Drug And Alcohol Treatment

The financial crisis has lead to an increase in substance use and depression among financial professionals, according to a report by msnbc.com. The pressure of job losses, huge…
Read more…

It’s every parent’s nightmare — that you will find a stash of drugs in your child’s room. Or perhaps it’s your partner, or someone else you care about, that…
Read more…

According to a recent article on Newsday.com, financial woes are triggering an escalation of problem gambling.

They report an increase in the number of calls to gambling hotlines, with calls to…
Read more…

Advice for identifying whether or not you (or a loved one) is addicted to harmful alcohol or drugs. If serious addiction is aparent, here is additional advice on selecting a residential alcohol or drug rehab program that will work for you.

Source: Abhilash Patel
Published: Apr 12, 2006

Read more…

This Recovery Video Poem is from my talented friend Dave Harm. Every alcoholic has a reason to quit drinking. Usually to save a marriage or most likely to stay out of jail. But the fact is, they quit drinking because they are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

There are a lot of addictive drugs, and alcohol and drug treatments that vary depending on the specific substance being abused. Different treatment methods may also be used based on the special needs of the patient.

There are a number of problems that people may experience as a result of being addicted to drugs, and the effects of drug addiction on people’s lives vary from one person to the next. Those who are dealing with drug addiction come from a variety of backgrounds.

Many have social problems, there may be mental health problems, or occupational health issues that make treating these addictions a lot more complicated. Even for those who have very few secondary problems associated with drug addiction, the severity of the physical and psychological dependence to a drugmay differ quite a bit between individuals.

There are different unique scientifically-valid methods for treating drug dependence.  Medication is one approach, by itself or in combination with behavior modificatiion therapy.  Behavioral therapy covers a number of methods such as counseling, psychotherapy, and cognitive therapy.  Behavioral therapies aim to provide people with proficiencies for dealing with drug cravings and strategies for averting people, places and things that may lead to drug use. 

These types of therapies also present strategies for dealing with relapse if it should occur.  Behavioral therapies have also proven to be useful in helping those whose drug-related behavior places them at greater risk of the AIDS virus or other infectious diseases to reduce these disease risks.

Drug Treatment Center: Binge Drinking

Drug Treatment Center. Drug rehabilitation and alcohol treatment center blog – …   Read more…

Before entering an alcohol and drug addiction treatment program, it is necessary to determine how severe the problem is; that will determine the appropriate care level. There are various levels of treatment for chemical dependency just as there are for many other health problems.

The following are different care levels:

Brief Intervention and Therapy

These brief courses of treatment can be very effective. An example might be a medical doctor discussing the effects of drinking or drugging during a visit. Someone who racks up their first DUI while on a holiday binge but does not have an established pattern of abuse is a good candidate for this treatment level. It is usually a short alcohol education course.

Alcohol and Drug Detoxification

Detox is not really therapeutic treatment for alcohol or drugs. The objective here is to provide a safe environment for an intoxicated person to return to normalcy. As soon as the patient is stable they will generally be releasedOnce safe stabilization has occurred, they sre released either home or to another level of care. For long term alcohol or drug addicts, supervised detox is a good idea, there can be significant medical complications including seizures. Detoxification is usually a requirement for entering an addiction treatment program.

Outpatient Services

Out-patient programs are non-residential treatment, they usually consist of a combination of individual therapy along with group sessions. These outpatient programs are less expensive than typical inpatient treatment.Outpatient level of care is less intensive and restrictive than inpatient care.

Intensive Outpatient Program

As with out patient care this is not residential but as the name implies, much more intensive treatment. At the Intensive Outpatient level one can expect 15-20 hours of therapy per week. These programs may even be a ’step-down’ treatment following the completion of residential treatment.

Residential Treatment

This is what most people will think of when the phrase ‘rehab’ comes up. These are residential programs, and the time frame involved can be anywhere from 28 days to a year or more. This is a very comprehensive and demanding treatment level. Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment centers can generally address other issues associated with chronic alcohol and drug use, such as psychological, emotional and medical issues.

Now, I’ll admit that as an addiction therapist, I have a bias. I recommend inpatient treatment for anyone who is chemically dependent. Better to be overly cautious than to take a chance.On the other hand, I do understand that inpatient treatment can be expensive, but what is a life worth?.

The important thing is to get a proper assessment so you can be matched to an appropriate level of care and addiction treatment program.