Speaker 4 (00:16):
Yeah, so, Aware Recovery Care the clinical model was developed
at the Yale School Medicine by our founder, Steve Rondazzo,
and really his identification that there was something missing in
the sud market landscape, which is, how do you teach
people to live in the environment that actually has caused
the issue? Something else to find And he's clearby he's
(00:37):
in recovery as well, so really as a position, but
also somebody in recovery really recognized there was a need
and there was a missing link.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Still in the space.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
How do you keep people in sobriety long after you
leave a treatment center or a hospital at acute care setting.
So that was really the genesis of I think of
the organization as a whole. Started in Connecticut with about
twenty employees and then Pandemic Approach in twenty eleven the
company was founded. I really expanded to you eleven different
states over the last multiple years.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
At this point.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
So we are in the five states in the northeast Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia,
Georgia at this point. So and plan sex Man in
the future as well.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
So there's a multitude of things that you do.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And again, if people would like to learn more, they
can go to a ware Recoverycare dot com. Would you
like to start with in home addiction treatment.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Sure, that'd be great, it's our main product. Most folks
you know have to go town a q care setting,
whether it's a hospital or treatment center for detox. The
issue has always been what happens when you go back
home in the same environment. So our product actually it
literally in your environment, in your home, in your community.
We actually will either fully virtually or there's a partially
(01:52):
in person component. We actually navigate that, I help you
navigate that, We provide the families involved, your loved ones
are involved. So it's a full wrap around service to
build you a support structure that includes individual therapy, family therapy.
We have people who lived experience, so who have gone
through recovery either our program or other programs, or in
(02:12):
long term recovery to help navigate our program, but also
as a relationship building to help they understand exactly what
that individual is going through. We also have nurse practitioners
we do medication management, so we help adjust. Not only
most places will only help with your substance use the
sort of medication. We have psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who
are dual certify in substance abuse and psychiatric mental health services,
(02:37):
so instead of sending you to another provider, we actually
do both as substance abuse and the mental health modification
of your medication. So we try to make it as
one stop shop, if you will. To some extent, we
also have which we don't get there's no reimbursements for.
We have what's called care coordinators, so we have people
will interact with you and help you find whatever resources
you need, whether it's primary care provider, what do you need,
(02:57):
some housing assistance, legal assists, since we will find the
resources you need. To remove one less stressed on your plate,
basically anything that will incentivize you to go back to
using a substance, we try to remove that as part
of the element. And then obviously your loved ones are
a key component. The family dynamic is also really important,
so helping your loved ones understand what you've gone through,
(03:19):
what you are going through, and how they can best
support you is really crucial because most often, what I've
discovered I've been doing for by twenty six years now
is someone who has hit bottom quote unquote, has gone
into a treatment center.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
They come out thirty days later.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Nothing has been done to teacher, loved ones, what has
that person has gone through? And the person that is
coming out is going to be completely different than the
human that's gone in. So if you don't really help
the family acclimate to that, this is a different person,
not the same person.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
This is a disease. It's not a choice.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
After a while, I tell people use heroin, cocaine and
things of that nature, or any kind of drug if
you have an addictive personality, the first time is a
choice almost guarantee. After that it is no longer become
a choice. After the second time. Your brain is chemically
wired to actually become addictive to some of these substances.
Phantoml is a fantastically way to get addicted instantaneously opioids
(04:12):
in general, just off all drugs.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Well, you have this amazing care team in place then
to help them, because when they do get out. Unfortunately,
they may not have a place to live. They may
go back to the same old people who aren't good
for them. They may be in a situation where a
family doesn't understand this is everything that you're saying, and
then they'll go back and self medicate once again.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
And what I.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Understood over the years from doing all these interviews, I
heard that family is the medicine and a lot of
these people have a dual diagnosis and that's why they
do drugs, because they have mental health issues and they
need to self medicate in order to feel better. Absolutely,
so this program is absolutely amazing that they can go home,
(04:53):
but make sure that everything is good at home in
order to have success. I believe that the success rate
for a lot of these PAG facilities are only five
to eight percent. Perhaps, however, yours has a higher success rate.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah, you hit the nail right in the head, right.
