Patient Stories | Sahira P.
Sahira was struggling with a serious percocet addiction. Although she’d been yearning to tell someone about her condition, the legitimate fear of being judged and stigmatized loomed large.
No more than 4 months ago, Sahira P. came to Care For the Homelessโ (CFH) Susanโs Place Health Center in the Bronx for a routine check-up. However, there was something else on her mind aside from taking her blood pressure and checking her resting heart rate.
It turned out she had been struggling with a Percocet addiction.
Sahira P.
As is the case with many CFH patients, Sahira was (at first) apprehensive about telling her story, despite her intense desire to do so. โI was dying to tell somebody my story,โ she commented. โBut, I was afraid someone would judge me.โ
โI was dying to tell somebody my story.
But, I was afraid someone would judge me.โ
Judgement is just one of the many legitimate concerns CFH patients have when seeking medical services. Negative past experiences and financial insecurities lead patients to believe that theyโll also be, either turned away by providers or treated poorly by them. These complex concerns yield a litany of negative consequences. Perhaps the most severe of which, is that individuals are discouraged from accessing care. Absence of care allows chronic conditions to fester and continue to cause irreparable damage.
Of the 300+ people who died experiencing homelessness in 2017, more than 80 came as the result of a drug overdose and more than three quarters of those ODs were opioid in origin. Prejudices and misconceptions about homelessness inflate this number, prolong an individualโs addiction, and potentially increase their chances of overdosing.
Susan’s Place
Thankfully, CFH provider Joy Favuzza, noticed Sahiraโs concern and the two women immediately formed a relationship that allowed Sahira to take the initiative.
โI felt a vibe from Joy, so I opened up to her,โ Sahira reminisced. โJoy didnโt judge me. She helped me and now Iโm sober, living my best life.โ
Sahira is just one patient CFH has administered care to in the past year through our Suboxone program. Suboxone is a prescription medication, used specifically to treat those who are addicted to opioids. This medication is revelatory for many recovering addicts, as it simultaneously curbs an individualโs desire to use and helps prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The treatment of choice for many providers has historically been methadone. This drug has many of the same effects as suboxone. However, it has its own addictive properties and has been known to lead to overdoses. Fortunately, Suboxone has had a significant impact on the opioid crisis and the positive results yielded by our own programs reflect that.
Looking Toward the Future
Happily, these fears are mostly fading memories in the distance of Sahiraโs rearview mirror. And even though the process isnโt quite complete, sheโs now able to pursue a stable lifestyle. โI just had a job interview last week and got hired,โ she reported. โIโm working at a phone store. Itโs something we deal with every day, we always have our phones. I like helping people figure out what they want.โ
Sahiraโs new job also represents much more than a boost in self-assurance. It reflects that sheโs now on the path to pursuing whatever her lifeโs ambitions may be. And sheโs not the only one benefitting.
โMy son Cameron is great too,โ Sahira continued. โHeโs in a really great daycare now. Iโm a little concerned about his speech because he doesnโt know his ABCs, but Iโm on that now and working with him all the time.โ
Sahiraโs brave choice illustrates the measurable impact CFH services can have.
โWhen I was using, I wouldnโt want to get up and go looking for a job,โ said Sahira. โI would just think about getting high. I used to be lethargic all the time and spend all my money on drugs. When I didnโt have them, Iโd be quick to frustration.โ
The Unmistakable Merits of Trust
Of course, Sahira was excited to acknowledge Joyโs role in her journey. โJoyโs amazing,โ she said. โShe calls me to check in. She meditates with me. I donโt open up to anybody else the way I do with Joy. She really touches me, and I always cry with her. I feel like most people are out here to judge you and tell you what to do. My experience with Joy has been so much more genuine.โ
Building strong relationships based on respect and fair treatment, is unequivocally instrumental in helping people walk confidently down the road to recovery. Sahiraโs story is indicative of how following those principles works so well. Integrating medical, behavioral, and mental health care with each individual patientโs complex needs, sends the message that those experiencing homelessness are heard, believed, and supported.
