by Lea Hummel | Nov 19, 2020 | Drug rehab
Outpatient treatment consists of an individual attending treatment sessions in a clinic, hospital, office, etc., and then returning home to their regular life following their participation in treatment sessions. Inpatient or residential treatment differs from outpatient treatment in that the person actually lives in the facility where they receive treatment, and typically, they do not leave the facility except in special cases for other treatments or special situations.
While both inpatient (residential) treatment programs and outpatient treatment programs have strengths and weaknesses, the majority of individuals in recovery will be engaged in outpatient treatment at some point during their treatment program. This is true even if these individuals have been involved in an inpatient treatment program for a significant length of time. The reason for this is that inpatient treatments are designed to deliver very intense and specialized treatment for short periods of time. They are expensive and require a significant number of professional resources in order to be implemented. Outpatient treatment can address the majority of the needs of an individual in recovery and result in far less expense and resource recruitment.
When Outpatient Treatment Is Not Preferable
For practical purposes, it is most efficient to describe the instances when an outpatient program is not preferable over an inpatient program. By default, any other situation would be best suited or equally suited to an outpatient treatment program. According to a number of sources, including the American Psychological Association and the American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the treatment that best suits the specific needs and case requirements for the individual is the treatment that should be implemented. Some of the instances where outpatient treatment may not be preferred initially in the following situations:
Clients have to be monitored for significant withdrawal syndromes
In a number of instances, people with substance use disorders who are in the early phases of recovery are faced with significant withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases, these can be potentially dangerous (e.g., withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, undergoing withdrawal when one has some other debilitating psychiatric disorder, etc.). In these instances, an outpatient withdrawal management program is not preferable. Instead, it is far more efficient and safer to have the individual in a residential program where they can be monitored around the clock, and any emergency situations can receive immediate attention. Typically, when these individuals are stabilized or through the withdrawal process, they are released into an outpatient program.
Clients have toxic home environments
In this context, the term toxic environment refers to any environmental situation that is either potentially dangerous for the individual or will significantly interfere with their success in the early stages of recovery. These can include situations like abusive relationships in the home, environments where there is significant substance abuse, environments where there are significant stressors, etc. Since the individual is extremely vulnerable in the early stages of recovery, it is often preferable to begin treatment in a residential program until the person can demonstrate that they have established enough stability in their habits that they can deal with issues outside the treatment program or until they can be placed in a more suitable home environment for their recovery.
Individuals have had multiple unsuccessful attempts at recovery
In many cases, individuals who have undergone numerous attempts at recovery and had numerous relapses will benefit from an initial period of time in a residential treatment program. Eventually, they will have to transition into some form of outpatient care; however, getting their recovery firmly established in an inpatient program can often be helpful.
Individuals have medical complications or severe mental health disorders
Individuals who have severe medical problems or severe forms of co-occurring mental health disorders should be placed in an inpatient care unit initially. People who are suicidal or have significant cognitive impairment are better served in residential treatment until their situation can be stabilized or suitable arrangements can be made for them outside the inpatient treatment program.
Clients have other specific conditions
Because a good recovery program follows general established principles and attempts to adjust these to the needs of the individual, any number of other important considerations or conditions may indicate that someone would fare better in a residential treatment program, at least initially
Outpatient treatment programs are generally preferable in cases other than the ones mentioned above for a variety of reasons.
People participating in outpatient treatment can maintain their work, school, family and other important commitments. This results in less disruption in their lives.
Outpatient treatment programs allow individuals to immediately apply what they have learned and practiced in treatment to the real world.
Outpatient treatment programs offer their clients far more freedom and flexibility than inpatient treatment programs.
Outpatient treatment programs allow more privacy regarding the individual’s participation in treatment as the individual does not have to notify their work, family members, friends, etc., that they will be staying in a residential or inpatient treatment unit.
Outpatient treatment programs provide essentially the same quality of treatment as inpatient treatment programs, though inpatient programs may offer a wider array of complementary or alternative therapy options.
