Drug Rehabilitation Programs

Does the drug rehab offer a variety of programs?
Alcohol and drug addiction are diseases that progress through predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment, whether it be outpatient counseling or an inpatient alchol and drug rehab.

A drug rehabilitation treatment center should offer a variety of treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.

The difference between inpatient and a residential treatment center is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care.

The length of stay depends on the severity and stage of the disease.How much does a drug rehab center cost?
"How much does it cost?" is often one of the first questions asked when someone calls a drug rehab program.

The price tag for drug rehab treatment depends on the type of rehab you choose. You need to know what is included, what will be added to your bill as a fee-for-service program, and what services your health insurance will cover. This makes it extremely difficult to compare prices by simply asking the question - "What does rehab cost?" The best way to find out the range of costs for rehab is to talk to an intake advisor. You can discuss your insurance coverage or your financial concerns and they will help you narrow down your choices to what best meets your needs in the most affordable way.

If you are seeking the best value for your treatment dollar, remember: Price can be meaningful only in the context of quality and performance.

Also remember that the cost of drug addiction and alcoholism, if not treated, can far exceed the cost of treatment.Is the drug rehab treatment program medically based?
There is an advantage to including on-site medical care in a Drug Rehab. Physicians and nurses provide 24-hour hospital services to monitor and ensure a safe withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, a medical staff specializing in addiction medicine can oversee the progress of each individual and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Medical credentials and accreditation can also be important. For example, a chemical dependency Drug Rehab that earns JCAHO accreditation (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) meets national standards for providing quality medical care. Appropriate state licensing is also an important consideration.

Be sure to ask which medical costs are included in the price of treatment at the drug rehab.
What is the degree of family involvement in a drug rehab program?
Drug abuse and alcoholism affects the entire family, not just the alcoholic/addict. Quite often family members do not realize how deeply they have been affected by chemical dependency. Family involvement is an important component of recovery.

Drug Rehabs vary in the degree and quality of family involvement opportunities. Some offer just a few lectures and others offer family therapy. Ask if there is any time devoted to family programs and if group therapy is included.Does drug rehabilitation include a quality continuing care program?
There are no quick fixes for the diseases of drug abuse and alcoholism. Recovery is an ongoing process. The skills one learns during intensive rehabilitation treatment must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time.

Some drug addiction treatment programs will offer a follow-up program but only in one location which may make it difficult to use.

Drug rehabilitation treatment programs should include a quality, continuing care program that supports and monitors recovery.

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Drugs at Work

The Substance Abuse Costs to Society & Workplaces Are Huge

A new study of 1992 data estimates the economic costs to society of substance abuse at $246 billion for that year, and $276 billion projected for 1995. Alcohol-related lost productivity alone accounted for two-thirds of the total alcohol cost. Drug related crime accounted for over half of the total drug costs.1 Workplaces take the brunt in lost/poor performance, accidents, and crime.

Alcoholism alone accounts for 500 million lost workdays each year. Casual drinkers, in aggregate, account for far more incidents of absenteeism, tardiness, and poor quality of work than those regarded as alcohol dependent.

Between 20 and 40 percent of all general hospital patients are admitted for complications related to alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse.

The human costs to the individual, family, and community are incalculable.

Substance Abuse Is a Workplace Problem

Today, almost 73 percent of all current drug users ages 18–49 are full- or part-time employed – more than 8.3 million workers.

About 7 percent of full-time workers use illicit drugs (6.3m), and about 7 percent are heavy drinkers.5 ¨ About 1.2 million full-time workers both abuse illicit drugs and are heavy alcohol users.

The highest rate of illicit drug abuse and heavy alcohol use is among 18–25 year olds, males, Caucasian, and those with less than a high school education.

In a survey of five work sites, 18 percent of persons who drank alcohol and 12 percent of illicit drug users reported that their performance at work had declined due to alcohol or drug use.

Between 44–80 percent of young adults ages 16–17 work during the year. Those working more than 20 hours per week are at high risk for substance abuse and injury. With our youth entering the workforce in greater numbers, this is a significant issue for workplaces to address.