So what is family support? We call them allies so
they can be family friends. We need to build a
network around you. So for example, I'll give it us
a take for you. So almost ninety percent or more.
Numbers keep changing on an ongoing basis, but one year
post discharge from our program do not have an inpatient
admission stay. Again, so from a healthcare so let's take
(05:30):
it from multiple perspective. From a straight healthcare cost perspective, right,
there's a significant reduction in how much that costs drain
on our healthcare system. It's one more bed for someone
who's more medically acute than actually who's going through some
kind of psychiatric issue that has multiple relapses in our
system that find themselves back in there. Our program also
(05:51):
is unique that you do not have to actually stop working.
We meet with you at night on the weekends, seven
days a week. So someone who is as you know,
someone who is struggling with SUD come out of the treatment,
they had to go back to work most of these places,
which is great for stabilization in patients, absolutely needed for
a cute stabilization. But we will work with those folks
(06:12):
to keep them on tracks. They can still keep going
to work. So from an employment standpoint, from a productivity standpoint,
employees still have their employees working for them. They don't
lose benefits, so they still have their medical benefits, they
have their salary income. Their family isn't impacted negatively by that.
Most of our business occur anywhere between the hours or
four o'clock and eight o'clock at night, seven days a week.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
We provide that care.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
We'll meet you if it's virtually great, anytime anywhere for
our recovery specialists.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
We'll meet you at a coffee shop, in.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Your home, wherever that individual feels comfortable.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
We meet them where they're at. People do sometimes fall off.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
We don't just discharge you because oops, I had a
drink yesterday. Like wait a minute, well, let's get you
about why did you have that drink? Like, get to
the root cause of that. So from a straight societal standpoint,
from a productivity standpoint, from a financial standpoint, from a
family engagement standpoint, it really is a win win. And
that's why I like to say, while I've been doing
this a long time away, recover care is the last
(07:08):
piece of a very unfortunate and sad disease process. Is
you know, how do you survive in the environment that
causes that issue. For in the beginning, people say, well,
they can move, Well, that's not true. Most people can't
afford to just leave that environment. So how do you
teach someone to sustain and live and thrive in that
(07:28):
environment that they're constantly surrounded by the things that is
tempted to them. We also offer program which is long term.
We offer one hundred groups a month post discharge our
alumni program. They'll per app one hundred different groups a
month that someone could come to just to keep them
back on track as well. That there's no charge for that.
Part of our programs is part of what we offer.
(07:48):
We have in person meetings to keep them on track.
We offer the same resources that we do in the
program of do you need a lawyer, do you need home,
do you need medical attention, do you need a primary keit?
Whatever you need and all eleven states we've identified resources
and we will provide to them free of charge. Help
them get connected to those resources as well. The long
term goal Doctor Rondezzo, his vision has been how do
(08:10):
you keep people in long term recovery, reduce the burden
in the system, improve people's lives. Folks that go to
our program, he's one for you. Seventy seven percent almost
eighty percent report that their family relationship have increased has
improved significantly by going through our program. Why because they're
involved in the program, it's part of that they're actually
going through the treatment with the individual at the time.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
So that's incredible feedback. And this doctor you said, also
struggled with substance abuse, so he gets it absolutely.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
He talks to talk to walk, talk to talk.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
It's the reason why he developed this model, because while
it was great on the inpatient side of it, there
was that out of piece missing. Well, how do you
help someone navigate the temptations that's there in their existing
environment day in, day out at this point, So it's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
So somebody's listening right now, I know you have specific
steps for them to take. The first thing is to
call you sure and then you find out about their insurance.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Yeah. So we actually this is exciting because we are
expanding our footprint. Our largest was Anthem Cross Blushela across
the country. Actually, as I sit here today, I've just
signed twelve new pair contracts.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
So we are expanding are the large.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Pairs In twenty twenty six, specifically, we'll expand to signa
United Healthcare ETNA almost all the states will have that day,
and so we're also expanding our footprint into Medicare advantage,
so that population which is underserved as well. We'll start
taking the Medicare advantage as well in twenty twenty six
for many of these states.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
So we are either self pay.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Or insurance based at this point as well, or other
network as well.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
So then you take it from there and create a plan.
