Monthly Archives: September 2018

How Employers Can Partner With Detox Centers To Assist Employees With Addiction

Employee wellness programs have been gaining traction in recent years, and that includes initiatives to promote mental health and sobriety. Mandates requiring employer-provider health insurance to cover treatment for substance dependency have made it easier for employers to retain valuable employees while supporting their recovery. Many are achieving this goal by working in partnership with local drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Florida.

According to some studies, substance users have an 82 percent recovery success rate when referred to a program by an employer. The earlier the process begins, the higher the rate of success. Here’s how you can partner with a local detox center and set up an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your employees as they struggle with substance abuse.

Have Your HR Department Create and Implement an EAP

Due to the nature of addiction and the climate of denial that surrounds many substance abusers, the matter should be studied by your HR department and a policy implemented. If you don’t have an HR department, you can bring in substance abuse experts to educate upper management and help your company develop a program to deal with substance abuse in the workplace. The program should cover:

Creating a formal company policy for dealing with substance use and dependence\
Educating staff and management on the signs of substance abuse
Having a platform in place to guide employees who need help
Providing a safe and confidential system for employees to discuss their need for recovery assistance
Affiliating your company with a reputable treatment facility

Find a Suitable Detox Center That Works With Businesses

Many drug rehabilitation facilities partner with local businesses through their Employee Assistance Program. Investigate local recovery centers to find those that work with businesses. Such a facility can help you fulfill the goals and parameters of your employee drug abuse awareness and prevention efforts, help you develop or improve on your current program, and discuss the availability and need for long and short-term addiction treatment for your employees. You might also discuss using the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if residential treatment is needed, compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA), confidentiality, and other legal issues.

Many of these programs are covered by employer-provided insurance or offered as part of a benefits package. Companies that do more than $100,000 worth of business with the federal government can apply for funding to cover the cost of care under the Drug-Free Workplace Act (DFWA). There are also grants available if you meet the guidelines. The point is to make detox free and convenient for employees while offering lasting, high-quality recovery assistance.

How to Approach an Employee About Their Substance Use

Talking to an employee about their issues is always a touchy and sensitive. This is especially true when dealing with potential substance abuse. Even if it isn’t directly affecting job performance, you may be accused of violating their privacy. They may become defensive and deny that there is a problem. As an employer, you have a responsibility to safeguard your company and employees. When the time comes to have that talk, here’s how to approach the subject respectfully.

Have an established wellness or Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in place to deal with such issues, and make sure that all employees are aware of its existence and guidelines.
Identify areas of deteriorating performance such as chronic tardiness or absenteeism, missing deadlines, lower work quality or decreased productivity, and frequent accidents.
Document performance problems and specific incidents. It helps to have a physical record rather than vague recollections or accusations.
Consult with direct supervisors and HR about how to proceed with the employee who needs help.
Invite the employee to meet with your HR director and/or their immediate supervisor. There shouldn’t be a room full of people present, otherwise it could embarrass the employee or put them on the defensive. Don’t attempt to diagnose or make accusations, Simply state your concerns and provide the documentation to back them up.
Refer the employee to a treatment program. This is where it helps to have an established relationship with a local detox facility.

Educate Your Staff and Management

Once you’ve partnered with a detox center and codified your EAP, you need to make sure that your employees and supervisors are aware of the program and its benefits. This should be done in a mandatory company-wide meeting and as part of new employee training. Knowing that these programs are in place, that they are free and confidential, and that their job is safe should they decide to enter treatment will improve employee morale.

The program should provide:

Substance abuse education
Family support
Peer counseling
Assistance entering a treatment program
Help transitioning back into the workplace after treatment

How Employer/Detox Partnerships Work

Once you’ve identified the problem and the employee has agreed to seek help, arrangements will be made between the facility and the employee for an assessment and to decide on a course of treatment. The primary counselor will work with your designated EAP director for the duration of the treatment so you can be informed of progress and receive updates as needed.

Drug treatment doesn’t end with detox. The first few months after leaving a program and returning to work are crucial for long-term success. An integrated EAP partnership provides ongoing support after initial rehab to help prevent relapse. This could include continued outpatient treatment, counseling sessions, or residency a sober living environment, depending on the severity of the dependency.

In most cases, there will be ongoing monitoring of the employee and contact between the facility and EAP director, which might include:

Drug screenings
Confirmation of attendance at counseling sessions
Verification that the employee is meeting all other requirements of the recovery plan

Substance abuse affects all of us in some way, whether we’re struggling ourselves or watching another deal with dependency. We’re here to 24/7 to provide help and support. Call us today at 866-802-6848.

What You Can Learn While Going Through A Suboxone Detox In South Florida

Amidst the opioid crisis and the battle against opiate addiction, there was an urgent need to find a treatment that could reduce the excruciating withdrawal symptoms clients experience during detoxification.

The FDA’s approval of the drug, suboxone, to alleviate pain and other withdrawal symptoms during an opioid detox has led to more people seeking suboxone detox in South Florida. Many of them fall between the ages of 18-30 and may come from other cities to seek treatment in South Florida.

If you, or a loved one, are struggling with addiction to heroin or another opiate and want to get clean, admission to a detox center can change your life. While there, you may be amazed to learn that with the help of medical professionals you have what it takes to beat addiction and stay sober.

Suboxone and How it Works to Treat Opiate Addiction

Suboxone is a prescription medication approved by the FDA, in 2002, specifically for treating people addicted to opioids or opiates (narcotics).

Opioids are prescription drugs made from the opium poppy plant to treat severe pain. Opiates are more natural and potent forms of the drug, e.g., heroin, and are used illegally by drug users. Both the natural and prescription forms of the drug are highly addictive, resulting in a massive increase in the number of people addicted to these drugs.