High School and Youth Trends

High School and Youth Trends

Trends in Use

Since 1975, the MTF has annually studied the extent of drug abuse among high school 12th graders. The survey was expanded in 1991 to include 8th and 10th graders. It is funded by NIDA and is conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. The goal of the survey is to collect data on past month, past year, and lifetime drug use among students in these grade levels. This, the 28th annual study, was conducted during spring 2002.(1)

The 2002 MTF marks the sixth year in a row that illicit drug use among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders remained stable or decreased. In particular, the proportion of 8th and 10th graders reporting the use of any illicit drug in the prior 12 months declined significantly from 2001 to 2002. The decrease in illicit drug use among 8th graders continues a decline begun in 1997, but this is the first significant decline among 10th graders since 1998.

Specific decreases were noted in the use of marijuana, some club drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. For example, marijuana use in the past year decreased significantly among 10th graders, reaching its lowest rate since 1995. Marijuana use by 8th graders also has declined in recent years and is now at its lowest level since 1994.

In addition, the 2002 survey found the use of MDMA (ecstasy) decreased in every category in all three grades. Significant decreases occurred in past year and past month categories for 10th graders.

Also, LSD use showed major changes from 2001 to 2002, with rates of use decreasing markedly across the board to the lowest rates of use in the history of the survey.

For alcohol, the use rates for 8th and 10th graders are at record lows in the history of the survey in those grades (since 1991).

Use of anabolic, androgenic steroids remained stable from 2001 to 2002 in each grade and category.

Use of amphetamines is down significantly for 8th graders in lifetime and past year categories from 2001 to 2002. Nonmedical use of methylphenidate (Ritalin®) was stable, with past year rates at 2.8 percent for 8th graders, 4.8 percent for 10th graders, and 4.0 percent of 12th graders in 2002.

For the first time, in 2002 the MTF survey looked at the misuse and/or nonmedical use of the prescription drugs Oxycontin ® and Vicodin. Nonmedical use of Oxycontin ® in the past year was reported by 4.0 percent of 12th graders, and Vicodin use in the same time period was reported by 9.6 percent of 12th graders.

The only significant increases in drug use in the 2002 were past year crack use by 10th graders, from 1.8 percent in 2001 to 2.3 percent in 2002, and past year sedative use by 12th graders, from 5.9 percent in 2001 to 7.0 percent in 2002.

Perceived Risk of Harm, Disapproval, & Perceived Availability

In addition to studying drug use among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, MTF collects information on three attitudinal indicators related to drug use. These are perceived risk of harm in taking a drug, disapproval of others who take drugs, and perceived availability of drugs.

The following attitudinal changes are from 2001 to 2002:

Both perceived risk and disapproval of trying marijuana once or twice increased among 10th graders; 12th graders, however, showed a decrease in the perceived risk of smoking marijuana regularly.

Disapproval of MDMA (ecstasy) use increased significantly from 2001 to 2002 among students in all three grades. In addition, perceived risk of occasional MDMA use increased among 8th graders and perceived risk of trying it once or twice increased among 10th and 12th graders.

Perceived risk and disapproval of trying LSD once or twice both increased among 12th graders, but among 10th graders perceived risk of regular LSD use decreased. Notably, perceived availability of LSD declined among students in all three grades.

Perceived risk of trying inhalants once or twice declined among 8th graders, and perceived risk of regular use of these substances decreased among 10th graders.(2)

Among 8th graders, perceived availability of amphetamines decreased.

Use Trends — Specific Drugs
Cigarettes & Smokeless Tobacco

Cigarette use declined in each grade and several categories of use between 2001 and 2002. This follows several years of gradual decreases in cigarette smoking that started after 1996 for 8th graders and 1997 for 10th and 12th graders. However, year-to-year declines have not always been statistically significant in all grades, and the decreases seen between 2001 and 2002 are particularly notable.

Lifetime use: 8th grade – from 36.6 percent in 2001 to 31.4 percent in 2002; 10th grade – 52.8 percent to 47.4 percent; 12th grade – 61.0 percent to 57.2 percent.

