Seeking Inpatient Addiction Treatment

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 23.2 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for a drug or alcohol problem in 2007. That was 9.4 percent of the population in the United States. Only 2.4 million of those people got treatment at facilities. That means that only about 10.4 percent of people who needed treatment got it. Sadly, the majority of those people did not get the treatment needed to enjoy sobriety. There is a significant amount of research dedicated to addiction treatment. Since addiction is a complex condition that can vary between people, treatment centers have to be incredibly dynamic. What works for one person may not work for another. Experienced professional counselors and doctors should tailor all treatment plans to the needs of their individual patients and participants. Success in a treatment program depends upon a variety of different proven methods.

Types of Addiction Treatment Facilities

1. Inpatient Treatment Programs
2. Outpatient Programs

Inpatient programs offer supportive environments for patients. People can expect for their schedules to include a variety of private and group therapy sessions. Outpatient programs typically demand a little more accountability on the part of participants. The participants would need to get to their meetings and sessions frequently to be successful in outpatient programs.

Inpatient Programs

• Nurturing supportive environments
• A safe place to get well
• Confidential sessions
• Supportive professionals
• Around-the-clock support

Benefits of Inpatient Treatment Programs

There are so many great benefits involved with attending inpatient treatment programs. First, an inpatient program provides participants with around-the-clock support. People who attend outpatient programs do not get this kind of support. They are not going to get dedicated counselors available to them at all hours of the day and night. This can really help during the initial stages of addiction treatment. In addition, people who are in inpatient programs don’t have to worry about old friends and tempting situations. They can focus on their treatment, instead of dreadfully worrying about backsliding in unsafe environments. Another benefit to attending an inpatient facility is that they typically offer very dynamic addiction treatment programs. They will utilize a variety of different therapies and methods to help correct bad behavior successfully.

When to Seek Inpatient Treatment for Addiction

When people abuse drugs, they need to seek inpatient addiction treatment as soon as possible. Drug abuse isn’t just physically unhealthy and dangerous for the user. It’s illegal and incredibly damaging to interpersonal relationships. It rips families apart and ends careers. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, it is time to seek addiction treatment, before it’s too late. interpersonal relationships. It rips families apart and ends careers. It’s time to seek addiction treatment the very minute that drug abuse begins.

How To Finance Addiction Rehab Treatment

The first thing that comes to someone's mind with drug rehab is the finances associated with the treatment. Private rehab facilities are very expensive, with public options also costing more than many individuals can afford. It is likely that most individuals requiring drug rehab do not have health insurance, which makes the payment of rehab costs even more difficult. Here is a guide that will help you get yourself, or a family member, through rehab no matter your financial situation.

 

Finding The Right Program

Going to meetings and attending local rehab treatment facilities is an option, but many believe that true care can only be given at residential rehab facilities. If you are lucky enough to have health insurance coverage, there is a chance that most of your costs will be covered. Most rehabilitation facilities will take your information, your insurance data, and deal with the insurance company directly. After the two companies speak, you will get a figure that represents the money that must come out of your pocket. Private rehabilitation facilities can cost as much as $20,000 per month. That is a huge figure on the outset, but a life of sobriety is something you cannot put money on. For example, if a 30 year old spends $60,000 on drug rehab, that money is nothing compared to the future earnings they are securing by being sober for the rest of their life. Look to friends and family for drug rehab financing, if possible. It is possible to create a PayPal fund, or something similar, where people can contribute if they should wish. You will be amazed by the generosity of your friends and family, especially if they are aware of the cause they are contributing to. Many private facilities have the option to pay your rehab costs in installments. This is a great deal, and it would mean paying something close to $5,000 up front. The rest of the money will be paid over the period of a year or two. Unfortunately, despite these suggestions, many people will be unable to raise the necessary funding to go to a private rehab facility. If that is the case, look to public rehab centers. Many Federally sponsored drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities are of the utmost quality. The treatment at these facilities is free, or as close to free as possible. The only problem with these facilities is that they come with a long waiting list, with many people looking to get treatment there. If you have a loved one who needs drug rehabilitation, get them admitted to a treamtent program that will offer them the most customized program to increase the success of their treatment and ensure a lasting impact. While some programs cost more than others, the bottom line is to find a program that will work. There is not one program that is right for everyone.

