In recent years, healthcare systems have increasingly sought partnerships with external providers to enhance the care they deliver. This trend is particularly evident in the integration of post-acute care services, such as home health and hospice care, which extend the continuum of care beyond the walls of hospitals. As health systems continue to innovate in the ways they deliver patient care, a similar evolution is beginning to unfold within behavioral health. One standout example of this shift is a new, groundbreaking partnership in the realm of Substance Use Disorder Treatment.
Traditionally, the behavioral health sector, especially in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, has operated in somewhat isolated silos. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers have often treated addiction in a more episodic, short-term manner, without the necessary integration of long-term, ongoing care. However, the need for comprehensive, sustained treatment models is clear. Patients struggling with addiction face cycles of relapse, often requiring additional support long after their initial treatment. Recognizing this, healthcare providers are increasingly looking to incorporate behavioral health services into broader care strategies, building more robust, long-lasting solutions for those in need.
The Growing Trend of Integrated Behavioral Health Care
Historically, health systems have been more successful at integrating post-acute care services, such as home health, hospice, and rehabilitation, into their offerings. These services have demonstrated their value by helping to extend care for patients after they leave acute care settings, offering them support in their homes and reducing readmission rates. This approach has proven to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction while also reducing overall healthcare costs.
Behavioral health care, on the other hand, has been slower to embrace this model. While many health systems have developed behavioral health services, they have generally been limited to inpatient care, outpatient counseling, and short-term rehabilitation programs. The connection between behavioral health providers and broader health systems has often been fragmented, with insufficient continuity of care for patients transitioning from intensive treatment to long-term recovery.
This gap in care is particularly pronounced in the Substance Use Disorder Treatment space. Many individuals suffering from addiction go through periods of sobriety and relapse, often cycling through residential rehab programs, detox centers, and other treatment modalities without the stability of long-term, in-home care. This “revolving door” pattern has made it difficult for patients to achieve lasting recovery, and it has put significant strain on both healthcare providers and patients alike.
However, a promising new collaboration between Aware Recovery Care, a leading provider of in-home addiction treatment, and Hartford HealthCare, a large, integrated health system based in Connecticut, is changing the landscape of addiction care and offering a glimpse into the future of behavioral health integration.
A Game-Changing Partnership in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
In September 2023, Aware Recovery Care announced its long-term partnership with Hartford HealthCare, a well-established, Connecticut-based health system that provides comprehensive healthcare services across acute care hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and outpatient behavioral health programs. Aware, which operates in 11 states, is known for its unique model of in-home addiction treatment. The company focuses on offering long-term care that extends beyond typical residential rehab or detox programs, providing a more holistic, patient-centered approach to Substance Use Disorder Treatment.
This new collaboration between Aware and Hartford HealthCare is a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of Substance Use Disorder Treatment. According to Aware’s CEO, Dr. Brian Holzer, the partnership represents a shift toward a more comprehensive, integrated model of care that extends well beyond traditional treatment settings. Dr. Holzer refers to this as a “population health approach” to SUD treatment, where the focus is not only on treating addiction but also on providing long-term support and care management, addressing the environmental factors and stressors that often contribute to relapse.
Holzer explained, “If folks find Aware and they relapse and start using again, which is unfortunately common, we now have a partner to escalate that care to provide stabilization treatment. If they find Hartford HealthCare first, whether it be detox or residential care, they are more likely to find their way to a continuum program that can provide long-term care in the home.”
This collaboration between Aware and Hartford HealthCare is a powerful example of how healthcare providers can work together to close the gaps in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. It’s about extending care outside of the hospital setting and offering a seamless transition from intensive treatment to ongoing, home-based recovery support. As Holzer sees it, this partnership is the “tip of the spear” in what he expects to be an increasing trend of partnerships between health systems and specialized behavioral health providers.