Past month use: 8th grade – 12.2 percent in 2001 to 10.7 percent in 2002; 10th grade – 21.3 percent to 17.7 percent; 12th grade – 29.5 percent to 26.7 percent.

Daily use in past month: 10th grade – 12.2 percent in 2001 to 10.1 percent in 2002; 12th grade – 19.0 percent to 16.9 percent.

Use of bidis (small, flavored cigarettes from India) in the past year declined among 10th graders from 4.9 percent in 2001 to 3.1 percent in 2002. Use of bidis during the past year was reported by 2.7 percent of 8th graders and 5.9 percent of 12th graders in 2002. Use of Kreteks (clove-flavored cigarettes from Indonesia) in the past year was reported by 2.6 percent of 8th graders, 4.9 percent of 10th graders, and 8.4 percent of 12th graders in 2002.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco by 10th graders declined from 19.5 percent in 2001 to 16.9 percent in 2002.
MDMA (Ecstasy)

Rates of MDMA (ecstasy) use decreased significantly among 10th graders. For this grade, past year use decreased from 6.2 percent in 2001 to 4.9 percent in 2002 and past month use went from 2.6 percent to 1.8 percent. Use by 8th and 12th graders also showed signs of decline.
Marijuana

Among 10th graders, marijuana/hashish use in the past year decreased from 32.7 percent in 2001 to 30.3 percent in 2002; past month use decreased from 19.8 percent to 17.8 percent; and daily use in the past month decreased from 4.5 percent to 3.9 percent. These are all statistically significant decreases.

For 8th graders in 2002, the past year marijuana use rate – 14.6 percent – is the lowest rate seen since 1994, and well below the peak of 18.3 percent in 1996.
Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine (powder) use remained statistically unchanged across the board from 2001 to 2002. This comes after declines in cocaine use among 10th graders from 2000 to 2001, and among 12th graders between 1999 and 2000. Past year use of powder cocaine was reported by 1.8 percent of 8th graders, 3.4 percent of 10th graders, and 4.4 percent of 12th graders. Past year use of cocaine in any form was reported by 2.3 percent of 8th graders, 4.0 percent of 10th graders, and 5.0 percent of 12th graders.

Crack use, however, showed a significant increase in past year use among 10th graders in 2002, returning to around its 2000 level following a decline in 2001.
Alcohol

Between 2001 and 2002, significant reductions in alcohol use were reported among 8th and 10th graders in many categories, including lifetime, past year, and past month.

Rates of having ever been drunk and of having been drunk in the past year decreased for 8th and 10th graders. Among 10th graders, the rate of binge drinking (five or more drinks in a row) in the past 2 weeks declined, as did the past-month rate of having been drunk.
Heroin & Other Opiates

Heroin use by 8th, 10th and 12th graders remained stable from 2001 to 2002 following a decline from 2000 to 2001 among 10th and 12th graders. In each grade, past year use rates were about 1.0 percent.

These are the results of questions added to the 2002 survey on the nonmedical use of Oxycontin ® and Vicodin(3) in the past year:

Oxycontin ® use in the past year without a doctor's orders was reported by 1.3 percent of 8th graders, 3.0 percent of 10th graders, and 4.0 percent of 12th graders.

The nonmedical use of Vicodin in the past year was reported by 2.5 percent of 8th graders, 6.9 percent of 10th graders, and 9.6 percent of 12th graders.

Inhalants

In 2002, inhalant use among 8th and 10th graders was the lowest seen in these grades since their addition to the survey in 1991. Among 8th graders, lifetime use decreased from 17.1 percent in 2001 to 15.2 percent in 2002, and from 15.2 percent to 13.5 percent among 10th graders. Use rates among 12th graders were at their lowest in about 20 years.