They may need detox, they may need to go sure
right into the home and start treatment there.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yeah, so we do an initial assessment to determine what
their level of care they need. So there are times
people are coming to us and they're so acute they
cannot start with us because they truly need for medical safety,
for medical reasons, they have to go to an inpatient
facility that could be hospital for a stabilization, a treatment center,
or a detox program, or some level that is significant
(10:15):
to get them to a stable position where they're safe
to come to us. Will refer them to those facilities
and then they can then enter our program after discharge.
At that point, or to your point, they can go
straight into our program immediately. Our time frame to get
someone started is within forty eight hours of calling us.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
And basically they're in it forever as long as they
want to be.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Yeah, So our program can go. It really is based
on medical necessity. We are average lent of stay is
almost eight months at this point, but.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
We go up to as much as fifty two weeks.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
The goal is not to have people stay with us forever, Honestly,
our goal is really to get them back on their
feet as soon as possible. Some people six months, they're done,
they're really on a solid path, and they staying with
our alumni program, they keep going. Some people go all
the way fifty two weeks, two weeks, twelve months, or
some people need a little bit longer. It really does
depend on the individual and how how much they're struggling
(11:08):
at that point, and they can always come back to
us also if they relapse at some point.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
What I meant by forever was the long term treatment
will always be there for always be there. You can
always access the website, they can always call.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Absolutely we're always available. We have even a chat feature
on our website. We implement thing as well too, so
they can always get a hold of us, and if
they've gone through our program, our alumni app give them
immediate access to us. They can literally send a message
to us and someone will pick up before and call them.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?
Speaker 4 (11:37):
We didn't mention two things I would tell mentioned as
from a product standpoints, so we also have amateur detox,
so we do detox people off of alcohol and opioids.
It's a five day detox that's also in home. So
there's a great other way. We are the largest provider
of at scale in the country for alcohol detox of
detox in the country, so from a virtual standpoint in
(11:58):
that sense. But we also a medication assistant treatment program
which also that is long term you can go for
forever on that we will keep you to modify your medication,
to make sure what is behavioral health or SUD services
in general. So that's probably those are the three products,
if you will. And this time is probably is really difficult.
This time of year, holiday seasons November to honestly February
(12:21):
is really a rough time for a lot of folks.
Family dynamics is always difficult, which also unfortunately leads people
to relapse sometimes or exasperate their issues. So we tell
people take a deep breath, step away, walk away, but
honestly call us. We're also there to just help people
in general find the resources. If we're not it, we'll
find you the appropriate resources.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Do you need in the.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Community that's part of our mission as well. It's an organization.
But Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years are all really the biggest
temptations for folks at this point, peer pressure, but just
pressure in general to celebrate and fit in.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
It's also very difficult.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
At this time of year, and there's many triggers. Absolutely,
and again if they're battling depression, anxiety, or something else,
there's the temptation to self medicate.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
Yeah, it's also a difficult time a year for folks
in the sense of as many of us reflect on
the previous year, our successes, our failures, and unfortunate as humans,
we tend to dwell on our failures instead of looking
at our successes. We reinforce all the negative beliefs that
we have in our head. And that's this time of
the year is really difficult for folks as they look
back it's another year. Folks who are depressed specifically, will
(13:25):
whatever I accomplished, I've done nothing good right, and they
forget all the great things they've done. And that's why
it really is important this time of year, specifically to
stick to those people who are close to you, your
family members, to let them help reinforce all the great
things about you, your family, why you're so valuable, and
a lot of people. You may not think you're important
to other people. I guarantee you there's a lot of
(13:46):
people out there are you're important to on that value that,
so really sticking to that is important.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
There's always hope.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Always always. That's one of my faults.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
And no matter how bad it is, once someone has
it worse than you, whether you believe it or not,
but there's always there's always light eventually. It's not perpetual darkness.
