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Emergency Department

Surviving an overdose can be the first step on a pathway to recovery. In partnership with Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) and Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Georgia Council for Recovery (GC4R) provides peer support to individuals having experienced an opioid overdose or any substance use disorder related incident in NGMC’s three campus emergency departments in Gainesville, Braselton, and Winder. NE Georgia Community Connections, places Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists (CARES/CPS-AD) in the NGMC emergency departments. These CARES have received training tailored specifically to assisting people in an emergency room setting.

CARES provide recovery coaching based on the core belief that people want to be heard, not fixed. They support individuals by listening and providing answers to any questions he or she may have about recovery supports or treatment options. The CARES also provide education on overdose prevention, the use of nalaxone and information about additional resources. Because substance use disorder typically effects the whole family, CARES also provide recovery support and prevention education to family members. CARES maintain contact with individuals after discharge to continue providing additional recovery support.
Northeast Georgia Community Connections is a collaboration of federal, state and local entities to help stem the increasing tide of deaths by overdoses in Georgia. This collaboration will help create a community that is based on hope, wellness, and the recognition that recovery from substance use disorder is possible for everyone.

“The use of existing community supports and the high degree of both interests from the clients (a testament to your peer specialists) and the degree to which you are trying to meet their unique needs; both are exceedingly good to see. Your data is unique and may serve as a model for other programs in states without Medicaid expansion. This is life-saving stuff…” Austin Brown, LMSW, Associate Director of Research and Programing, Kennesaw State University.

Total Individuals seen in 2018: 648
Individuals experiencing overdose in 2018: 60

For more information on the Northeast Georgia Community Connections Program, please contact laurisa@gasubstanceabuse.org

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