TCIV: Sticking to Principles a Must for Providers, Says Clark

As demand for services rises and money pours into the field, behavioral healthcare providers need to stick to good principles and keep the needs of patients top of mind, Zac Clark, co-founder of Release Recovery, implored attendees in a keynote session delivered Friday at the Treatment Center Investment & Valuation Retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“It’s no secret there is a lot of money in behavioral healthcare,” Clark said. “There needs to be. But we have to recognize that a good majority of the owners and operators in this space are in recovery themselves. We also have to recognize those owner operators do this work in most part to help the next person who is struggling. They keep patient care first.”

Clark said there is a natural concern that when money flows into the industry, there is a risk that financially based decisions can override those that are made with patients’ interests in mind.

“That’s scary. We aren’t making widgets We’re dealing with life and death,” Clark said. “How do we bridge the gap? I don’t have all the answers. We need everyone in this room and more to be doing this together. Good operators need to be talking to good money, and they need to get married and help a load of people.”

Clark is one of those operators who himself is in recovery. During his address, he chronicled his experiences with substance use, which started with drinking alcohol during a family party when he was in 7th grade. It was the first in many instances in which he was able to consume without any consequences. In college, Clark said he was introduced to Adderall, and later moved on to cocaine and opioids.

Clark once spent 21 days in a hospital recovering after surgery to remove a brain tumor. His thoughts during that time were consumed with resuming drinking. Returning from his honeymoon years later, his first call was to his dealer.

“Nothing was going to stop me,” he said.

Clark eventually entered a 28-day rehab program, but without a sound aftercare plan, he soon relapsed. He later convinced a doctor to remove his gallbladder so that he could get prescription pain medications.

Clark eventually entered a different treatment program in which he stayed for 4 ½ months. With a more solid recovery plan in place this time around, Clark moved to a sober living facility in New York City and decided to help launch a treatment program of his own just 7 months into recovery.

Early in the pandemic, Clark received an opportunity to appear on a reality television show. He expressed concerns to producers about how he would be portrayed, but was assured the show would present him as he presented himself.

Clark said the experience led him to develop a following that has been “somewhat uncomfortable and stressful,” but it has given him the chance to help more people.

Clark concluded by encouraging TCIV attendees to stick to their principles and trust that providing quality care would ultimately prove to be the best business strategy available.

“I believe, something I learned very early into my career, we can pour millions of dollars into marketing, but the best marketing tool we have as providers is doing a good job with a case,” Clark said. “That family will be loyal to you. They will refer to you over and over again. They become alumni and fly your flag. Insurance companies like good outcomes. If you do a good job, when you go back to the negotiating table, you will have good ground to stand on.”

Reference

Clark Z. Keynote: Prioritizing recovery in life and business. Presented at: Treatment Center Investment & Valuation Retreat; December 10-12, 2021; Scottsdale, Arizona.Top of Form