However, the 2002 survey reported a decline among 8th graders in the perceived risk of trying inhalants once or twice, and the perceived risk of regular use of inhalants also decreased among 10th graders. Historically, changes in "perceived risk" tend to predict increases or declines in use rates for following years.
Hallucinogens

Hallucinogen use in the lifetime, past year, and past month declined for 12th graders, and past year use was down among 10th graders. LSD in particular showed major changes from 2001 to 2002. Rates of use decreased markedly across the board. Past year use, for example, declined from 6.6 percent in 2001 to 3.5 percent in 2002 among 12th graders, from 4.1 percent to 2.6 percent among 10th graders, and from 2.2 percent to 1.5 percent among 8th graders. These are the lowest rates of LSD use in the history of the survey for each grade

Social Drinking or Addiction

Social Drinking or Addiction?

How do you know if you've crossed the line from social drinker to problem drinker? While there is no one definition of a problem drinker, most experts agree that when alcohol consumption results in a significant risk, whether physical damage or accidents, social or relationship problems, legal difficulties or mental health issues, there is a problem. Those who have experienced some of these life issues as a result of drinking and still can't stop are thought to be addicted to alcohol.

The amount of alcohol that it takes to cause problems varies from person to person. Because of body mass and metabolism differences, women feel the effects of alcohol far more quickly than do men, and they are more at risk for developing alcohol-related problems with less alcohol consumption. Elderly persons are also more easily affected because an older liver is less efficient at clearing alcohol from the body than a younger one. And alcohol more quickly intoxicates on an empty stomach or if it is consumed rapidly. In general, though, low risk or responsible drinking is defined as having no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. This means one 12-ounce beer, or one 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor (vodka, whiskey, rum).

A family history of alcoholism can predispose you to move from a social drinker (someone who enjoys an occasional drink or two in the company of friends) to a problem drinker more rapidly, though this is just one risk factor. It's thought that the earlier one begins drinking regularly (such as in the teen years), the more likely it is that an alcohol problem will develop, but alcohol addiction can happen at any age.

A simple screening test called the CAGE questionnaire is a good indicator that you're moving from low risk drinking to problem drinking. The questions on this test are: Have you ever felt the need to Cut down on your drinking? Have people ever Annoyed you by criticism of your drinking? Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking? Have you ever taken a morning Eye-opener drink to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Another way to gain insight into your own drinking behavior is to go to a party and not drink or try to go for a month without drinking. Ask yourself whether this was hard for you and whether you (or your friends) tried to provide a rationale for drinking despite your best intentions not to do so. Remember that people tend to socialize with others with similar drinking habits. If you can't have fun with others without drinking, you may have a problem.

Educate on Drunk Driving

New Campaign Seeks to Educate the Public on Drunk Driving Facts
A new survey estimates that as many as three-fourths of American adults think they know enough about how drinking affects their blood alcohol levels, while in fact, most don't even know the legal limits in their own state. The Century Council, a group backed by major distillers, is campaigning to better educate the public about those limits and how much you have to drink to exceed them.

The group is an interactive program designed to educate users on blood-alcohol concentrations based on their weight and gender and the number and types of drinks they consume. It also factors in elapsed time, how quickly someone is drinking and how much food the individual has eaten.
"Our research indicates about 20 percent of Americans will drink a little more than usual at the holiday time, so as a result I think that it creates an additional incentive for distillers, as responsible companies, to go out and educate those people who may be enjoying the holiday celebrations more than they're used to," Century Council president Ralph Blackman said.

The council cites federal statistics showing that 1,708 people died in alcohol-related crashes last year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

Blackman said people often don't realize just how fast their blood alcohol concentration goes up, and how long it takes before it returns to normal. The program, the council hopes, will help drinkers face the facts and, very importantly, it hopes to help save lives this holiday season. As Blackman explains, "What we say is, ‘Well, you've just gotten the information you need to make a responsible decision and the responsible decision is not drinking up to the legal limit. The responsible decision is deciding when you've drunk enough and you are not impaired and therefore not a danger behind the wheel."
Important Findings:

The Century Council's November survey data were collected by telephone interviews of 1001 adults, 18 years or older, in the contiguous United States. Another sample polled 364 adults living in eight states. 
**77%said they had enough information about drinking and driving and how drinking affects their blood alcohol level

**72% didn't know the blood alcohol limit in their state

**The average respondent thought .33% was the limit in his or her state, which is actually four times the national standard of .08%

**17% know that 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and drinks with 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits all have the same impact on a person’s blood alcohol levels

Source: National Instutite on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
 

Teens and Alcohol: The Risks

Teens and Alcohol: The Risks 

Alcohol is a drug, as surely as cocaine and marijuana are, and for many of our country's young people, alcohol is the number one drug of choice. In fact, teens use alcohol more frequently and heavily than all other illicit drugs combined. While some parents may feel relieved that their teen is "only" drinking, it's important to remember that alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug.

