Drug and Alcohol Rehabs Blog

More Funding for Rehabilitation and Prevention

On February 1, 2010 the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) issued its proposed budget for 2011 addiction treatment and prevention programs, citing a 13 percent increase in spending for prevention and education as well as an increase of nearly 4 percent for drug treatment services.

While the proposed increases are welcome, many in the drug rehab field feel that too much money is spent on the supply reduction and not enough on the demand reduction, as there is still a very wide gap of those who need drug rehab centers vs. those who actually get some type of help.

In fact, roughly 22 million people report past-month use of illicit drugs yet only about 2 million people receive some type of addiction treatment.

Given the amount of wasteful spending and bureaucratic tendencies, it is doubtful that governmental interdiction will make any substantial impact in the near future on the problem. Just like with rehabilitation programs who don’t get results, they have to continually justify their own existence by showing how bad the problem really is, when if they would just get results then they would have all the resources they needed to handle the problem.

Drug Abusing Population Growing in America

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the percentage of people over the age of 12 who used illicit drugs in the previous month has remained steady over the last six years at roughly eight percent. However, the story that is not being told is that due to the average population increase of about one percent each year in the United States, this means that there are about 25,000 more drug users each year, or about 150,000 more in the last six years combined.

While it is clear that more inpatient drug rehabs are needed, these figures make me wonder how many people stop using drugs every year. If it is not more than eight percent, then national drug prevention and drug rehab strategies aren’t working. We do already know that more money needs to be spent for addiction treatment programs, and one possible source is to divert funding from overseas enforcement operations.

Drug Rehab Criticism

If you’re like many people and speak to several different drug rehab centers, you’ll notice that in most cases each one will tell you why they are the best, and in doing so will probably say something negative about other facilities you are considering. This has to be taken only with a grain of salt, because they are essentially in competition with each other so of course will emphasize their own strong points and highlight the others’ weak points.

However, when listening to this, you have to think for yourself if you actually agree with them on your original opinion of the other center(s), or if they can provide facts to back up their remarks rather than just providing some criticism.

If someone is quick to point out negatives in others, that typically isn’t a good characteristic, because that probably means they do that with their own friends and family members as well and most likely aren’t very trustworthy. On the flip side, if they work to educate you on the various types of drug rehab programs available and what each one offers and how they fit into the mix and let you make your own educated decision, then that shows integrity.

If you think you have found the right addiction treatment center for yourself or a loved one, then someone comes along and spreads rumors, don’t let those remarks throw you off what you feel is the right decision. Call the counselors back at the facility, tell them what you heard and allow them a chance to respond or to disprove the rumors if they are false.

If you would like more information about the types of rehabilitation programs available, then using a rehab referral service, such as this one, is a good start.

Another State Shows Rise in Methadone-Related Overdose Deaths

The Reuters news agency reported in early November that the state of Washington claimed methadone was involved in 64 percent of fatal overdoses of prescription opiates. This is yet another state where this is the case, yet even more money from our tax dollars has gone to support methadone programs with a Federally-funded methadone prescribing mentoring assistance service. Lunacy.

Methadone is a highly addictive and deadly drug that hurts more people than it helps in the long run. Like all drugs, there may be some medical uses, but the astronomically high number of overdose deaths associated with the drug calls for an outside inquiry into why the FDA and other government agencies not only continue to allow it’s wide usage but also promote it to people with chronic pain and opiate addictions.

If you or someone you know is has a methadone addiction and would like real help to get off with the help of a successful drug rehab center, contact us today by calling 1-877-421-9659.

Marijuana Potency Causing More than Abuse

A recent report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University detailed some alarming statistics regarding marijuana abuse among teens.

Some of the trends noted were that there was an increase of more than 135% in the number of drug-related emergency room visits for marijuana among 12-17 yr olds from 1995 to 2002. There was also nearly a 500% increase in the number of admissions to addiction treatment centers listing marijuana as the primary problem from 1992 to 2006.

One of the reasons for this can be said to be pop culture glamorization of the drug, but CASA noted that the increase in potency of marijuana as been by 175 percent from 1992 to 2006.

With millions of people abusing and becoming addicted to drugs of all kinds, including marijuana, the need for successful drug rehab centers has never been more clear.

