AM I GOING THROUGH ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL?

WHAT IS ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL?

General Signs of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal

The psychological damage tends to surface as a network of highly specific symptoms, and invariably follows the cessation of drinking. Other common withdrawal symptoms that are specific to the acute phase of alcohol addiction include:

• The emergence of tolerance.
• The development of dependence.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
• Drinking to alleviate or evade withdrawal symptoms.

Typically, the discomfort and severity of one’s alcohol detox will be proportional to the nature of their drinking and in what quantities they consumed alcohol. Addiction of this variety, in which entrenched pathology is present, necessitates comprehensive treatment that takes into account the full spectrum of addictive pathology; in addition to implementing the most effective clinical protocols. In situations where a person has developed dependence to alcohol, measurable changes to the Central Nervous System will usually emerge, in addition to other personality disturbances.

Severity of Symptoms

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome can emerge with either mild or severe symptoms and sets in approximately 5 to 10 hours after one’s last drink. In most cases, symptoms peak at around 60 hours, with acute symptomology largely disappearing after day 5. The region of the brain that alcohol impacts is defined by several features: 

1) It is the region of the brain that is associated with reward circuitry;

2) Alcohol binds to what is known as GABA receptors, which regulate sedation, relief of stress, and sleep; 

3) The production of the neurotransmitter Dopamine.

Signs of Acute Withdrawal

During the acute phase, when the person is fully immersed in detoxification, the brain is actually engaged in a series of operations that are by-products of the detoxification process and as such considered to be aberrations. Symptoms that indicate a person is experiencing Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome include:

• Demonstrating shakiness.
• Chills.
• Tremors.
• Anxiety.
• Stress.
• Depression.
• Difficulty thinking clearly or expressing one’s self coherently.
• Extremely volatile; mood swings.
• Presence of intermittent or persistent headaches.
• Sweating.
• Clammy skin.
• Pale skin.
• Weight loss or gain.
• Fatigue.
• Sleep disturbances – difficulty falling asleep; difficulty staying asleep; or a combination of both.
• Loss of appetite.
• Rapid heart-rate.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abnormal or involuntary movements of the eyelids.
• Dilated pupils.
• Depersonalization.
• Confusion.
• Psychosis.
• Convulsions and seizures.
• DTs.
• Death.

Although these symptoms emerge during the early, initial phase of treatment, they are also regarded from the standpoint of what strategies will be employed over the course of the alcoholic’s long-term treatment and recovery. This is significant because, as already noted, there are several stages through which the alcoholic will pass getting sober, and each subsequent stage will be largely informed by the stage that preceded it. Successfully addressing all of the facets of the recovery process is pivotal to helping an Alcoholic achieve long-term sobriety.

ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL TREATMENT

Long-term studies indicate that psychotherapy in conjunction with a medical detox is effective tools for treating the withdrawal symptoms that occur during the acute phase. Our clinical program and our treatment team is cross-disciplined to address the many facets of the addictive condition. The primary, operative principle is to meet the client where they are at, and from there create a personalized treatment plan that will honor them as an individual and strive to do away with assumptions based upon conventional or standardized modes of clinical care.

Detoxification

Treatment that successfully addresses the issues accompanying a dual diagnosis must work as one intervention, with each condition being thought of as part of a whole. The first phase of any treatment plan, however, is detoxification (Dual diagnosis essentially refers to a condition in which one’s alcohol addiction plays out in tandem with another mental health disorder – Depression, Anxiety Disorder, etc. – complicating treatment and requiring a subtle set of protocols to halt the progression of both conditions).

Assessment

A dual diagnosed client is carefully assessed by one of our physicians to determine the correct course of action to rid the person of their physical dependence to liquor. During and after this initial phase a comprehensive treatment plan is developed, taking into consideration all of the factors that contribute to a client’s mental health status, including family history and medical history, in addition to all relevant psychological factors. As such, treatment at ARC includes individual and group counseling, attending 12 Step meetings and working a 12 Step program, psychotherapy, as well as education and supplemental, alternative therapies such as nutrition and exercise.