Outpatient treatment programs can sometimes provide some interventions that are not available in inpatient treatment programs.
Outpatient treatment programs are generally far less expensive than residential or inpatient treatment. This results in a reduced financial burden. In many cases, insurance may be more likely to cover outpatient treatment.
Outpatient Treatment Services
According to Treating Addiction: A Guide for Professionals, with only a few exceptions (such as specific types of medical procedures and for conditions where individuals need to be monitored around the clock), outpatient treatment programs can essentially provide the full gamut of treatment services that are provided by residential treatment units. These include:
Most medically assisted treatments and pharmacotherapies: Most of the medically assisted treatments that are recommended in the use of recovery from substance abuse can be provided on an outpatient basis. Individuals can also be prescribed medications during recovery and take these on an outpatient basis.
All types of psychosocial interventions: There are essentially no types of therapy, support group participation, complementary and alternative treatment, etc., that can only be provided to an individual on an inpatient basis. Individuals can receive these interventions as an outpatient. It simply depends on the offerings of the chosen treatment program.
Psychoeducation: Psychoeducational services include skill-building shops, lectures, etc., that do not formally qualify as therapy or other types of interventions that are designed to help individuals learn new skills or gather new information. These can be provided on an outpatient basis as efficiently as they can be provided on an inpatient basis.
Support services: These consist of a number of nontherapeutic services that are provided to individuals who need specific supports during their recovery. Most often, these include transportation services to treatment, mentoring services, educational and occupational supports, etc.
Case management services: Case management refers to specific services that assist individuals who have special needs. These services are often not provided directly by recovery teams. They may include helping an individual find a job or job training, helping a person find an affordable place to live, helping an individual find a psychiatrist who specializes in their needs, etc.
All associated benefits of recovery: Aside from the benefits of direct intervention, such as receiving medications, undergoing therapy, being involved in support groups, etc., individuals can accrue additional benefits in outpatient care, such as developing social connections, enjoying peer support, and finding personal motivation and feelings of purpose.
Intensive Outpatient Options
Because outpatient treatment can be quite varied and adjusted to the needs of the individual, there are a number of different specialized intensive forms of outpatient treatment programs that may be used in place of residential treatment for individuals who do not require a full program of 24-hour supervision. These programs include:
Partial hospitalization programs: These programs, sometimes referred to as PHPs, can be utilized by individuals with severe medical conditions or severe psychological issues without being fully hospitalized. Typically, these programs will meet for 3-5 days per week for periods of four hours or more per day in a hospital or clinic. Clients will receive treatment for their issues and can return home or to some other living arrangement each night.
Intensive outpatient programs: Also known as IOPs, these programs are designed to provide the intensive forms of treatment interventions that individuals typically receive on an inpatient basis but in an outpatient program. In general, they must deliver a minimum of nine hours a week of intensive treatment. Many of these programs offer significantly more treatment time. They typically meet 3-5 days a week for individuals with severe issues, co-occurring disorders, or multiple relapses who are deemed not to need around-the-clock supervision but still need the intensive treatment that is typically delivered in residential programs.
Florida model: The Florida model is a combination of an inpatient and outpatient treatment program. Clients live in a supervised residential housing center that is separate but connected to a treatment facility instead of actually living in the clinic or hospital.
In general, outpatient treatment for recovery from a substance use disorder can be preferable due to its flexibility and reduced expense, and it is generally as effective as the services provided on an inpatient basis. There are several situations where getting treatment as an outpatient may not be the preferred form of care initially, but most individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder will find that they eventually need to transition to outpatient treatment.
by Lea Hummel | Nov 16, 2020 | Drug rehab
Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs.
They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatment centers that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.
What Is drug addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.
It’s common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn’t mean that the treatment center doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, the treatment center should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs.
What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?
Most drugs affect the brain’s “reward circuit” by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This reward system controls the body’s ability to feel pleasure and motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable “high” that can lead people to take a drug again and again.
As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine by making less of it and/or reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high. It can also cause them to get less pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food or social activities.
Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:
learning
judgment
decision-making
stress
memory
behavior
Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.
Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don’t?
No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences the risk of addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:
Photo by ©Aleshyn_Andrei/Shutterstock
Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person’s risk of addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence the risk for drug use and addiction.
Environment. A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction.
Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.
Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?
As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, a treatment center for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment center medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.
Photo by ©iStock.com/Winfried Eckl
More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug-taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.
Points To Remember
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.
Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.
Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment centers.
Most drugs affect the brain’s reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable “high” that leads people to take a drug again and again.
Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.
No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences the risk of addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.
Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.
More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.
by Lea Hummel | Oct 22, 2020 | Drug rehab
The two most common types of meth are a crystalline powder and a shiny, glass-like form of the drug known as crystal meth. The drug is also sold in pills. A less common form is a waxy, gooey oil called meth base.
Whatever the form, the illegal stimulant delivers an intense and energetic high. It can cause dangerous side effects, including a rapid and irregular heartbeat, an elevated body temperature, convulsions and even death. People who use the drug regularly can easily develop a meth addiction.
The color of meth is usually white or translucent, but it can also appear yellow, brown, orange or pink. It comes in a variety of colors depending on how it is made and what it is cut with.
Meth manufacturers have been known to add food coloring or dye to batches of meth to help peddle their product. They have reportedly added blue coloring to the drug to mimic the supposedly pure blue meth produced by the fictional character Walter White in the popular TV series “Breaking Bad.”
But pure meth isn’t blue — it’s colorless.
Powdered Meth
Crystalline powder is a common form of meth that is frequently snorted. Because it dissolves in water and alcohol, it can also be injected into a vein. Some people swallow it.
Powdered meth can resemble cocaine or chalk dust depending on how coarse it is. While the powder is usually white to off-white in color, it can also appear yellow, pink or in various other shades.
The processes and materials used to make the drug affect its color. Cooking meth using red pseudoephedrine tablets, for instance, can give the powder pink or reddish color. Solvents such as camping stove fuel can give the drug a bluish tint. Meth manufactured with a gun scrubber, a gun cleaning product sold in hardware and sporting goods stores can have a green color.
Certain ingredients can make meth smell like rotten eggs or urine — but the bitter-tasting drug often has no odor.
Learn more about what meth smells like
Crystal Meth
Powdered meth can be converted into crystal meth, a more potent form of the drug that resembles shiny fragments of glass, quartz or rock salt.
Crystal meth is made by dissolving meth powder in a solvent, such as acetone or denatured alcohol. As the mixture evaporates, crystals form around the edge of the mixing container. The clear, chunky crystals that develop are usually translucent, but they may be bluish-white in appearance.
This form of meth — also known as crystal, glass or ice — is typically smoked or injected. It triggers a longer-lasting high than powdered meth and more pronounced physical effects.
Small doses of crystal meth will rev up a person’s energy levels and dampen their appetite. But using large amounts, or using it on a regular basis, can cause severe psychiatric issues, including paranoia, hallucinations, and violent rages. Other signs of meth use include weight loss, tooth decay, meth sores and frequent scratching.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of meth abuse
Methamphetamine Tablets
Meth is sometimes sold as a pill known as yaba. The colored tablets, which contain a mix of caffeine and approximately 30 percent methamphetamine, are usually green or reddish-orange. They tend to be smaller than aspirin tablets.
Like ecstasy and other club drugs, yaba is frequently stamped with logos, most commonly the letters R or WY.
While people usually swallow yaba, some melt the pills and inhale the vapors. Others crush and snort yaba. It can also be mixed with solvents and injected into a vein.
The pills are primarily produced in Burma and sold in Thailand. But they have also been trafficked into the United States through the mail.
Yaba is most popular in East and Southeast Asia, but meth pills have also made a splash in the U.S. rave scene, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Liquid Meth
Drug smugglers often dissolve meth in water and traffic the drug in liquid form. Liquid meth is a dark yellow, the syrupy fluid that is usually stored in liquor bottles and other common containers.