Suboxone is itself an opioid—a partial opioid agonist. The medication comes as a tablet or a film and contains the active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone. But it does not cause addiction the way other opioids do.

Instead of giving users a high, the ingredient buprenorphine works to prevent a feeling of euphoria by blocking the natural opioid receptors in the brain. The other ingredient, naloxone, then kicks in to reduce withdrawal symptoms. This mechanism of action is what makes suboxone such a ‘blockbuster’ drug in the treatment of opiate addiction.

Suboxone Detox

Detox for opioid or opiate addiction is a physically and psychologically painful process. This is a primary reason why those wanting to recover from these drugs are often unwilling to seek treatment. However, a Suboxone detox in South Florida can effectively rid the body of opiates while reducing the severity of the symptoms.

The client is medically supervised to help them manage withdrawal symptoms to the point of stabilization. Suboxone is also used to manage cravings during the maintenance phase of detox.

The ability of this medication to reduce the effects of withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings are reasons people addicted to opioids use it as an alternative to heroin or in between drug doses. Others have used the medication to self-treat addiction at home. However, using suboxone to detox at home is discouraged due to the risks of serious medical complication from withdrawal symptoms, including these:

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Extreme mood swings
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dilated pupils
• Insomnia
• Abdominal cramps
• High blood pressure
• Chills and fever
• Irritability or restlessness
• Anxiety or depression
• Overpowering cravings (increases the risk of opiate overdose)

Benefits of Going to a Suboxone Detox Center

In addition to your determination to get over drug addiction, there are benefits of going to a suboxone detox center that can make the process easier.

Tapering: Successfully detoxing requires tapering the user off opiates in a systematic way. During the induction phase, the physician will determine the severity of addiction to set up a suboxone treatment plan that is right for you. This includes the right amount of suboxone doses needed at each stage while tapering you off the drug. A medical professional will administer the doses to allow gradual withdrawal while reducing the effects of the symptoms.

Safety: Trying to detox at home using suboxone is quite unsafe for your physical and mental health. The risk of overdose increases with self-treatment. At a detox center in South Florida, you will be surrounded by a medical staff trained in suboxone detox. These centers usually provide 24-hour services and support to monitor and keep you safe at each stage of withdrawal.

Comfort: Many detox centers in South Florida provide amenities, food, social activities, and a structured and compassionate environment to make recovery easier. Therapists and psychiatrists are also part of the team and can provide emotional support and counseling during withdrawal.

Reduced Risk of Relapse: Tapering off opioid with medical-assisted detox has proven to reduce the risk of going back to drugs. Gradual stabilization of the patient and maintenance help to significantly reduce relapse. The client is considered stabilized once the symptoms are gone and they no longer crave the drug.

Suboxone Detox Withdrawal Timeline

Withdrawal, from the point of induction to stabilization, can take a few weeks to several months. The recovery period is based on various factors including the type of opioid abuse, the severity of the addiction, and any co-occurring mental health issues. Therefore, the length of time to completely withdraw varies from one person to another.

Although stabilized, some clients may still experience an occasional urge to use. In such cases, the medical professional will continue to administer low doses of suboxone, if needed, to manage any isolated cravings. This process is called maintenance. At this point, opioid use will not have the usual euphoria effect since suboxone will continue to block its effects on the brain.

Treatment After Suboxone Detox

Opiate withdrawal symptoms can be severe and need to be medically managed at a detox center. However, the process doesn’t end there. Recovery is most successful when augmented with Medically-Assisted Treatment (MAT) at an inpatient or outpatient treatment center. The professionals at the detox center can assist you with transitioning to any of these programs for psychotherapy.

This phase of recovery deals with mental health issues and behaviors associated with addiction and is conducted by a therapist. You will learn the behaviors and circumstances that trigger drug abuse. You will also learn coping skills to manage cravings and triggers and be equipped with a relapse prevention plan.

People who transition to psychological therapy immediately after detox have a greater chance of maintaining sobriety after rehab. If you live in South Florida, you can begin your journey to a drug-free life by calling us at 866-802-6848.

What It’s Like To Live With An Addiction To Hydrocodone?

I wish I could say that I had the time of my life when I used hydrocodone. I would love to tell you that it made all my problems go away, but it hurt me more than it helped me. At the start of my addiction, it did make things better. I could relax and not feel the stressors of the day. It helped with the reoccurring pain in my head from an automobile accident that damaged disks in my neck. It was like a “miracle pill” at first. However, it wasn’t soon until the thing that once made me so happy turned around and nearly destroyed my life.

For those who don’t know, hydrocodone is the generic version of Vicodin. It’s a widely used medication for moderate pain. I was in a car accident. I was on a major interstate driving nearly 70 miles per hour when a car slammed into me from behind. My neck and back were damaged, and I spend two months on bed rest. After having two rods put into my back, the pain became unbearable. I thought surgery would fix my issues, but the operation only made it worse.

Addition Can Happen to Anyone

I was a business professional with a great job and a family. I would have never thought that one day I would be a drug addict. I grew up in an affluent household, and I had a college education. I thought drug addiction didn’t happen to people like me, but I soon realized that drugs don’t care how much money you make or your social status. They destroy everyone. I justified my need because I was sick. I had surgery and was recovering. The means couldn’t justify the behavior. Soon even I got tired of the excuses.

Regulations have tightened on controlled substances, and I built up a tolerance to this medication rather quickly. One pill turned into two, and two turned into a handful. I just needed to kill the pain. I started asking friends if they had any painkillers in their medicine cabinet. It seemed like my refills didn’t come soon enough. A random drug screen at the doctor’s office showed abnormally high levels of hydrocodone in my urine. He cut off my supply and urged me to seek immediate help. Without a refill, I wouldn’t be able to function. At this point, I became desperate.

