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Questions |
Answers |
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Where can a person with no money and no insurance get treatment
for substance abuse? |
1-800-662-HELP
1-800-662-9832 (Español)
1-800-228-0427 (TDD) |
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What goes on in "drug rehab"? |
Whether
we call it "drug rehab" or rehabilitation, both mean the same:
-An initial psychosocial evaluation.
-Detoxification or "detox".
-Classes to learn about addiction and alcoholism and associated issues.
-Obtaining and maintaining complete abstinence from mood and mind
altering substances.
-Individual therapy sessions.
-Family therapy or a family program.
-Group Therapy.
-Twelve Step meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. |
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Why go to "drug or alcohol rehab"? |
Removal
of denial is a major hurdle for every person to overcome. In most cases,
the drug addict or alcoholic tend to minimize their use and the
consequences associated with it. They tend to block out or deny the
negative impact drug or alcohol abuse is having on themselves and their
family. While in drug or alcohol rehab, thru the use of various clinical
techniques, patients are assisted in "breaking" thru their denial and
working towards accepting and taking responsibility for their actions.
The initial goal to achieve while in rehab is abstinence. As long as
drug or alcohol remain in the blood stream, a person's thought process
remains somewhat distorted. This process of gradual clearing may take
days or even weeks as a person progresses through their detoxification
process or "detox". As a person's system clears, so does their thought
process. In cases, where a person's thought process remains "clouded", a
psychiatric evaluation may be in order.
One aspect of addiction and alcoholism shared by everyone is the
deterioration of personal relationships. People begin to isolate, as
loneliness and depression set in. The rehab experience places addicts
and alcoholics in an environment focused on the sharing of similar
experiences. It is widely accepted that the bond that takes place
between recovering people is unmatched. This process helps in creating
strong interpersonal relationships. In many cases, these relationships
will serve to form the beginning of a person's new support system.
Some people think rehab is a form of brain washing. While it is not,
professionals nationwide tend to agree that most of the brains addicts
and alcoholics bring into rehab with them, could use a good washing.
Many of the belief systems addicts or alcoholics depend upon have
created exactly what they have today. Through educational classes,
lectures and reviewing recovery literature, you will begin to replace
old ideas with new ones, designed towards achieving and maintaining a
long term recovery. Don't worry; you will still be able to have fun!! |
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What is addiction treatment about? |
Treatment
can take many different forms, vary in length of time and take place in
a variety of settings. For many, treatment is a long term process that
involves multiple attempts to achieve recovery. No single drug or
alcoholism treatment approach is appropriate for everyone, but most
incorporate the following levels of care:
Detoxification and Medical Stabilization
This focus of this component is to stabilize the patient medically and
institute a protocol which allows the body to rid itself from all
addictive substances, safely and comfortably. Secondly, it prepares the
person for the next level of care necessary to achieve long term
recovery.
Rehabilitation or Residential Care
The purpose of this level of care is for a person to learn the personal
skills necessary to change behavior. They will confront belief systems,
address issues within the family and resolve any feelings and issues
impeding their recovery.
Outpatient Care
This level of care allows a person to put into practice that which they
have learned in residential treatment, while continuing to address the
issues that present themselves on a daily basis. These issues or
challenges are addressed in a clinical setting, with a licensed
addiction or mental health therapist.
Continuing Care or Aftercare
This level of care is designed to maintain a person's long term
recovery. Issues such as relapse prevention, attendance at 12 step
support groups, development of daily living skills and healthy support
systems are of paramount importance. |
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How do you decide between Inpatient
and Outpatient Treatment? |
There is
a very simple criteria set forth to help you make this type of decision.
A person appropriate for Outpatient treatment must be able:
-To accept responsibility for their problem and actions associated with
it.
-Abstain from their drug of choice for at least 72 hours.
-Communicate a willingness to attend counseling several times a week.
-Have never attended outpatient treatment before.
-Those who can not meet this criteria are probably best suited for
Inpatient care treatment. |
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What if a person has an addiction
and psychiatric problem present at the same time? |
The key
element here is locating a addiction treatment facility that employs
medical professionals who specialize in addiction medicine and
psychiatry. The addictionologist, a physician who specializes in
addiction medicine, can accurately assess any addiction issues. The
psychiatrist is available to assess the patient from a psychiatric point
of view. Together they can collaborate on appropriate medications, as
well as, whether the presenting psychological symptoms are a result of
years of drug and alcohol use and will clear over time or whether
psychiatric medication is the solution. It is difficult to access this
situation while a person is still in detox, as many of the symptoms
associated with withdrawal mimic psychiatric symptoms. A complete
evaluation may not be able to be accurately completed until a person has
completed detoxification. People do recover when addiction and
psychiatric problems coexist. |
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What if someone has been in drug
rehab or alcoholism treatment before? |
Addiction
and alcoholism are chronic diseases which leave a person prone to
relapse. As such, it is not unusual for a person to experience multiple
treatment episodes prior to achieving long term recovery. Most
individuals that experience long term recovery have relapsed at some
point in their addiction recovery process and that relapse ends up being
the springboard to abstinence.