And unfortunately this disease mental health in general, our brains
wired to think that there's always darkness. It's not always
going to be dark. No matter how dark it is
this moment, it always gets better.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
And you need to feel it in order to heal it.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Absolutely absolutely and listen, what doesn't break you mikes you stronger,
and honestly, we are part of that support structure for
you to help you stand up. If you're going to fall,
grab on to someone else. I tell my team be
the parachute for someone someone is going off a cliff.
Our job is literally to be that parachute to make
sure they land safely where they're going to be. This
(14:37):
is a very difficult job for my team as well.
Imagine I use the phrase we're like lint brushes. We
pick up the lint of other people, right, So I
teach them as well, you have to You have to
find a way to shed that off. If not, you
become weight down by that. So it really is I
can't do what our team do, the frontline team, they
truly are amazing. Our organization will be nothing without them.
(14:57):
These people are doing I define as god work. And
I know there's a lot of great things in healthcare.
Don't get me wrong. I'm parts of those organizations and
different parts of entities I've ran before. But behavior health
SUD services are really some of the most difficult patient population,
just because it's a disease of the mind is so
more different than a physical ailment.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
The doctor told me once, it's easier to treat cancer
than it is mental health. He goes, and people with
cancer get cast roles, But people who have mental health
issues they're scorned or turned away from because of the
stigma and the people who treat your care team. You
can't pour out all the time and not get poured
back into. You become empty. So it is God's work.
(15:39):
They truly are blessing God's people and helping them listen.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
It is and I would tell you, you know, you mentioned something.
I was actually very excited because behavior health in general,
mental health services has come out of a dark room
that's been in for decades. Unfortunately, substance use is still
a significant stigma that it's a choice someone makes. And again,
the first time is probably was a choice. Honestly, after that,
(16:03):
it really isn't a choice. And that's a difficult thing
for folks to understand. And why can't someone just stop.
You're literally changing neurochemical structure of your brain. Your brain
is becoming wired to not produce that chemical it's becoming
dependent on the external stimulus to generate that same feeling
of content happiness. And it isn't something that you can
(16:24):
just stop doing it and your brain's going to self correct.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
It's a process to go through.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
And there's no cure for substance you it's it's something
you learn to live with, manage and that's what we do.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Or there's no cure for that. I'm not sure there's.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I hope that at some point there will be a
cure for it, but there's no, really cure, it's how
do you stay in sobriety recovery, And it's a struggle
for folks every single day, and it's every day. It's
truly is a winning it's every day you make it
that you don't take a drink, you don't use a substance,
is truly is a gift and a reward, and it's
a success every single day, no matter how many days
(16:58):
you make it.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
Seven days is a reward. I get to tell the
seven days if you.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Go without a drink, it's something to celebrate every seven days,
every one day, every hour, I tell folks, minute by minute,
hour by hour, day by day, week by week. That's
how you have to do it. You can't think of it.
It's only been like a week. Well, great, it's been
a week. Celebrate that week. Celebrate a week and have
a week and one hour at that point.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
There's so many things that can contribute to it, even
a genetic component.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
So thank you for.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Explaining it the way that you have, because people just
they can be judgmental, like as you said, the stigma,
and they don't understand. But now scientifically you've explained it
in a way that they can.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
Great now I appreciate the time. It really is more
people need to pay attention to be over health services
in general, whether it's substance or mental health service in general.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
It's we don't talk about it enough.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
I think as a society we need to do a
lot more and pay a lot more attention to it,
and a lot more research and a lot more funding, a
lot more things from our society but organizationally, governmentally that
we need to do to get to a better place.
So I appreciate the time, and also to participate and
actually help you, hopefully on some level of helpfulness to
them as well too.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Oh my goodness, you guys are just the bomb dot com.
I mean, holy cow, what an amazing organization. I'm speaking
with Roy Saisnarin. He is CEO of Aware Recoverycare. For
more information about all of the services and programs that
they offer, please go to Aware Recoverycare dot com. Thank
you so much for being here today.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Thank you appreciate the time.
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