HOW TO MEDICALLY MANAGED DETOX?

Before recovery begins the body must undergo detoxification and rid itself of drugs and alcohol. If you or someone you know is in need of medically managed detox services, then we offers a variety of medically managed detox solutions. All services are facilitated with the assistance of independent professionals and are designed to address physical withdrawal symptoms. Our Los Angeles Detox Center utilizes the most advanced techniques in order to effectively assist individuals struggling with all kinds of addiction issues. Some examples include; alcohol detox, prescription drug detox, opiate detox, or benzodiazapine detox.

Safe and Effective Medically Managed Detox Begins with a Phone Call

Prior to enrollment to each client is initially evaluated by credentialed intake staff through a phone assessment that is designed to gather information about the history and extent of alcohol or drug abuse. During this evaluation all medications currently being prescribed for co-occurring conditions are ascertained, so each client can continue medication protocols assigned by any primary psychiatrist or referring physician.

Once the client arrives at our drug and alcohol detox center in West Los Angeles, the intake specialist they have worked with up to this point will greet them and introduce each client to their personally chosen doctor, who will supervise the client during the detoxification period.

From the independent physician’s intake evaluation, medications may be prescribed to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. During the early withdrawal period, that same physician will conduct rounds to determine both through observation and the clients expression, whether adjustments need to be made to heighten the effectiveness of the medications being provided.

Our Los Angeles Detox Center Boasts Highly Trained Staff To Assist In The Process

Our staff with the client every half-hour to provide reassurance and to supply fluids and nutrients as necessary. The staff also observes each client to determine whether there is any area of the detoxification period that can be supplemented by additional support, such as the clients sleeping pattern.

During the detox period the staff is trained to report any psychological concerns to the clinical staff. The clinical staff is a resource that will intervene on any intense emotions that are heightened during the withdrawal phase. The client’s primary clinician, having already been assigned, begins to work with the client on articulating on processing these emotions. This helps to serve as a venting process and prevents an emotional eruption that could lead the client to leave our Los Angeles detox, and ultimately treatment unfinished.

This medically managed detox and clinical interface during the withdrawal period is an essential factor ensuring the client will complete any of the many Los Angeles detox centers. Both disciplines working in unison helps to facilitate an overall smooth transition out of the detoxification program and into our Residential program.

A MEDICALLY MANAGED DETOX AIDES WITHDRAWAL

Withdrawal from almost any substance presents itself in two forms; Acute Withdrawal and Post Acute Withdrawal. Acute Withdrawal symptoms primarily manifest in physical symptoms whereas Post Acute Withdrawal general manifest in much more subtle ways. Acute withdrawal symptoms are typically the easiest to recognize and include simply because of their physical manifestations.

Acute Withdrawals:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Agitation
• Tremors
• Tachycardia (rapid heart beat)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS) are more subtle to the outside observer but highly recognizable to the person experiencing them. PAWS are both physical and psychological. They can induce feelings that are extremely uncomfortable and difficult to overcome without independent medical and clinical support. 

PAWS:

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Cravings
• Depression
• Sleeplessness
• Stress sensitivity
• Memory problems
• Inability to think clearly
• Coordination problems

Post-acute withdrawal symptoms vary based on a person’s substance of choice, length of abuse and method of consumption. We have found that the nature of these symptoms make it imperative to treat them both biologically and clinically. These symptoms can be present for weeks after acute withdrawal has been completed. Untreated post-acute withdrawal symptoms are often the intricate precursor to client relapse.Our treatment focus is on providing a full spectrum of care that takes into account individual challenges physiologically, psychologically and circumstantially that can inhibit the personal process of recovery.

Understanding Insurance Covered Treatment

Drug Rehab

Tips to understanding payment options for treatment – especially if you need to act fast. Family members, clients, and even seasoned professionals get overwhelmed by navigating the payment options for substance abuse treatment services. Should you pay privately, should you use your insurance – and if you do, will that affect ongoing medical coverage or future employment? What will insurance cover for drug rehab?

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 a 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 helping 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 verify your coverage and…See a pattern emerging?

So no question about it, if you can afford to pay for treatment privately it the 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 in patient 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.

SIGNS OF DRUG WITHDRAWAL

Drug withdrawal refers to a set of symptoms that occur as a result of cessation from a drug or medication that one has habitually used for a prolonged period of time. The symptomology of withdrawal is as varied as the substances that produce their effects. One can experience withdrawal symptoms from Stimulants such as Methamphetamines, from Sedatives such as Valium, long lasting tranquilizers such as Barbiturates, in addition to Opiates such as Heroin.

The Essence of Addiction

The development of withdrawal symptomology is exclusively precipitated by dependence, which in turn necessitates habituated use, and usually occurs in tandem with addictive pathology. For the sake of clarity, addictive pathology can be regarded as an umbrella term – a shorthand – that covers a wide range of behaviors, disorders, and personality traits, which, taken together, indicate the presence of addiction. In cases where addiction is present, there is a constellation of characteristics that, broadly speaking, give shape to the treatment measures best suited to the individual, and orient the trajectory of the protocols that will be employed to help them get clean.