Social Model Treatment

Unique treatment strategies is utilizing the social aspects of the residential setting. Alcoholism is in part a disease of isolation. The addict isolates themselves, and also ends up isolating loved ones, friends, and family. The social component of addiction treatment is vitally important, without which treatment cannot occur. The group must be used to organically create an environment in which a chemically dependent person learns to express feelings, process emotions, successfully resolve conflicts, and essentially learn to develop and maintain healthy relationships that will be crucial to their long-term recovery. If successful, the social element of  addiction treatment will act as a map of sorts that the client will unconsciously carry over into other aspects of their life.

Family Support

Treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal also must take into consideration the family component. At Addiction Aide family support is provided with group therapy, couples counseling, and family therapy. This network of support encourages and supports loved ones to become a part of the client’s process of recovery, and in turn fosters their own growth.

Multidisciplinary Approach

As with all diseases that are chronic and debilitating, alcoholism impacts virtually every aspect of the alcoholic’s life. Addiction Aide staff, counselors, and therapists, represent the best and most advanced cross-disciplined team available. This is crucial for creating comprehensive, therapeutic strategies that will address all of the facets treatment. No one therapeutic style is necessarily better than another, but instead must be regarded as parts of a whole; and effective treatment always requires a certain amount of latitude and flexibility with regards to clinical protocols. Some of the more common therapeutic styles 

• CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, targets destructive thoughts and destructive behaviors and aims to have the client unlearn them. In place of these destructive traits the client is instructed and encouraged to construct new belief systems that counter the destructive cycles that characterize addictive behaviors and thinking.
• IGT, or Integrated Group Therapy, is a recent addition to the pre-existing therapies designed to tackle dual diagnosed individuals. Using the group setting, this style of therapy targets people suffering from bipolar disorder and drug addiction.
• ET, or Exposure Therapy, is a behavioral model that had proven useful in assisting addicts also suffering from phobias or anxiety disorders. Frequently with people suffering from anxiety disorders, they find themselves triggered by specific stimuli, which in turn triggers a craving for a drug. Like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy seeks to unlearn these responses, and to establish in their place more rational, less destructive responses. This style of treatment has promise assisting individuals who experience anxiety and are also addicted to cocaine.
• DBT, or Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, specifically seeks to lessen behaviors that cause self-harm, such as cutting or mutilation. It is also used to treat individuals with a history of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, and has proven helpful treating individuals who are diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Advanced Holistic Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

It should be noted that no one single therapy provides a cure, and that the most successful interventions combine different therapeutic styles in conjunction with various medications. This is where the need to utilize an integrated approach becomes necessary. Alcohol withdrawal treatment is distinguished by the comprehensive programs created by our multi-dimensional staff, which includes aftercare programs specifically tailored to the needs of each individual.

• The most advanced and effective dual diagnosis treatment available.
• Comprehensive assessments that take into consideration both medical, psychological, and emotional factors.
• Detoxification services that are closely monitored by our trained staff and overseen by independent doctors.
• A dignified approach that honors the total needs of the client.
• Counseling that includes Family Counseling, Group counseling, as well as One-on-One Counseling.
• Ongoing therapy with clinicians who specialize in addiction pathology.
• Long-term treatment planning that includes aftercare, extended care, and alumni services.
• Integrated treatment specially designed to treat dual diagnosed individuals. This includes psychiatric care, oversight of medications, and continued aftercare.

DRUG REHAB: Drug Treatment, Drug Addiction

WHAT IS DRUG REHAB?

Drug rehab is a shortened term often used in place of drug rehabilitation. Traditionally, the idea of enrolling in a drug rehab program was for exactly that purpose: to rehabilitate a person exhibiting signs of addiction. Although our understanding of addiction has advanced significantly in the last century, many programs have not evolved alongside these breakthroughs in order to provide the most advanced rehabilitation available for the treatment of substance abuse disorders. Therefore, the question, “What is drug rehab?”, is not as easy to answer as it seems to be. To understand why you have to learn about the divergent philosophies applied in drug treatment settings.