Meth is rarely sold on the streets as a liquid. After it is trafficked, it is usually boiled back into a powder for consumption or sale.
by Lea Hummel | Oct 16, 2020 | Drug rehab
Outpatient treatment consists of an individual attending treatment sessions in a clinic, hospital, office, etc., and then returning home to their regular life following their participation in treatment sessions. Inpatient or residential treatment differs from outpatient treatment in that the person actually lives in the facility where they receive treatment, and typically, they do not leave the facility except in special cases for other treatments or special situations.
While both inpatient (residential) treatment programs and outpatient treatment programs have strengths and weaknesses, the majority of individuals in recovery will be engaged in outpatient treatment at some point during their treatment program. This is true even if these individuals have been involved in an inpatient treatment program for a significant length of time. The reason for this is that inpatient treatments are designed to deliver very intense and specialized treatment for short periods of time. They are expensive and require a significant number of professional resources in order to be implemented. Outpatient treatment can address the majority of the needs of an individual in recovery and result in far less expense and resource recruitment.
When Outpatient Treatment Is Not Preferable
For practical purposes, it is most efficient to describe the instances when an outpatient program is not preferable over an inpatient program. By default, any other situation would be best suited or equally suited to an outpatient treatment program. According to a number of sources, including the American Psychological Association and the American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the treatment that best suits the specific needs and case requirements for the individual is the treatment that should be implemented. Some of the instances where outpatient treatment may not be preferred initially in the following situations:
CLIENTS HAVE TO BE MONITORED FOR SIGNIFICANT WITHDRAWAL SYNDROMES
In a number of instances, people with substance use disorders who are in the early phases of recovery are faced with significant withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases, these can be potentially dangerous (e.g., withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, undergoing withdrawal when one has some other debilitating psychiatric disorder, etc.). In these instances, an outpatient withdrawal management program is not preferable. Instead, it is far more efficient and safer to have the individual in a residential program where they can be monitored around the clock, and any emergency situations can receive immediate attention. Typically, when these individuals are stabilized or through the withdrawal process, they are released into an outpatient program.
CLIENTS HAVE TOXIC HOME ENVIRONMENTS
In this context, the term toxic environment refers to any environmental situation that is either potentially dangerous for the individual or will significantly interfere with their success in the early stages of recovery. These can include a situation like abusive relationships in the home, environments where there is significant substance abuse, environments where there are significant stressors, etc. Since the individual is extremely vulnerable in the early stages of recovery, it is often preferable to begin treatment in a residential program until the person can demonstrate that they have established enough stability in their habits that they can deal with issues outside the treatment program or until they can be placed in a more suitable home environment for their recovery.
INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD MULTIPLE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT RECOVERY
In many cases, individuals who have undergone numerous attempts at recovery and had numerous relapses will benefit from an initial period of time in a residential treatment program. Eventually, they will have to transition into some form of outpatient care; however, getting their recovery firmly established in an inpatient program can often be helpful.
INDIVIDUALS HAVE MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OR SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Individuals who have severe medical problems or severe forms of co-occurring mental health disorders should be placed in an inpatient care unit initially. People who are suicidal or have significant cognitive impairment are better served in residential treatment until their situation can be stabilized or suitable arrangements can be made for them outside the inpatient treatment program.
CLIENTS HAVE OTHER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS
Because a good recovery program follows generally established principles and attempts to adjust these to the needs of the individual, any number of other important considerations or conditions may indicate that someone would fare better in a residential treatment program, at least initially
Outpatient treatment programs are generally preferable in cases other than the ones mentioned above for a variety of reasons.
People participating in outpatient treatment can maintain their work, school, family and other important commitments. This results in less disruption in their lives.
Outpatient treatment programs allow individuals to immediately apply what they have learned and practiced in treatment to the real world.
Outpatient treatment programs offer their clients far more freedom and flexibility than inpatient treatment programs.