Personalized Protocols are Critical

Unfortunately, treatment has become an industry; primarily concerned with the bottom line as opposed to the well-being of the client. Efficiency has become so pervasive that the integrity of the treatment process has degenerated proportionally to the quality of care that is available. Today, more often than not, the treatment process is preoccupied with streamlining its protocols and operating under generalized assumptions that have less to do with ensuring the client receives dignified, personalized care, as it does maintaining census. With regards to the medical component of treatment, addiction is not the same as, say, high cholesterol, where treatment measures are standardized and adhere to a set of interventions that apply effectively to both elderly Caucasians as well as young African Americans. Addiction is so complex with regards to its pathology that to make overly broad assumptions actually hinders the addict’s progress towards recovery. 

Withdrawal Causes are Complex

Addiction is multifaceted, and is the result of myriad factors, which include genetic markers, physiological traits, psychological disorders, family history, personal history, and a host of other features that make effective treatment a form of alchemy. What works for one person may very well harm another, and when other mental health disorders are present (what is referred to as dual diagnosis – more below), successful treatment protocols become that much more refined. Usually, by the time a person experiences withdrawal symptoms, their condition has progressed to a point where professional care is a necessity. It is at the preliminary stages of treatment where assumptions can be employed with little or no harm done to the addict.

For example, Heroin withdrawal follows a predictable course and manifests with a predicable set of symptoms which last for a specific set of time that occur regardless of one’s personality traits or psychological characteristics. As such, detoxing someone from Heroin requires certain steps that are as universal as the symptoms themselves; as such detox can be successfully achieved with the assistance of assumptions that usually pertain to the physical aspects of the detox process. It should be noted, however, that even symptomology as predictable as Heroin, it is nonetheless necessary to take into account emotional and psychological considerations that are unique to the individual, without which comprehensive treatment is impossible.

This holds true for Stimulants and Sedatives alike. Each substance, medication, or drug, manifests common features that will occur at stages regardless of the personality traits each person brings to the table. There are also scenarios that, by their very nature, require scrutiny in a way that honors them as unique beings requiring a unique set of interventions. This is especially true where a person has become dependent on a drug but demonstrates little or none of the Addictive pathology that typifies the Addictive cycle.

Med Compliance Dependency and Withdrawal

There are situations in which a person becomes unwittingly dependent on a medication that is obtained legally and prescribed by a physician. This particular scenario presents certain complications with regards to treatment protocols, not the least being that they otherwise manifest none of the drug seeking behaviors and co-occurring illnesses that are present in most addicts. This particular variety of Addict is usually baffled, terrified, and resistant to the idea that they are in the same situation as a Heroin addict who has spent years running the street and engaging in anti-social behaviors. There are scenarios in which a person becomes addicted to a Sedative – Valium, for instance – without demonstrating the behaviors that typify addictive pathology. In situations of this kind, detox protocols must be tailored to the individual, despite the fact that this is the stage of recovery where assumptions can be safely made because of the commonality of physical withdrawal symptoms.

Severity of Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptomatically (in addition to the variety of drug being abused), the severity of the withdrawal symptoms is proportional to the quantity and duration of abuse. A long-term Methadone habit will be significantly more uncomfortable than a two month Vicodin habit, although symptomatically there will also be similarities. And, in the same way Addiction occurs in stages, withdrawal progresses through clearly defined stages, as does the entire treatment process.

Antidepressant Withdrawal

It is also worth noting that withdrawal symptoms can occur from cessation of drugs that are not regarded as drugs with abuse potential. Antidepressants, what are known as SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin reuptake Inhibits), can generate symptoms that are fairly uncomfortable and possibly injurious. Before a person stops taking a medication of this nature, it is important to explore with their physician what course of action is best suited to their situation. Regardless of the drug or medication’s abuse potential, symptoms of withdrawal may be even more dramatic when the drug has masked prolonged malnutrition, disease, chronic pain, or sleep deprivation, conditions that addicts often suffer as secondary consequence of their drug habit.

Physical Symptoms of Drug Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms can manifest as both physical and psychological symptoms, which are caused by physiological adaptions in the central nervous system and the brain due to chronic exposure to a specific substance. The following list is not comprehensive but should give you an idea of some of the more common physical symptoms that indicate the presence of withdrawal. These include:

• Increased heart rate and/or blood pressure.
• Sweating, chills, and tremors.
• Confusion.
• Seizures.
• Cramps.
• Body aches and paions.
• Hallucinations.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Insomnia.
• Runny nose and fever.

Emotional Symptoms of Drug Withdrawal

In addition to physical withdrawal symptoms, symptoms can also manifest emotionally. Emotional symptoms include:

• Extended periods of depression.
• Anxiety.
• Nervousness.
• Volatile mood swings.
• Suicidal thoughts.

Drugs with Abuse Potential

The following is a list of some of the more commonly abused drugs available. These drugs include:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Hallucinogens
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
• Benzodiazepines
• Opiates
• Anabolic steroids
• Inhalants
• Methamphetamine
• Nicotine