Drug Rehab Philosophies

There are essentially two types of rehabilitation philosophies:

• Behavior Modification – This type of program offers the traditional treatment approach of counselor confrontation coupled with ongoing group therapy. The basic goal in a behavior modification drug rehabilitation center is to, “Break the addict down, to build them back up”.
• Clinical Treatment – This type of program is designed to clinically assess each client for co-occurring disorders, and treat with specific one on one techniques any psychiatric or psychological issues that are discovered. The basic goal in clinical treatment settings is to view addiction as a symptom and to encourage the client to develop new skills in place of old habits.

Ultimately, all drug rehab centers fall into one of these two categories. This is widely considered to be the most effective and advanced approach to the treatment of addiction and substance abuse, as well as for clients with co-occurring disorders. Although clinical treatment centers are capable of successfully treating people without a dual diagnosis, behavior modification programs are not designed for people with complex psychological or psychiatric disorders. This is especially true for people that exhibit signs of Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, and Attention Disorders. 

WHEN IS DRUG REHAB NECESSARY?

Drug rehab is necessary whenever substance abuse is creating any type of problem for the user, their friends, or their families. It doesn’t matter whether these problems are mild or severe. The question is not whether or not drug rehabilitation is necessary if problems are present. The only question is what method of drug rehabilitation is required.

METHODS FOR DRUG REHAB

To expand on the previous section, if problems are present then drug rehab is necessary. However, depending on the severity of the problems, certain specific types of rehabilitation may be more advisable than others.

Types of Drug Rehab

There are essentially three different types of drug rehabilitation in the treatment setting. These are:

1. Detoxification – This type of treatment is required whenever physical or chemical dependence is one of the presenting problems.
2. Residential – This type of treatment is required whenever the problems stemming from substance abuse are seriously impairing normal, healthy functioning.
3. Outpatient – This type of treatment is required whenever the problems resulting from substance abuse are causing stress, but not serious life impairment.

If you are uncertain about which type of drug rehab is required in your situation call 1 877 415 4673 to speak with a licensed clinician. We will conduct a free treatment assessment to help you determine the level of care that is right for you.

WE OFFER A DRUG REHAB THAT IS COMPREHENSIVE

More often than not, addiction, drug abuse, and compulsive disorders occurs in tandem with mental illnesses such as Depression or Anxiety. It is crucial that these complicating factors give shape to an intervention if the intervention is to be successful. Clinically, the overlap between these different conditions can be difficult to identify, despite signs and markers that indicate their presence. In situations where an addict suffers from co-occurring disorders, they are referred to as being dual diagnosed. And one of ARC’s distinctions is how comprehensive its services are. This distinction is vitally important for both diagnostic reasons as well as determining what clinical protocols will be most effective once a client is in treatment.

How Insurance Coverage Working for Addiction Treatment?

Insurance Covered Drug Rehab

The questions about the right thing to do are virtually endless

A family member recently asked us to verify their insurance benefits for a loved one to enroll in drug rehab. But without understanding how insurance works for drug treatment programs the information we provide after verifying is of little help. So to learn what it all means, we’ve provided 3 simple tips to help people understand the insurance verification process. Here are the most important things you should know about insurance plans and paying privately for rehabilitation.

Use cash and enroll now or use insurance and prepare for some serious red tape.

No matter what, using cash is the easiest way to access substance abuse services. It’s also the most private, and most unlikely way to ever have an issue about having received substance abuse treatment in the future. Cash offers total privacy and total control. These are two elements that whenever possible, shouldn’t be overlooked. Insurance benefits are laden with red tape. When you’re in crisis the process can be unwaveringly slow. So if you need to place someone immediately private payment is almost always the way to go. Before an insurance company will authorize any form of treatment you have to give them a lot of information first. Then they will verify what form of coverage you have (if any). After that, they will probably request some additional information. Then, if you’re lucky, they will authorize a set number of days. Then they will request more information about why further treatment is medically necessary.