 

Getting Help

Do not hesitate to ask for help in these matters. You have family and friends for a reason. If you need rehab, or know someone that needs rehab, try to raise as much money as possible for treatment. Many people get scared by the prices of private rehab facilities. While it is never easy to part with $20,000 to $60,000 for a few months of care, it is important to look at the long term. Being sober for the next twenty years will bring a lot more money in than you will spend on three months of rehab. On the flip side, being a drug or alcohol addict for the rest of your life will see a lot more lost earnings than $20,000 to $60,000. Getting treatment at a drug treatment center is the best solution for most individuals. You will be surprised at how many people have turned around their lives after a month or two at drug rehab. There may be a high cost, but the potential rewards are astronomical. Meta: How to finance addiction treatment begins with finding the right program and center that offers the most for your specific needs and unique preferences.

Can it be Too Late for Drug Addiction Treatment?

Sometimes people do not seek help for their drug or alcohol abuse problem because they feel it is too late for them. This may be because of a few failed attempts to get clean or because they have been addicted for so long they simply do not remember what it feels like to be clean and sober. They may have lost everything and alienated their family, leaving them feeling as though they have no support or anyone to help them. It is never too late to get help for an addiction. Quitting drugs or alcohol always has an immediate positive effect on your physical health, and in rehab you can learn to cope with the emotional issues that have caused the problem in the first place. No matter how long you have been using drugs, it is possible to get clean and live a sober, healthy life.

 

Detoxification

For people who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol for years, detoxification of the body is very important to successfully getting sober. People who check into a detox center are 20% more likely to complete their treatment program successfully. Going through detox clears the drug out of your system. Some people are able to go through detox on their own, but people who have been addicted to a substance for years often need professional help. Withdrawal can be psychologically and physically debilitating, sometimes even causing death. Some common withdrawal symptoms are:

• depression and anxiety
• mood swings
• hallucinations
• shaking or tremors
• fever, chills, and sweating
• blackouts
• seizures

Withdrawal symptoms tend to be more severe in people who have been using a drug for a long time, making it more difficult to quit. In addition, people who make multiple attempts to get clean find it is more difficult to do so each time they try. Doctors who supervise detox can give medications to ease the withdrawal symptoms and can even get the drug out of the body more quickly.

 

Recovery

Treatment after detox takes many forms. Most programs rely heavily on group therapy, which helps the addicted person form connections to other people who are undergoing treatment. Interpersonal support is crucial to recovery, and group therapy is especially beneficial for people who have become estranged from their families as a result of their addiction. People who do not enter an inpatient recovery program can seek help with drug addiction counselors who can refer them to twelve-step programs. Notices for twelve-step groups are also often available in community newspapers and websites.

 

Recovery Statistics

• Up to 700,000 people seek treatment for addictions each day.
• About one-third of alcoholics are able to get clean and sober on their own.
• Relapse is very common, with about half of people relapsing after completing a program.

It is important for people undergoing treatment to regard their addiction as a medical condition, and to remember that many people with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, find it difficult to stick to their treatment plan. Everyone makes mistakes and has moments of temptation. Although people in recovery live happier, healthier lives when they are sober, cravings for drugs and alcohol sometimes occur even years after they have completed a program. However, just as many people find that they can kick their drug or alcohol addiction; they find they can also live sober. It is a lifelong process, but it is never hopeless or too late to get on the path to recovery. Meta: Can it be too late for drug addiction treatment? It is never too late to get help for an addiction. Quitting drugs or alcohol has an immediate positive effect.

How the brain reacts to substance abuse

Once someone becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, the brain actually makes changes in the way it functions. Taking drugs or drinking alcohol are no longer merely used to get a pleasant feeling or experience, but substance abuse becomes necessary just for the users to feel normal.

 

Dopamine and Substance Abuse

When someone uses a substance such as drugs or alcohol, it releases dopamine into the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that works in the reward center of the brain causing intense pleasurable feelings, such as euphoria. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drugs or alcohol can release from 2 to 10 times more dopamine than natural rewards¹, such as favorite foods or sexual intercourse.When people continue to use substances over time, the memory center of the brain works with the reward center to associate the drug use with good feelings.