Turning To The Streets For Help

There was a man that lived near my office that most people called the drug dealer. I never dreamed I would be in his house begging for something to stop the pain. I was covered in sweat and shaking with anxiety. He hooked me up. When he couldn’t get me hydrocodone, I would take whatever he could get his hands on for me.

At no point did it occur to me that I had a three-year-old daughter or a wife of 27 years waiting for me at home. Thus, my relationships suffered. What if I didn’t make it home? The pain and addiction ruled my life. I never thought about my reputation in the community because I had run out of options.

No job could support my habit. The money ran out, and I charged up all our credit cards with cash advances. My paycheck went from my hand to my local drug dealer. One night, I went to my usual spot to get my fix. I couldn’t wait to pop my pill. I don’t know why I am even alive to tell you this, but that was the night that everything changed. I didn’t just get hydrocodone.

Something else was mixed into my drugs. I remember staggering to the car and thinking I was going to die. In my hallucinations, I kept seeing my little girl reaching for me, but I couldn’t’ touch her. She was laughing and calling for “Daddy,” but I was 100 miles away. I must have slipped into unconsciousness because the next thing I remember I was in the hospital.

At Rock Bottom

I was in bad shape mentally and physically, and I didn’t want to live anymore. My loving wife was by my side, and I wondered what I ever did to deserve her support. I was found by someone passing by who thought I was dead. They called the squad and stayed with me till help came. I was robbed, beaten, and lying next to my car with my clothes torn and bloody. I was barely alive.

Due to my medical condition, I was once again given more pain medications. However, once I healed, I went straight to a rehab facility. My wife made a phone call that changed my life. She spoke with someone at a Florida rehab that knew exactly what we were going through. Arrangements were made for me to get help the next day. It was the best phone call I ever made. It saved my life!

Reaching Out For Help

I’ve been clean for over five years. The horrible pain that I caused myself and others is a distant memory. However, I am careful about what I put into my body and to not let stress get the best of me. I was under the assumption that if my doctor prescribed it, then it was safe. These are controlled substances for a reason, and I was one who couldn’t control it.

I know how you feel and I’ve been where you walk. There is someone there who can help you start your journey toward sobriety. The worst thing you can do is to ignore the obvious. Your problem will get so out of hand that it could cost your life. Please, whatever you do, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call 866-802-6848 to speak to one of our representatives. Help is available 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. You have nothing to lose!

Everything You Need To Know About Going To An Oxycodone Detox

Oxycodone is a highly addictive narcotic that is taken to control moderate to severe pain. When taken and stopped as prescribed, the likelihood of becoming addicted is low. Physicians prescribe this medication to help people deal with pain from injuries, surgeries and painful medical conditions.

Even though it is given to people by doctors, they can still become addicted. They have difficulty withdrawing from the drug and have physical symptoms when trying to stop. Anyone taking oxycodone is at a high risk of developing a dependency because it is a powerful opioid.

Since oxycodone is habit forming, you may need professional assistance with getting off the drug. There are treatment programs available to help you detoxify from the drug and get your life back. Here is everything you need to know about going to an oxycodone detox.

Oxycodone Assessment

Before going into an oxycodone detox center, you will need an assessment by a professional drug counselor. This type of evaluation is necessary to help identify the severity of your drug problem. It also helps professionals determine the type of treatment you require and where you should be placed. During the assessment, you will be asked a series of questions to see if you are serious about getting help.

The screening process determines how often you use and if it has affected your relationship with your family, work and social responsibilities. You may be given questionnaires to complete, and your family will be asked about your history. A urine and blood test is also administered to see what drugs you are taking, and a mental health assessment is given as well.

Oxycodone withdrawal

When you enter into treatment for oxycodone, you will need to go through the withdrawal process. This is not an easy process, and the facility you go to needs to have medical professionals, and an experienced staff that knows how to handle your situation. The symptoms of withdrawal include nausea, vomiting and fatigue. You can lose control of your body and begin shaking, sweating and trembling.

During this period, your heart rate increases, and the medical staff monitors your condition. If there are any complications, they are addressed immediately and all measures are taken for you to regain your physical health. After this process is complete, and the drug is completely out of your system the next phase begins. Everyone has a different experience when dealing with detox, and it can take up to a week to become totally clean.

Days 1-2

When you first stop using oxycodone, your body begins to feel the difference and immediately reacts. You begin to experience muscles aches, nausea and sweating. Some people feel like their skin is crawling and develop extreme itchiness.

Days 3-5

A few days into detox, your body shakes and muscle cramps start to occur. The muscle aches intensify and vomiting and nausea can worsen.

Days 6-7

During days six and seven, the physical symptoms begin to decrease, and the psychological effects of the drug start to increase. Even though your body is clean, you may become depressed and begin to crave the oxycodone. Anxiety can set in and cause you to be uncomfortable in your skin.

Day 8 and on

Although you have stopped taken the oxycodone, you are still susceptible to relapse. Since you were previously addicted, the physiological effect remains intact. They are the most difficult to overcome, so your treatment requires monitoring and further action.

Oxycodone Detox Treatment

Once you have gone through withdrawal, the drug detoxification process continues to the next stages. During this time, the facility makes sure you follow the rules of the program. You must heal physically and mentally because both are essential parts of our recovery. Most centers have a schedule that you must adhere to that includes eating breakfast and dinner at specific times during the day and waking up on time.

There are daily therapy programs with counselors and other people recovering from oxycodone involved. People speak about their experience when using and how they plan to make a difference moving forward. You may also attend individualized behavior therapy with a psychiatrist to continue further evaluation, and to treat any additional mental issues. Your family can become involved with therapy sessions and begin to heal as well.