Defining “Holistic” Drug Rehab

In a health-conscious society, the term “holistic” has become more of a fad in many cases than an actual treatment. In the drug rehab field, holistic has been found to have two separate definitions or applications. While most people believe it to be based more on natural remedies, some addiction treatment centers have claimed they offer a holistic approach but still prescribe drugs to addicts, which negates their efforts.

They are able to skirt around the issue by saying they treat the mind, body and spirit (another definition of holistic), yet the drug replacement therapy treatments they use actually include giving toxins to the brain and body and not actually rehabilitating the individual.

There are some very successful holistic drug rehabilitation centers available today, but be careful when looking for one to make sure they really provide a natural method.

North Carolina Drug Rehab

North Carolina has a population of about 9 million people and growing. It has emerged as a new financial region and is also the home of NASCAR, while the beautiful landscape includes mountains and coastline – it’s no wonder why people continue to flock there.

However, over 200,000 people in the state reported drug abuse or dependence in the last year, with only about 25,000 people actually receiving drug rehab services in North Carolina. Finding a long-term rehab program in the state can be difficult, especially one that is effective, as there are only 58 facilities that offer more than 30 days. Of these facilities, the majority of them have very high relapse rates due to the treatment methods they use.

There is hope though. There are successful southeast drug rehabs available. Contact drug and alcohol rehabs today to find a program that works.

Alternative Detox Methods

As we have advocated for many years, the most thorough and effective type of complete detoxification is a biophysical detox. However, there are many instances where someone cannot withdraw from the drugs they are on without experiencing very heavy symptoms.

In such cases it may be necessary for a medically-assisted detox first. Sometimes these detox programs can be very cost-prohibitive and even prevent someone from being able to afford a long-term rehab program afterward.

There are services that will work with your doctor to provide an at-home detox program to prepare you for entering a treatment center.

Anna Nicole – Killed by Doctors’ Prescription Drugs?

A new article just release by the Associated Press (AP) reports that documents unsealed in the investigation into Anna Nicole Smith’s death showed that a pharmacist refused to fill the prescriptions ordered by her psychiatrist and internist and warned them that it was “pharmaceutical suicide.”

The allegations are that the doctors wrote prescriptions a few days after the death of her son, which included “two sedatives, 300 tablets of methadone, a muscle relaxer, an anti-inflammatory drug and four bottles of a strong painkiller.”

How could anyone in their right mind give that many drugs to someone – especially a doctor? Any layperson could tell that such a mixture would be highly toxic. Then again, these doctors were also reportedly accused of having sexual contact with their patient as well, which isn’t surprising for a psychiatrist.

Many Americans dealing with prescription drug addiction started out with the pills being given to them by doctors. Patients must become more educated about what they’re putting into their bodies. Obviously this was a bit of a different situation since she was in a state of extreme anguish and distress, but drugging someone into oblivion – and ultimately death – won’t solve the problems they are faced with. Even if she had survived the barrage of pills, Anna Nicole would have needed an effective detox and drug rehab center.

Does Insurance Pay for Drug Rehab?

Many people have the assumption that their health insurance will pay for drug rehab centers.  This isn’t always the case, as there are many different variables that fall into the equation.

First, it depends on the individual’s policy and whether or not there are any substance abuse benefits.  Then there is the question of if it covers only in-network treatment programs or has out-of-network coverage as well.  Sometimes the percentage of coverage is lower for the latter because insurance companies have agreements with providers to charge less so they will cover more.

Many policies may cover detox and outpatient only but not residential treatment, but for those that do there are often either yearly or lifetime maximum benefits, and of course deductibles and co-pays.

The problem is that most insurance companies are part of publicly-traded companies with financial responsibilities to their shareholders, so their game is to collect as much money as possible and pay out as little as possible so they can earn a profit.  We have seen many people with substance abuse benefits get their claims denied, but if you stick with it and re-submit and get the proper documentation then you can get reimbursement for the expenses, or possibly there is a rehabilitation facility that will do that for you.

One of the things you have to weigh out is whether or not taking more financial responsibility now will save you in the long-run.  Too many people choose drug and alcohol rehabs based on insurance coverage despite the programs’ lack of results.  In many cases it is much better to find the best program for your situation and then try to maximize your coverage and return on the back-end.

For more information or questions about finding the right program, contact us today by calling 1-877-421-9659.