Healing Those Who Heal Others: Caron Treatment Centers’ Healthcare Professionals Program Renews Focus on the Unique Challenges to Recovery for Medical Professionals

The relaunched program helps healthcare professionals diagnosed with a substance use disorder recover and meet all licensure requirements to transition back into the workforce

Wernersville, PA – November 10, 2023 – Caron Treatment Centers, a leading, internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education, announced the relaunch of its specialty Healthcare Professionals Program. The program provides treatment of licensed medical professionals who are struggling with alcohol or substance use disorder (AUD and SUD).

“There are unique challenges to recovery for healthcare professionals – from the risk of losing their medical licenses, to easy access to controlled substances, to burnout, especially since the pandemic,” said Dr. Adam Scioli, DO, DFAPA, FASAM, FAOAAM, Corporate Medical Director and Head of Psychiatry for Caron Treatment Centers. “Healthcare professionals need specialized support as they navigate their recovery and continue to address these challenges once they return to the workforce.”

Caron’s specialty Healthcare Professionals Program comprises four weeks of Core residential treatment, followed by a variable length of stay that can range from two to four weeks through Caron’s new Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), providing a bridge while patients continue intensive counseling and group work. Participants will have additional sessions with doctors and other staff, including peer group sessions with other patients in the Healthcare Professionals Program.

A dedicated clinician and psychologist will work with patients in the Healthcare Professionals Program during residential treatment and follow them as they step down to the PHP. Caron will also advocate for participants as they meet all licensure requirements for transitioning back into professional practice. Participants will be able to utilize their healthcare insurance for this treatment. Caron is an in-network provider for many major insurance plans.

Healthcare professionals eligible for the program include:

• MDs and DOs
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
• Nurses (RNs, CRNAs, and LPNs)
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Veterinarians

“Many healthcare professionals won’t admit to themselves that they have a problem. Their sense of identity is very much tied to their career, and they become caught up in the role of being a doctor, nurse, or successful professional,” continued Dr. Scioli. “They wrongly believe treatment for a substance use disorder is the end of their career, when in fact addiction is the greatest threat to their career. The recovery rate from a substance use disorder for medical professionals is much higher than the average population. There is hope. It is possible to save their careers and live a better life.”

Caron Treatment Centers

Caron Treatment Centers is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education. Headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, our mission is Recovery for Life. For more than 65 years, we have helped thousands of individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families begin to manage this chronic, treatable disease. Caron provides a continuum of care for teens, young adults, women, men, and older adults. Caron’s signature programming provides concierge treatment for executives, healthcare professionals and older adults. In addition to the Pennsylvania campus, Caron provides services in Palm Beach County, Florida, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City. Caron accepts several major insurance plans and provides financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information, please visit caron.org or @CaronTreatment.

Media Contacts:

Kristin Campbell-Salamone
Corporate Director of PR & Communications, Caron Treatment Centers
kcampbell-salamone@caron.org
215-292-5526

Katie Kennedy
Senior Vice President, Gregory FCA
caron@gregoryfca.com
610-731-1045