After Oxycodone Detox

Once you have completed the oxycodone detox program, your treatment is not over. There are precautions that need to be taken to address your triggers and prevent relapse. If necessary, the facility will provide you with professional follow up care to treat psychological conditions. When medication is prescribed, physicians and staff will manage the dosage and frequency of your pills. In many cases, therapeutic care continues to ensure you stay on the path of recovery.

Although you leave the program, clinicians and case managers create detailed aftercare programs to assist you with sobriety. Since the chances of relapse are high and more dangerous after detox, professionals provide you with aftercare. There are structured therapeutic sessions, outpatient programs and support groups available to you after you leave the detox program.

The signs of an oxycodone addiction include taking the medication beyond the prescribed time and using more than the recommended dosage. You have unmanageable cravings and are unable to control your usage. The drug becomes your focus in life and contributes to negative effects on personal relationships and finances. When you try to stop using the drug on your own, you begin to sweat and become extremely discontent.

You may spend time looking for the drug, doing anything to get it and putting your life at risk. Withdrawing from social activities, skipping out on friends and neglecting family are also signs of oxycodone dependence. The physical symptoms are dilated pupils, apathy, drowsiness and having a short attention span. Oxycodone is a dangerous drug and can lead to headaches, seizures, dizziness and low blood pressure. The long-term side effects of this drug can cause heart failure, insomnia, coma and death. If you or someone you know is suffering from this addiction, call us today at 866-802-6848.

What Detox Centers in Florida Are Using To Curb Opiate Addiction

Curbing opiate addiction usually involves a comprehensive treatment plan. The plan typically includes medically-assisted detox followed by psychotherapy to treat co-occurring mental health issues.

Undergoing treatment at a rehab center that offers residential or inpatient programs or at an outpatient treatment center are crucial to long-term recovery. Detox centers in Florida that use this all-inclusive approach have helped many clients avoid the risk of overdose, recover from addiction, and formulate a relapse prevention plan.

Opiates and Opiate Addiction

Opiate addiction, also called opioid addiction, is a widespread problem in the US. Millions of Americans, many between the ages of 18-30, struggle daily with addiction to some type of opiate.

Opiates are narcotics derived from the opium or poppy plant and are highly addictive. Examples of opiates are morphine, codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. These narcotics are prescribed by medical professionals to treat severe to chronic pain.

However, they are sometimes misused and abused leading to addiction. Furthermore, heroin, an illegal street drug processed from morphine or the seed of the poppy plant, is widely used purely for recreational purposes. It has no medical use or value but a high addiction rate.

How Do I Know I am Addicted to Opiates?

Both prescription and illicit or illegal street opioids are commonly abused. Eventually, the opioid receptors in the brain grow accustomed to the feel-good sensation these drugs provide and persistently crave for more.

A person is considered addicted to these substances if they compulsively seek and abuse them despite knowing their harmful effects. The following physical or behavioral signs and symptoms can help you determine whether you or a loved is addicted to opiates and need to seek medical treatment at a detox center in Florida.

Signs and Symptoms of Opiate Addiction

• Denying or justifying drug abuse
• Strong, frequent cravings for heroin or other opiates
• Increase in tolerance level or needing more of the drug to get the euphoria effect
• Lying, stealing, or falsify prescriptions to get more of the drug
• Using opioid medication prescribed to someone else
• False sense of high self-esteem
• Feeling anxious, depressed, irritable, or moody when you don’t get the drug
• Behavioral changes, e.g., hostility or aggressiveness
• Lack of good judgment or poor decision making
• Family and friends say you are addicted and encourage you to seek treatment

How Florida Detox Centers Curb Opiate Addiction

Some persons try to quit opiate abuse on their own. However, this approach is not recommended. People addicted to opiates, especially those with chronic addiction, almost always need to be treated at a detox center to prevent medical complications. Common withdrawal symptoms are as follows, some of which can be severe or life-threatening:

• High blood pressure
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating, chills, or fever
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Paranoia
• Dilated pupils
• Severe body aches and pains
• Irritability, anxiety or panic attacks

Detox centers in Florida use various types of medications to perform a medically-assisted detox. Detoxification is the process of withdrawal from opiates, such as heroin, to rid the body of the drug and stabilize the client to the point where they no longer crave the substance. Detox is done in a safe, compassionate, and supportive environment.

The client is supervised every step of the way by medical professionals who help them manage withdrawal symptoms throughout the recovery process. Counselors and psychiatrists are usually on standby to provide emotional support during detoxification since physical detox can trigger a wide range of emotions and dangerous or unusual behaviors.

Types of Drugs Used for Opiate Detox

Detox centers may conduct inpatient or outpatient detox. The recommended program is determined based on how long the individual abused drugs and the severity of the addiction.

During detox, any of the following drugs may be used to manage cravings and prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms. They are initially administered during the induction phase, about 12 to 48 hours after the last heroin dose. The early stage of withdrawal typically sets in by then.

Suboxone: This is a combination drug with the active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist approved by the FDA specially for tapering users off opiates.

It works by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain, reduce cravings, and alleviate the severity of the symptoms making withdrawal much more tolerable. Suboxone is regarded as a “blockbuster” drug because it is an effective opioid that treats opiate dependence without causing suboxone addiction.

Methadone: Tapering users off heroin and other opiates can be achieved with the use of methadone, another opioid medication. It is given in low doses and helps prevent and relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Buprenorphine (Subutex): Another commonly prescribed drugs for heroin withdrawal is buprenorphine. It reduces cravings and alleviates symptoms such as muscle aches and vomiting, making it easier for a client to quit opiate use.

Naltrexone: Brain receptors that react to heroin use are blocked using naltrexone. Prescribed doses of this opioid receptor antagonist reduce heroin and opioids cravings, paving the way to sobriety.

