Addiction is hard to talk about and often misunderstood, but
here at Premera, we want to change the narrative. This is National Recovery
Month, so we wanted to take the time to put together a guide of resources that
you can call upon if you think you or a loved one may be struggling with
substance use disorder (SUD).
What is substance use disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is a clinical tool published by the American Psychiatric
Association (APA) that defines and gives treatment recommendations for mental
health conditions. It defines substance
use disorder (SUD) as the use of alcohol and/or drugs in a way that
negatively affects health, responsibilities, and everyday functions. SUD can be
mild, moderate, or severe. A diagnosis must be based on evidence of impaired
control, social impairment, risky decisions, and general misuse of alcohol
and/or pharmaceuticals. SUD can damage relationships between family members,
significant others, and peers. This makes coping with it challenging for
everyone in its path. Addictions must be fed to prevent withdrawal. As a
result, it overrides all emotions and responsibilities of those struggling to
escape its grasp.
How can you tell if someone has SUD?
There are several telltale signs that can help you spot
potential substance use disorder in yourself or a loved one. Refer to our guide
about how
to spot substance use disorder to learn what to be on the lookout for.
How can you be there for someone with SUD?
When someone admits that they’ve been abusing substances,
you may feel awkward and unsure what to say. Talking about addiction is often seen
as taboo, which can make it difficult to navigate conversations. Educating
yourself on the disease is one of the best things you can do to prepare for
conversations with someone who has confided in you about their SUD. Learn more
about what to do when you check out our guide how
to talk about SUD.
What options does Premera offer to members struggling with SUD?
Premera has all sorts
of virtual and in-person behavioral healthcare options for those suffering
from substance use disorder and other mental health conditions.
Virtual care
Here are the virtual mental health care options that we
offer:
Boulder Care
Receive virtual addiction treatment focused on empathy, kindness,
respect, and unconditional support. Boulder
Care customizes your treatment to your needs and schedule, tailoring it to
your unique circumstances. If you have an alcohol or substance use disorder
(SUD), Boulder Care provides you with your own personal care team that is
available any time you need it. Boulder Care is for SUD treatment and support.
Workit Health
Enroll in virtual addiction treatment for SUD from the
security of your own home. Workit Health
provides extensive support and treatment options for you or a loved one
struggling with substance abuse. These include digital rehab and virtual
check-ins with your own clinician.
Talkspace
Chat with mental health professionals via text or video at
any time of day, anywhere you are. Talkspace
provides a secure, virtual care experience in the palm of your hand with an
easy-to-use app, making therapy and mental health support only a click away. Talkspace
is for non-urgent mental health care. While Talkspace does not provide SUD
treatment, it does offer care for underlying conditions and mental illnesses
that can lead to SUD or make it worse.
Doctor On Demand
Therapy with Doctor
On Demand is as easy as taking a video call on your phone, tablet, or
laptop in between work or errands. Doctor On Demand is for conditions that may worsen,
or set the stage for, SUD, such as: trauma, abuse, mental illness, and stress.
While Doctor On Demand does not provide SUD treatment, it does offer care for
underlying conditions and mental illnesses that can lead to SUD or make it
worse.
In-person care
While we do offer virtual care, we also offer in-person behavioral health care. Use
the Find Care option on your Premera
app to locate providers near you. We cover many forms of in-person care
such as therapy, in and out-patient care, rehabilitation, and
medication-assisted treatment. Many still prefer face-to-face health care where
you’re in the same room as another human. All our providers adhere to COVID
safety recommendations so you can be sure that your health and safety is a
priority when visiting their office or facilities. You can learn more about
Premera’s COVID response here.
Premera-Designated Centers of Excellence
Some member groups have access to our
Premera-Designated Centers of Excellence (PDCOEs). With this program, we
connect members with the right benefits and providers for their needs to ensure
their care is affordable, effective, and above all, high-quality. PDCOEs
removes the guesswork from finding a quality provider for high-cost procedures.
This can be especially helpful for those looking into Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy, rehabilitation, medicated treatment, or out-patient SUD care. Call the
number on the back of your card to ask about PDCOEs in your area.
Take the next step
If you’re worried about your own
substance use or that of a loved one, most Premera plans include benefits to
facilitate health and recovery. To find out what your plan includes, sign into
your account on premera.com
and look at Behavioral health & chemical dependency treatment.