Tips on Selecting the Best Treatment Program for Your Needs

There are many different types of treatment centers available to those who are looking to enter recovery from drugs and alcohol.  The reason there are so many options and opportunities is based upon the common understanding that there is no one treatment plan that will work for every addict.

So, how do you find the right drug and alcohol treatment program for your needs or the needs of a family member?  You can start by asking yourself these questions.

• Do you have a specific addiction that is more profound than others?
  What is your drug of choice? Are you an alcoholic? There is also the possibility that you suffer from multiple addictions. Finding a facility that has experience and knowledge in your specific addiction is a good place to start when you’re looking for a center. Many, if not all, treatment centers will be able to help with a host of issues, of course, but it is important that they are used to handling the issues most prevalent to your recovery.
• Do you want inpatient or outpatient care?
  The choice between inpatient and outpatient care is often one of cash flow or other responsibilities. If you need to keep working in order to support your family and pay for your recovery, choosing an outpatient facility may be the best answer for you. If you have the opportunity to enter an all-inclusive inpatient type of recovery center, perhaps you may want to consider this method of total immersion therapy.
• Do you prefer alternative treatment methods?
  For some individuals, the 12-step program is the best thing going in terms of treatment options. For others, holistic approaches that include alternative medicines like Reiki or acupuncture may be more effective. If your personality is better suited to alternative therapies, you may want to consider a holistic treatment facility that will combine traditional and spiritual healing methods.
• Will your health and medical insurance help pay for treatment?
  Because drug abuse and addiction is a mainstream issue with afflicted individuals crossing many socioeconomic lines, many health insurance policies offer some coverage for rehab treatment services. Finding the right treatment program may hinge, at least in part, on what kinds of services your insurance will cover. Ultimately, while finances have a great deal to do with seeking help and entering treatment, the kind of treatment program you decide upon should be based on how you feel about the program and not how much it will cost.
• Do you have dual-diagnosis issues that need to be addressed?
  Some treatment facilities will treat your addiction, helping you abstain from drug use while following treatment guidelines. Once you leave the inpatient facility or finish the outpatient program, you are left to find your way. If the underlying cause of your addictions stems from undiagnosed issues like bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other psychiatric issues, you may need more intensive treatment.

By answering these questions, you should be able to find the best possible treatment program for your needs.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Drug Treatment Programs

When an individual is ready to seek treatment for their drug and alcohol addiction, there are many options from which to choose.  The first decision that must be made concerns whether to enter an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. This decision will be based upon many factors, including:

• Insurance benefits
• The severity of the addiction
• Previous attempts at treatment
• Overall costs
• Specific treatment modalities
• Availability

While some of these factors will make or break a decision, others should have less weight applied to them.  The overall cost of a treatment program, for instance, is important, but more important than the costs are the benefits that can be gained for each individual.

Understanding the benefits of each type of program, inpatient vs. outpatient, is the best way to decide what is best for the individual.

Inpatient Treatment Program Benefits

An inpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment program offers several benefits.  The first benefit, and perhaps the most profound, is the limited access that an addicted individual will have to their drugs of choice or other harmful substances.  Inpatient facilities have the right to screen and search visitors as well as look through mail and packages to ensure that nothing untoward is being introduced to the patients.

Another benefit to an inpatient treatment program is the access that patients have to staff members.  Many facilities offer around-the-clock nursing and psychiatric help to their residents.

Some inpatient facilities offer luxury accommodations.  If the addict, at least in their own mind, believes that they use drugs or alcohol because of stress or other conditions in their life, being surrounded by a calm, relaxing and soothing environment can aid in the recovery process.

Outpatient Treatment Program Benefits

The most significant benefit to an outpatient treatment program begins with the overall cost.  Chances are that the cost of the outpatient treatment services will be far less than those of an inpatient facility.  There are no room or board costs to cover, of course, and the staff members are not required to live on site.

Also considering the costs of treatment overall, an outpatient treatment program allows the recovering addict to continue working, earn a living and pay their bills.  This is crucial if the patient is the sole breadwinner in their family.

