Category Archives: Drug Rehab Treatment

These Drug Addiction Statistics May Scare You

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Despite widespread education about the dangers of drugs, drug addiction continues to be more prevalent than many people realize. The rate of abuse of certain drugs is increasing, causing a staggering increase in drug-related deaths. In addition, many children are affected by parents and grandparents who use or have used drugs.

Prevalence

Illicit drug use refers to underage drinking, abuse of prescription pills, and taking illegal drugs. About 8.9% of Americans over the age of 12 use illicit drugs. To put this into perspective, this means that out of every 9 people you meet, 1 is likely to have used an illicit drug in the past month.

The most commonly abused illicit drugs are:

  • Alcohol, with 6.5 million teens admitting to binge drinking, and 2.5 to heavy drinking
  • Marijuana, the use of which increased from 5.8% to 6.9% from 2007 to 2010
  • Prescription painkillers, the third most abused drug; the abuse rate has risen about 500% since 1990
  • Cocaine
  • Hallucinogens

While the rate of heroin addiction has fallen in some areas, in other areas it remains high, such as Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, methamphetamine abuse, while low overall, is strongly associated with rural areas. For this reason, anti-addiction efforts must take the local situation into account.

Who does Drug Abuse Affect?

Drug addiction doesn’t just affect the user, but their family and friends. This is especially the case when drug abuse ends in death. Fatal drug overdose has increased dramatically in the past 30 years; the number of deaths from overdose has risen by 540%. This is in large part because of the increase in the abuse of prescription painkillers.

Many children suffer because someone in their family abuses drugs. Over 6 million American children live in the same household with a parent who abuses drugs. The number of children affected by parental addiction is even higher, when accounting for alcoholism and for households where the child no longer lives with the addicted parent. Children of addicts are more likely to abuse themselves, which is why it’s important to take steps to end the cycle.

Drug addiction is becoming more and more of a multi-generational problem. Since 2002, the rate of Americans aged 50-59 who abused drugs in the past has more than doubled, from 2.7% to 5.8%.

Taking Action
While addiction stats may be startling, it’s important to remember that 91% of the population abstains from illicit drug use – and best way to keep that number high starts with you.

About Michele Lavigne

Michele Lavigne is the Owner of Wellminded Center, a drug and alcohol rehab center located in Irvine, CA. For over 20 years Wellminded Center has been providing effective rehab treatment that focuses on the mind, body and spirit, and has helped scores of teenagers and adults overcome drug and alcohol dependence.

Does My Insurance Cover Drug Rehab?

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Deciding to get help for your drug problem can be scary, stressful — and incredibly courageous. If you’re confused about whether your insurance company covers drug treatment in full or in part, you’re not alone. Here is some information you need to know about health insurance while you’re on the road to recovery.

  • Is drug rehab covered by my plan?

Not all health insurance plans cover drug rehab. A law passed in 2008 requires health insurance companies to offer some drug and alcohol treatment coverage to group health plans for businesses that have no fewer than 50 employees. That means that many people, including those with health insurance, do not have coverage for addiction treatment. Your health benefits summary will tell you if drug rehab is covered by your plan and what type of coverage you’re entitled to. You can also call your insurance company to discuss your plan in depth.

  • What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO?

An HMO (health maintenance organization) and PPO (preferred provider organization) are managed healthcare plans that contract with doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers and services. An HMO will often require that patients select a practitioner from in-network providers and obtain a referral for specialized treatment, such as drug rehab, by a primary care physician. As part of a PPO, patients have more flexibility and are permitted to receive treatment from any provider they want. Additionally, patients are not required to get a referral for treatment from a specialist, including rehab for addiction.

  •  What is medical necessity?

Medical necessity is a set of guidelines established by insurance companies to determine the type and length of care they’re willing to cover. Many health insurance companies require a specialist to assess a patient’s condition before they will agree to pay for drug treatment.

  • What is typically covered by insurance?

Every health insurance plan is different. Some are very comprehensive and will cover several months of residential treatment while others require a co-pay for limited treatment. Depending on whether you have an HMO or PPO, you may also be limited on which rehab center you can seek treatment from. Services that are typically covered in full or in part include drug detox, outpatient and/or inpatient treatment and counseling.

  • Why do I need an assessment?

An assessment indicates the severity of your condition and will play a role in securing coverage from your insurance company. Some health insurance companies require patients undergo an assessment to help determine if you meet medical necessity requirements.

  • What is a single-case agreement?

A single case agreement (SCA) is a one-time agreement between a healthcare provider and a health plan, payor or third party administrator and is typically negotiated at the time of care. If a drug treatment center does not take your insurance, they may obtain an SCA with your provider to cover the full or partial cost of your treatment.

  • What if I don’t have insurance?

