For some...the ultimate New Year's Resolution.

One of the most difficult things an individual dealing with alcohol and/or drug abuse can do is make the absolute commitment to remove these chemicals from their life. If it were an easy process rehabs wouldn't exist around the world and continue to pop-up everywhere. If it were an easy process there would not be the amount of individuals sitting incarcerated due to drug and alcohol problems as their are now. If it were an easy process I wouldn't be writing right now.

The difficulty of this absolute decision is like anything in absolute terms. We may not want to eat food that is negative to our diet but who wants to commit to never eating ice cream for the rest of their life. As difficult as even that sounds it can be done and is done on a daily basis by individuals getting their lives back. In fact, a life without ice cream probably wouldn't be all that bad. I am sure there must be some natural and healthy alternative... Imagine how sweet and delicious a strawberry, apple, or other fruit would be if you had not had any artificial sweets in years. Sweet right?!

The same goes for throwing it down the toilet or putting a cork in the bottle. Life may seem difficult but it gets better. Better than you can even imagine it. If you are like me and want some proof just look up the stimulation-depression mechanism associated with alcohol and drug use then look up the hedonic set-point and you will see what I speak of. Life is good and it gets better. With recovery comes recuperation, and the things that at one time brought no joy will fill you with it. The days that made you think you couldn't go on any further will make you shrug you shoulders in indifference.

It can be done. There are many alcohol and drug rehabs in St. Louis waiting to help you right now. Some of these even go as far as to make sure you experience is better than your current expectations. It can be done, it can get better, you can have your life back, because you are not alone!

www.MidwestAddiction.org

What is the importance of finding an accredited alcohol and drug treatment rehab center? It might be more important than you think, and while there are numbers of quality accrediting bodies, having even one can drastically increase the quality of care that can, and should, be expected within an organization and facility. What are the benefits to you, when a program is accredited through a State, Federal, or professional body? While this may seem somewhat trivial this simple question is inquiring into much more than you might give it credit for.

It is common knowledge that the doctor you visit be licensed or the therapist you see be certified in their particular area of expertise. This is obviously desired if one is to put their trust into these particular professionals but what about the whole entity or organization as it applies to alcohol and drug addiction treatment? These facilities are often multi-faceted organizations that utilize a number of professionals from an array of specialties. It is vital that all of these parts work proficiently together to ensure the best quality of care to the individual dealing with alcohol and/or drug addiction. What about the care and respect that is expected for each client? What about the facility itself and safety of the client while attending care?

What an accreditation does is ensure that these different parts work proficiently together and that patients are treated appropriately, professionally, and with care. These accrediting bodies give alcohol and drug rehab programs someone to answer to and ultimately lead to highly effective and quality programs. Just having an accreditation shows an alcohol and drug rehab center’s desire to constantly work towards better and more effective care for its clients.

There are so many questions that should be asked when looking for an alcohol and drug rehab center that is the right fit for you or your loved one, but one question that really sums up all the others is, “are you a state or federally certified program?”  By inquiring into the accreditation of a program you are indirectly asking what they do to ensure quality treatment, what they do to maintain up to date care and therapy, what they do to ensure quality care for each individual, and so much more. This is a question that is absolutely necessary in your search for the right alcohol and drug treatment rehab center.

www.MidwestInstituteforAddiction.org

www.SoberWay.org

Searching for an Addiction Rehab Center

Are your 50 calls into your rehab center search? Most individuals that are searching for rehab centers, for themselves of a loved one, find this the case more times than not. The real question here, are you asking these rehab centers the right questions? While looking for an effective and caring rehab center there are multiple aspects of treatment that one should look for. Use the following guidelines as a sort of interview for the rehab center you choose; this is vital in deciding on the rehab center that is right for you or your loved one.

Does the rehab center use a multi-faceted approach? There are many variables when it comes to addiction treatment and it is important that each of these principles is addressed. The rehab center should be able to address the physical needs, psychiatric needs, and behavioral needs of each client. There are multiple aspects to addiction and so there is a need for multiple aspects of addiction treatment at the rehabilitation center of your choosing.

Does the rehab center have the ability to adapt on its comprehensive continuum of care? It is important that the rehab center you choose is able to be rapidly malleable to the needs of the patient as these often change throughout the duration of addiction treatment. For example, while detox is typically at the onset of addiction treatment, the rehab center should have the ability to do so at any time as relapse is often an occurrence. 

Alternately, while substance abuse is the main problem, other aspects, such as mental health and family health, can often impose obstacles in the progress of treatment; these too need to be addressed as needed.

Does the rehab center make itself readily accessible to the patient? It is important that the rehab center has a prominent and large presence in the patient’s life and is readily accessible when needed. While treatment is scheduled, crisis is not and the patient needs to have the ability to contact the clerical, medical, and therapeutic staff when needed.   This is a key component of effective care.