Many intensive outpatient programs have schedules that involve their patients on a daily basis, either in the mornings, afternoons or evenings, depending upon the particular day and individual schedule.  This provides the recovering addict with the flexibility they need to access treatment as often as they can while still maintaining control over their daily responsibilities.

The final benefit of an outpatient treatment program comes in the form of insurance coverage.  Many insurance companies that offer rehab benefits will only pay for outpatient treatment, at least in the beginning.  While some insurance providers will cover inpatient care after other forms of treatment have been exhausted, it is much easier to file a claim for outpatient services than it is for care an inpatient facility.

There are good aspects and not-so-good aspects to both types of rehab treatments.  The ultimate decision must be based upon what is best for the patient and their family.

Are There Rehabilitation Centers for Teens?

The problems facing teens who are addicted to drugs and alcohol are often different from those faced by adults.  Teens have a different ways of seeing the world, different viewpoints on the issues in their lives and often have an entirely unique perspective about their addiction.  Because of these variances in the actual affliction of addiction, it makes sense that some teens will respond better to treatment that is specific to their age group.

A few of these unique issues may include:

• Peer pressure
• Achievement issues pertaining to grades or athletics
• Parental abandonment issues from an uninvolved parent (due to death, divorce or other issues)
• Feelings of inadequacy

As with adult inpatient rehab centers, facilities for teen drug addiction and alcohol rehab will require your child to live on the premises.  Because you will be entrusting the center with your child’s welfare, you may want to ask them several important questions before you commit to using their program, such as:

• What kind of program does the facility offer teens?
  Does the facility operate on a holistic approach for treating teens, or is it based upon a more traditional 12-step program? The type of program is less important than the way your child perceives the help they may achieve. A 12-step program, for instance, depends upon the addict’s ability to admit they have a problem in the early stages of treatment. If your child is not participating in his or her own treatment or if they are reluctant to enter rehab, this may not be the best treatment option.
• Does the teen facility allow more frequent visits for teens than an adult facility does?
  Many treatment facilities limit the number and frequency of visits as a part of their recovery program. This is designed to keep negative outside influences from affecting the overall treatment process. In the case of your teenaged child, however, you may want to have more access to check on progress and visit with your child. When a child is removed from their home, it can be a traumatic experience. Bearing this in mind, it is important to remember that a period of no-contact is standard in most treatment facilities. The question of whether you will have more access to your teen in a specialized facility may come into play in the latter weeks of treatment.
• Does the teen facility offer adequate security to protect your teen?
  When individuals are undergoing rehabilitation treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse, there may be stages of recovery where irritability can lead to violence. When you are considering a teen treatment facility for your child, it’s a good idea to ask the administration about their security measures. Are the residents screened for violent criminal histories? Are closed circuit cameras in place in all common areas? What recourse does your child have to lodge complaints against other patients or staff members should the need arise?

Turning the health and welfare of your child over to others can be a very difficult thing to do.  Knowing that there are rehab centers that specialize in the needs of teenagers suffering from addiction can go a long way to putting a parent’s mind at ease.

Advantages to Attending a Holistic Drug Rehab

Just as there are many types and personalities of people in the world, there are also many variations of rehab facilities.  Some are rather cold and medicinal while others are luxurious and cater to the ultra-wealthy.  Still others are more holistic in nature and offer a wide range of alternative therapies for their patients.  So, what are the benefits and advantages to attending a holistic rehab?

There are a few types of treatment that are available at a holistic center that may not be available at a more traditional rehab.  These types of modalities include:

• Reiki
• Acupuncture
• Rapid eye technology
• Meditation
• Specific diet and exercise

Each of these modalities brings a special benefit to the patient.  For instance, Reiki is an energetic healing process that focuses energy to help the patient’s body heal itself.  It has shown results in the easing of withdrawal symptoms in some patients as well as residual pain from opiate abuse.

In addition to the alternative treatments available at a holistic rehab, the patient may also find specialized diets focusing on vegetarian influences to help cleanse the body of toxins from food as well as toxins from drugs or alcohol addiction.

