Archives for April 2019

Care Managers Play an Important Role in Helping Patients, Families Tackle Addiction

Substance use disorders affect people from all lifestyles. Some people become addicts after they begin using drugs recreationally; others begin misusing prescription medication and develop a dependence on it that can consume their lives.

Hospital case managers are in a unique position to evaluate patients and families when they are at their most vulnerable. If a patient is experiencing full-blown addiction, it can be extremely difficult to stop without effective professional treatment.

In mid-2017, drug overdoses became the leading cause of death in Americans under the age of 50. In 2016, over 4,000 people died from unintentional drug overdoses in Ohio, a 36% increase from the year before when the state had led the nation in overdose deaths.

Heroin or prescription painkillers, sometimes laced with a synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, are commonly abused drugs, as is alcohol. Case managers may also encounter patients who abuse steroids, stimulants, ecstasy, crystal meth, bath salts or cocaine.

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Care Managers Must Know the Signs of Mental Illness to Best Serve Clients

Most people believe mental illness is rare, but the numbers tell a different story. For case managers, it is especially important to know whether a client with chronic disease or complex needs may be struggling with mental illness.

Mental illness is a disease causing disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in patients who are unable to cope with some of the ordinary demands and routines in life. There are more than 200 classified forms of mental health conditions; some may be caused by a biochemical imbalance, while others can be triggered by stress associated with chronic disease.

Mental Health by the Numbers

The incidence of adults and children in America who suffer from mental health challenges is staggering. Case managers who work exclusively with this population can typically offer a wide range of support, including coordinating community services and effective treatment, and assisting clients and families in achieving independence.

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