Does the rehab center have variations in treatment? Optimal treatment settings and care vary from patient to patient and while most rehab centers do not offer all aspects of care many do have the ability to refer and use a network of other resources to provide the patient with care that meets their needs. Some outpatient rehab centers utilize other residential rehab centers at the initiation of care or during its duration, should the need arise. Ultimately, the rehab center of your choice should have the patient in mind and their motivation and intentions should always reflect this, even if that means referring an individual to a more suited setting.

No one searches for a house, education, or child care without making sure that it is the right fit and meets all of their needs. It is important to do the same with the rehab center of your choice. This is an important investment of resources and time and only the most qualified and effective rehab centers should be sought.

www.MidwestInstituteforAddiction.org

www.SoberWay.org

Residential Rehab Isn’t the Place for Me, Outpatient Rehab is where I’d Rather Be.

So what is the big fuss about all of these rehab centers and how in the world do we know what rehab center is best for ourselves or a loved one. While there are many aspects to addiction treatment and there is a wide array of differences among rehab centers many individuals simply want to know if they should utilize a residential rehab center, an outpatient rehab center, or both forms of rehab in conjunction. This is a good question and here is a good answer.

First, let me say that there is a good need for both residential rehab and outpatient rehab dependent on the person. And ultimately, the individual’s personal preference and comfort will dictate the rehab setting they choose. While both rehab settings are important, let’s shed some light on the topic to make a more informed decision in our rehab center search.

Often there are two types of individuals that this author frequently encounters. First is the person that associates residential rehab as the only possible way to treat their addiction and stay free of substance abuse. The second individual states that checking out of life and into a rehab center is not even an option given their other obligations in life and would rather continue using that risk any negative impacts to these obligations.

Based on research and current trends residential rehab, while in some cases being a vital part of treatment, has a high rate of relapse if not followed by some sort of outpatient rehab. This being the case there may not always be a need to enter residential rehab centers at the initiation of rehab. If the need does arise many outpatient rehab centers have the ability to freeze their rehab program and utilize a residential rehab as needed. Some of these cases might include a need for medical stabilization, or non-compliance in an outpatient rehab setting.

So why is outpatient rehab so important to addiction treatment? It’s simple, it has to do with the way addiction affects the brain and how individuals deal with stress. It can be explained in this simple analogy, without getting too much into the science. The brain recognizes the substance used as a coping mechanism that is much more efficient than other and so a memory is stored for reference in similar situations. This is much like a coat or blanket when we get cold.

So, as negatives are associated with substance abuse, let’s say all blankets and coats have small pox and there is no vaccine. So, if you use a blanket or coat you may not die immediately but you would eventually and if you see your family you might negatively affect them as well. Now, we have to figure out alternate forms to stay warm without grabbing a blanket or coat. Thrown out in the cold anyone, knowing what is on these items, would grab them before death occurs. What is the difference between residential rehab and outpatient rehab? I’ll leave you with this final question.

Would we be more successful learning a technique to stay warm on a beach in Florida or in Maine with 6 feet of snow on the ground and someone to guide us?

www.MidwestInstituteforAddiction.org

www.SoberWay.org

Our Veterans, PTSD, and Substance Abuse: A Problem for Whom?

Let’s paint this picture. A young man from rural America is on the verge of high school graduation. He comes from a good family and wants to serve his country. He has no prior history of substance abuse or mental health issues. He joins the military and is placed in a combatant role. He is trained with the sole purpose of projecting violence in the name of his country. He is placed in situations where he projects this violence and is rewarded monetarily, extrinsically, and intrinsically.  Traumatic events in wartime expose him to stress that causes the development of PTSD. He leaves the service and is expected to leave all else behind with little transitional aid. The distress of PTSD makes transition and life difficult. Alcohol and/or drug use helps ease some of these symptoms. He becomes dependent on alcohol and/or drugs increasing his problems and decreasing his ability to cope. This young man is now in a dangerous place mentally, physically, and socially. Is coping skills consists of compartmentalizing, violence, and substance abuse. This leads to family and legal problems.

Research concerning post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse shows a high correlation between the two. According to this research 34.5% of men diagnosed with PTSD have substance abuse problems with drugs and 51.9% of men diagnosed with PTSD have substance abuse problems with alcohol; an amount that qualifies almost have of our returning vets with PTSD suitable for substance abuse treatment. Other publications show that 3 out of 4 Vietnam veterans that have PTSD also have co-occurring substance abuse disorders.

The fact that there is such a high correlation is often not surprising, especially to those who know or deal with an individual suffering from PTSD, but many people ask why this is the case. There are four theories that researcher have established as to the high correlation between PTSD and substance abuse or alcohol and/or drug addiction. Research supports all of these theories but vary among the PTSD demographic.