3 Important Advantages Found in Holistic Rehab

1. Detoxification

When an individual enters a rehab facility, they can expect a detox period right away.  This is the time period through which an individual’s body will eliminate the “leftover” drugs in their system.  In a holistic treatment center, there is more to detox than simply not taking drugs.  A holistic facility will spend time with the patient clearing the system of other toxins as well through the use of cleanses and energy work as it is required.

2. Learning to Handle Stress in a Healthy Way

One of the reasons that some addicts relapse after leaving rehab has to do with daily stress.  Without the proper coping skills, an addict may return to old habits or escape routes to avoid the stresses and challenges they face once they leave rehab.  A holistic facility teaches techniques including yoga or Reiki to help the recovering addict deal with stress in healthy and positive ways.

3. Finding Comfort in Spirit

Many rehab treatment centers follow programs that include the belief in a higher power.  A holistic treatment center is no different, but they take the influence of one’s higher power in combination with the spirit of the individual.  A holistic facility can often respect any and all spiritual paths, applying the power that the recovering addict holds true to the individual’s ability to know that power within their own character.

When considering a holistic treatment facility instead of a traditional medical rehab, it is necessary to invest your entire being into the process.  The mind, body and spirit connection is profound.  When you decide to use a holistic approach to healing, you must bring a commitment and deep understanding of how powerful the individual is and how important they are to their own healing process.

How to Pay for Private Luxury Rehab

Choosing to enter a rehab facility can be a difficult choice and finding a facility that is suitable can be a challenge.  For many individuals, finding a way to pay for the nicer, private luxury rehab facilities can become an obstacle.  It doesn’t have to be, however, when you consider the many avenues for financing private, luxury rehab facilities.

Pay as You Go

The most obvious choice for a patient with the means to do so is to pay the bill for the treatment by the month.  A luxury treatment center may check the patient’s or the patient’s family’s credit history before agreeing to this particular option.  The cost of the monthly treatment, room and board will vary between facilities, so the feasibility of this option depends upon many factors.  Keep in mind that most facilities will require advance payment.

Secured Loans

The cost of a private luxury rehab for a three-month treatment can be as high as a mortgage payment.  When it comes to saving your life or the life of someone you love, however, this may not seem too high a price to pay.  Taking out a mortgage on real property or securing a loan through other means is a viable and ready option for some potential patients.

Unsecured Loans

An unsecured loan is a loan granted on an individual’s word (and signature) that he will repay the amount and all interest charges.  The benefit to this type of payment for a luxury private rehab facility is the ability to spread the payments out over many months.  For instance, if your total rehab bill is $40,000 dollars, you can pay this off over a period of several years, rather than several months.

Insurance Benefits

While more and more insurance companies are including rehab services in their plan benefits, very few will cover the “extras” that come with luxury, private rehab facilities.  This doesn’t mean that they will not pay the minimum amounts to the luxury rehab.  If you have insurance that covers a specific amount per day for inpatient treatment, it is a good idea to file a claim for reimbursement to offset the costs of staying in a nicer facility.

In-House Financing

Some luxury rehab facilities offer in-house financing.  Before being admitted to the rehab facility, the patient or the patient’s family can fill out a financing application with the rehab facility.  When you apply for this type of financing, you are asking the facility to treat you or your loved one while you pay for the treatment over time.  It is important to understand that you will continue to owe the facility the payments for the treatment regardless of whether the patient successfully completes the program or eventually relapses.

There are many benefits to choosing a private, luxury rehab facility.  Often, the ratio between physicians, treatment specialists and patients is much lower than in a public facility.  There may be more one-on-one treatment, and the surroundings may be more in line with what the patient is used to.  Choosing the right rehab is a personal decision and one must research their options completely before ruling out any facility based upon cost.

How to Spot Prescription Drug Abuse in Your Teen

Drug abuse among teenagers has been a problem for many decades, however the use and abuse of prescription drugs by school-aged children as young as the 8^th grade is becoming of greater concern in recent years.  The most important tool in the fight against teen drug addiction comes from a society willing to recognize the signs of abuse and addiction.