Not only can alcohol affect the mind and body in unpredictable ways, but teens lack the judgment and coping skills to handle alcohol wisely. Some of the catastrophic results of teen drinking include:
Significant brain development continues through adolescents. A recent study by the National Institute of Health presents the first concrete evidence that protracted, heavy alcohol use can impair brain function in adolescents, causing, in many cases, irreversible damage.

Alcohol-related traffic accidents are a major cause of death and disability among teens. Alcohol use also is linked with the deaths of young people by drowning, fire, suicide and homicide.

Teens who use alcohol are more likely to become sexually active at earlier ages, to have sexual intercourse more often, and to have unprotected sex more than teens who do not drink.

Young people who drink are more likely than others to be victims of violent crime, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.

Teens who drink are more likely to have problems with school work and school conduct.

An individual who begins drinking as a young teen is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who waits until adulthood to use alcohol.

The message is clear: Alcohol use is very risky business for young people. And the longer children delay alcohol use, the less likely they are to develop any problems associated with it.
Could My Child Develop a Drinking Problem?

Kids at highest risk for alcohol-related problems are those who:
Begin using alcohol or other drugs before the age of 15

Have a parent who is a problem drinker or an alcoholic

Have close friends who use alcohol and/or other drugs

Have been aggressive, antisocial, or hard to control from an early age

Have experienced childhood abuse and/or other major traumas

Have current behavioral problems and/or are failing at school

Have parents who do not support them, do not communicate openly with them, and do not keep track of their behavior or whereabouts

Experience ongoing hostility or rejection from parents and/or harsh, inconsistent discipline


The more of these experiences a child has had, the greater the chances that he or she will develop problems with alcohol. Having one or more risk factor does not mean that your child definitely will develop a drinking problem. It does suggest, however, that you may need to act now to help protect your youngster from later problems.
How To Help Your Child Say "No" to Drinking

At some point, your child will be offered alcohol. To resist such pressure, teens say they prefer quick "one-liners" that allow them to dodge a drink without making a big scene. It will probably work best for your teen to take the lead in thinking up comebacks to drink offers so that he or she will feel comfortable and confident saying them. But to get the brainstorming started, here are some simple pressure-busters from the mildest to the most assertive:
No thanks.

I don't feel like it, do you have any soda?

Alcohol's NOT my thing.

Why do you KEEP pressuring me when I've said NO.


Some parents may suspect that their child already has a drinking problem. While it can be hard to know for sure, certain behaviors can alert you to the possibility of an alcohol problem.

Warning Signs of a Drinking Problem

The following behaviors may indicate an alcohol or other drug problem, but it's important to note that some also reflect normal teenage growing pains. Experts believe that a drinking problem is more likely if you notice several of these signs at the same time, if they occur suddenly, and if some of them are extreme in nature:
Mood changes: flare-ups of temper, irritability, and defensiveness

School problems, including poor attendance, low grades, and/or recent disciplinary action

Rebelling against family rules

Switching friends, along with a reluctance to have you get to know the new friends

A "nothing matters" attitude, for example sloppy appearance, a lack of involvement in former interests, and general low energy

Finding alcohol in your child's room or backpack, or smelling alcohol on his or her breath

Physical or mental problems: memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech


If you think your child may be in trouble with drinking, you can protect them from years of pain by seeking advice from a mental health professional specializing in alcohol problems as soon as possible. The life you save may be your child's.

Be especially scrutinizing as you determine the drug rehab program that meets your specific needs. This site has listings of teen drug rehab programs and teen treatment centers, teen alcohol rehabilitation programs, teen drug rehab, teen sober houses, teen drug detox and teen alcohol detox centers.