Then they will verify your coverage and…See a pattern emerging?

So no question about it, if you can afford to pay for treatment privately it the best option. Most PPO insurance plans offer In Network and Out of Network options. They will usually provide more coverage if you stay In Network then if you choose to go Out of Network. A lot of times the drug rehab you want to attend will be a non-preferred provider (Out of Network) and this means if go that route you will be responsible for more of the costs.

Out of Network treatment and the little known SUPERBILL

When you want to go to a specific Out of Network drug treatment program you can choose to get a Superbill. This means that at the end of treatment you will get a reimbursement check instead of the facility. With a Superbill, you pay the entire cost of treatment upfront and then get reimbursed directly from the insurance company. This is usually better for you financially in the long run if you go to treatment Out of Network. The sad fact is that you can go to any program you want if you have an insurance plan that offers Out of Network coverage. The insurance companies really, really, REALLY discourage you from going this route. That’s quite simply because it ends up costing them more money.

Not All Insurance Covered Drug Rehabs Offer The Same Thing

Out of Pocket Maximums

In addition to having an In Network and Out of Network option on most PPO plans, there will also be an Out of Pocket Maximum. This means that once you reach a predetermined amount inpatient payment responsibilities, the insurance will cover at 100% going forward. To determine what your Out of Pocket Maximum is on your PPO plan simply call the 800 number on the back of your insurance card and ask them what your Out of Pocket Maximum is for Substance Abuse Treatment.

Deductibles

An unfortunate aspect of the Out of Pocket Maximum is that is often doesn’t include your deductible. In other words, the deductible on your PPO insurance might be $2500.00 per person on the plan, with a Family Aggregate of $10,000.00. In this scenario, if you went In Network, you would more than likely be responsible for the 20% (at least) for the duration of the whole treatment episode. Remember to ask them if your deductible is included in your Out of Pocket Maximum. When the insurance company says they will cover 60% of substance abuse treatment you will have out of pocket expenses (often not including your deductible) up to, but not exceeding a set dollar amount. So if your out of pocket maximum is $10,000.00 you will have to pay 40% up to $10,000.00. After that, the insurance company will cover 100% of authorized services.

MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERED DRUG REHAB AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT

How Mental Health Benefits Can Help Offset Costs

Remember, insurance benefits are broken up into several categories. The two that are most relevant to you are the Behavior Health (outlined in the previous section) and Mental Health benefits. When you go to a co-occurring disorders treatment facility or dual diagnosis program, you can effectively bill for any behavioral and mental health issues that you presently have. This can be very helpful with both Out of Network coverage and when Superbilling.

The breakdown for mental health coverage in terms of In and Out of Network benefits, deductibles, and out of pocket maximums is very much the same as their behavioral health counterparts. However, it’s important to specify the coverage type your seeking when calling your insurance company to verify benefits information.

Types of Drug Abuse

Different Types Of Drug Abuse

Any substance, medication, compound or drug that induces either altered states of consciousness, euphoria or both can be abused. The many types of drug abused cover the entire spectrum of compounds and their corresponding effects and is not limited to illegal drugs. Types of drug abuse can include both illegitimate substances acquired on the street, in addition to substances acquired legally through doctors (it should be pointed out that drugs can be obtained legally through a doctor in ways that are entirely unscrupulous).

Alcohol- The Most Common Type Of Drug Abuse

Alcohol generates short term euphoria and sedation. Perhaps the most widely abused substance available. Prolonged Abuse induces severe physical handicaps, liver damage, and, eventually, mental health deterioration. Alcohol can act as a hypnotic sedative. It works by depressing the central nervous system and slowing down bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Alcohol generates a variety of effects that run the gamut from minor sedation to complete anesthesia. Combined with the high amount of sugar found in most beverages creates a dangerous combination of a mild stimulant and a powerful depressant. Signs of alcohol abuse include slurred speech, impaired motor functioning, impaired judgment, staggering behaviors.

