On April 1, 2016, Debra Miller’s life changed when her oldest son, Hayden, passed away at the age of 25 from a fentanyl overdose. Despite his years of struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), Hayden was a beloved son and his death left a profound impact on Miller’s life. In her grief, she channeled her pain into a new mission — helping others who were experiencing what she went through. Today, as the Care Management Director of Behavioral Health at Monarch, Miller continues to provide support to individuals and families affected by addiction. But her journey to this leadership role began with a commitment to advocacy and care in her previous position.
Before becoming the Care Management Director, Debra Miller worked as a Nurse Case Manager at our behavioral health outpatient office in Stanly County. In this role, she played a critical part in helping individuals with substance use disorders access the treatment and care they needed. As a nurse, she administered Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) injections to individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Medicated Assisted Treatment is a crucial service in addressing the opioid epidemic and helps patients manage withdrawal symptoms while in recovery.
Miller’s responsibilities went beyond providing medical treatments. She was actively involved in community outreach, promoting Monarch’s services to local physicians, schools, hospitals and other community organizations. She explained to healthcare professionals the comprehensive approach Monarch took in treating substance use disorder, which included not only MAT but also mental health services, employment support and occupational therapy. Her role required her to approach each person without judgment, offering resources and care with an understanding of the unique struggles those with substance use disorder face.
Her personal experience as a mother who had lost a son to addiction gave her a unique and empathetic perspective in her role. In her day-to-day work, Miller strived to be a beacon of hope for individuals seeking recovery, always ensuring they felt seen, heard and supported.
Statistics That Tell the Story
The statistics surrounding substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), since 1999, more than 750,000 people have died in the U.S. from a drug overdose. In 2018, two out of three drug overdose deaths involved an opioid. Between 1999 and 2019, nearly 450,000 people died from overdoses involving an opioid, including both prescription and illicit opioids. These statistics highlight the urgent need for resources and support, and Miller’s work was directly aligned with this fight, as she played a key role in offering services that can help turn the tide.
Advocating for Change and Healing
As a nurse and advocate, Miller worked tirelessly to reduce stigma surrounding addiction. She often shared her story, emphasizing how her family’s struggle with Hayden’s addiction made her more empathetic to others who faced similar battles. Miller became a trusted resource in the community where she worked closely with peer support specialists, therapists, clinical staff and case managers to offer a network of support for those in need of recovery services.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Miller’s previous role was seeing the tangible difference Monarch’s services made in people’s lives. She often heard from clients who credited Monarch’s MAT program with helping them stay clean and reclaim their lives. Miller remembered them telling her, “Monarch saved my life.” These stories reinforced her commitment to advocating for those who were too often dismissed by society due to the stigma associated with addiction.
Transition to Leadership: Care Management Director
Her journey from Nurse Case Manager to Care Management Director is a testament to her dedication, empathy and ability to turn personal tragedy into a driving force for positive change in her community.
Miller’s leadership and advocacy work eventually led to her promotion to Care Management Director of Behavioral Health at Monarch, a role in which she now oversees the coordination of care for individuals with substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Her new position allows her to make a broader impact on Monarch’s programs and reach even more people in need of support.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, Monarch is here to help. Contact Monarch at (866) 272-7826 to learn more about the services available to support recovery and healing.