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Addiction Treatment Curbs Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse Among Gay and Bisexual Men

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.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcohol detox, amphetamine, behavioral treatment, crystal meth, crystal methamphetamine, depression, detox, detox program, drug abuse, drug rehab, inpatient drug rehab, intervention, interventions, meth addiction, methamphetamine, patient, recovery, rehab, relapse, symptoms, therapy, treatment

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

How Is Dual Diagnosis Treated?

Historically, addiction treatment programs, drug rehab programs and psychiatric hospitals, have treated dual diagnosis separately. This has not proved to be an effective addiction treatment approach and today most addiction treatment programs, drug rehabs and psychiatric hospitals treat both disorders concurrently.

• Ideally, drug addiction, alcoholism and psychiatric disorders should be treated simultaneously.
• The first step in addiction treatment for drug addiction or alcohol addiction must be detoxification or detox – a period of time during which the body is allowed to cleanse itself of alcohol and/or drugs and all withdrawal symptoms managed.
• Detox should be medically monitored as medical challenges do occur. Time in detox varies, depending on what substances the person is addicted to, the frequency of use and amount of usage.
• Once stable in detox, a psychiatrist will assess the person to determine the mental illness and how to best address it. Addiction treatment programs or drug rehab programs for this population should take a gradual approach. Those with a dual diagnosis have to proceed at their own pace.
• The goal of any quality drug addiction treatment program or drug rehab program should be abstinence and medication compliance.
• After completing drug addiction treatment or drug / alcohol rehab, the person should be involved in psychiatric follow up and aftercare in the drug rehab or addiction treatment program they have completed in order to prevent relapse.

Denial is an inherent part of the problem with dual diagnosis. The person with dual diagnosis often does not have insight as to the seriousness and the scope of their problem. In many cases, an intervention is required to get the person into addiction treatment or drug rehab so the recovery process can begin

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, addiction treatment programs, alcohol addiction, alcohol rehab, alcoholism, detox, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, drug rehabs, dual diagnosis, intervention, mental illness, psychiatric disorder, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, rehabs, relapse, symptoms, treatment, treatment for drug addiction

Drug Rehab…What Is It?

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.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcoholic, amphetamine, centers, drug abuse, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehab programs, drug rehabilitation, patient, recovery, rehab, rehab programs, relapse, support groups, treatment

Drug Rehab Statistics

Citing drug rehab statistics can sometimes feel like trying to hit a moving target, but today certain drug rehab trends are well known. Tens of millions of Americans suffer with drug addiction of one sort or another and the numbers have only grown over the last couple of decades. Add in further addictions such as sexual addiction, food addiction and compulsive gambling and it’s hardly exaggeration to call this problem an epidemic.

Further complicating drug rehab statistics is the confusion concerning the causes of drug addiction. Too many media outlets breathlessly report each instance of genetic correlation as an “aha!” moment, claiming they have discovered a gene for alcoholism or something similar. In fact, the medical literature is clear on this point: there is no such thing as a gene or set of genes for any drug addiction.

What we do know is that drug addiction tends to be driven by the same emotions, memories and associations that comprise personality in general, so the only way to stop the destructive cycle is to understand what’s behind it. For insight such as this you may want to speak with a drug rehab professional or addiction treatment specialist who is trained in addiction counseling, especially if you can find lots of individual time to work on such issues. The results of this approach tend to be far more impressive than any other this drug rehab industry has yet created.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, alcoholism, compulsive gambling, counseling, drug addiction, drug rehab, recovery, rehab, sexual addiction, treatment

Differences in Drug Addiction Treatment Centers

If you suffer from drug addiction, alcohol addiction, dual diagnosis or even an eating disorder, then you have probably thought of entering a drug rehab program at a drug addiction treatment center. Even if you have not given it some serious consideration, the odds are good that a loved one has. There are many such addiction treatment programs available, some are well publicized drug rehabs, while other addiction treatment programs seem like they are located in residential neighborhoods. The common thread for all of these drug addiction treatment programs is that each drug addiction treatment center provides the individual with an opportunity to achieve long term recovery from drugs, alcohol, their eating disorder or dual diagnosis.

