JANUARY 2013 SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENTBASICS

WHY DO PEOPLE USE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL? People use substances such as alcohol and other drugs because they like the way these substances make them feel. Pleasure is a powerful force Sometimes People use to fit in or to escape a problem People use for a variety of reasons

WHAT IS ADDICTION? Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and your behavior When you become addicted to alcohol or other drugs, your brain actually changes in certain ways so that a powerful urge to use drugs controls your behavior. Some drugs may cause addiction more easily than others.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A PROBLEM? You have a problem with drugs or alcohol if you continue to use them even when they cause problems with your health, money, work or school, or relationships. You may have a problem if you have developed a tolerance to drugs or alcohol. This means you need to use more and more to get the same effect

ADDICTION CAN BE TREATED! ADDICTION IS A CHRONIC (GOES ON FOR A LONG TIME), RELAPSING DISEASE. IT MAY TAKE A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS BEFORE YOU CAN REMAIN FREE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO HELP MYSELF OR A LOVED ONE?

WHAT IS TREATMENT? Treatment occurs in a variety of settings, in different forms, and for different lengths of time. Treatment is usually individualized to some degree based on the patient’s needs — Treatment programs usually address a person’s physical, psychological, emotional, and social issues in addition to his or her alcohol or other drug use

Level of CareDefinition Self-Help support groups Peer led, voluntary, non-profit associations open to anyone with a similar need or interest, NA and AA for example Outpatient Individual, marital, family or group therapy provided in a non- residential Intensive Outpatient A minimum of 6 hours over a period of 2 day per week – may be upwards to 20 hours A highly structured, intensive substance abuse treatment program provided for individuals Detox (medical) Detox is not treatment Medically supervised management of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from a substance to which the individual has been addicted or abusing, utilizing a hospital setting Inpatient A short-term, structured, comprehensive program of individual and group therapeutic activities delivered in a hospital setting Residential A set of organized and intensive individual and group therapeutic activities provided in a 24-hour setting. Transitional A long-term residential program which provides an organized therapeutic environment in which the substance abuser may receive vocational rehabilitation, outpatient counseling and other support services. Medication Assisted Treatment Best practice treatment for opiate addiction. Outpatient dosing of methadone or buprenorphine is combined with individual counseling to assist patients in long-term recovery.

KEY STEPS TO GETTING TREATMENT Educate yourself about substance abuse treatment Network with friends, relatives and medical professionals Get a screening and in-depth assessment Know the difference

WHAT IS AN INTAKE, SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT? Intake -is the first contact with the treatment provider and is an event where a screening or full assessment is conducted. At intake you will begin filling out all the necessary paperwork to enroll in substance abuse treatment. Screening -is a process for evaluating the possible presence of a particular problem Assessment -is a process for defining the nature of that problem, determining a diagnosis, and developing specific treatment recommendations for addressing the problem or diagnosis and level of care needed. look for a licensed mental health or drug abuse counselor with at least a master’s degree in the behavioral health field

ELIGIBILITY Persons with a diagnosis of substance abuse or substance dependence are eligible for treatment. The type and duration of treatment depends on the severity of the substance abuse problem and on the availability of treatment resources. Fees are based on a sliding scale, i.e. ability to pay.

WHERE DO I GO? WHO DO I CALL? Most every county will have an outpatient office (either private or with a comprehensive care center) AA and NA are scattered—seek out flyers or internet For a complete list of licensed treatment programs in the state, refer to this website: ctory.aspx

HOW DO I PAY FOR TREATMENT? Most private health insurance plans provide coverage for some substance abuse treatment. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) Student health services Veterans Administration benefits VETS(8387) sliding fee scale - a flexible payment scale based on income (ask about a possible payment plan) Other resources: Unite treatment vouchers ( ) Medicaid Community resources

OTHER THINGS I NEED TO KNOW Most treatment programs will want to speak to the person seeking treatment or want them to call to set up an appointment. Some will do a pre-screen over the phone The first appt is usually called an INTAKE There is a lot of paperwork There are waiting lists Treatment is not over after discharge from the program; rather, that is when treatment is really just beginning

WHAT TO DO IF I AM ON A WAIT LIST Length of time varies for different programs-do as they say—call often to check if you are moved up Ask if there are pre-treatment services while your waiting….if none-you can seek your own pre- treatment services You may look for another program while remaining on the waiting list should you get admitted to another one—please let the program waiting list know that you are in treatment elsewhere

INVOLUNTARY SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT Casey Wethington Act

WHAT’S THE FIRST STEP? The first step is to obtain the petition: From the local District Court Clerk’s Office Or on our website :

FAMILY PERSPECTIVE OUR EXPERIENCES

QUESTIONS?

CONTACT INFORMATION MICHELLE KILGORE EXT CATHY PROTHRO EXT