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Drug Rehab and Drug Rehab Programs

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.

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Gay, Lesbian Needs for Substance Abuse Treatment

People who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) represent a substantial minority of the U.S. population, yet pervasive prejudice and stigma often inhibit the development and provision of appropriate drug rehab and dual diagnosis services for them. This article provides basic information regarding common drug rehab and dual diagnosis concerns of GLBT persons to aid in the development of culturally competent mental health services.

Gay, Lesbian Substance Abuse Issues Research findings vary on rates of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and drug abuse among lesbians and gay men, but experts maintain that drug and alcohol abuse are significant health and mental health concerns for sexual minorities. One study found that lesbians and gay men were twice as likely to be moderate drinkers, but about equally as likely to be heavy drinkers, as heterosexuals. Experts note the likelihood of a link between internalized homophobia, low self-esteem, ongoing discrimination and alcohol abuse and drug abuse. GLBT who seek addiction treatment for substance abuse problems may encounter barriers to addiction treatment in unsupportive service settings. This is the reason for the need of gay friendly drug rehab programs and gay friendly alcohol rehab programs.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol abuse, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab program, alcoholism, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, dual diagnosis, gay rehab, mental health, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, substance abuse, substance abuse problems, treatment

Gay Alcohol Abuse and Gay Alcohol Dependency

Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Gay alcohol abuse and gay drug addiction is a problem for far too many gay Americans. Whether it is inherited or society related, drug addiction and gay alcohol addiction cause tremendous damage to those people that come in contact with the drug addict or alcoholic. Fortunately, there are gay alcohol rehab programs and drug rehab centers across the country that assist addicts, alcoholics and their families with the process of alcoholism treatment and drug addiction treatment.

Different Gay Alcohol Rehab Approaches

Different gay alcohol rehabs and drug rehab programs take different approaches, but the philosophy is usually the same – if you are suffering from alcohol abuse and can not manage to control your drinking, you are probably alcoholic.
Most quality alcohol rehab programs use medications to help the alcoholic and addict manage their alcohol withdrawal or drug withdrawal. Alcohol detox generally takes between five and seven days, depending on how much alcohol you were drinking, how frequent and a variety of other factors. Alcohol detox should take place in a medically monitored alcohol detox unit, within the alcohol rehab program.

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Major Study To Examine Effects Of Alcohol On Gay Community

(Buffalo, New York) The University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions is preparing to embark on what is generally regarded as the biggest study ever undertaken on the role of gender and sexual identity in alcohol use and victimization.

The five-year study will involve 400 gay and bi men and women. The research will include alcohol use and interpersonal violence, “including childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence” said Dr. Amy Hequembourg who will lead the study.

There are a range of risk and protective factors associated with alcohol abuse and victimization among individuals who face stress associated with social stigmatization of their sexual identities, according to Hequembourg.

She will investigate social support systems, involvement in GLBT community activities, and relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.

Tags: addiction, alcohol abuse, alcohol rehab, alcohol treatment, alcohol treatment program, alcoholism, effects, intervention, rehab, relationships, treatment

Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal

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.

Tags: addiction, alcohol abuse, alcohol treatment, alcohol treatment facility, alcohol withdrawal, counseling, patient, symptoms, treatment

What is Alcohol Abuse?

Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism in that it does not include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence. Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:

• Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities;
• Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery;
• Having recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk; and
• Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the drinking.

Although alcohol abuse is basically different from alcoholism, many effects of alcohol abuse are also experienced by alcoholics

Tags: alcohol abuse, alcoholic, alcoholism, effects

Possible Reasons for Increased Gay Alcohol Abuse

The difference in alcoholism rates between gay and non-gay populations has been attributed to a number of environmental factors. One factor is that alcohol serves as a method of coping with internal homophobia. Anderson and Henderson (1985) believe that socio-cultural pressure is the most sound explanation as to why alcoholism rates differ between gay and non-gay populations. Overt societal stigmatization of gay men and lesbians can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and powerlessness. As such, alcohol may serve as one way to cope with these negative feelings.

