Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Addiction Treatment

1. How do I know if I Have a Drug or Alcohol Problem -- Questions to Ask Yourself

Do I drink more than I intend to every time I drink alcohol?
Does my drug or alcohol use affect my work or school performance?
Have I neglected my obligations as a result of alcohol or drug use?
Have I been in trouble with the law or in legal dilemmas more frequently lately?
Have I gotten into trouble as a direct result of my drinking or using?
Do thoughts of drugs or alcohol consume my day?
Do drugs or alcohol take precedence over things that were previously important to me?
Have my relationships suffered as a result of drugs or alcohol?
Has my financial standing been negatively affected by my drug or alcohol use?
Have I suffered a health complication that is related to my drug or alcohol use?

If you answered yes to even just one of these questions, then you probably already know that you may have an alcohol or drug problem. The link below provides college students and parents with a quick overview of issues related to drinking.
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/snapshot.aspx

Another set of questions about alcohol use or abuse: Rethinking Drinking
http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/IsYourDrinkingPatternRisky/WhatsYourPattern.asp?txtSelected=&drinks=4&DrinksPerWeek=2&DrinksPerDay=4&Submit=Click+for+feedback+%3E%3E

2. What is alcohol addiction treatment?

Treatment for alcohol allows a person to first detoxify or rid one’s body of the drugs or alcohol and then to address the underlying causes of the alcoholism. Alcohol treatment provides patients with:

an understanding of the medical and mental health implications of alcohol
its impact upon the patient’s life
the skills to remain abstinent
promoting healthy family dynamics

Patients learn about triggers, personal choice and responsibility, relapse prevention, 12 Step programs and other tools to stay sober.

3. What is an aftercare plan?

During treatment, therapists, case workers, and doctors will conduct on going assessments of a patient that are used to determine what he or she will require once treatment has been completed. These assessments help create an aftercare plan that usually includes a variety of therapies, support group meetings (12 Step programs), job training (if necessary), living arrangements (if necessary), educational training (if necessary), and anything that will help alter the patient’s destructive habits and solidify the new foundation for healthy living.

4. How Can Addiction Treatment Programs Help?

The ultimate goal of all addiction treatment programs is to provide the patient the "tools" necessary to achieve long-term abstinence. To achieve this goal, addiction treatment programs:

Address your medical and psychiatric needs
Provide nutritional and medical management counseling
Facilitate family healing through a family program
Work on the development of interpersonal relationships
Improve daily living skills
Encourage attendance at 12 step support groups
Foster physical health through diet and exercise

Please keep in mind that there are different types of addiction treatment programs each with its unique philosophy, services, and targeted population.

5. What is a Medical Detoxification (Detox)

Medical detox provides a patient with medication to help ease the pain and anguish associated with withdrawal from drugs and alcohol. Because the detoxification process can be life threatening, physicians and other medical staff closely monitor each patient’s progress. In a medical detox unit, 24 hour nursing and medical support are provided. Drug or alcohol detox units can be located within an addiction treatment facility. Detox is only the first step in the addiction treatment process. It is strongly suggested that treatment follow detox to maintain abstinence.

6. Which Addiction Treatment Program is Right for Me?

Treatment facilities vary in type of services provided. Patient needs should determine type of treatment and duration of treatment prescribed. Many factors determine which treatment protocol is appropriate for which patient. Among those factors that influence treatment are mental health disorders, health condition, severity of detox and rehabilitation required as well as insurance coverage and private pay alternatives.

Inpatient or Residential Addiction Treatment Centers:
An inpatient addiction treatment facility specializes in the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and sometimes dual diagnosis disorders. Patients reside within the addiction treatment facility, 24 hours a day, while under the care of a interdisciplinary team of addiction professionals including doctors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinicians, and therapists. Licensed inpatient addiction treatment facilities are different from residential facilities. It should be noted that while people often combine “inpatient residential treatment” they are two distinct treatment modalities. Inpatient addiction treatment facilities may also provide drug and alcohol detox units as well, but not all addiction treatment facilities are capable of providing this service.

Residential addiction treatment facilities will provide living facilities but the similarities to inpatient addiction treatment end there. Residential addiction treatment facilities are generally not required to have doctors or nurses on the premises at all times. For example, a nurse may be on call but not physically on site. A doctor may perform medical visits periodically.