When relapse occurs and you are considering reentering treatment there
are several questions you might want to ask yourself:
-Is there a source of enabling that is sabotaging the person's recovery?
-Was a "true" recovery program ever in place?
-Did the person follow their aftercare plan?
-Is there a particular issue the person needs to resolve?
-Is the drug or alochol rehab program the person is considering entering
able to meet their special needs?
-Did the person attend 12 step meetings regularly?
When these questions have been answered to the best of one's ability,
find an addiction treatment center that meets your needs and by all
means, take action. |
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What if the drug addict or alcoholic
doesn't feel they have a problem? |
Denial is
certainly part of the recovery process and is to be expected. Addicts
and alcoholics are rarely honest when it comes to describing their drug
or alcohol use, especially when speaking with loved ones. Regardless of
the person's initial motivation, lack of willingness or lack of honesty,
if they will go to treatment, take them. One of the primary
responsibilities of the treatment team is to deal with patient
resistance. There are not very many people who like change. If your
friend or loved one calls you from treatment and wants to leave and is
still minimizing their problem, do not take any type of action before
speaking with the person's primary therapist at the treatment center.
Chances are they might just want to use drugs or alcohol again. For
those people in complete denial and unwilling to access treatment, you
might need to seek the services of a trained interventionist. |
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Why can't an alcoholic or drug addict just quit on their own? |
Almost everyone who has suffered from drug addiction or
alcoholism was under the belief that they would be able to
either control or stop using drugs and alcohol on their own.
They truly embraced the belief that things would never get out
of control. Most attempts to stop or slow down result in a
return to their drug of choice. Professionals associated with
addiction medicine acknowledge that long term drug and alcohol
use result in significant changes in brain chemistry. These
changes may persist long after drug or alcohol use is
discontinued. These changes in brain function may have
behavioral consequences, including the compulsion to use drugs
or alcohol despite adverse consequences. This is the defining
characteristic of addiction. When you couple the aspect of
craving and withdrawal symptoms with this concept, it is easy to
understand why so many people find it difficult to recover
without treatment.
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. The bad news is that it will
reappear the moment a drink or a drug enters the system. You
know a person is an addict or alcoholic when a person
experiences cravings, is preoccupied with the next drink or drug
and continues use in spite of adverse consequences. |
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How is substance abuse, drug rehab or alcoholism treatment paid
for? |
It is our experience that most private health insurance plans do
provide for substance abuse treatment. In most cases, an 800
number will be located on the reverse side of your card which
you can call and receive benefit information. Please keep in
mind, that although they will provide you with benefit
information, it does not mean you can access all of those
benefits. That depends upon the acuity of the patient, their
progress while in treatment and the relationship the treatment
center has with the particular carrier. After speaking with the
insurance carrier, we urge you to have the treatment center
verify the benefits and they will be able to tell you exactly
what the personal responsibility is.
For those people without insurance or private funds, there are
facilities which are funded by state and federal agencies. The
fees for these facilities generally follow a sliding scale. |
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How important a role does the family play in the drug or alcohol
addiction treatment? |
The family's role is of paramount importance. Years of drug and
alcohol abuse greatly affects the honesty, trust and level of
communication that exists within the family unit. As such, a
quality treatment center will offer a "family program" rather
than just treat the addict or alcoholic. A family program is
usually several days in duration and explores the strengths and
weaknesses that exist within the family unit. Spending this time
together, under the supervision of a therapist trained in family
dynamics, produces a healing experience unmatched by family
therapy sessions. One of the reasons this healing experience is
so dynamic in a family program is that other recovering families
participate in the process. The sharing of feelings and
experiences between families goes a long way towards promoting
intimacy, hope and healing. |
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How long should someone spend in a drug rehab or alcoholism
treatment? |
The length of time a person needs to spend in drug rehab or
alcoholism treatment varies from person to person.
Factors that need to be taken into consideration are:
-Length of time someone has been using drugs or alcohol.
-Their method of use.
-The severity of use.
-Their social support network.
-Their level of motivation and willingness.
-Severity of medical or psychiatric issues.
-Their living environment living environment.
-Number of times in treatment before.
What we do know, is the
longer a person spends in a supportive recovering environment,
the better the chances are that they will maintain long term
recovery. Secondly, the longer a person spends in addiction
treatment, the greater the likelihood they will receive all the
benefits treatment has to offer and lastly, leave this decision
up to the treatment team. They are not easily manipulated and
will base their recommendation on what the patient needs, rather
than what the patient wants. |
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Reprinted in part from
Recovery Connection. Copyright ©2005-2007 Recovery Connection.
All rights reserved. |
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