Addiction Treatment Curbs Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse Among Gay and Bisexual Men
January 10, 2008
Addiction Treatment Curbs Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse Among Gay and Bisexual Men
Behavioral therapy can help gay and bisexual men (GBM) reduce crystal methamphetamine abuse and risky sexual behaviors and sustain these gains for 1 year, NIDA-funded researchers report. By the end of a 16-week trial of four different behavioral therapies, study participants’ stimulant-positive urine samples fell 31 percent, and their number of past-month sexual partners fell more than 50 percent—outcomes that regressed little at the followup visits. Symptoms of depression also improved.
Dr. Steven Shoptaw and colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Friends Research Institute recruited 263 crystal methamphetamine-addicted Gay and Bisexual Men throughout Los Angeles County, particularly in Hollywood, where HIV prevalence is especially high. Of these, 162 completed the requirements for entering the addiction treatment phase of the study, which were to attend six assessments and participate in at least two of four group sessions on abstinence skills during a 2-week “baseline period.” Men who met the requirements reported less severity and shorter duration of methamphetamine abuse than those who did not, despite having abused methamphetamine for 5 years and having spent $293 on the drug in the past month, on average. Half had engaged in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with someone other than their primary partner in the past month, and 84 percent of these men linked the behavior to methamphetamine abuse. Most participants (73 percent) reported symptoms of depression, with about 30 percent describing these as moderate to severe.
Drug Rehab and Drug Rehab Programs
January 10, 2008
Inpatient Short-Term Drug Rehabs and Drug Treatment Centers
Short-term inpatient drug addiction and alcohol rehab programs keep patients up to 30 days in a drug rehab or alcohol treatment center. Most of these addiction treatment programs focus on medical stabilization, abstinence, and lifestyle changes. Staff members are primarily medical professionals and counselors trained in the treatment of drug addiction and alcohol addiction.
Short-Term Residential drug rehab and alcohol rehabs provide intensive but relatively brief residential addiction treatment based on a modified 12-step approach, talk and group therapy. Once primarily for alcohol abuse treatment, these programs expanded into drug abuse treatment in the 1980s. Reduced health care coverage for substance abuse treatment and drug rehab programs has resulted in a diminished number of these programs, and the average length of stay under managed care review is much shorter than in early programs, averaging 7-14 days.
Drug Rehab…What Is It?
January 8, 2008
Drug rehabilitation (often shortened to drug rehab) is an umbrella term for the processes of medical and/or psychotherapeutic addiction treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines. The obvious intent is to enable the patient to cease their previous level of drug abuse, for the sake of avoiding its psychological, legal, social, and physical consequences, especially in extreme drug abuse.
Many drug rehab programs attempt to teach the patient new methods of interacting in a drug free method. In particular, patients are generally encouraged or required not to associate with friends who still use the addictive substance. 12 step programs encourage addicts not only to stop using alcohol or other drugs, but to examine and change habits related to their addictions. Many drug rehab programs emphasize that recovery is a permanent process without a culmination. For legal drugs such as alcohol complete abstention rather than attempts at moderation, which may lead to relapse are also emphasized (”One drink is too many; one hundred drinks is not enough.”) Whether moderation is achievable by persons with a history of drug abuse remains a controversial point but is generally considered unsustainable.
Florida Drug Rehab and Florida Alcohol Rehab Programs
January 6, 2008
Florida and Drug Rehab
Florida is a beautiful state with lots of sandy beaches and beautiful warm weather. No wonder it’s the number one choice for people who are considering where to go to drug rehab , addiction treatment or alcohol rehab. Although drug rehab is a lot of work and you are not there to “hang out” at the beach, you do get the opportunity to enjoy all that going to drug rehab in Florida has to offer.
Why a Florida Drug Rehab or Alcohol Rehab
Florida has quite a few licensed drug rehab facilities in the state, and many use Florida’s beautiful landscape to assist patients in their recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism. Most of the Florida drug rehab and alcohol rehab programs offer the same addiction treatment programs as drug rehab and alcohol rehab’s in other parts of the country, however Florida has become a popular choice for those seeking a new environment and a new start.
There are some perks for people who want to attend a drug rehab or alcohol rehab in Florida as well. You will find many of the addiction treatment services offered there are held outside. This provides the patient with an entirely different addiction treatment experience than just sitting in a closed room.
How to Choose a Florida Drug Rehab or Florida Alcohol Rehab
Since there are hundreds of different drug rehab programs and addiction treatment facilities in the state of Florida, if you are planning on attending or sending someone else there, take a close look at the drug rehab programs. Ask questions……Does the drug rehab program have their own medical detox program? Does the drug rehab program have a comprehensive family recovery component? Does the drug rehab have the ability to treat dual diagnosis and relapse prevention?
Drug Rehab Programs in Maryland
January 5, 2008
Drug rehab programs in Maryland are geared toward the rehabilitation of persons who are trying to overcome their drug addiction. There are many types of drug rehab programs in Maryland with some being of short duration, some are residential addiction treatment centers and others are long term addiction treatment programs.
