Outpatient drug rehab, addiction recovery, Prometa, Suboxone and Campral treatments in Naples South Florida

Drug Addiction

Addiction and addiction recovery have many definitions. The most important and consistent finding is that drug addiction is a Medical Disease. Thus, addiction requires medical treatment. Suboxone and new medications are now available to treat this medical disease in Southwest Florida, Naples, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers. This addiction is what keeps someone in a cycle of bad habits. However, what first causes the behavior that becomes abused is a separate beast. If one is fortunate enough to recognize the cause and intervene, the medical disease of addiction will not endure.

Dual Diagnosis is extremely common in drug addiction. Many chronic drug abusers--the individuals we commonly regard as addicts--often simultaneously suffer from a serious mental disorder. In 2002 an estimated 4.0 million adults met the criteria for both serious mental illness and substance dependence or abuse in the past year. Drug treatment and medical professionals call this condition a co-occurring disorder or a dual diagnosis. Chronic drug abuse may occur in conjunction with any mental illness identified in the American Psychiatric Association Manual (DSM-IV). Some common serious mental disorders associated with chronic drug abuse include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. Some of these disorders carry with them an increased risk of drug abuse (see table below).

The following table based on a National Institute of Mental Health study, lists seven major psychiatric disorders and shows how much each one increases an individual's risk for substance abuse.

Psychiatric Disorder	Increased Risk For Substance Abuse
Antisocial personality disorder	15.5%
Manic episode	14.5
Schizophrenia	10.1
Panic disorder	4.3
Major depressive episode	4.1
Obsessive-compulsive disorder	3.4
Phobias	2.4

Thus, someone suffering from schizophrenia is at a 10.1 percent higher-than-average risk of being an alcoholic or drug abuser. Someone who is having an episode of major depression is at a 4.1 percent higher-than-average risk of being an alcohol or drug abuser, etc. Those suffering with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are at a greater risk for earlier onset of substance abuse, and even a family history of ADHD is a risk factor for developing substance abuse.

The appearance of new medications has allowed outpatient drug rehab in Naples to be possible. These new treatments for addiction recovery, in most cases, can be done as an outpatient without hospitalization. Drug rehab treatments include VIVITROL, Campral, Suboxone and PROMETA Treatment Program. Prometa treatment is the only treatment available today that has a proven immediate impact in reducing cravings from methamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol addictions as well as improving cognitive functions that are impaired by these chemicals. Suboxone has now shown great results in the alleviation of the most common addiction in this country, "pain killers", also known as narcotics. Each of these treatments has an important role in drug rehab.

Collier County Drug addiction is escalating among the youth. Let me show you some frightening statistics

In Collier County, every 72 hours a juvenile presents to North Collier or Naples Community Hospital Emergency Rooms as a result of a drug or alcohol overdose.
In Collier County, approximately 85% of all juvenile criminal cases are substance abuse related.
In Collier County, getting high from inhalants in middle school students has increased from 12% to over 21% in two years.
In Collier County, most drug related deaths occur from the illegal use of prescription drugs.
In Collier County, deaths due solely to drug toxicity increased 76% between 1998 and 2005. Accidents, homicides and suicides related directly or indirectly to drugs are not included in this startling statistic.

I believe that addiction has two main causes that are often closely intertwined: genetic predisposition and social circumstance. When present together, these causes challenge your psychological makeup and test your spiritual resolve. The combination of these factors are aligned in sinister fashion, the human mind gravitates more to pleasure than pain. Mind altering chemicals become a temptation and escape from reality that will lead to self destruction. The use of these chemicals; cocaine, methamphetamine, etc., cause physical and metabolic changes in one's brain. These metabolic changes can be seen by new technologies such as Positive Emission Tomography. The changes in the brain are what make addiction difficult to overcome without medical intervention and drug rehab.

HOW MUCH DOES ADDICTION TREATMENT COST?

Rightfully, a good question and yet, by the time it is asked, most patients have already lost almost everything. As addicts begin to change their minds about need to seek help, this figure suddenly gains relevance. In order to inform you of costs, allow me to show you some numbers.

Alcohol and stimulant dependence take a heavy toll on your life. Some possible financial consequences are:

Average Cost:

DWI/DUI ................................... $20,000

Alcohol-accident related survivor... $87,000

Divorce .......................................$15,000 to $30,000 *

Total $122,000 - $137,000

The figure listed above does not include how much was spend on the actual drugs of addiction. However, when it comes to a patient's self healing, mental obstacles begin to present themselves such as: "I can't afford this" "I can't afford to stop working" "I don't have time." Ironically, these statements are made after everything has been lost. Imagine what the patient could accomplish if they were not using so many physical and mental resources struggling to fight their addictions independently.

The health consequences are even more severe. Alcohol and drugs can destroy your health. Here are some examples:

Approximate cost:

Liver Transplant................$314,000

Heart attack (180 days).....$19,000

Stroke.............................$140,000

Liver Cancers...................$109,000 - $172,000

For the skeptical individuals, please see for yourself the research on the above figures.

Sloss EM, Wickstrom SL, McCaffrey DF, et al. Direct medical costs attributable to acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke in cohorts with atherosclerotic conditions. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2004;18:8-15.

Thom T, Haase N, Rosamond W, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics - 2006 update. A report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation.2006;113:85-151.

Cohen DA, Wu S, Farley TA. Cost-effective allocation of government funds to prevent HIV infection. Health Affairs. 2005;24:915-926

Then, to the answer the question, "How much does this all cost?" is dependent on how much you value your life. People, addicted to drugs and alcohol, have an uncanny ability to obtain resources for their addiction. These same people then complain in investing resources in their recovery. Thus, the cost of an evaluation and even an intervention is irrelevant compared to all the losses related to alcohol and drug addiction.

Outpatient addiction recovery is often treated in my office. If the condition is very complicated, then the patient may require inpatient treatment. Meth addiction and Cocaine addiction can now be successfully overcome with Prometa. Oxycontin addiction can be treated with Suboxone in South Florida, Naples and Fort Myers. If you live in Marco Island, Fort Myers or Southwest Florida, then Pain Killer Detox help is available. Don't continue to suffer from Cocaine or Oxycodone addiction; Dual Diagnosis is a treatable disease.