There are several options for patients who do not have health insurance. You can speak with the treatment center about paying out of pocket at full cost or paying a sliding-scale fee, which is essentially a discount based on your financial status. You can also talk about setting up a payment plan. Many drug treatment facilities offer financing options.

  • Can a treatment center help me access my health benefits?

While it would be helpful for you to fully review your health benefits before going to treatment, once in treatment a counselor will contact your insurance company to parse out the financial details and recommended treatment plan.

About

Michele Lavigne is the Owner of Wellminded Center, a drug rehab treatment center located in Irvine, CA. For over 20 years Wellminded Center has been providing effective rehab treatment that focuses on the mind, body and spirit, and has helped scores of teenagers and adults overcome drug and alcohol dependence.

Regulating and Handling Anger amid Drug Rehab Treatment

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Anger management is a key factor when dealing with drug rehabilitation. The likelihood of relapse increases significantly when anger is not properly treated.

Most of us forget that anger is a normal emotion, and it certainly strikes everyone at some point in our lives; but teenagers trying to recover from addiction typically experiences intense emotions and this can lead to relapse. All the more reason drug rehab treatments must include psychological healing.

Why Addicts Experience Anger and Resentment

There are many reasons addicts will experience anger and it becomes even more challenging when dealing with a teenage addict. Teenagers do not possess the maturity or reasoning skills required to regulate and handle their anger. At that age, trying to dominate everything in life can be overwhelming; as a result, teens experience anger which can facilitate relapse.

While rehabilitation is necessary, it is not a walk in the park. Addiction is hard on the body. All the chemical changes and stress to cope with the transformation the body experiences are traumatic. These stressors will manifest itself in different ways.

For many, anger is also a way the body naturally reacts to detoxification. As addicts purge alcohol from their body, the reaction typically involves anger; however, knowing how to deal with anger and release those emotions require help from experienced rehab counselors.

What happens in a rehabilitation program for alcohol?

Exactly what happens in an alcohol rehabilitation program depends on what kind of program it is, but there are some elements that are common to all;

There is always an initial assessment when a person is first admitted to a rehabilitation program for alcohol. The assessment is then used to help determine the best approach for treatment, including help for any apparent anger issues.

At the initial assessment counselors question the addict about:

  • The number of daily alcoholic drinks teen consumes
  • Time person has consumed alcohol
  • Effects alcohol had on the life of the person and their family
  • Medical history
  • Medications taken
  • Mental health or behavioral problems
  • Problems with family

About Michele Lavigne

Michele Lavigne is the Owner of Wellminded Center, a drug rehab treatment center located in Irvine, CA. For over 20 years Wellminded Center has been providing effective rehab treatment that focuses on the mind, body and spirit, and has helped scores of teenagers and adults overcome drug and alcohol dependence.

Drug Rehab Treatment: Detoxing is Important Even After Withdrawal

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Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Instability
The brain and mind work together in an integrated and mysterious way. During drug rehab treatment, you may experience secondary withdrawal. If something negative is affecting your body, then your emotions will also be affected. If something is affecting your brain, then your spirit will notice.

In drug rehab treatment, when going through withdrawal, it is important to remember that your discomfort is only temporary. You aren’t high any longer, and your emotions are no longer being numbed. You are now spiritually open to everything and everyone. With that being said, your emotions are probably going haywire since you aren’t completely back to normal yet.

Chemical Re-BalancingYou are feeling the physical reaction of withdrawal along with your unstable emotions that can cause you to react with either anger, depression or anxiety, or a combination of all three. This is a time when you are more prone to experiencing panic or rage attacks. However, if you make the difficult choice to change your thoughts on purpose, your emotions will then follow. Secondary detoxing, which is detoxing after your withdrawal (1st Detox), could last a very long time.

Secondary detoxing during your drug rehab treatment is when your body goes back to normal. All of the internal processes need to be realigned. When using drugs, certain chemicals are released from your brain, and this is what causes you to get high, not the drug itself. Those chemicals are no longer there.

Your metabolism needs to go back to normal. Your body needs to be chemically re-balanced. To achieve this state faster, exercise and a healthy diet are essential. Vitamins, minerals and plenty of water will help you to achieve equilibrium faster, along with physical activity and a little sweat. Maintaining a positive self-image and reminding yourself that the road to recovery isn’t easy to travel, but you are brave for taking the necessary steps to do so will help you find both emotional stability and strength.

When you add exercise, healthy diet and self-confidence together, you are more able to get over the hurdle of your second withdrawal and are consequently closer to recovery.get over the hurdle of your second withdrawal and are consequently closer to recovery.

About

Michele Lavigne is the Owner of Wellminded Center, a drug rehab treatment center located in Irvine, CA. For over 20 years Wellminded Center has been providing effective rehab treatment that focuses on the mind, body and spirit, and has helped scores of teenagers and adults overcome drug and alcohol dependence.