 

The Brain and Tolerance

Drugs and alcohol also affect other neurotransmitters and their nerve receptors in the brain. Some substances can attach themselves to certain receptors instead of the appropriate neurotransmitters. This causes mixed and confusing signals in the brain, as substances do not work the same way as neurotransmitters do. Some substances cause an excess of neurotransmitters, which increases or amplifies the signals in the brain. In an effort to try to fix the problem, the brain slows production of receptors and neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Suddenly, individuals need more of a substance to get the desired effect as dopamine levels have dropped. This is called tolerance.

 

Withdrawal

After using drugs or alcohol for a long time, the body gets used to the presence of the substance and withdrawal symptoms are caused when drugs or alcohol are not used. This can lead to an increase in use, not so that the person can feel good when using the substance, but to prevent from feeling bad when not using the substance.

 

The Brain on Drugs

The brain often tries to compensate for the substance abuse and changes the way it processes and utilizes certain proteins. This can cause damage to learning centers and memory in the brain. This can affect a person's ability to make appropriate decisions and use proper judgment in situations. This can lead to continued drug use even when it begins to have negative consequences on a person's life. The brain continues to send signals to motivate a person to use drugs or alcohol, while the substances continue to damage the ability to maintain self control over substance use.

 

Brain Damage

In a way, using drugs and alcohol is like reprogramming the brain to self destruct. Using the substance causes changes in the brain to encourage individuals to keep using the substance. Then, after long term use, the substance of abuse begins to damage the brain. Brain tissue can become damaged or die due to many factors of drug or alcohol use that include:

• Long term exposure to dopamine causes neurons to die
• Lack of oxygen causes lesions and cell death
• Decreased blood flow causes death of cells and gaps in brain tissue
• Nerve coverings are eroded leading to damaged nerve cells

 

Recovering from Substance Abuse

It is safer and less painful to detox from drug use at an addiction recovery rehab. Physicians can prescribe medication to most individuals to make withdrawals less painful, and to provide treatment for substance abuse. 1. National Institute on Drug Abuse; Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction META: The brain often tries to compensate for the substance abuse and changes the way it processes and utilizes certain proteins. ***123 CHARS***

What to Expect When You First Check-In to Addiction Rehab

The benefits gained from going to a treatment facility can be enormous and possibly even save a substance abuser's life. When you or a loved one is admitted into a substance abuse program, the experience can be quite overwhelming, especially during the first few days. To help cope with the frightening experience that most substance abusers go through after entering treatment, whether the abuser be you or a loved one, it is important to know what to expect.

First Things First

When a person is first admitted into a treatment facility, he or she will first go through an intake interview. Sometimes, the secretary of the treatment facility will administer the interview. Other times, it may be a medical professional. The purpose behind the intake interview is to assess a patient's current state of mind, including whether or not he or she will need detox services. Some treatment facilities may not allow a person to enter until proper detox services have been obtained. On the other hand, some facilities will offer detox treatment their selves. It is also during the intake interview that it will be assessed whether or not the patient suffers from any type of mental illness. The thoroughness of the intake process may not be all that extensive. If so, a more thorough assessment will be conducted on the patient within the first few days of treatment.

Paperwork

There is much paperwork to be filled out when a person first enters into a treatment facility. He or she will be responsible for answering many questions. It is important to fill out the paperwork using complete honesty; this ensures that the most appropriate services can be obtained. The patient will also receive much paperwork, including an orientation packet and a copy of the patient's Bill of Rights.

Tour of the Facility

A tour of the entire facility may or may not take place on the first day of treatment; however, a tour of the patient's living quarters will. The belongings of the patient will be sorted through by a staff member, ensuring no illegal or prohibited items are brought in. Illegal and prohibited items tend to include any and all drugs and alcohol, cell phones, weapons of any sort and much more. If drugs and/or alcohol are found, most treatment facilities will not contact law officials. Instead, they will destroy and throw away the substances.

Physical Examinations

Most treatment facilities mandate their patients to go through a physical examination during the first day or two of treatment. In addition, the patients are required to take drug tests. By identifying the drugs that are presently in the patients' systems, this helps in creating an effective treatment plan. Many facilities will also carry out tuberculosis tests on their patients.