Types of Prescription Drugs Popular for Abuse by Teens

When many parents think of drugs and teenagers, they may think of marijuana or even harder drugs like heroin or cocaine.  However, prescription drugs, in part because of the ease with which teens can obtain them, are a more likely alternative.  Teens generally have easy access to:

• Stimulants for ADHD/ADD or other stimulants
• Blood pressure medications
• Pain medication such as Vicodin, Lortab and other opiates
• Depressants such as Valium or Xanax

Many of these drugs sit innocently in a family medicine cabinet and create a huge temptation for teens looking to fit in with their peers or seek relief from the stress of school or family problems.

Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse

Being moody and operating under the influence of mood swings is every teenager’s right. Hormones are raging and the process of growing up can be confusing and stressful.  However, these mood swings can also be a sign of prescription drug abuse and addiction, so it is important to take circumstances and normal behavior patterns into consideration.

The physical symptoms of drug use and abuse can include the following:

• Redness of the eyes
• Lethargy and drowsiness
• Confusion
• Inability to speak or slurring of words
• Depressed breathing
• Nervousness
• Insomnia
• Hyperactivity
• Impaired memory
• Constipation
• Nausea

The type of symptoms depends upon the types of drugs ingested.  For instance, abuse of opiates can cause constipation, drowsiness and slowed breathing.  Stimulant use, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause irritability, hyperactivity and nervousness.  Taking in context with the psychological symptoms of drug abuse, and you may want to consult your doctor and arrange to have your teen checked for the use and abuse of drugs.

Emotional Symptoms of Drug Abuse

When a teenager experiences the effects of drug abuse, they will most likely suffer the non-physical effects of that use.  These lifestyle changes are not life-threatening.  They may indicate problems not associated with drug use, however, if they occur in conjunction with any of the physical symptoms mentioned, it may be a good idea to find out, one way or the other, if your child is using drugs.

Lifestyle changes may include:

• Slipping grades in classes they have previously enjoyed and passed
• New group of friends and a reluctance to let you meet them or get to know them
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
• Lack of interest in hobbies that previously enthralled them
• Disobedience such as breaking curfew and not following well-established rules.

Teens who are addicted to or use prescription drugs will obtain these drugs from their own homes first.  A huge red flag concerning the use and abuse of prescription drugs by your teenager can be found in your own medicine cabinet.  If there are missing prescriptions, do not assume you have misplaced them.  Watch carefully and confront your teen if you suspect any misuse of prescription drugs.

Why Heroin Abuse Is So Dangerous

When we think of drug abuse, there are several drugs that immediately come to mind as being exceptionally dangerous.  One of those drugs is heroin.  It is a powerful opiate, the use of which can lead to addiction, severe medical conditions and even death.  The reasons that heroin is so incredibly dangerous has to do with several factors, including:

• How it is used
• The effect it has on the brain of the user
• The lengths that people will go to get it
• The great difficulty associated with quitting

Understanding the risk factors are important for anyone interested in seeking help for a loved one who is currently addicted to heroin.

How Is Heroin Ingested?

Injecting heroin is one preferred method for taking the drug that offers its own dangers.  The drug is liquefied through a process known as “freebasing.”  The liquid heroin is pulled into a syringe and injected directly into the blood stream.  Sharing and reuse of needles are common during this practice.  This sharing of needles can easily spread blood-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis from one addict to another.

Another form of heroin use is snorting or sniffing.  Finally, heroin may be smoked.

The Effect of Heroin on the Brain

The human body contains opiate receptors throughout the anatomy.  Some of these opiate receptors control pleasure, pain and emotional reward.  These are the receptors that an opiate addict is trying to engage when they use heroin.  Pain is reduced and the brain offers a new sense of pleasure or euphoria.  This is the “high” that drug users find as a result of the drugs they ingest.

There are other opiate receptors in the brain stem that control involuntary functions such as blood pressure and breathing.  When an individual uses heroin, the drug is converted to morphine which attaches to all opiate receptors, including those that control something as simple as breathing.  There is no way to know how much heroin will cause these receptors to overload and cease operating at any given time.

