Continuing Care Central to the Navy’s New Online Substance Abuse Support Program

by Lisa Frederiksen

I was heartened to read Steve Szkotak’s October 17 article, “ Navy to Offer Web-based Support to Fight Substance Abuse,” appearing on the Washingtonpost.com website, in which he reported the U.S. Navy is teaming up with Hazelden to provide online support for “thousands of sailors, their families and retired personnel struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.” [Note: you may need to register with washingtonpost.com to read this article.] Launched in August, the program is called Navy MORE, an acronym for My Ongoing Recovery Experience.

I especially appreciated the emphasis on continuing care (highlighted in the bold quotes below) because 21st century brain and addiction-related research has shown that addiction (to drugs or alcohol) must follow the disease management model – not the acute care model – which is why having support in the months following detox and rehab is critical to recovery success. See my related blog post, “28-Day Residential Treatment – What More Can You Want?” This new emphasis on continuing care is a big change from the traditional treatment models/beliefs.

Further quoting from Szkotak’s article:

“We know it’s the investment in the continuing care that makes or breaks a successful treatment,” said Bergthold, chief of staff for the Navy’s Wounded, Ill and Injured directorate. “We recognize more and more the importance of maintaining continuous engagement with an individual’s recovery plan.” [emphasis added]

…”One of the main reasons for relapse is the loss of that connectivity during early recovery,” said Nick Motu, a Hazelden vice president who worked with the Navy on the program. “We believe that if you can maintain a real solid recovery platform for the first 18 months, the chances of your success and long-term recovery are much higher.” [emphasis added]

Navy MORE extends this connectivity by putting Navy-specific programs online, including 12-step recovery approaches and a suicide hotline as well as treatment programs tailored to sailors or retirees who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sailors, their families and retirees also will have access to a virtual “recovery coach” to manage their post-treatment progress, an online library of recovery topics and online support groups, including real-time connections with counselors.