Outpatient treatment programs allow more privacy regarding the individual’s participation in treatment as the individual does not have to notify their work, family members, friends, etc., that they will be staying in a residential or inpatient treatment unit.
Outpatient treatment programs provide essentially the same quality of treatment as inpatient treatment programs, though inpatient programs may offer a wider array of complementary or alternative therapy options.
Outpatient treatment programs can sometimes provide some interventions that are not available in inpatient treatment programs.
Outpatient treatment programs are generally far less expensive than residential or inpatient treatment. This results in a reduced financial burden. In many cases, insurance may be more likely to cover outpatient treatment.
Outpatient Treatment Services
According to Treating Addiction: A Guide for Professionals, with only a few exceptions (such as specific types of medical procedures and for conditions where individuals need to be monitored around the clock), outpatient treatment programs can essentially provide the full gamut of treatment services that are provided by residential treatment units. These include:
Most medically assisted treatments and pharmacotherapies: Most of the medically assisted treatments that are recommended in the use of recovery from substance abuse can be provided on an outpatient basis. Individuals can also be prescribed medications during recovery and take these on an outpatient basis.
All types of psychosocial interventions: There are essentially no types of therapy, support group participation, complementary and alternative treatment, etc., that can only be provided to an individual on an inpatient basis. Individuals can receive these interventions as an outpatient. It simply depends on the offerings of the chosen treatment program.
Psychoeducation: Psychoeducational services include skill-building shops, lectures, etc., that do not formally qualify as therapy or other types of interventions that are designed to help individuals learn new skills or gather new information. These can be provided on an outpatient basis as efficiently as they can be provided on an inpatient basis.
Support services: These consist of a number of nontherapeutic services that are provided to individuals who need specific supports during their recovery. Most often, these include transportation services to treatment, mentoring services, educational and occupational supports, etc.
Case management services: Case management refers to specific services that assist individuals who have special needs. These services are often not provided directly by recovery teams. They may include helping an individual find a job or job training, helping a person find an affordable place to live, helping an individual find a psychiatrist who specializes in their needs, etc.
All associated benefits of recovery: Aside from the benefits of direct intervention, such as receiving medications, undergoing therapy, being involved in support groups, etc., individuals can accrue additional benefits in outpatient care, such as developing social connections, enjoying peer support, and finding personal motivation and feelings of purpose.
Intensive Outpatient Options
Because outpatient treatment can be quite varied and adjusted to the needs of the individual, there are a number of different specialized intensive forms of outpatient treatment programs that may be used in place of residential treatment for individuals who do not require a full program of 24-hour supervision. These programs include:
Partial hospitalization programs: These programs, sometimes referred to as PHPs, can be utilized by individuals with severe medical conditions or severe psychological issues without being fully hospitalized. Typically, these programs will meet for 3-5 days per week for periods of four hours or more per day in a hospital or clinic. Clients will receive treatment for their issues and can return home or to some other living arrangement each night.
Intensive outpatient programs: Also known as IOPs, these programs are designed to provide the intensive forms of treatment interventions that individuals typically receive on an inpatient basis but in an outpatient program. In general, they must deliver a minimum of nine hours a week of intensive treatment. Many of these programs offer significantly more treatment time. They typically meet 3-5 days a week for individuals with severe issues, co-occurring disorders, or multiple relapses who are deemed not to need around-the-clock supervision but still need the intensive treatment that is typically delivered in residential programs.
Florida model: The Florida model is a combination of an inpatient and outpatient treatment program. Clients live in a supervised residential housing center that is separate but connected to a treatment facility instead of actually living in the clinic or hospital.
In general, outpatient treatment for recovery from a substance use disorder can be preferable due to its flexibility and reduced expense, and it is generally as effective as the services provided on an inpatient basis. There are several situations where getting treatment as an outpatient may not be the preferred form of care initially, but most individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder will find that they eventually need to transition to outpatient treatment.
by Lea Hummel | Sep 9, 2020 | Drug rehab
What is needed to succeed in outpatient drug rehab? We have established that addiction is a complex problem, one that does not have a one-size-fits-all approach. Those wanting to rid themselves of the chemical dependence of illicit substances have seen a number of new treatment options made available over the past few decades. Even though there are sporadic reports of patients recovering by themselves, the vast majority of success stories have patients who entrusted the right treatment option.
