Posts Tagged ‘treatment’

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How Does Depression Relate to Alcohol Addiction?

August 17th, 2011

You may not be surprised to find out that nearly forty percent of those who drink alcohol heavily have been found to have symptoms that are like those associated with depression. It could be that they are actually depressed and that they are drinking because of their depression as a way of self medicating. Oddly enough though, when these same people were not drinking only between five to ten percent of them experienced those symptoms. Problems with alcohol and depression often happen in sync, but they can be independent of each other as well. When a person is depressed, he or she may turn to alcohol to find that relaxed and pleasant state of mind that happens due to alcohol consumption.

Unfortunately, drinking heavily has an opposite effect as consuming alcohol in large enough quantities can cause a depressive effect on one’s state of mind. Because of the loss of inhibition that also goes along with consuming a lot of alcohol, people are more likely to take risks they would not normally take and engage in behavior that is not normal for them including acts of violence. This can actually lead to further depression and it begins a cycle that is very difficult to break.

Because so many other problems can happen due to alcohol, a person’s life can quickly spiral out of control and obviously this can worsen depression. Marital problems, loss of one’s job, negative impacts on a person’s financial status, and problems relating to people can all happen as a result of alcoholism. Also, because depression can ultimately lead to suicide, people who drink that also have depression are at a very high risk of suicide.

Something that many people do not know is that although drinking alcohol can make you very sleepy, the quality of sleep that one has after consuming alcohol is very poor. This lack of sleep, especially if it happens more often than not, can take a toll on a person. Depression is often worse when coupled with sleeplessness – yet another way that depression ultimately relates to alcohol addiction.

All in all, depression doesn’t only happen to people who drink. However, for those who do become addicted to alcohol, it may be a side effect of the things that happen due to the addiction so they are very closely related in many ways that many people don’t consider.

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5 Reasons to Choose Outpatient Treatment Over Inpatient Treatment

August 15th, 2011

While inpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs are more “popular”, outpatient treatment is a great option as it helps thousands of addicts in their recovery efforts every day whether they are battling addiction to opiates, prescription medication, marijuana, alcohol or any other harmful substance. An outpatient treatment program is one in which the patient does not remain at the facility overnight, but instead attends daily treatment in the form of meetings, therapy sessions and other programs and then leaves to go home when the sessions are over.

Figuring out if an outpatient treatment program is right means you need to know what it entails and what the benefits are. Keep reading for 5 reasons to choose outpatient treatment over inpatient treatment that may help you make your decision.

Remain in School or Keep Your Employment

If the person’s drug addiction is not overly severe and he or she is able to function well enough in work or school, an outpatient treatment program could be the best way for the person to get help. This allows an addict to maintain nearly a normal life during the recovery process and does not disrupt their day to day activities like an inpatient treatment program would.

Lower Cost

Of course, there are some very upscale outpatient facilities, but in general, the majority of outpatient treatment programs cost significantly less than inpatient treatment. It has nothing to do with the level of care, but instead it is due to the fact that much less overhead costs are involved. Many outpatient treatment programs are covered by health insurance providers, which can also reduce the cost for the patient. Cost should not be the deciding factor, however, as getting the proper treatment is ultimately the most important thing.

No Explanation Needed

Participating in treatment in a residential treatment center entails a lengthy absence from work or school. People will ask questions and the individual will have to explain to employers, teachers or friends about their situation. It may be uncomfortable to share this information with other people so attending a confidential outpatient treatment program provides the chance to get better without any explanation to people who you would rather not tell.

Stay Close to Home and Family

While staying in one’s home environment sometimes can cause a relapse for those with a severe drug or alcohol addiction, for others it is the opposite. Many addicts very much need the support of family or friends during the recovery process. For those people in particular, outpatient treatment programs will provide the opportunity to go to all of the necessary counseling sessions throughout the day, and later return home to a supportive family in the evening.

Learn to be Sober in Your Own Environment

What inpatient programs lack is the ability to teach addicts how to be sober in their own home environment. Sometimes, a relapse will occur once a patient goes home and back to their own element because they haven’t learned those skills. A person who participates in an outpatient program will better learn how to cope with the stress of daily life at home, work, or school and work it into their recovery process.