Meeting a Case Worker

Usually, on the first day of treatment the patient will meet with his or her case worker. Most times, this case worker will remain as the patient's case worker for the entire duration of his or her stay.

Development of a Treatment Plan

During the first two to three days of treatment, a patient will meet with several therapists and psychologists. These medical professionals will sit down with the patient's case worker to create an extensive treatment plan. If a patient has any concerns and/or thoughts relating to his or her treatment plan, it is imperative that he or she relays them to the case worker.

The Rise of Stimulant Use in Adolescents

 

Adolescents Who Use Stimulants

Stimulant use in adolescents has become increasingly controversial in the last few years, since some types of stimulants are prescribed for the condition known as ADHD. Many children are prescribed Ritalin for the condition, and many people have questioned Ritalin’s effectiveness as well as its side effects if it not taken properly. While not all stimulants are prescribed, it is extremely important to understand the use of stimulants and their side effects if they are not used properly.

Stimulant Abuse and Addiction

Any young teen who takes prescribed stimulants is at risk for abusing the medications that are commonly known as Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine. When taking improperly these particular medications are addictive, but it is not known whether their use leads to other drug addictions and/or other drug experimentation. Studies have shown that in most cases of abuse among adolescents and adults who take prescribed and non-prescribed stimulants, the ones who abuse them may already be active or addicted to other types of drugs. The effects that these particular drugs have when they are abused are very similar effects as speed. Alcoholics have been known to abuse stimulants and commonly grind them and mix them with water for injections. However, if they are abused by teens, it usually begins by taking more than the prescribed amount. The specific age groups where abuse of stimulants has been observed ranges and differs by age, location, and ethnic background. The stunning evidence that more than half of all adolescents, ages 12 to 17, have used stimulants within the past year is enough to increase parental concern and raise a red flag to watch for additive behavior patterns.

Types of Behavior to Look For

Whether your adolescent teen is prescribed stimulants or they have used them non-prescribed with their friends, parents should be ever mindful of the types of behavior that point to evidence of drug abuse. Changes in behavior to watch for include:

• Fighting at school or work
• Gang or group fights
• Obtaining or having any type of illegal drug
• Carrying a handgun or talking about carrying one
• Theft
• Attacking someone verbally or physically without provocation If a teen has used non-prescribed stimulants, more than likely they have exhibited one or all of these behavior patterns. 

Finding the Right Treatment Today

A comprehensive medical treatment plan is one way to avoid drug abuse brought on by stimulants. A physician should make sure that prescribed stimulants are necessary and not used as the sole treatment for ADHD. If an adolescent has an addiction to stimulants, addiction recovery could be needed to further prevent a relapse into the abuse cycle. A treatment plan could contain several components. Education, regular medical visits, therapy, counseling and even family counseling are positive steps to avoiding abuse of stimulants. Prescribed stimulants can be taken correctly and will not create a high, but most people who abuse the stimulant will take more than the prescribed dosage. Without a prescription, stimulants are purchased on the street from those who can easily get a prescription. Most times these street drugs will be diluted or made with baby powder or ephedrine if they are produced illegally. These react much like the prescribed stimulants when taken either by smoking, injecting or snorting them. The intense sense of euphoria brought on by the overuse of stimulants will cause a craving for more and lead to addiction. Any prescribed stimulant mediation should be closely monitored. It is hard to predict who will become addicted to stimulants. It relies upon environment, trauma, stress, other physical conditions, life circumstances, post-traumatic stress disorders and the extent of whether a person is ADHD.

Getting Help For Adolescents Who Abuse Stimulants

Many times, those who take stimulant medication do not abuse it. It is intended to treat a condition and help the teen ease into adulthood living a normal life. While stimulants have a good effect on those who have been diagnosed with ADHD, those who have not been diagnosed with the condition, and self-medicate, are at a high risk of becoming addicted to stimulants. If you suspect a teen of abusing stimulants, seek a professional medical treatment plan for medication abuse or addiction. It is the most effective way of avoiding or treating drug abuse.