Maryland drug rehab programs are designed to address the physical aspects of drug addiction and the psychological aspects of integrating back into society. Some drug rehab programs are residential, especially for persons with serious drug addiction and may be covered by private or public insurance to some extent. There are also chemical dependency units where there is about a 3-6 week period of inpatient addiction treatment care where withdrawal from drugs is done in a medically safe fashion. It has been shown that plain replacement of opiate craving with methadone, while helpful is not as effective as a more comprehensive program with counseling and medical care.
Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal
January 5, 2008
Treating alcohol dependency relies a great deal on treating the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This is because the unpleasantness of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and the severity, can drive one back to alcohol in order to obtain relief. While alcohol abuse (which does not entail a physical dependence on alcohol) can be treated alone, or with a good support group, alcohol dependency is different. The body’s physical need makes it harder to overcome. Treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome usually involves some measure of help from prescription drugs. These are chemicals that can help suppress the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as a person’s body becomes less dependent upon alcohol. This can be very helpful in successfully overcoming an addiction to alcohol.
While most treatments can be done as out-patient alcohol treatment, in some severe cases it is necessary to have the alcohol dependent person stay in an in-patient alcohol treatment facility for better monitoring and treatment. No matter the treatment, however, most people with an alcohol dependency also require a good support system and professional counseling as part of their treatment. The psychological impacts of alcohol abuse can be quite as difficult to overcome as the physical addiction.
Why So Few Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Texas
January 5, 2008
When a person thinks of the state of Texas, they think big everything. Unfortunately one thing they are not big on is inpatient addiction treatment for the GLBT population. In cites such as Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston or Abilene, there is a growing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. As with any population growth comes a need for certain healthcare services, in this case, we are speaking of gay friendly addiction treatment or gay friendly drug rehab programs in Texas.
Can’t Gay Men and Lesbians Go to Existing Drug Rehab Programs in Texas?
The answer is yes they can. For gay men and women who are secure in their sexuality, sexual preference and the issues that surround them such as internalized homophobia, homophobia, coming out and others, then any drug rehab, alcohol rehab or addiction treatment program may suffice. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Most drug rehabs or alcohol rehab programs are not gay friendly, which means having the addiction treatment services and addiction treatment staff necessary to address the issues mentioned above. Without a gay friendly environment or gay friendly addiction treatment staff, the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender will probably experience attitudes similar to that of discrimination, prejudice and feelings of being judged.
Gay Drug Rehab Programs in Illinois
January 5, 2008
Drug Rehab programs and alcohol rehab programs have been available for the heterosexual community in Illinois for the last 25 years. The drug rehabs in Illinois have been of high quality and both inpatient and outpatient drug addiction treatment. There has been drug rehab programs for almost any kind of drug addiction or alcohol addiction. You can find drug rehab programs for the elderly, adolescent, men or women, but the GLBT population (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) seems to have been forgotten. Where do the GLBT go where they can receive drug rehab treatment without being judged?
Gay Addiction Treatment History Historically, the GLBT community suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism, were expected to fit into primarily heterosexual drug rehab or alcohol rehab programs. Can you imagine being heterosexual and being asked to fit into a gay drug rehab program or gay alcohol rehab program. What do you think your drug rehab experience would be like?
Drug Rehab Concerns
January 2, 2008
Selecting an addiction treatment program for alcoholism and drug abuse for yourself or someone you care about may be one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Most of us don’t know what to look for in a quality drug rehab program. Not all addiction treatment centers are the same-they differ greatly in drug rehab program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness.
You need to ask appropriate questions when you call an alcohol rehab program or addiction treatment program. One important question is listed below:
Does the addiction treatment center offer a variety of programs?
Alcoholism and drug addiction is a disease that progresses 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 addiction treatment.
Quality drug rehabs should offer a variety of addiction treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include detox, inpatient addiction treatment, residential addiction treatment, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.
The difference between inpatient addiction treatment and residential addiction treatment is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential addiction treatment programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care. Today, most residential addiction treatment programs provide medically monitored detox services at their facility. Don’t be afraid to ask, because having detox at your own facility makes a tremendous difference in continuity of care.
Dual Diagnosis; Eating Disorders, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
January 2, 2008
The actual definition of dual diagnosis is the co-existence of a mental health disorder and drug addiction or alcoholism. The most effective dual diagnosis treatment generally will take place within a drug rehab or addiction treatment program with a strong psychiatric component. The mental health disorder and drug addiction / alcoholism should be treated simultaneously, while realizing the process of recovery is gradual.
Different Definition for Dual Diagnosis
The type of dual diagnosis I want to bring to light is that of the coexistence of an eating disorder and drug addiction or alcoholism. Patients like this are admitted to drug rehab and addiction treatment each and everyday. Unfortunately, drug rehab programs and alcohol rehab programs are not always equipped to treat the eating disorder and in many cases, do not even diagnose it correctly.
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