A different medication may be used to treat different withdrawal symptoms, but these drugs have one thing in common. They trick the brain into thinking the crave for opioids has been satisfied and, therefore, allows the client to successfully taper off heroin or other drugs.

Gradual and systematic withdrawal at a detox center increases the chance for long-term sobriety. Withdrawal timelines vary from person to person, and it could take weeks or months before the patient is considered stabilized and ready to transition into post-detox rehabilitation.

Therapy After Detox for Opiate Addiction

Medically-assisted detox using opioid medication to manage withdrawal symptoms is just one leg of addiction recovery. Once the client no longer wants to use opiates, they should undergo psychological treatment to address underlying mental health issues associated with addiction.

Co-occurring mental or psychological problems include Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used by Florida addiction treatment centers during this stage of recovery. It helps the client uncover the things that trigger opiate use and abuse.

Understanding the underlying causes help clients choose healthier or positive responses to triggers instead of returning to drug abuse. Family sessions may also be incorporated into the treatment plan to help family members understand how addiction affected them and provide tips to help the client from relapsing.

If you are ready to take back control of your life and live free from heroin or opioid addiction, calling a Florida detox center near you can put you on the road to recovery. Call us today at 866-802-6848!

How To Overcome Your Fear Of Going To A Palm Beach Detox Center

Fear is a powerful emotion that can either hold you back or push you to do what must be done. While it’s normal to be afraid of doing something new, the truth is that you must not let your anxiety stop you from finally getting sober. At first, you may have some anxiety about going to a Palm Beach detox center since this represents one of your first steps toward making a major lifestyle change. However, you can rest assured that what you are feeling is normal, and most people feel a sense of fear when they are entering unknown territory.

Throughout your journey to sobriety, you can expect to experience a wide range of emotions that all represent your movement from one stage of recovery to the next. In fact, being afraid is a positive sign that you are finally stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something that will make a huge difference in your life. When you feel fear rearing its ugly head, try using these strategies to get to the root of the problem so that you find success in rehab.

Identify the Sources of Your Fear

At first, you may just think that you are afraid of going to detox, yet there is likely a deeper reason for your worries. For instance, you may be afraid of the physical sensations involved with withdrawal. This is especially common if you have tried to stop on your own in the past and failed. When you enter a supervised detox program, you are given a personalized treatment plan that is filled with strategies such as these to help you begin to feel better right away.

• Nutritional counseling and healthy meals
• Medically-supervised assistance
• Therapeutic counseling
• Recreational activities
• Meditation and mindfulness training

As you use these strategies to feel better, you can also rest assured that the staff in the treatment center is monitoring your overall wellbeing. If they notice that you seem to struggle with a specific symptom, then they’ll take action to help alleviate it so that it doesn’t interfere with your progress.

In addition to worrying about the withdrawal period, you may also be concerned about other factors that affect your sobriety. Right now, you may be worried about how your boss or family members will respond to your need to go to detox. You may be worried about having to start all over again with rebuilding a sober network or friends, and you could also be worried about how you will pay for your treatment. As you think about your reasons for being scared to go to detox, keep in mind that each cause of your fear is valid. In fact, just acknowledging your fear allows you to begin to take the next step toward feeling more comfortable about your decision to seek help through the detox process.

Create a Plan to Address Each of Your Concerns

Being proactive is the best way to handle fear. Now that you know a few reasons for why you are afraid, you can begin to find a solution for each one. For example, you could write down a script for what you want to say to your boss or spouse about your decision to go to detox. You can also practice what you want to say by role playing with a friend.

If your biggest fears pertain more to what happens once you are actually inside of the detox center, then do some research to find out if any of your concerns hold weight. For example, you can remind yourself that you are there by choice and that the staff at the detox center is there to help you be successful. While you do have to abide by certain rules in the center to keep everyone safe, you have the freedom to enjoy some of your favorite activities such as reading or exercising as you work through the withdrawal process. You can also explore the detox center by taking a virtual tour or viewing photographs online, or you can call a member of the staff with your questions so that you know exactly what to expect.

Focus On the Benefits of Ending Your Addiction

Fear may be a powerful emotion, but it is no match for positive thinking. Instead of ruminating on everything that might-and probably won’t-go wrong, consider focusing on all of the things you get out of your time in detox. As your body begins to let go of its need for certain substances, you regain the freedom that you once felt before addiction took over your life. You no longer have to worry about how to buy drugs or alcohol or hide your use from the people who know you well. You can also look forward to finally feeling proud of who you are and having a positive outlook for the future.

During your time in detox, you also benefit from taking the first steps to understand the underlying reasons for your addiction. As you participate in therapeutic counseling, you learn more about who you are and why you couldn’t stop using drugs. For some people, this may mean working through past trauma. For others, this could mean dealing with an underlying mental health issue such as anxiety or PTSD. Learning how to manage the challenges in your life allows you to deal with issues as they come without turning to drugs or alcohol.

In addition to learning about how to avoid using drugs, your time in detox is also spent helping you learn how to live a sober lifestyle. In your treatment center, you will discover new wholesome activities such as art or music that allow you work through your stress and feel happy at the end of the day. Since these activities are all designed for you to enjoy once you return home, you also benefit from having new interests that help you begin to rebuild a social support system made up of people who also enjoy staying sober.

Do you still have concerns about going to detox? Give your friendly staff members a call at 866-802-6848 so that we can help you alleviate your fears and get excited about your recovery.

What You Need To Know About Using Your Health Insurance For Detox

There are many people, who need detox services, that won’t pursue any help for their addiction. Since the price of this kind of treatment can be high, people become afraid of the cost they may ultimately need to handle. There are even some that don’t want their employer to find out about their addiction, so they don’t seek help for it. While it’s understandable for the concern that you may be feeling, it’s still important to use your insurance plan, when possible, to help bring the price down to something more manageable for you. In this article, we’ll explore some of the things you need to know about using your health insurance for detox services.