Outpatient programs still maintain a high level of care but provide different benefits and advantages than inpatient drug and alcohol treatment. It is best to weigh all of your options before making the final decision, as your recovery is the most important thing right now.

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Where Do I Go to Detox From Alcohol?

August 12th, 2011

When you detox from alcohol, you will go through a process of ending your dependence on alcohol by allowing the substance to leave your body completely. The alcohol detox process should be overseen by an addiction specialist or a medical professional and it is the first step that happens before seeking treatment for alcohol addiction.

Detox from alcohol will involve dealing with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms include having “the shakes”, feeling jittery or nervousness along with general irritability and mood swings. One who is having withdrawal from alcohol may also experience depression or nightmares. Certain physical symptoms may also occur such as sweating, nausea, vomiting and a loss of appetite.

Because one of the most difficult hurdles for recovering alcoholics to overcome is withdrawal, it is recommended that one go to a treatment center that offers an in-house alcohol detox program. Detoxing from alcohol at home is not the best idea, as the length and even severity of the withdrawal symptoms can vary greatly from mild to intense depending heavily on the individual themselves as well as how much and how long they have been addicted to alcohol. It is not advised to give up alcohol “cold turkey” unless a medical professional or alcohol addiction specialist has been consulted.

The bottom line is, you will fare better going to an alcohol detox or rehab center to go through the detox period. How someone will feel as he or she goes through alcohol detox will vary greatly and will depend on the individual. Some people will experience very intense detox symptoms while others will go through it with little or even no issues at all. The difference is in the physiological make up of the person as well as how long he or she has been consuming and abusing alcohol.

Everyone’s situation is different, of course, so you can never predict how someone will be when the alcohol detox happens. It is always important to seek the help of a medical professional or addiction specialist before attempting to detox from alcohol or drugs, as it can be a very intense period for the person to deal with. Going through alcohol detox at home is rarely a good idea if you want to prevent relapse and actually get the person to commit to treatment. Check in your local area at different alcohol rehab centers or even out of state treatment centers that offer in-house detox programs as your best resource.

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What Factors Do I Need to Consider When Choosing a Drug Rehab Center in Florida?

August 10th, 2011

If you are faced with the task of choosing a drug rehab in Florida, you probably have a lot of questions you need answers to. You need to know where to go, where to start…there are so many drug rehabs in Florida that it can seem like a challenge to choose the correct place. There are certain factors you should consider when choosing a drug rehab center in Florida that you may not have thought of, so keep reading to find out where to start.

Treatment Method

First, you need to find out what methods of treatment a drug rehab center uses. Will they address each aspect of you or your loved one’s addiction? This is an important question, as some drug rehab centers may only deal with one aspect of addiction and may be less likely to be successful. You should keep in mind that an addiction happens as a result of a combination of different things. A drug rehab center should address things such as breaking bad habits, improving the patient’s health and coping mechanisms for facing difficult problems. The facility should deal with the psychological aspects of addiction as well as the physical and mental aspects of addiction. They should also have a support or after care program that will help you or your loved one be successful with staying clean and sober once the drug rehabilitation program is completed.

Location

Find out exactly where the drug treatment center is located. You will want to know – for your loved one how it is protected and even how easy it would be for him or her to just leave or wander off without being seen. This is important because many drug addicts will almost certainly try to leave a drug rehab center during the first couple of days in the withdrawal period. It shouldn’t be easy to leave without being seen but it should also not feel prison-like.

After Care Program

Sending a recovering drug addict out into the world without some kind of follow-up support may prove to be disastrous. It may be a good idea to look into sober living arrangements, or at the very least ensure that the drug treatment facility provides support meetings or regular phone calls after treatment has ended. The more thorough the follow up care, the more chance you or your loved one has at remaining drug free.

Of course, there are other factors to consider when choosing a drug rehab center in Florida, but this is a good start. You can also ask about the length of the program, the price, the staff members, what services are offered specifically for your addiction, and the facility’s success rate.