The Lengths to Which an Addict Will Go to Obtain Heroin

Because of the highly addictive nature of opiates like heroin, an individual suffering from addiction will go to great lengths to obtain either the drug or the cash to buy drugs.  The addict may engage in risky behavior like prostitution or armed robbery, placing their lives in danger.   Even if they have enough money through legal means, they can place themselves in harm’s way simply by visiting locations that are rife with violence and corrosive illegal activity to obtain their drugs.

The Difficulty Associated With Quitting

In order to successfully stop using heroin, many addicts must receive long-term rehab services.  Even then, the chance of relapse still exists.  Because of the fear that they will be unsuccessful, some addicts are afraid to try to improve their lives.  Others are fearful that they will be deprived of a drug they feel they need to survive from day to day.  This mentality is dangerous because every time an addict refuses to try, they place themselves at risk of the other dangerous factors.

It is possible to stop using heroin with the help of trained, experienced professionals.  The dangers of heroin use can be greatly reduced simply by taking the first step towards recovery.

Do People Need to Go to Rehab for Marijuana Addiction?

The definition of addiction as it applies to marijuana has been hotly debated for decades. If one defines addiction in terms that the removal of a drug from the body causes physical symptoms, one may claim that there is no need for marijuana addiction treatment within the rehab setting. However, if one considers that there is more to addiction that the physical need of the body for a specific substance, the answer becomes less clear.

The Symptoms of Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is a relapsing brain disease that manifests with the compulsive need to seek and use drugs, regardless of the harmful consequences that surround it. Marijuana use and abuse can meet this definition because:

• Users tend to need more of the drug to obtain the euphoric effects as the body builds a tolerance.
• Marijuana use is illegal, therefore causing the abuser to engage in risky activity simply by using it.
• The use of marijuana causes impaired judgment which can lead to riskier behaviors.

Because of these factors, it is reasonable to treat addiction to marijuana as seriously as any other addiction. However, marijuana also brings with it the psychological addiction aspect that makes quitting incredibly difficult.

The Benefits of Rehab for Marijuana Addiction

When an addict chooses to seek help in a treatment facility or outpatient rehab, they gain several benefits. A marijuana addiction can often mask a lack of coping skills for the stress of everyday life, for instance. With the help of trained professionals who understand that the need for a drug to cope with stress is very real, the addict can learn better ways to handle the challenges they face.

In a study conducted by Dr. Alan Budney of the University of Arkansas, 90 adult men and women diagnosed with marijuana dependence were split into three groups. The first group received only cognitive therapy. A second group received vouchers for clean urine specimens, while a third group received both vouchers and therapy. At the end of the 14-week “rehab” period, the group that received only vouchers for negative drug tests results performed the least well. The group that received both therapy and vouchers received the best overall scores.

At the end of a 12-month review period, the numbers remained the same in terms of overall benefit. The group that received cognitive therapy and vouchers for retail goods and services had the highest success rate with 37 percent of participants still clean at the end of the year.

This study suggests that professional help including the type of therapy available at a good rehab facility greatly increases the chances that a person addicted to marijuana, whether it is a physical or psychological addiction, will remain sober.

How Cocaine Rehab Can Save Your Life

Cocaine addiction is a serious illness that can have far-reaching effects on everyone who suffers from it. Not only are the risks of long-term health issues very real, but the risk of death is also something to consider. Cocaine can cause death in anyone who uses it, regardless of the frequency or amount of use.

The danger of sudden death from the use of cocaine comes from the cardiovascular effects of the drug. A cocaine user often needs to take more of the drug in order to reap the euphoric changes they are looking for, which can also contribute to the chances of sudden death. However, an individual can also take less of the drug than they have previously and still suffer a heart attack or stroke.

In addition to heart attack and stroke, cocaine use can also cause several life-threatening problems, such as:

• Malnutrition
• Severe nosebleeds
• Erratic behavior that leads to unsafe choices and a disregard for safety
• Driving under the Influence of drugs or alcohol
• Intravenous drug use increasing the risk of HIV/AIDS

Behaviors and Choices Can Cost an Addict Their Life

An individual operating under the influence of an addiction will take grave risks to obtain more of the drug they crave. He or she may find they are placing themselves in situations that are inherently dangerous as they frequent places they would otherwise not choose to visit. Generally, where there are large amounts of drugs, there is a greater chance of violence, for instance.