Addressing Gaps in Addiction Treatment
While Hartford HealthCare already had a robust behavioral health program, including residential care and outpatient services, there was still a gap in care for patients who needed a more comprehensive, long-term recovery plan. According to Dr. James O’Dea, senior vice president of the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network, the system’s traditional residential rehab services were effective in helping patients in the short term but didn’t offer sufficient step-down care for those who were too advanced for partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) or intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
O’Dea recognized the need for a more personalized, in-home treatment solution that could provide patients with the ongoing care they needed after leaving rehab. This is where Aware’s model of in-home addiction treatment became a perfect fit. Aware Recovery Care offers a concierge-style service that brings addiction treatment into the patient’s home, utilizing a team of doctors, nurses, and recovery support specialists to support patients on their journey to sobriety. By providing personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances, Aware’s model can significantly reduce the likelihood of relapse and help patients build a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.
“We have needed something that is more a concierge, in-home solution, because if we can take that detox and residential rehab and then connect somebody to in-home services that add to a level of sobriety and recovery with the right team of doctors, nurses and recovery support specialists, people’s lives transform,” O’Dea said.
The Path Toward Long-Term Recovery
One of the unique aspects of Aware’s model is its emphasis on long-term treatment. Holzer describes addiction recovery as a non-linear process, where setbacks and relapses are often a part of the journey. For many patients, traditional short-term treatment programs are not sufficient to address the underlying factors that contribute to their addiction. Instead, Aware’s clinical approach focuses on providing up to 12 months of in-home care, which helps patients address their stressors, environmental conditions, and triggers while also building the foundation for long-term sobriety.
According to Holzer, “Addiction recovery is a zig-zag.” He believes that a critical element of successful recovery is keeping patients engaged in treatment for an extended period, which is why Aware’s model provides ongoing support through in-home care for up to a year.
This extended treatment period is also a key factor in building cost-effective care models. Traditional treatment systems often rely on episodic care, with patients entering and leaving residential facilities or detox programs, only to return when they relapse. This fragmented approach leads to higher costs and poorer outcomes. However, by integrating in-home care with a health system like Hartford, Aware helps break this cycle, providing continuous support that helps patients avoid the revolving door of rehab and ultimately stay in recovery for longer periods.
“When somebody touches residential rehab, they feel like that’s the solution,” O’Dea said. “But if they’re not connected to an in-home program that goes on for 10 to 12 months, they’re likely to cycle back, rinse, repeat, and feel like treatment doesn’t work.”
The Future of Behavioral Health Partnerships
Dr. Holzer believes that this collaboration between Aware Recovery Care and Hartford HealthCare is just the beginning of a broader trend in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. He anticipates that more health systems will begin partnering with specialized providers who can offer in-home addiction treatment, recognizing the long-term benefits of this model. As Holzer pointed out, his experience in post-acute care with Kindred Healthcare and Allegheny Health Network has shown him how health systems can benefit from partnerships with specialized providers that complete the care continuum.
“We’re seeing the evolution of behavioral health in a way that’s very similar to what we saw in post-acute care,” Holzer said. “Hospital systems and payers are going to realize the benefits of partnering with downstream providers of behavioral health services, particularly those that are operating in the home.”
For Dr. O’Dea, the Hartford-Aware collaboration is a powerful case study in the potential of integrated care models. By linking with Aware, Hartford HealthCare is sending a message about what the future of addiction psychiatry and Substance Use Disorder Treatment should look like. “We want to be an exemplar to others,” O’Dea said.
A New Chapter in Addiction Care
The partnership between Aware Recovery Care and Hartford HealthCare marks the dawn of a new era in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, one that prioritizes long-term recovery, integrated care, and the well-being of patients beyond the acute treatment phase. By combining the strengths of health systems with innovative behavioral health providers, this collaboration is setting a new standard for how addiction treatment can be delivered in a more holistic, patient-centered way.
As Holzer noted, this partnership is only the “tip of the spear” and could very well pave the way for many more collaborations in the years to come. With a focus on extending care, reducing relapse, and providing ongoing support, the future of Substance Use Disorder Treatment looks brighter, and patients struggling with substance use disorder may finally have the comprehensive, lasting care they deserve.