The High Risk Theory states that alcohol and/or drug addiction occurs before the development of PTSD. This theory has the idea that the substance abuse itself leads to high risk activities and that one or some of these traumatic events lead to the development of PTSD. While this may be for some cases, veterans are not likely to be using alcohol and/or drugs prior to or during traumatic combat experiences.

The Susceptibility Theory states that there is something with alcohol and/or drug abuse that increases a person’s susceptibility for developing PTSD following a traumatic event. While it is not known exactly what this might be there are theories available for review upon doing further research. Substance abuse does in fact alter normal functioning and structures in the body’s systems, these facts are the grounds for the foundation of this theory.

Shared Vulnerability Theory states that some people may have a genetic vulnerability to developing both PTSD and chemical dependency following a traumatic event. According to this theory these individuals might develop both symptoms following a traumatic event while someone lacking this genetic susceptibility might not.

The Self-Medication Theory states that people dealing with PTSD use substances to cope with symptoms of the disorder. For example individuals might utilize euphoric drugs to deal with depression or a depressant such as alcohol or benzodiazepines to deal with anxiety. Either way these individuals self-medicate to deal with the distress of PTSD. This author believes, based on actual conversations with veterans and personal experience that this is the case with most returning veterans that have both conditions.

Regardless of what theory applies to the individual suffering, there is definitely a correlation between substance abuse and PTSD; many of these with our returning veterans. Often individuals do find solace in using alcohol and drugs in coping with the distress of PTSD but they will ultimately find they have only increased their problems over time. These individuals will develop chemical dependencies that are difficult to control. What at one time was a single issue to deal with multiplies.

PTSD in our veterans has been shown to exhibit itself through difficulty controlling anger, irritability, self-medicating with alcohol and other drugs, and reckless and high risk behaviors; an already concerning array of problems that are only exacerbated by dependency to alcohol and drugs. Now, layer this with a decreased inhibition and altered moral state that is constructed in the mind of every combatant and more problems arise. This is an individual in dire need of comprehensive care! Yet, so many go untreated.

Why are there so many suffering veterans? Do they lack the desire to get better? Do they lack the knowledge to understand what is going on? Are we as a society not doing our part? It is vital that these individuals seek services through the VA or other entities capable of handling both substance abuse disorders and PTSD.

There is help available for our veterans. Simply understanding what these veterans face and passing that information on might mean more individuals who seek treatment for these problems, and ultimately improve their quality of life; in which they so deserve.  These individuals are not treated appropriately when faced with legal problems or those that do not completely understand what they are dealing with. Pass this on so that we might fight for those that have done so for us.

www.MidwestInstituteforAddiction.org

www.SoberWay.org

Western Ideology: The Alcohol and Drug Addiction Catalyst

Paying careful attention to the facts and data of our time, we cannot honestly escape the conclusion that we live, to a greater or lesser extent, in the grip of a powerful, largely Western ideology:  the ideology of a restless commitment to unlimited material progress, prosperity, and instant gratification.  This is an ideology that some westerners live by on a daily basis.  We find ourselves obsessed; focused on things like the global market and new technology.  We get lost in the drive to gain material possessions and solve undesirable stressors and emotions with hasty responses.  We find repose in the instant effects of technology and medication; and this comes with a price.

The search for instant gratification often ends in Addiction. Whether that is alcohol addiction or addiction to substances like opiates, cocaine and more, many individual’s solace seeking behavior lands them in a situation much less comfortable than were they began or expected to go. The majority of these individuals start this path at an early age and rely heavily on these chemicals as coping mechanisms for many of life’s tough times and stressors. Once the addiction to alcohol or drugs takes hold of the individual and negative results exacerbate their desire for change, they often have limited coping skills outside of these substances.

Part of the process of addiction treatment for alcohol and drug dependence is the process of behavioral change and the inclusion of positive coping mechanisms for these individuals. This can be learned once the individual has enough insight into their particular circumstances and usage but applying these skills are vital. Because of the necessity to both learn and implement these skills to drastically improve long-term outcomes, outpatient addiction treatment either alone or in conjunction with residential is recommended.

We have learned in our society to get the quick fix and we are rewarded for doing so by the very thing that has kept our race around for so long. And because of these things one of the most difficult things, in this author’s opinion, to deal with, as it relates with alcohol and drug addiction treatment, is the lack of coping skills necessary to maintain a life of sobriety far after primary care has ended. This is why psychiatric and therapeutic care is absolutely necessary to treatment if one desires the greatest chances of success. And while some individuals do succeed in living a life of sobriety, after completing a detox only or upon self-withdrawal from their drug of choice, the data for this method is not something I would personally risk.

www.MidwestInstituteforAddiction.org

www.SoberWay.org