There are various methods of treatment available for addicts. One of the most well-known is rehabilitation. Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on Vh1 brought these types of facilities in front of the camera. Over the years, a vaccine which reduces cravings has become another option. With these choices, how do addicts choose which facility will be serve them? More importantly, which of these choices will be most effective in the long-run?
Evaluating Different Treatments
Thomas A. McLellan said it best: "If addiction is best considered a chronic condition, then we have been evaluating the effectiveness of addiction treatments in the wrong way." Comparing addiction to other illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, McLellan goes in-depth about which treatments would be most effective to prevent relapse in an addict. One of the biggest misconceptions is that the treatment will cure addiction. However, much like some medicines will lower blood pressure for the amount of time they are used, treatments for addiction will only cure the addict while they are being administered. Virtually, the symptoms rather than the illness are being treated. Because of this, McLellan suggests that the patient receive continuing care with an emphasis on "making the treatments attractive to patients." With this being said, the patient must then be viewed as a customer. If a treatment costs too much, intrudes on privacy (such as a lot of home visits), and has a number of side-effects, patients are less likely to participate in the follow-up treatments. He concludes by highlighting the fact that "while many individuals have achieved long-term abstinence from brief or even no treatment, it is unarguable that many others have repeatedly relapsed following a succession of acute care episodes." Thus, at this point in time, the ability to pinpoint which treatments will produce long-lasting abstinence for any individual.
Evaluating Different Treatments
Thomas A. McLellan said it best: "If addiction is best considered a chronic condition, then we have been evaluating the effectiveness of addiction treatments in the wrong way." Comparing addiction to other illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, McLellan goes in-depth about which treatments would be most effective to prevent relapse in an addict. One of the biggest misconceptions is that the treatment will cure addiction. However, much like some medicines will lower blood pressure for the amount of time they are used, treatments for addiction will only cure the addict while they are being administered. Virtually, the symptoms rather than the illness are being treated. Because of this, McLellan suggests that the patient receive continuing care with an emphasis on "making the treatments attractive to patients." With this being said, the patient must then be viewed as a customer. If a treatment costs too much, intrudes on privacy (such as a lot of home visits), and has a number of side-effects, patients are less likely to participate in the follow-up treatments. He concludes by highlighting the fact that "while many individuals have achieved long-term abstinence from brief or even no treatment, it is unarguable that many others have repeatedly relapsed following a succession of acute care episodes." Thus, at this point in time, the ability to pinpoint which treatments will produce long-lasting abstinence for any individual.
Brentwood Meadows
Located in Newburgh, Indiana, Brentwood Meadows is a mental health facility that deals with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The other unit within Brentwood, though, handles the problem of addiction. These units are typically separate from each other and are only brought together if there are too few patients. Each unit follows different schedules and has different programs.
Located in Newburgh, Indiana, Brentwood Meadows is a mental health facility that deals with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The other unit within Brentwood, though, handles the problem of addiction. These units are typically separate from each other and are only brought together if there are too few patients. Each unit follows different schedules and has different programs.
Stepping into Brentwood is stepping into an entirely welcoming community. After shadowing a PCA (Patient-Care Assistant) and observing the nurses, there is a great deal of time and effort that goes into caring for the patients. Brandi, a PCA, knew every patient’s name, what they were addicted to, and how long they had been there. She joked with the patients and they had nicknames for each other. I was surprised by the relationships she had gained with the patients who usually only spent a week to eleven days at Brentwood. In casual conversation, I asked why she was determined to get to know everyone and how she did it. Smiling, she answered:
Everyone has a story, ya know? They’re in here because of something. I guess…I just want to hear them tell their background. I attend all of their group therapies, the programs. I check on them when they’re in bed because…well, if they’re not participating, it’s for a reason. If you get to know them, you can kinda begin to understand what mood they’re in without saying ‘hey, how do you feel?’ It makes my life and job easier and their life easier. You just gotta talk to them, ya know?