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Top 5 Reasons to Choose an Alcohol Rehab Center in California

August 6th, 2011

Seeking treatment is difficult enough – and finding an alcohol treatment center that is just right for your situation can seem like a big deal. If you have considered going out of state for alcohol treatment, California is a good choice for many people for a variety of reasons. Let’s take a look at what makes California a top contender when choosing an alcohol rehab center:

#1 – Weather and Setting

The weather alone is a great reason to choose an alcohol rehab center in California. You’ll find that a tropical setting with warmer weather can make for a more pleasant experience when you have to go through a difficult time in rehab. Being in California for alcohol rehab means you won’t have to deal with below freezing temperatures and you can enjoy the outdoors when you really need a breath of fresh air.

#2 – Looking for Serenity?

Many of the alcohol and drug rehab facilities in California offer a more luxurious experience than you can expect in other rehabs across the nation. You can find alcohol rehabs in California that are very resort-like in many aspects but that will still provide all of the staff support and treatment needed to get sober. You will be out of your comfort zone, away from distractions you would face in your own neighborhood but when seeking treatment for an addiction, that can be a very good thing. Alcohol rehabs in California offer a serenity that many other facilities can not provide, simply because of where they are located.

#3 – Holistic Treatment Programs

If you are seeking holistic treatment for alcohol addiction, California is definitely the place to go. Many of the facilities provide the holistic experience you are seeking. These programs are excellent, as they address the person as a whole with a mind-body treatment program that will help with physical, psychological, and emotional problems in addition to the patient’s addiction issues. The experience of the staff members offering holistic treatment at facilities in California may prove to be exactly what you are looking for.

#4 – Experience with Dual Diagnosis

Because California is a major area for the recovery community, the staff members are very experienced in dealing with multiple issues besides just addiction. If you have other issues to deal with (a co-occurring disorder), an alcohol rehab in California will provide the treatment you need in all aspects of your recovery to help reduce the occurrence of relapse.

#5 – A Strong Sober Community

California has one of the strongest sober communities in the nation, and it is a great place to find like-minded people who value their drug and alcohol free lives. The level of aftercare available to those who complete an alcohol treatment program in California is unsurpassed and there are programs available for all ages. Addiction specialists and AA meetings can be found nearby no matter where you are in California and it is a great place to be once your treatment is complete.

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How Much Does Alcohol Treatment Cost?

July 23rd, 2011

With the need for alcohol treatment everywhere, there are many treatment centers where those with alcohol addiction problems can seek help. Unfortunately, there is no set cost for alcohol treatment. The cost of alcohol rehab varies depending not only on the state or region you are in, but also on the type of facility. Some are very clinical while others are quite luxurious like a spa resort. Another factor that can affect the cost of alcohol treatment is whether you choose outpatient care (the less expensive option) or inpatient residential care (the more expensive choice). Additionally, how long you remain in treatment will affect the cost as well.

There are a variety of alcohol treatment programs that exist to help those who struggle with alcoholism. It all depends on the individual. What you will find is that initially, alcohol treatment will involve an evaluation, often an intervention, counseling sessions, and possibly a residential inpatient stay. You will also need to go through a period of detox.

The first assessment for the patient, including and examination and a consultation along with some other tests may run in the ballpark of $100. For individual sessions, you will receive personal counseling and if there are family related issues, the cost per session is also around $100. If you ask your treatment center, you will sometimes find that if you commit to several sessions you can get a discount of about twenty percent.

If you are looking for a family treatment program, there are those that are designed to help entirely families with alcohol related issues. Each session runs about $120, give or take – depending on the facility and region where you live. As far as after care, you will want to keep seeking outpatient care to avoid a relapse and keep in touch with a support group. Each of these sessions will be up to $50.

On average, for intensive residential alcohol rehab you are looking at anywhere from $8,000-$12,000.