What You Need to Know About the Dangers of Adderall

 

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a CNS stimulant, a Schedule II drug and controlled substance. It is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine and is prescribed legally to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, many have found ways to get Adderall to abuse its stimulant effects who do not have these conditions, especially younger users. Since it is prescribed for ADHD, many school-age children have access to the drug and can pass it on to their friends. It is one of the most common abused drugs among young people. However, even though it is a prescribed medication for children, speed is speed and it can be dangerous to take.

Adderall Side-Effects

There are many common side effects of Adderall use. These will not occur in everyone, nor is in an all-inclusive list of effects. These include weakness, dizziness, blurry vision, irritability, agitation, restlessness, bad taste in mouth, diarrhea, constipation and fever. Hair loss, loss of libido, impotence, orgasm problems, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the stomach are also some effects. These side effects are a bit less common than others and they are some of the most serious. If you see any of these exhibit in you or your loved one, seek emergency treatment as soon as possible.

• Signs of allergy, including swelling of the throat, lips, face, or tongue, difficulty in breathing, and hives
• Muscle twitches or tics, tremors, fast or pounding heartbeat, or uneven heartbeat
• Burning on urination, or pain
• Chattiness that is excessive, extreme happiness or sadness
• Severe headache, confusion, pain in chest, seizure, ear buzzing, or other signs of high blood pressure.

Adderall and Pregnancy

Adderall is a Category C drug with the Food and Drug Administration. This classification means that there is inconclusive evidence whether the drug can affect a fetus. Some of the things that could be effected by taking Adderall while pregnant include a lower birth weight, newborn withdrawal symptoms, and premature birth. You should not take Adderall if you are breastfeeding either, as it can get into the breast milk. Breast milk laced with Adderall can potentially harm a newborn and lead to withdrawal effects.

Adderall Drug Interactions

There are several medications on the market that may affect Adderall. If you are on any of these medications or will be, talk with your doctor about how Adderall may affect you. This is a very condensed list of medications, but includes:

• Antidepressants like Elavil, Sinequan or Pamelor or more
• Acid Reducers like Tagamet, Pepcid, Prilosec, and more
• Antacids like Polycitra, K-Lyte, Alka-Seltzer, Oracit, or more
• Antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec, and others
• Diuretics
• Heart medications and blood pressure medications 

People Who Should Not Take Adderall

Those individuals with certain medical issues and conditions should not use Adderall. These include those who are on, or have taken within two weeks of starting Adderall, MAO inhibitors. Those who have been allergic to dextroamphetamine or amphetamine in the past should not take Adderall for fear of a worsening allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Other health conditions that can be dangerous include hypertension or heart disease, hardening of the arteries, eye issues like glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, anxiety, or a history of drug abuse and addiction. Those with heart problems are at a higher risk of problems when taking any stimulant, especially Adderall, including those with high blood pressure, congenital heart problems, congestive heart failure, rhythm disorders of the heart, or a recent heart attack. Lastly, those with some mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and depression should seriously consider whether to take Adderall. Those with seizure disorders and tics should also talk with their doctor about possible complications.

Adderall Symptoms of Withdrawal

There are some individuals that decide to stop taking Adderall for whatever reason. Perhaps they feel they are abusing the drug or are already seeing distressing signs when they are late with a pill. Here are some of the withdrawal symptoms that can be expected if you become addicted to stimulants:

• Fatigue, mental fatigue, and overall tiredness
• Higher than normal appetite, or "the munchies"
• Depressed feelings and suicidal thoughts
• Vivid dreams, deep and prolonged sleeping
• Agitated irritability and deep anxiety 

Keep in mind that these are all part of a larger aspect of withdrawal and that everyone will experience withdrawal differently. The effects you or a loved one will feel is determined by how long you used Adderall and the dosage you took. Those with a serious dependency for a long period of time will have a worse withdrawal than others. Withdrawal may last weeks or months from stimulant abuse. In addition to all of the above side effects and counter indications, there is a high risk to overdosing on this addictive drug. Abusing Adderall is not safe even when there is not overdose, as it can cause heart problems and other cardiovascular issues. Some can exhibit a sensitivity or allergy to the drug, which may lead to the life-threatening condition of anaphylaxis. Do not abuse Adderall if it was not prescribed for you and take only the dosage your doctor recommended if it was prescribed. There are treatment options for those that have an Adderall abuse problem.