There are different health insurance plans and which ones your employer has will vary. If you’re looking to get signed up for a detox program, you should be aware of your insurance options and what kind of coverage you could get. Here’s some information you should know about using insurance for your detox treatment:

Many Health Insurance Providers Provide Coverage for Detox

Not all insurance providers offer coverage for detox treatments, but most of them do. Each carrier that does has different copays and deductibles, so each person’s coverage will vary with their own individual plans. It’s important to talk with your insurance carrier to find out what they cover and how much they intend to pay. Also, you will need to find out what requirements they have for getting that coverage. For example, some plans ask that you get a physicians referral for the type of treatment you’re looking to get.

The Affordable Care Act started several years ago, enables certain provider plans to cover rehab and treatment as they would cover other mental or health-related conditions. Some items you may find covered under the ACA are:

Addiction medications
Counseling sessions
Alcohol and drug testing
Assessments for addiction

This opens many opportunities for getting insurance coverage for treatments that previously had none. Now, more providers are getting on board and offering at least a small portion of the treatment programs so that more people can get the help they need.

Some Insurance Providers May Cover Treatment at a Specialty or Luxury Clinic

There are some providers that have predetermined clinics they allow your treatment to take place in. These are usually in-network facilities the insurance company accepts as being a provider of the service you’re getting.

There are, however, some that will accept a specialty or luxury clinic as your treatment facility. In these cases, they’re generally considered being an out-of-network clinic. That would mean they cover a little less of the services you receive and you would have to pay a little more out of your own pocket.

Some Insurance Providers May Cover Inpatient Services

If treatment for your addiction requires inpatient services, all is not lost. Some insurance carriers will cover at least a portion of inpatient services. There may be certain requirements you must meet before you receive those benefits, however.

Inpatient programs are more expensive due to the necessary treatments that will take place during your stay. This raises eyebrows with insurance companies. Some may ask that you try outpatient treatment first before allowing coverage for an inpatient program. Others may be okay with it.

Insurance Providers Shy Away from Holistic Practices

While there’s nothing wrong with pursuing a holistic program for your addiction, you should know many providers will deny coverage in most cases. Holistic treatments are great for providing help with your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many people have met their addiction-free goals using one of these centers.

However, insurance companies don’t see some of those treatments as medically necessary for a person entering detox. So, they often deny coverage for most services if not the whole program. Check with your provider to see if your plan will cover a holistic type of treatment and what benefits you will receive from it if they do.

Private Insurance Companies May Offer More

In most cases, private insurance plans cost significantly more than a public insurance would. Even though they tend to charge higher monthly premiums, they make up for it with their broader coverage options for your medical and detox needs.

Private plans often will let you choose from more facilities and receive coverage for more types of treatments. They also will pay much more of the program services than a public insurance plan would. With that said, you still must check with your provider to be sure they will cover your detox.

Some Insurance Providers May Cover Detox if You Have Mental Health Treatment As Well

Each insurance plan will be different with what they will and will not cover. They’ll also vary with the requirements they place on people who are seeking detox treatment. Some of these companies may ask that you add a mental health treatment program, of some type, to your detox service.

Insurance carriers recognize the importance of long-term treatment for addictions. Detox services that help the addiction, initially, could cause some serious withdrawals and side effects, so a treatment program that adds mental health may be necessary. Once the two programs are combined, they could cover a good portion of the service.

Using health insurance to keep the cost of detox down will ease the stress you otherwise would have otherwise worried about how to pay for it. Even though each plan is different in what items they cover and how much coverage they provide, still pursue finding out what yours will do for your detox needs. Don’t assume that they will cover any part of the program. Ask first and get all the information you can. It’s also important to note that there are still payment options available if you need help paying for the remaining amount that insurance doesn’t cover. If you’re confused about your plan or if you have other questions you need answers to, call us at 866-754-9113. We’ll be glad to help you out.

Why You Shouldn’t Rely on a Rapid Detox for Your Recovery From Substance Abuse

You may have heard the buzz word rapid detox in regards to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. It has been a buzz word over recent years and typically offers a lightning-fast detoxification process that claims to help you go through a full detox in just one day. However, you shouldn’t rely on a rapid detox to address your addiction to drugs or alcohol. A rapid detox merely addresses the physical symptoms of the recovery process.

You’ve likely heard the old adage that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. This is absolutely the case of the promises that rapid detox programs offer. Not only is rapid detox unsafe, you are treating just one part of the problems that led to substance abuse. The truth is that detox should always be done safely and should be monitored by a trained professional. As with anything in life, true success takes work, which is why rapid detox is not only extremely unsafe, but will likely ultimately lead to relapse. If you are reading this, you or a loved one is likely dealing with substance abuse and has some level of desire to recover from addiction. The good news is that a traditional, medical detox can give you or your loved one that healthy, substance abuse-free lifestyle.

What Exactly is Rapid Detox and Why is it Appealing?

When you make up your mind to go through the process of recovery from drugs and alcohol and live a substance-free lifestyle, one of the first steps is completing a detox from the substance or substances you are addicted to. There are several methods to completing the detoxification process, but the end goal is always to completely stop you from using drugs and to avoid a relapse. Unfortunately, you physically can’t simply stop using drugs without going through some level of the withdrawal process. This process has many unpleasant physical symptoms. For this reason, many people look for ways to cheat the process with quick fixes like a rapid detox.

Rapid detox has been marketed as an easy way to go through the detoxification process in a fastener manner than a traditional detox. Typically, the client going through rapid detox is put under a heavy sedation or strong medication during the entire detox process. A rapid detox may involve the use of general anesthesia and will utilize an opiate blocker to prevent a fatal overdose. During a traditional detox, the client is awake during the entire process, which takes anywhere from several days to several weeks. The time frame will depend on which substance the client was addicted to and how heavily they were using that substance. Rapid detox appeals to people who want to speed that process up and avoid some of the worst symptoms of the detox process.