Everyone has a story, ya know? They’re in here because of something. I guess…I just want to hear them tell their background. I attend all of their group therapies, the programs. I check on them when they’re in bed because…well, if they’re not participating, it’s for a reason. If you get to know them, you can kinda begin to understand what mood they’re in without saying ‘hey, how do you feel?’ It makes my life and job easier and their life easier. You just gotta talk to them, ya know?
The patients felt the same way. There was a certain amount of comfort that was obvious when she was around. They seemed happier and much more open to talking when it was her rather than the less personal PCA.
Patients opened up to the therapist, Erin, as well. Often, group therapy has a theme for each session. However, patients can bring up their own topics if desired and from time to time, if necessary, Erin will discuss issues happening among patients. Given that patients are from different backgrounds going through various stages of withdrawal, conflicts tend to arise. Hoping to avoid anything major, Erin will sit the patients down and act as the mediator (Erin, personal interview).
Patients opened up to the therapist, Erin, as well. Often, group therapy has a theme for each session. However, patients can bring up their own topics if desired and from time to time, if necessary, Erin will discuss issues happening among patients. Given that patients are from different backgrounds going through various stages of withdrawal, conflicts tend to arise. Hoping to avoid anything major, Erin will sit the patients down and act as the mediator (Erin, personal interview).
During the group therapy session, Erin asked the patients to fill out this worksheet. The one to the left discusses the various stages of addiction. The one to the right asked the patients to state their various life problems - addiction, mental health issues, personal life issues - and to determine in which stage they believed themselves to be. To support this conclusion, they were then to fill out the box on the far right to explain why they felt they were in this stage. After filling this out, each patient read aloud their problems, the stage, and their explanation. This was used as a foundation to spark conversation of various issues.
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Other Treatments
In the group discussion, several patients who were ready for discharge in about two days discussed their plans after leaving. One man, Simon, had his entire life planned after leaving. He explained that “I need these plans. I need this structure. Otherwise, I know I’ll turn to opiates. I know I will.” He continued on to say that he had plans of attending PHP. According to the Director of Nursing, Wanda, PHP is a partial hospital program in which patients attend a facility for approximately 5 to 7 hours a day to ensure sobriety. He already had an appointment scheduled with a psychiatrist from Brentwood who would take him in as a client after he was officially discharged.
Simon went on to say that he would be receiving a Vivitrol shot monthly. According to an article by Rita Rubin in USA Today, “Vivitrol reduced cravings for narcotics, for reasons that aren’t yet clear.” Erin also explained that, if a recovering addict did take any narcotics after receiving the shot, the narcotics would have no effect.
Another patient, Beth, discussed the idea of going to Sober Living. This is the type of facility that can be seen on Celebrity Rehab. Beth went in-depth about this facility. She would live in a residential treatment center where they would help her find a job. In her personal life, she was homeless and divorced. She also had multiple health issues from years of abuse and lack of medical care. Sober Living would be a way to get back on her feet and have a place to stay for at least 90 days until she could find a home.
In the group discussion, several patients who were ready for discharge in about two days discussed their plans after leaving. One man, Simon, had his entire life planned after leaving. He explained that “I need these plans. I need this structure. Otherwise, I know I’ll turn to opiates. I know I will.” He continued on to say that he had plans of attending PHP. According to the Director of Nursing, Wanda, PHP is a partial hospital program in which patients attend a facility for approximately 5 to 7 hours a day to ensure sobriety. He already had an appointment scheduled with a psychiatrist from Brentwood who would take him in as a client after he was officially discharged.
Simon went on to say that he would be receiving a Vivitrol shot monthly. According to an article by Rita Rubin in USA Today, “Vivitrol reduced cravings for narcotics, for reasons that aren’t yet clear.” Erin also explained that, if a recovering addict did take any narcotics after receiving the shot, the narcotics would have no effect.
Another patient, Beth, discussed the idea of going to Sober Living. This is the type of facility that can be seen on Celebrity Rehab. Beth went in-depth about this facility. She would live in a residential treatment center where they would help her find a job. In her personal life, she was homeless and divorced. She also had multiple health issues from years of abuse and lack of medical care. Sober Living would be a way to get back on her feet and have a place to stay for at least 90 days until she could find a home.