The Role Of Patient Liaisons In Addiction Recovery: Meet ORC’s Kayla Irvin

While patient liaisons do not provide medical care directly, they are a vital part of the healthcare system overall and addiction recovery services in particular. These dedicated healthcare professionals help bridge the information gap that often exists between patients and their loved ones on one side, and the medical system on the other, in the form of a patient’s treatment team and administrative staff. 

Patient liaisons offer an accessible and friendly point of contact for people who are beginning the recovery process. They also help reinforce patient confidence and comfort by breaking down complex medical language and helping patients and their loved ones understand their treatment options and make informed decisions, while also ensuring that they are able to easily schedule appointments, find transportation, express their concerns to their providers, ask questions, and advocate for their unique needs and concerns throughout the recovery process. 

We spoke with Kayla Irvin, a patient liaison here at Ohio Recovery Center, about her role, her views on addiction and the addiction recovery process, and what people who may be struggling with substance use disorders and addiction should know. 

What is the most important part of being a patient liaison in addiction treatment?

The most important part of my role is to simply advocate for patients, be an ear when they need, and address their concerns as needed. It sounds simple, but just being involved and accessible to patients and answering their questions about addiction treatment can make a big difference. 

What led you to become a patient liaison?

I’ve worked various roles at Ohio Recovery Center and realized I thrive when it comes to patient engagement. It’s a beautiful thing to connect with people of all walks of life and see them blossom during some trying times. I also get to coordinate fun and meaningful afternoon activities like painting, tie-dye, karaoke, and more outside of the evening mutual support groups. 

How do you start your workday?

A typical day varies for me a great deal. But I can say one consistent thing is that when I first arrive, I say hello to everyone I see. It may sound silly, but I believe hellos are very important. It’s more than just a greeting; it’s letting someone know you see them and care to welcome them. It can completely change the tone of someone’s day.

Do you find it easy to relate to clients? 

I am a “treatment kid,” which means as a child I was in treatment until the age of 18. I think this gives me the ability to easily relate with clients in a lot of different aspects. I believe my personal experience has made it a lot easier for me to meet others where they are in their journeys and build rapport. 

There is a lot of discussion today around trauma and its role in mental health. What do you see as trauma’s role in addiction? 

When you were a kid, you probably had a toy or blanket that you carried around with you. I know for me personally, I had a pink blanket. I carried my blanket with me everywhere! And when a huge storm would hit, I would put myself under my blanket like it was bulletproof.

The storm is the trauma, and the blanket represents the addiction. When you have been through traumatizing events throughout your life and you don’t know how to process or handle those situations, you tend to want to reach for your comfort item, your substance. And, similar to the storm and blanket, we cannot face our fear or other feelings associated with trauma and process them while relying on substances to “cover them up.” 

What is something you wish people knew about addiction?

Stigma is a real issue. There is a huge misconception that addiction is a choice that someone is making, or a moral problem, and all they have to do is stop using the substance.

That is actually the furthest thing from the truth. 

Substance use disorder is a legitimate diagnosis, a brain disorder. When you use substances, you have decreased activity in your frontal cortex. When your frontal cortex isn’t working effectively, you can’t make the decision to stop using the drug even knowing the consequences. There’s a whole science behind it all, and I wish more people were aware of this.

What is something you wish people knew about recovery?

It’s worth it!

Recovery is about giving up short-term gratification for long-term satisfaction. No, it’s not sunshine and rainbows every day just because we get sober. But it’s hugely refreshing to actually be present in life again, to finally start showing up for ourselves in the ways that matter. 

It’s important to keep up with your routine and keep connecting with your support network during difficult times, but you can get through it. Think of it like climbing a mountain: Yeah, it kinda sucks sometimes, but once you get to the top and see the view it all becomes worth it.  It’s an amazing thing really, if we just take it one day at a time. 

What’s your favorite part about the work you do?

There’s a lot of pros with what I do, but I think my favorite part is seeing how truly resilient human beings can be. I meet people every day who have fought tough battles but still chose to stand up for themselves and take their power back. I’ve witnessed people come in with no sense of self and slowly build themselves back up again during treatment. 

A common misconception is that we, as workers, heal our clients, but the reality is that we just provide people with the tools they need, and they do all the work. I think witnessing the work be poured in during any typical day in treatment and having the end result be something so astonishing is my favorite part. I am so proud of each and every client I’ve had.

What’s the hardest part?     

I would say the hardest part for me personally is remembering to take care of me. It’s so easy to go to work and talk about self-care and the importance of taking time to rest, but it’s another ballgame to take your own advice. It’s easy for me to go on autopilot, and occasionally I forget I have a limited battery. I make sure I have a day or two to recharge when I feel myself running low.

Prioritizing Patient Advocacy

Self-efficacy is a person’s belief that he or she has the ability to make choices and to do things that will have a positive effect on their lives. It is the belief that you are not powerless, but that you can change yourself and even the world around you for the better. 

Unsurprisingly, self-efficacy is one of the most important factors underlying success in addiction treatment. Studies like one published in the peer-reviewed journal Addictive Behaviors have found that self-efficacy is highly predictive of continued sobriety, even one to three years after a patient is discharged. However, it can be a difficult belief to nurture. 

Thankfully, patient liaisons, nurses, physicians, therapists, and other recovery healthcare advocates are available to help build this confidence during the treatment process, tearing down barriers to care like:

• fears over the treatment process itself and what is involved
• concerns regarding specific medical issues
• worries about losing one’s job to receive addiction treatment
• a lack of transportation, pet care, and other needed assistance
• questions about addiction treatment costs and financial aid options
• confusion about one’s own insurance coverage and benefits
• other questions, concerns, and accommodations propr to, during, and following treatment

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 72.2% of the 29 million Americans who consider themselves to have ever had a substance use disorder are now in recovery. Patient advocacy can help empower people of every age and background who struggle with substance abuse to join this group, making decisions that matter and directing their own recoveries, improving treatment engagement, confidence, and long-term success. 

At Ohio Recovery Center, It Takes A Village

What is treatment like when you finally take the plunge? On one hand, it’s hard work. But on the other, it’s one of the most rewarding and beneficial things you can do both for yourself and your loved ones. And you won’t be doing it all on your own. 

Kayla is just one of an entire team of addiction treatment professionals here at Ohio Recovery Center who are always ready to meet patients where they are in their journeys, listening to your needs and helping you chart a course toward long-term recovery.

In fact, our multidisciplinary approach gives you access to a wide array of professionals with different specialties, training, and expertise in various areas of healthcare:

• a psychiatrist, with advanced specializations in evaluating and treating addiction and mental health conditions 
• therapists, trained to treat mental and behavioral conditions using behavioral therapies and other evidence-based tools
• nurses, who assist in caring for your everyday medical needs, including during detox and stabilization
• a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) coordinator, who helps determine if you are a good candidate for MAT options
• case managers, who may monitor your progress during treatment and help ensure that all your recovery goals are being met through resource connection and other means
• technicians, who manage the day-to-day operation of our treatment center, including everything from arranging treatment details to setting up for special events
• an aftercare coordinator, who ensures that your support isn’t cut off when your treatment program ends by arranging ongoing care options in your local community

Together, our staff is able to provide care for all forms of alcohol and drug use disorder including opioid, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, benzodiazepine, and cannabis use disorder. This includes specialized services like medical detoxification; dual diagnosis care for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and others; MAT options; and a whole suite of holistic treatment options, such as yoga, meditation, group fitness classes, outdoor recreation, and more. 

If you would like to learn more about our treatment programs and how Ohio Recovery Center can help you meet your recovery goals, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.