What Are the Dangers of Rapid Detox?

While rapid detox is often marketed as a miraculous, incredibly simple detox process, the truth is that it comes with some real safety hazards. Many of those hazards are extremely dangerous. Additionally, one of the main hazards is the simple fact that you leave the rapid detox with no real tools to understand what led to the original addiction to alcohol or drugs and no real tools to prevent a relapse. The dangers of rapid detox include:

• Nausea, vomiting, choking, aspiration, infection
• Raised body temperature and infection
• Heart attack and death
• It does not treat the underlying issue of your addiction and the likelihood that you will relapse

Overall, the bottom line is that it simply has never been proven to be safe. In fact, the American Medical Association did a study on the result of rapid detox versus traditional detox. The result of the study showed that there was a higher rate of adverse events with rapid detox than with traditional detox. Those that went through the rapid detox process also had more discomfort following the detox process.

There is Not a Shortcut to Your Sobriety

Recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol is a very significant phase of your life and you should go about it the right way, a way that will ensure your recovery lasts a lifetime. It will open the door to the clean and healthy life you always knew you could have. You will be free to excel in ways that you always knew were possible. It isn’t hard to understand that by being sedated or “knocked out,” for a few hours is no way to solve the problems that led to drug addiction in the first place. A safe, medical detox is a holistic approach to recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. The benefits include:

• 24/7 supervision and access to quality medical care from processionals
• Comfortable accommodations
• Safety is always the top priority
• Working with medical and mental health professionals to develop a long-term recovery plan and access to the tools that will prevent relapse

While a traditional detox is certainly more work, the best things in life come as a result of hard work. Medical detox under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals is a tried and true method. Additionally, it is a comprehensive treatment plan that will treat not only the physical detox process, but the mental aspects that led to substance abuse in the first place. It will also provide you with the tools to not simply detox, but to live a healthy and sober life for years to come. You can expect to be provided with not just the medical care the detox process requires, but the professional guidance and support that you will need.

Rapid detox has been marketed as an effortless, pain-free method of detox. Yet, in reality it is simply a quick fix, similar to putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole. It focuses simply on one slice of your recovery, which often leads to a relapse. By treating your recovery process holistically, you have a much better chance of living the bright and happy life that you always knew was waiting for you. We can help, speak with one of our counselors 24 hours a day: 866-802-6848

Questions You Will Have to Answer for Admissions Into a Detox in Florida

If you’re thinking about committing to a detox program, you’ve already taken the first step toward recovery. Many people get stuck here, though. The idea of talking to another person about your addiction might seem overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. The good news is that your admissions counselor will have specific training to help soothe you and streamline the process. They know that you’re anxious. They’re trained for that. Being prepared can help take some of the anxiety away. These are some of the questions you will have to answer for admissions into a detox in Florida.

It’s important to note that the conversation about admissions is a two-way street. You won’t be subject to an interrogation. Your admissions counselor is there to answer any questions you might have about the treatment facility. As long as you give honest answers and show a commitment to recovery, you shouldn’t run into any issues.

How the Admissions Conversation Will Go

Intake questions might vary slightly from center to center. Every consultation you have will be confidential. The first part of the conversation will most likely be a chance for you to ask your questions. Some good ones are:

How long does your medically supervised detox program last?
Are your treatment plans personalized for each individual, or do most people go through the same basic programs?
What process do you use for evaluation and assessment?
Do you also offer mental health treatment for comorbid disorders?
How proactive can I be about my treatment plan?
What are your policies regarding friends and family members?

It might help to write your questions down before you make the call. Make sure that you include details that are important to you. If you need to be around music, ask about that. If you’re worried about interacting with your family, ask about that. Different people will have different treatment priorities.

The Questions You’ll Have to Answer

You can typically expect to be asked some standard questions about your addiction. These tend to be:

What substances do you take?
How long ago was your last dose?
What dosages do you take?
Do you take any other substances?
How long have you been taking this substance?
Do you have any other past history of substance abuse?
Have you ever attempted recovery before?
What were the results of any recovery attempts?
Have you been diagnosed with any co-occurring mental illnesses or chronic pain issues?

The most important thing is that you’re open and candid with them. Don’t lie about your drug or alcohol use, even if it’s tempting. They won’t judge you. They just need to understand the scope of the situation so they can provide you with the best treatment options possible.

Financial Logistics

You can expect to need to verify your insurance, so make sure you have your insurance card with you. If you have any extended policy information, get a copy of that. You’ll want to make sure that your insurance covers the cost of treatment. Then, you’ll want to see what programs are covered, and if there’s an out-of-pocket cost at the end.

If potential out-of-pocket costs are high, you can ask the counselor about whether the center provides financing options or financial aid. In situations where money is a concern, the counselor can explain both your inpatient and outpatient treatment options. Even if you don’t have the opportunity to participate in an inpatient program right now, the counselor can provide valuable resources for your current situation.

Long-Distance Travel

If you’re not a Florida resident, you might need to travel a ways to arrive in a Florida detox center. Your admissions counselor can help you coordinate your travel so that it’s as comfortable and easy as possible. If part of your travels involve the airport, some detox centers and rehab facilities will provide a professional driver to take you to the location.

Questions to Answer Upon Arrival

You should have been given a packing list of things to bring. Any questions about the list can be directed to your admissions counselor.

Arrival at the detox center can sometimes make people feel nervous again. The team of medical staff are aware of this, though, and they do everything they can to alleviate the discomfort. Detox centers are designed to make you feel at-ease and cared for in a way that sterile hospital settings can’t.