Hospital Based Rehabilitation Unit:
This is a unit located in within a general hospital. People are admitted for a short term, acute medical or psychiatric need in conjunction with addiction. Once a patient has been stabilized, he or she will be referred to an alternative inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program to complete addiction treatment.

Long Term Residential Treatment or Extended Care:
Long-term addiction treatment programs were designed for people who for a variety of reasons require additional residential care. A few of the criteria for long-term addiction treatment are:
- Experiences multiple relapses after being treated in addiction treatment center
- Requires additional time in a structured setting to resolve severe outstanding clinical issues that prevent performance of daily living activities
- Has additional treatment needs such as relapse prevention for criminal behavior or dual diagnosis issues that require more treatment time
- Cannot be treated in a short term facility or transitional living situation

The average length of stay in a long-term addiction treatment center is approximately 90 days. The additional time in long-term addiction treatment has proven effective since research demonstrate that the longer a patient is in treatment the better the outcome. It is unlikely that private insurance will cover this type of treatment.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs:
Outpatient addiction treatment programs are more suitable for individuals who completed primary inpatient treatment. Patients at outpatient addiction treatment programs generally reside at home and attend the addiction treatment program several evening or days during the week. While most people with substance abuse or alcohol problems would rather attend outpatient addiction treatment, this type of treatment is best utilized and the placement generally done by the inpatient facility prior to discharge.

The length of these programs is variable. It takes a great deal of support to move through the early stages of sobriety and maintain abstinence while living at home.
Partial Hospital or Day Treatment Programs:
Partial hospital or day addiction treatment programs are more intense than outpatient addiction treatment as such programs meet five days a week for approximately four hours daily. Initially designed as a "step down" program for those persons completing residential care, they became an insurance option for carriers not willing to pay for extended residential addiction treatment.
Therapeutic Communities (TCs):
Therapeutic Communities began in the early1950’s. The main purpose of these communities is to change client lifestyles. There are high expectations of every member of the community. Originally, little treatment was provided. Today's Therapeutic Communities are quite varied in style, content, length of stay, and in the services they provide such as assessment, detoxification, crisis intervention or family therapy.
Adolescent Treatment (Teen Program):
Adolescent substance abuse continues to be a major issue in our society. Treatment centers that are designed to address specific problems related to teens do exist. There are a variety of teen programs available, but it is advisable to check carefully about the program philosophy, credentials, types of treatment, staff training and appropriateness of treatment for each teen. A therapist who specializes in teen addiction, defiance, dual diagnosis and more can help make an appropriate placement.

7. Why go to "drug or alcohol rehab"?

Denial is a major hurdle to overcome for anyone suffering from addiction; it is painful to admit that our lives have gone astray and that we are out of control with drugs and/or alcohol. Rehabilitation assists patients to "break" thru their denial and work towards taking responsibility for their actions. It also allows the patient to focus on themselves in the absence of outside situations.

In rehab, patients learn about addiction, experience group and individual counseling, and engage in other types of treatment such as motivational or cognitive behavioral therapies. Through educational classes, lectures, reviewing recovery literature, personal exploration, 12 Step programs, and family programs, patients begin to replace old ideas with new ones. The tools learned in rehab are designed to achieve and maintain long term sobriety and continued personal growth. A short period of rehab can accomplish years worth of outpatient treatment.

8. What makes a successful substance abuse program?

One can find any number of substance abuse programs through various sources including the internet. The reality is that not all treatment facilities or programs are equal. Inpatient treatment facilities that have 24 hour care, may also staff doctors, nurses, and licensed therapists. These facilities can offer the most intensive treatment. At a minimum, an addiction treatment program should be state licensed, apply “best practices” of the field, and utilize an interdisciplinary approach to addiction treatment. It is advisable to seek a treatment program that provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.

9. What happens at detox?

Detoxification refers to the process of eliminating drugs and alcohol from the body. The process of detox from alcohol or drugs can be physically and/or psychologically challenging. Withdrawal symptoms that accompany detox can be mild or severe. Usually, the longer the time using or the size of the dosage used will determine the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Very often, drug users will need to be placed on another form of medication to ease withdrawal symptoms from their drug of choice.

Detoxing at home, isolated from medical staff can be life threatening. It also increases the chances that the patient will not complete the detox. For the best results and the safest approach, detox should always be monitored by a licensed physician. Managing physical and psychological conditions that emerge is a must. For example, some drugs can cause extreme psychological behavior during detox, others can cause heart palpitations, stroke, unconsciousness, seizures or other serious health problems.