Some medications in alcohol rehab will also cost you some money. There are injectable drugs to treat alcohol dependence such as Vivitrol which will be administered by a health care professional. This medication helps to decrease the urge to drink by blocking neurotransmitters that go to the brain. It does not however help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The cost of Vivitrol medication is typically around $700 for just one injection.

As you can see, cost of alcohol treatment varies. If you have a relapse, some programs will help you at least somewhat for free or a lower cost. Keep in mind that your health insurance may help you to cover the cost of the programs.

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Can I Get Addicted To Prescription Drugs? And Should I Go To Rehab?

July 20th, 2011

The thought of drug addiction often makes people think of illegal or street drugs, but the fact of the matter is, many people also get addicted to prescription drugs, too. This happens not only when the prescription drugs are given to people legally for an ailment, but also by way of buying them illegally on the street. It is not uncommon to abuse a legal substance and the people who get addicted to them come from all walks of life and all ages. Some studies show that pain killers are one of the most abused substances in the United States – surprisingly even certain types of cough syrup are often abused by young people.

In all honesty, obtaining prescription pills like painkillers is much easier and even sometimes less expensive to get a hold of than street drugs like heroin or cocaine. In fact, getting addicted to prescription drugs often leads to harder addictions on street drugs for a stronger high. There are many medical studies that show that at least ten percent of prescription drug users will go so far as to use cough syrup, and an even higher percentage will abuse tranquilizers and any other pain medication or nerve pills they can get their hands on. Because these types of medications are relatively easy to get and they are all considered to be addictive – they take them in order to achieve some sort of high or even a state of relaxation. The buzz or high that the user gets makes it easy to get addicted. To some, these medicines may not even seem harmful to abuse, but they definitely can be. These medications can eventually be fatal or cause serious physical and mental problems.

Sometimes getting addicted to prescription or even over-the-counter medications happens because people are trying to self-medicate. Whether it is trouble at home or school or even depression, it can become easy to get addicted to a medication that takes away the pain temporarily.

When this happens, the best course of action is to go to drug rehab. Whether it is in-patient or out-patient drug rehab, the counseling and support provided is a great way to get clean and kick the drug habit. No matter what is causing the addiction, the user can get the help they need when it is too much for them to stop taking the drugs on their own.

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Can I use TriCare Insurance for Drug Rehab?

July 16th, 2011

Members of the military who are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction often wonder if their TriCare Insurance will cover the cost of drug rehab. Whether you have TriCare Medical Insurance, TriCare Standard, or TriCare Extra – you can use it for drug rehab. Coverage will vary from plan to plan as far as out of pocket expenses, so you will need to contact TriCare directly for details or work with a drug rehab in your area that accepts TriCare to find out what your plan pays.

A lot of drug rehabs are quite experienced with using TriCare Insurance for drug rehab due to the high number of military members who have needed assistance for alcohol or drug addiction. It can happen because of excessive use of alcohol due to job related stress or even because of abuse of prescriptions taken following a war injury – whatever the reason for needing detox or treatment – TriCare will help you to cover the cost and get your life back. TriCare insurance for drug rehab will be able to assist you, your spouse, or your children.

You may seek treatment in your local area or TriCare insurance may even help you get treatment in a facility that is out-of-state, which many people prefer. Sometimes getting out of your regular environment and into a completely new setting is the best way to go because all outside distractions are removed. Especially if family and friends are one of your “triggers” to using drugs or alcohol, going out of state for treatment may be your best bet. Major recovery areas such as Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas are known to have some of the most comprehensive and effective drug rehabs in the country, so it may be worth it to check out some outside of your home town.

Some of the TriCare plans do have high out of pocket expenses, so you may need to be prepared to pay some of the costs of treatment on your own. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for assistance – more than likely they will be glad you are getting help and will be happy to provide whatever they can for you. There are also payment plans and payment arrangements that can be made with drug rehabs for out of pocket costs, all you have to do is ask what your options are.

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Can You Overdose on Suboxone?