You’ll be taken through the intake process by your intake counselor. They will welcome you and bring you to a private room. This is a place that you can relax. You’ll meet your medical team after that. They’ll perform basic medical assessments, which will include many of the same questions the admissions counselor asked about your addiction. From there, they’ll decide on the best detox treatment plan to help you through withdrawal.

Your admissions counselor will take you through the majority of necessary paperwork prior to your arrival at the facility. Make sure you have copies of your medical records, your insurance card, and any medications you need to take. If you need to keep a copy of any official forms, do so.

There shouldn’t be a great deal more paperwork once you arrive at the treatment center. The staff understands that you’re anxious, and they don’t want to overwhelm you with immediate bureaucracy. Their goal will be to make you feel safe and cared for, so that you can have the most painless withdrawal process possible. This will greatly decrease your chances of relapse. You’re more likely to complete physical withdrawal in a detox center in Florida than on your own.

Now that you know what to expect, you can take the next step. Our trained counselors can talk to you about your addiction, your treatment options, resources, and emotional support. Give us a call at 866-802-6848

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company Before Going to an Addiction Detox Center

Many addicts never seek the treatment they need for their addiction, even when they feel like they want to recover. Inaccessibility of treatment is a huge problem in the United States, where the cheapest inpatient treatment has costs of $10,000 per month. Those costs can soar up to $80,000 if you go to a luxury facility. Detox programs tend to last for a week or two rather than months, but the medical costs can be exorbitant. You deserve to get the treatment you need, but you might have to deal with some bureaucracy first. These are the step-by-step guidelines and questions to ask your insurance company before going to an addiction detox center.

Insurance companies will often be picky with the services they’re willing to cover. Sometimes you won’t be able to have inpatient treatment covered until you’ve done intensive outpatient. Sometimes certain offered detox programs will be covered, and others won’t. Sometimes you’ll be covered to a point, but you’ll be expected to pay the rest of the cost out-of-pocket. Knowing what to ask your insurance company will get you the answers you need to make treatment decisions.

How to Approach Your Insurance Company About Treatment Coverage

No matter what kind of insurance you have, the policies regarding medical treatment will inevitably be complex. Your provider will calculate the amount they cover based on your policy and deductible, which can lead to wildly different amounts. Also, different treatment aspects will often have different coverage rules applied to them. You might pay differently for your week-long inpatient detoxification than for outpatient therapy services, and still different for a full inpatient program at a rehab facility.

Pre-Treatment Contact of Your Insurance Company

Your first step will be to call your insurance company’s Member Services department. The representative will be able to give you detailed information about options for addiction treatment. Make sure that your membership identification number and insurance card are both ready. Type or write notes as you talk, including the representative’s name and the date the call occurred. If you need clarification or have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Questions to Ask and Information to Get

Find out what type of insurance plan you have. The main plans are:

EPO – Your insurance company only covers health services if they come from providers in the insurance company’s network, excluding emergency cases.
HMO – Your insurance company gives coverage to providers who contract with or work for the HMO.
POS – A plan where you can use out-of-network providers, but you pay less for in-network providers. You also need a referral given by your primary care physician when you need to see specialists.
PPO – A plan where you can use out-of-network providers, but you pay less for in-network providers. You don’t need a referral to see specialists, but non-referral visits cost more.
Medicaid – Government-supplemented plans that are variable depending on your state of residence.
Medicare – Varying government-supplemented plans with different coverage options depending on the specific type of plan you have.

Ask your insurance provider to give you details about your coverage. These include the length of time you can stay, the contracted providers in your network, the available clinical care levels, and the potential stages of treatment.

If you’re only considering an intensive detox program at a detox center, be clear about that. These programs are usually about one or two weeks long as opposed to the several month-long follow-up rehab programs. Some people undergo medically supervised detox and then pursue outpatient treatment rather than inpatient rehab.

Explain the search radius of locations you’re willing to explore. Ask if your insurance provider can give you information about covered options within this radius.

Ask about the insurance requirements for admission. Do you need a referral, pre-approval, or prior authorization to have your detox stay covered?

Ask about the maximum out-of-pocket expense you might have to pay for addiction treatment. This should include information about the specific co-pays and costs associated with your different treatment options.

You should request a copy of the provider’s criteria for the determination of “medical necessity.” Insurance companies will generally cover treatment only if medically necessary, but different policies have different definitions of medical necessities.

You should also request an emailed list of in-network treatment providers. That’s a lot easier than trying to write down all of their individual names and contact information on your note sheet.

Appealing if Coverage Is Denied

More than one-fifth of all cases appealed due to “denial of coverage” end in favor of the individual covered by the policy. A first level appeal has a low potential success rate, but subsequent appeals increase your chances of success. You can’t give up.

Before you can appeal treatment or services on higher levels, you’ll need to have a direct appeal to the insurance company denied. If you’re appealing your insurance coverage, you should make sure to preserve as much information as physically possible. This includes correspondence, names of the provider’s representatives, notes about calls, and all detailed information about your coverage. Make sure that you keep the information in one place for easy reference.

Appeal processes have a range of potential lengths. If the case is urgent or expedited, a decision is usually made within 1 to 3 days. Standard appeals take between 30 and 60 days. Internal appeals are handled by the insurance company, while external appeals are mediated by a neutral third party.

Before you file any appeals, you should find out whether your healthcare provider has engaged in a conversation with the medical director at the insurance company who handed down the denial.

Successful appeals are ones that are completed within an appropriate time frame and include comprehensive documentation of the medical and policy-related facts.

For more information about insurance coverage, financing options, and affordable treatment plans, call one of our trained counselors at 866-802-6848. We’re available 24 hours a day to help you get the treatment you need.