Find recovery in Maine: Get support for substance use disorder
Too many of us have seen a neighbor, a friend or family member struggling with substance use. The good news: There’s always hope for recovery.
You might suspect someone is struggling when you begin noticing red flags: withdrawing from family and friends, skipping school or work, facing financial issues, losing or gaining weight, neglecting personal hygiene, engaging in risky behaviors like driving under the influence, or suddenly showing symptoms of depression, anxiety or paranoia.
In Maine, 5,962 people overdosed through the end of August 2024, with more than 300 of those being fatal. That’s down from 6,844 who overdosed through the first eight months of 2023, continuing Maine’s decline—among the best results in the nation. Fentanyl, or fentanyl with a combination of other drugs, is most often to blame, according to the Maine Drug Data Hub.
The path to recovery isn’t usually a straight line, but the right resources and support can help people. Here’s some hope: Maine’s OPTIONS initiative says that 75% of people who report a history of addiction, problematic substance use, or substance use disorder are currently in recovery.
Ending the stigma
“We need to start thinking about substance use disorder the same way we think about any other healthcare service, like high blood pressure treatment,” said Dr. Lori Tishler, chief medical officer for Community Health Options. “If you told me you weren’t taking your blood pressure medication, I’d ask why, but I wouldn’t assume you were a bad person, unlike how we sometimes view someone who falls off the wagon with alcohol or opioid use disorders. We need to approach folks as they are—as people who have chronic illnesses that can be successfully treated.”
If you’re taking steps toward recovery from substance use, talking to your primary care physician would be a great place to start to find out what kind of treatment is the best for your needs. You can also talk with a member of the Care Management team at Community Health Options to get information and help find support for personalized recovery plans and treatment programs.
If you’re supporting someone in recovery, you can help end the stigma around these illnesses by simply changing the words you use, keeping in mind that people are not defined by the issues they face. Instead of calling someone an addict, an alcoholic, a user—or even thinking calling someone “clean” is a compliment—talk about having substance use disorder.
Here are some resources in Maine to help get you started:
- Maine’s OPTIONS (Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety) initiative has liaisons across the state to help you navigate recovery services. You can find a list of liaisons in each county here.
- If you’re thinking of carrying Naxolone so you can help someone experiencing an overdose, learn about Maine’s Good Samaritan Law here. You can read more about carrying Naxolone and how to get it here. Importantly, all Community Health Options Members can receive Naxolone at $0 cost.
- To learn more about substance use disorder treatment, visit the Maine Department of Health and Human Services website.
- To find free resources and support groups across Maine, visit the Portland Recovery Community Center website.
- For questions about benefits and support from Community Health Options, or to speak with a care manager, call our Maine-based Member Services team at (855) 624-6463.
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