What is this drug addiction treatment success based on?
While there may not be an actual secret to addiction treatment success, a successful drug addiction treatment center simply helps the person suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism to break through their denial, become honest and work towards wanting recovery as much as they desired drugs or alcohol. Drug addiction treatment, whether for alcoholism, dual diagnosis or an eating disorder is a process, not an event, and takes time.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment center, addiction treatment program, addiction treatment programs, alcohol addiction, alcoholism, counseling, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehabs, dual diagnosis, eating disorder, recovery, rehab, rehabs, treatment, treatment center

Where Do I Find a Gay Drug Rehab?

I recently received a call from a man who was interested in locating a gay drug rehab. He and his partner were planning a wedding and thought it would be a good idea to get clean and sober before going any further with their lives. After a few weeks in a gay drug rehab and, they agreed that the work they accomplished benefited them as a couple and as individuals. They felt ready to begin the next chapter in their lives.

I offer this example because it is so different from what I usually see. In my intervention work I have found—whether they are lesbian, gay, or straight—that very few people in a relationship with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction seek addiction treatment prior to getting married. Most continue with their drug addiction and alcoholism in denial and hoping things will get better. Needless to say, things rarely get better as the drug addiction or alcoholism becomes more progressive.

It is difficult to move forward in any relationship when drug addiction or alcoholism are present as communication begins to break down, drug use becomes the priority and depression, anger and resentment are all common place.

Tags: addiction, addiction treatment, addiction treatment program, alcohol addiction, alcohol rehab, alcoholism, depression, drug addiction, drug rehab, drug rehab program, drug rehabs, family recovery, family recovery program, family therapist, gay addiction treatment, gay drug rehab, gay rehab, intervention, recovery, rehab, rehabs, therapy, treatment

Alcohol Detox and Drug Detox; The First Step

Drug detox and alcohol detox is the first step on the road to recovery Drug detox and alcohol detox refers to the period during which all traces of the drug are being removed from the body. There are medications to facilitate drug detox and alcohol detox; some of which ease the physical pain and discomfort of alcohol withdrawal and drug withdrawal .

This crucial stage of drug detox and alcohol detox is vital to a complete recovery but should not be taken lightly or without the help of an addiction treatment professional. The withdrawals from some of the more dangerous drugs can be just as, if not more, physically dangerous than the use of the drug itself. Opiate withdrawal is one of the most serious drug detox processes and should be monitored closely by an addiction treatment professional to ensure success and to minimize potential side effects. Some of the side effects associated with certain drug detox periods are tremors, vomiting, severe body pain and breaks in psychological functioning. However uncomfortable some types of drug detox and alcohol detox may be, it is necessary to first rid the body of the substance it depends on so it may return to a state of functioning without it. It is only when a client’s mind and body are clear of the substance from drug detox that the psychological aspects of recovery can begin.
Drug detox and alcohol programs can be found in drug rehab programs, alcohol rehab programs, addiction treatment centers, local hospital and even in some jails or prisons. Law enforcement officials are now more educated about the dangers of drug detox and some offer medical care during the process to newly booked offenders. Although a very scary and daunting thought to drug dependent individuals, drug detox and alcohol detox is the first vital step in returning to a healthy lifestyle.

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Alcohol Detox or Drug Detox

What is usually meant by “alcohol detox” or “drug detox” is the collection of physical symptoms accompanying the discontinuation of addictive substances. It hurts when we quit and it can be dangerous to come off certain substances too quickly. Modern medical science has provided us with some excellent medications to minimize the discomfort associated with the detox process. That is why it is important to have a physician specializing in detox assisting your initial process of recovery. This way you can expect a safe and comfortable detox.

Tags: alcohol detox, detox, detox program, drug detox, recovery, symptoms

Florida Drug Rehab and Florida Alcohol Rehab Programs

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?

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