Detox is never a replacement for drug or alcohol treatment! Detox will not stop an alcoholic or drug addict from using again, but it is a first step in recovery.

10. What causes alcohol or drug addiction?

Any substance ingested into the body will find its way to the brain through the blood stream. It does not matter whether the substance is alcohol, prescribe a medication, or synthetic drugs, everything impacts the brain. Once these substances enter the brain they immediately alter the chemical responses that are elicited by neurotransmitters. Alterations in neurophysiologic functions happen quickly. Thus, the naturally produced chemicals used by the brain to communicate to the body’s organs will be increased or decreased. The body quickly becomes reliant upon the drugs and/or alcohol to alter a particular neurotransmitter back to a baseline. Unfortunately, the body’s demand for the drugs and/or alcohol does not remain static, it continues to grow. And, every time consumption is increased, the withdrawal symptoms will be intensified. Once a body becomes addicted to a substance, detoxification becomes necessary.

11. How can I help someone who is addicted to pills, opiates or alcohol?

If you know or love someone who is suffering from addiction, the first thing to do is speak with him or her. Remember, initial denial should be expected, as no one wants to be an alcoholic or drug addict. Addressing someone’s addiction or alcoholism requires honesty, compassion, and clearly defined goals. If you are choosing to have a discussion or intervention it should be handled carefully to produce the desired effect: treatment and long- term recovery.

In the early stages of addiction, a pamphlet from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) may be informative and motivational. Sometimes, if a family member changes his or her attitude and behavior toward the addict, changes may occur as well. However, most addictions proceed until intense treatment is needed or unfortunately, the addict or alcoholic suffers severe consequences up to and including jail, institutions and death.

Call Addiction 411 operator’s to learn more about the options and the best approaches available to helping yourself, a loved one or an employee face his or her addiction.

12. What is Holistic Drug Rehabilitation?

Holistic drug rehabilitation guides a patient through recovery by addressing every aspect of the person’s life (the whole patient). This can mean that issues related to one’s physical, psychological, psychosocial, economic, educational, family of origin dynamics and more are significant factors that are closely examined in treatment.

However, the term holistic can also refer to treatment facilities that use only natural products and natural remedies such as yoga, herbs, meditation, message, and acupuncture to treat addiction. For people who suffer from severe addiction or alcoholism or mental health disorders, this type of treatment may not be as successful as the more traditional and research based treatment modalities that provide stabilizing medication, behavior modification, and addiction treatment together.

13. What are the signs of drug abuse?

If someone you know begins to act differently, has mood swings, changes friends, stops engaging in activities he or she formally enjoyed, or suddenly spends a great deal of money then these may be signs of drug abuse.

Generally, people who suffer from alcoholism or drug dependence will deny that they have a problem – at least initially. But eventually, the person will be unable to disguise the need for drugs and/or alcohol. Attempts to stop are likely to be failures. Physical and psychological changes due to regular use of substances are obvious. The continued use despite negative life consequences is a defining characteristic of addiction. Physical and psychological cravings and withdrawal symptoms make it difficult for people to stop using on their own.

Addiction and alcoholism are viewed as a disease and are progressive and chronic. If left untreated they can even be fatal. The good news is this disease can be placed into remission with complete abstinence. If you know someone that is suffering from alcoholism or drug abuse, call us now. We are here to help stop the insanity of addiction.

14. Can I overdose on Suboxone?

Suboxone is one of a newer class of drugs used to help people with opioid addiction. It is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone in a sublingual tablet form. Classified as a Schedule III medication, it carries a lower risk of abuse than other opioid agonists. Over dose of suboxone alone is unusual. However, if the drug is crushed and injected it can induce withdrawal symptoms. Overdose usually occurs when it is taken in combination with other drugs.

15. What if my insurance will not cover treatment?

At Addiction411 we help people get into treatment on a daily basis. We strongly encourage you to allow us to help you with your insurance carrier. We know the right questions to ask to get you the most coverage possible. We understand the different levels of care available to you based upon your coverage. If you are without healthcare insurance, or if you choose to pay privately for alcohol or drug treatment, we can locate the most effective treatment facility for you. There is never a charge to you for our service and all calls are strictly confidential. Call now and get started on the road to recovery. We are available 24/7 at 1-888-221-5866.