Specifics Regarding Outpatient Rehab Programs for Patients Recovering from Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Many patients decide upon inpatient rehab for a specific time, as this helps them get away from the cycle of addiction, even if it is just temporary at first. During that time, they can focus on building a healthier life that does not include drugs or alcohol. Even though this has a proven success rate, there are a number of reasons that this may not necessarily be the right option for everyone. An alternative option that does include assistance from qualified counselors is the outpatient drug rehab program. During this program, the patient does not stay at the facility continuously.
What to Expect from Outpatient Care?
It is important to note that the exact program used in a recovery facility may differ greatly.
However, all programs tend to include the following:
Patients enrolled in the program are expected to remain abstinent from recreational drugs or alcohol.
Patients begin with an initial assessment. During this initial assessment, it is possible to determine what the needs of the patient are. This provides a basis for forming a treatment plan and goal setting.
Patients agree to a weekly number of therapy sessions.
Oftentimes there are activities and seminars that the patient is expected to attend.
While attending rehab, there are specific rules that govern the behavior of the patient. The patient may be removed from the program if they do not abide by these rules.
If the treatment plan is proving ineffective, there may be a need to modify the existing plan.
Patients are expected to share personal information with therapists. Oftentimes this happens in one-on-one settings but may also include group sessions that include other people.
Benefits of Outpatient Drug Rehab Programs
There are a number of benefits in attending these selected rehab options, they may include:
The patient is able to remain employed or stay in school while they attend outpatient recovery. Those who would struggle to find time away from their commitments may find this to be highly advantageous.
The transition from recovery facility to home life is non-existent. Those who leave an inpatient program for the first time often have to adjust to having personal freedoms again. Unless there is an aftercare program in place, this transition can lead to a relapse. Because the patient is already going home at the end of each session, the program ending is not such a shock.
Some worry that they may be stigmatized by attending an inpatient facility. It may not be possible for someone to leave for several weeks on end without giving an actual explanation. If the patient is worried about discretion and privacy, attending an outpatient program is much easier to keep a secret.
When comparing the costs, an inpatient treatment facility is often much more expensive than an outpatient facility.
If the patient has a supportive family or sympathetic friends at home, they may be able to benefit from interacting with them when they go home every night.
Disadvantages of Outpatient Therapy
As we have stated before, not everyone might benefit from outpatient rehab. There are a number of disadvantages to consider as well:
It is only natural that those who go home unsupervised face more temptation than those who remain in inpatient rehab. Because there is no restriction on their movements, it means they have to show more determination and willpower right from the start.
Those who do not stay in rehab will find that there is far less support available. Patients at an inpatient facility have the option to talk to professionals around the clock. It may feel empowering to be in close proximity to others who all share the same goal.
When attending outpatient recovery, there is a chance that the patient will have a number of distractions. Work commitments and family life do not take a breather as the patient transitions into a sober lifestyle.
The same triggers that led to the abuse of drugs and alcohol in the first place may still be present. When trying to stay sober, worrying about potential triggers is going to serve as a distraction.
There are both physical and emotional challenges throughout the first weeks of recovery. Withdrawal symptoms may prove to be problematic for weeks after the patient has last used drugs or alcohol. During inpatient rehab, a professional can generally help with these situations. In the outside world, this level of help is unlikely.
by Lea Hummel | Aug 3, 2020 | Drug rehab
Klonopin (clonazepam) withdrawal symptoms occur as the result of a dependence on the drug and are caused by the body gradually adapting to its absence. When dependence has developed, the body is no longer able to function properly without the drug, and withdrawal symptoms are the unwanted result.
Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms and Side Effects
Klonopin is commonly prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, seizures, and epilepsy. When withdrawal symptoms onset, the individual experiences what are known as “rebound effects” or intensified withdrawal symptoms that are similar to the ones in which Klonopin was prescribed to treat in the first place (e.g., anxiety and insomnia).
Common physical withdrawal symptoms include the following:
Nausea
Vomiting
Increased body temperature
Increased heartbeat
Hallucinations
Irritability
Impaired coordination
Insomnia
Seizures
Tremors
Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
Physical withdrawals are not the only unpleasant effects that are the result of Klonopin’s dependence. Psychological symptoms often manifest a few days after physical withdrawal symptoms, and may include the following:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Suicidal thoughts
Hostility or aggression
Confusion
Irritability
Intense dreams
Drug cravings
Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms | Just Believe Detox
Klonopin Withdrawal Timeline
Depending on the intensity and length of the addiction, the withdrawal timeline for Klonopin will vary for each individual. Factors that may influence the withdrawal process include the following:
Age
Height and weight
History of drug abuse
Presence of co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety
Presence of co-occurring physical conditions, such as epilepsy and seizures
Abrupt or “cold turkey” withdrawal at home versus a supervised medically-assisted detox (preferred)
The typical Klonopin withdrawal process includes three main phases which can occur both during and after the detox process:
Early Withdrawal – During the early withdrawal phase, individuals often experience the rebound symptoms mentioned above in which Klonopin was initially prescribed to address. This stage usually begins within a day or two, and for those with particularly severe dependencies, these early symptoms can be quite uncomfortable. These symptoms typically subside after about four days.
Acute Withdrawal – During the next stage, people often encounter the majority of both the physical and psychological effects commonly associated with withdrawal. Headache, dizziness, and confusion are common at this time, and other symptoms may include anxiety, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts. This stage can last for two weeks up to three months or longer, depending upon the individual’s level of dependency.
Post-Acute Withdrawal – Post-acute withdrawal (also known as protracted withdrawal) will not be experienced by everyone. When it does occur, it often includes depression and anxiety. These psychological symptoms can last for long periods after Klonopin’s use has been discontinued and is most common among those who have misused Klonopin in excessive amounts for a prolonged period.
In many instances, people who encounter post-acute withdrawals should seek additional mental health treatment to address these symptoms.
Klonopin Detox
Unlike opioids, Klonopin withdrawal can be fatal, especially if it is undergone without supervision by medical professionals. The danger is a result of complications that arise in association with the detox process. Fortunately, however, there are safe treatment approaches that can be employed to help mitigate these highly unpleasant and potentially dangerous effects.
Detox from Klonopin requires clearing the body of all toxins and enduring withdrawal symptoms, which can onset as early as a day or so after the last use. Some psychological symptoms could last as long as two years, although the initial withdrawal process is usually complete within a month or so.
One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood that protracted withdrawal symptoms will manifest is through the use of a medically-assisted detox program, which may consist of tapering down or weaning of the drug dosage, rather than attempting an at-home detox or the cold turkey approach.
Indeed, many detox programs that are focused on the safe management of withdrawal symptoms will gradually wean individuals off of Klonopin. Although this method is not used for everyone, it is a common technique. The tapering process may last for weeks or months if the person is accustomed to using high doses of Klonopin for a prolonged period.
A typical tapering process reduces doses by 0.5 mg every two weeks. Once individuals are taking only 1 mg each day, the dosage can be decreased by 0.25 mg per week. The physician will then focus on discontinuing the dosage altogether.
Unfortunately, many people attempt an at-home detox and try to wean themselves off Klonopin without proper medical supervision. This approach can be hazardous because each individual is unique, and the tapering schedule should vary accordingly.
Treatment for Klonopin Dependence
Klonopin dependence has the potential to be a life-altering condition that can negatively affect the person suffering, as well as those who loved him or her, in any number of ways. Following detox, people dependent on Klonopin are urged to undergo an inpatient or partial hospitalization treatment program followed by long-term intensive outpatient treatment.
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