July 13th, 2011

Suboxone is a medication that is used to treat opiate addictions such as morphine or heroin. It contains naloxone and buprenorphine, which is also an opioid. When used as prescribed, Suboxone is a stepping stone to getting off of drugs. It can be used during the detox or for long term maintenance in order to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms and/or relapse. But like other opioid medications, taking too much Suboxone can result in an overdose. It is very dangerous to ingest too much of this medication or to combine it with alcohol or other drugs – particularly drugs that affect your brain function.

Dangerous Side Effects of Suboxone Overdose

An overdose on Suboxone is not easy to reverse. Once the overdose happens, respiratory depression is a dangerous side effect that can result in death. If you experience any symptoms including confusion, fainting, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, small pupils, shortness of breath, convulsions, hallucination, yellowing eyes, unusual sweating, dizziness, or sleepiness, get in touch with a physician or poison control center immediately to seek treatment. When Suboxone is taken in the correct dosage, one should not feel any of these symptoms.

Dependency on Suboxone

Because Suboxone is an opioid, it can cause dependency so there are signs that you should watch out for if you have been prescribed this medication. If you find yourself juggling doctors to get extra medication or if you steal or buy the medication illegally without a prescription, it is definitely time to be concerned. Suboxone should not be abused, but instead should help one to slowly get (and stay) clean without any unpleasant side effects. When friends and family begin to express concern that your dosage of Suboxone is excessive or they tell you they are worried about you, there may be a problem with addiction that needs to be addressed.

Ceiling Effect

Something known as a “ceiling effect” is built into Suboxone which is meant to prevent overdose. It is actually much more difficult to overdose on Suboxone than on any other opiate such as heroin. It is important to know this, as taking increased dosages of Suboxone will not necessarily get you any higher but with extended usage at heightened doses respiratory depression can occur. For example, if you take 32mg of Suboxone vs. 48mg of Suboxone, the “high” achieved will be exactly the same.

Ultimately, Suboxone has more positives than negatives. This type of replacement therapy is the answer to many prayers for those addicted to opiates and who want to get their lives back. It must be taken as directed at the correct time and in the correct dosage in order for it to work properly.

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Detox From Oxycodone in South Florida

June 29th, 2011

Oxycodone dependence or addiction comes with very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you do not take your next pill as the first one wears off. One misconception is that people are using Oxycodone to get high, when in fact this is not the case. The drug Oxycodone is prescribed to treat pain, but it does have an addictive nature. The fact is, Oxycodone is an opioid. It is combined from a derivative of opium, though it is not like heroin or morphine. In South Florida, addiction or dependence to Oxycodone is very common. It usually starts with an addiction to the medication and progresses to obsession or a compulsion to take the pill when it is not needed. The person’s life can turn into an entire preoccupation with finding anyway possible to get the drug.

Here in South Florida, detox from Oxycodone usually happens when addicts start to go beyond normal bounds to obtain the drug – even to the point of stealing or doing other illegal activity such as prescription fraud. The fact of the matter is that Oxycodone is a highly addictive substance that requires help to stop using it.

How Addiction to Oxycodone Can Happen

Addiction to Oxycodone can usually happen when people who are prescribed to use it end up using too much of it or when it’s no longer needed at all. If you take too much or if you take it too long, it is very easy to gain a dependency on it – especially when the doctor is not really paying attention and continues to prescribe refills. Again, this happens all to often in South Florida due to the abundance of pain clinics. It also has to do with proper patient education; informing patients how important it is to take the medication only as prescribed to prevent the addiction that can happen all too easily.

In all honesty, there seems to be a breakdown between doctors and patients in that many doctors do not realize how easy it is for Oxycodone to become an addiction – even for people who are not really prone to such behavior. Prescription drug dependency can happen to anyone, and it does require a detox and treatment to stop.

Getting Detox Treatment for Oxycodone in South Florida

There are many drug rehab facilities in South Florida that offer detox programs. They can last for as little as three days or sometimes up to a week. If an addiction is severe, the addict may need to try a residential treatment or an outpatient treatment as a follow up to ensure they remain drug free and do not fall into a relapse. Be sure to discuss your treatment plan in detail with an addiction specialist to get into a program that is right for your needs.

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