A second reason for increased gay alcohol abuse by gay men and lesbians is the fact that legitimate socialization is often limited to bars or parties serving alcohol. Gay bars promote the use of alcohol in much the same way that nongay bars endorse alcohol use in the heterosexual culture (Israelstam & Lambert, 1984). The major difference between the two, however, is that heterosexuals have a greater range of social outlets from which to choose without fear of recrimination (Colcher, 1982; Finnegan & McNally, 1987).

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, alcohol abuse, alcoholism, alcoholism treatment, depression, gay rehab, rehab, treatment

Gay Alcohol Abuse: Do We Make Alcohol Illegal?

Why would anyone want to make alcohol illegal?
To stop gay alcohol abuse.

Why is this a bad idea?
Because it doesn’t work. Alcohol use and abuse alike are simply driven underground, leading to a huge untaxable market and a rise in organized crime as the mobs who control the illegal product gain money and power.

What is a better solution?
Alcohol should be legal, and regulated by states as they see fit. Gay alcohol abuse will be no worse than under prohibition, and crime will go down while tax revenues on the sale of alcohol go up, leading to better communities.

So how can we stop gay alcohol abuse?
Prevention is the real key. The conditions that lead to alcohol abuse should be prevented. Alcohol is fine in moderation, and millions of responsible gay people use it without negative effects on a regular basis. The real problem is when gay or lesbian people don’t know when or how to stop, or don’t want to because they are trying to escape unpleasant lives. Education on alcohol, and more accessible psychological gay counseling for everyone, is the best hope we have for ending gay alcohol abuse.

Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol rehab, counseling, effects, gay rehab, rehab

Dual Diagnosis Treatment and Substance Abuse

The term “dual diagnosis” may be new to your life and vocabulary or it may be something you are familiar with and have heard about before today. While not particularly well-known, dual diagnosis is more common than you might imagine. According to a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “Thirty seven percent of people who suffer from alcohol abuse and fifty-three percent of people who suffer from drug abuse also have at least one serious mental illness, which creates a dual diagnosis. Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse either alcohol or drugs (NMHA, 2005). “Dual diagnosis” is defined as an individual who has two separate but very interrelated diagnoses. For the purpose of this article, dual diagnosis means a person has both:

1. A psychiatric diagnosis
2. A substance abuse diagnosis which may include drug addiction or alcohol addiction

A dual diagnosis occurs when an individual is affected by both chemical dependency and an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses may affect an individual physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Each illness has symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively and relate to themselves and others. Not only is the individual affected by two separate illnesses, both illnesses interact with one another. The illnesses may exacerbate each other and at times the symptoms can overlap and even mask each other making diagnosis and dual diagnosis treatment more difficult.

Tags: addiction, alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, anxiety disorder, bipolar, bipolar disorder, chemical dependency, depression, drug abuse, drug addiction, dual diagnosis, dual diagnosis treatment, dual diagnosis treatment program, mental illness, panic disorder, phobias, psychiatric disorder, psychiatric illness, schizophrenia, substance abuse, symptoms, treatment

Alcohol Addiction and Alcoholism

For many people, the facts about alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are not clear. What is alcohol abuse, exactly? How does it differ from alcoholism (i.e., alcohol addiction)? When should a person seek help for a problem related to his or her drinking? The following information explains both alcohol abuse and alcoholism, the symptoms of each, when and where to seek help, alcohol treatment choices, and additional helpful alcoholism resources.

Alcohol Dependence, Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse: A Widespread ProblemFor most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate alcohol use-up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people-is not harmful for most adults. (A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle or can of either beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.) Nonetheless, a large number of people get into serious trouble because of their drinking. Currently, nearly 14 million Americans-1 in every 13 adults-abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking that could lead to alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy drinking on a regular basis. In addition, 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem.

Tags: addiction, alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, alcohol dependence, alcohol rehab, alcohol treatment, alcoholic, alcoholism, recreation, rehab, symptoms, treatment