When an addict’s drug of choice is not available, they may engage in additional drugs, like opiates and alcohol, to make due until they can find access to their preferred drug. This can lead to even more addiction issues as well as the risks of death.

Driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Such a choice can put not only the addict’s life at risk, but the lives of anyone else he or she comes into contact with.

Finally, there is the issue of quality of life. A drug addict’s most important goal is to obtain drugs so they can get high. They will often choose to use drugs over working, spending time with their own children or family members, and they will allow their financial security to fall into ruin. This can have a devastating emotional effect on the addict and their family, causing a kind of “living death.”

Rehab Is Necessary to Make a Fresh Start

When an addict is ready to stop using cocaine, finding a rehab center is important to success. Quitting a drug as powerful as cocaine is difficult. In order to obtain the fresh start to life that they desire, the addict will need medical support, emotional support, and the ability to cut off contact with those individuals who have helped them in their drug-seeking and using activities.

It is difficult for an addict to make the choice to enter a proven rehab program. Any attempt to give up a drug like cocaine is going to mean making huge changes in lifestyle that can bring apprehension and fear. However, once a rehab program has been started, the successful application of the skills and treatment can save the addict’s life.

What Is the Human Cost of an OxyContin Addiction?

Prescription drug abuse is one of the most common types of drug abuse today. People of all ages, from school children to the elderly, are susceptible to the use and abuse of prescription drugs like OxyContin. The definition of prescription drug abuse, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Bethesda, Maryland, is the “taking [of] a prescription medication that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed.”

The description of prescription drug abuse is fairly broad. When we think of a drug addict, we generally think of someone who is out of control and making poor decisions, sacrificing everything to obtain more drugs. With the use and abuse of prescriptions like OxyContin, the stereotype is lifted. Abuse is just as likely to occur with an elderly grandmother who would never dream of breaking the law yet finds herself content to take her pain medication more often than she should.

The human cost of an OxyContin addiction can be measured in varying degrees across every walk of life and includes:

• Changes in quality of life
• Disregard for health
• Destruction of family relationships
• Legal problems and more

Why Is OxyContin Abuse a Problem in the United States?

Many times, an individual who is prescribed a powerful drug like OxyContin has no idea how dangerous the drug can be. Even when taken correctly with strict adherence to the directions and prescription, the drug is powerful enough to create a physical dependence.

OxyContin is in a family of drugs known as opiates. Opiates are opium-based narcotics that affect the opiate receptors in the brain. These receptors have control over emotion, pain, and automatic features such as breathing and coughing. One of the reasons that OxyContin and other opiates is such a huge problem in the United States is because it prescribed for so many varying medical issues, including:

• Severe cough
• Chronic pain
• Acute pain
• Post-surgical pain

Even short-term use of a drug like OxyContin can create a physical dependence. Once dependence has been established, the human costs begin.

Changes in the Quality of Life

Because OxyContin and other opiates create a euphoric, sleeping feeling, an individual addicted to them may tend to sleep far more often than is necessary. The vicious cycle of abuse is one that convinces the addict they are simply “taking medicine” – that they are ill.

The addict may discover they are no longer enjoying activities that meant a considerable amount them, like playing with their children or participating in hobbies with friends and family.

Disregard for Health and Health Effects

The OxyContin addict, especially one who has become dependent through legally prescribed medication, is well aware of the long-term risks of opiate use. However, because of the euphoria caused by use of the drug, and the pain that comes from discontinued use, they are more willing to risk the long-term health effects.

Destruction of Family Relationships

Normally well-adjusted, law-abiding citizens can become desperate to obtain OxyContin and other opiate-based drugs. They will often cut off ties with important members of their family, or begin to lie and steal property or money to obtain more drugs.

Legal Problems Associated With OxyContin

Obtaining prescription drugs without a legal prescription is a crime; however, many addicts choose to write prescriptions or otherwise forge a means to obtain the drugs they need if their doctor is unavailable. The addict is often willing to risk jail in order to relieve the pain caused by withdrawal, as well as to achieve the euphoria that comes from overuse.

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