Narcotics

Narcotics derive from the Greek word for benumb (Narko). Medically it refers to a type of drug abuse that induced sleep or have analgesic, pain-killing properties. Today it is most commonly associated with drugs that fall into the classification of Opiates, such as Morphine, Heroin, and their analogs like Hydrocodone (Vicodin). However, since the legal definition of Narcotics differs from the medical definition, there are actually two different classifications that consequently cover a broad range of psychoactive compounds and drugs. The first type of drug abuse to truly be labeled as a Narcotic was liquor, whose recorded use goes back to ancient times. The side effects of Narcotics intoxication include: drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, sense of apathy, decreased physical activity, constriction of the pupils, flushing of the face and neck, constipation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression.

Amphetamines

Amphetamines operate on the mesolimbic pathways by stimulating the production of the neurotransmitters Dopamine and Nor-epinephrine. Amphetamines are one of the most widely abused drugs available today. Amphetamines generate a rush and high that is as intense as it is brief, creating a powerful reward stimulus-loop that inevitably, over time, leads to more use, with each subsequent dose reinforcing the next. Amphetamines first appeared en masse in urban neighborhoods in the early to mid-1990s, and quickly evolved into public health crises of epidemic proportions, affecting hundreds of thousands of people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.

Prescription Types of Drug Abuse

Prescription drug addiction covers an enormous array of different medications designed to treat a variety of ailments. The vast majority of prescription types of drug abuse are relatively harmless, at least with regards to addiction, and covers the entire spectrum of both physical and mental health ailments. Prescription drugs cover all manner of mental health issues. However, with regards to Abuse Potential, the medications of interest include Stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall (used for the treatment of ADHD), sedatives and tranquilizers, and Narcotic Painkillers such as Percocet, Vicodin, or Morphine.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs known as hypnotic sedatives or minor tranquilizers. They work by depressing the central nervous system and slowing down bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Neurologically they act on what is called GABA receptors in the brain, which is an area of neuro-functioning associated with the pleasure center. There are a number of different Benzodiazepines available today: Xanax, Librium, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan.

Club Drugs

Club drugs refer to a variety of compounds that tends to be abused by adolescents, teenagers, and young adults. These drugs span a fairly broad spectrum of substances that include both Stimulants and Depressants such as MDMA (ecstasy), GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid), Ketamine Hydrochloride (Special K). Over the past decade, they have become popular with people who go to raves, bars, concerts, and nightclubs. Because many of the drugs (although not all) are relatively new to the market, research regarding long-term effects is incomplete. Current data and statistics, however, indicate that this class of substances is most frequently abused by those within specific youth culture and as such poses certain clinical considerations with regards to treatment protocols that might be different from therapeutic approaches targeting an adult population of abusers.

Cocaine & Crack

Cocaine is a highly addictive, highly powerful stimulant that is derived from the Coco plant and typically comes in a powdered form. The powder can be snorted, injected, or cooked down into a compound that can be smoked called free-base or crack. With the exception of Methamphetamine, Cocaine is presently the single most abused stimulant in the country and is frequently used with depressants. In the 1970s the drug enjoyed a renaissance in popularity and was touted by experts as being non-addictive because it doesn’t have the physical symptoms of withdrawal one sees with Heroin or liquor or sedatives. After the explosion of crack in the mid-1980s, however, opinion changed and it is now accepted that Cocaine has powerfully addicting psychological properties.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogen types of drug abuse refer to a class of substances that fall into 3 distinct categories. These include what are known as Deliriants, Psychedelics, and Dissociatives. Although there is overlap between the effects and symptoms of intoxication, drugs in each category tend to generate different experiences. Historically, the use of Hallucinogens goes back thousands of years. In different cultures they have been utilized for a variety of reasons, typically for religious ceremonies (for example Native Americans have taken Mescaline for centuries to induce spiritual experiences). In general, unlike the effects produced by opiates or stimulants, which are used for purely recreational reasons, the psychedelic experience is commonly associated with altered states of being or consciousness, with trance-like states, and with dreaming and meditation.