People from various walks of life such as business executives,
professional athletes, celebrities, politicians, and even the
armed forces and the religious world are flocking to Palm Beach
from different parts of the globe, and not necessarily to enjoy
the spectacular beaches, but rather to save their lives. They
are coming to break harmful dependencies to a variety of
addictive substances-- medical conditions which until recently
were considered taboo to such people.
Recently substance abuse and its treatment have risen in the
consciousness of society. With recent television shows such as
A&E's Intervention, a general acceptance of substance abuse as a
medical not moral issue is developing. Couple this with the
recent liberal trends in dispensing opiate pain medications and
anti-anxiety medications results in a trend of sorts. According
to the most recent nationwide survey conducted in the United
States by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), an
estimated 6.3 million persons, or 2.7 percent of the population
age 12 and older had used prescription psychotherapeutic
medications non-medically in the month prior to being surveyed.
This includes 4.7 million using pain relievers, 1.8 million
using tranquilizers, 1.2 million using stimulants, and 0.3
million using sedatives. The problem is on the rise. According
to this survey carried out in 2003, the increase in rates of
addiction to prescription medication is significant when
compared to previous survey results.
Substance abuse providers are seeing a new profile of patients;
that of apparently normal professionals often successful in all
other aspects of their lives. Dr Mark G. Agresti, Vice Chair of
the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia Hospital explains that
most of today's addicts are hooked on prescription
medication--pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and
sedatives--not illegal drugs purchased on a street corner
somewhere.
James Bevell, Director of Admissions for Poinciana, at Palm
Beach, a facility that treats patients presenting with this
profile, explains that these programs are adapted specifically
for high functioning, motivated people who need individual
attention and guidance. "Patients can free themselves from
chemical addictions and continue with their lives", he says.
Bevell states that 'Executive Detox' is an emerging service
being provided to this new patient demographic.
"Many people who have been otherwise successful in their lives
yet find themselves addicted had found their choices limited and
unacceptable when seeking treatment. In years past the only
alternatives were psychiatric hospitals or free standing
substance abuse hospitals. They used to find themselves thrown
into a system which was often overburdened and understaffed.
Some found themselves misunderstood, misdiagnosed and
mistreated. These patients could not tolerate the treatment and
therefore went largely untreated," he says.
According to Bevell, the concept includes an important
component of luxury and confidentiality.
"Even though Poinciana is a hospital-based program, patients
are discretely separated from regular hospital patients and
other clinical facilities. At this center, they are offered
exclusive concierge services for patients and family members.
Upon request, they are even provided a private escort to
accompany the patient to the facility", he says.
The creators of the plan promise that this method allows
patients, while under the supervision and care of a medical team
of experts in addiction, to withdraw in comfort from substance
dependency as they continue to work or study. They add that this
method is different from other treatment programs because it is
individually modified for each patient, taking into
consideration not only their medical history, but also their
personal issues as well. It is a holistic, bio-psychosocial
approach.
"This is not cookie-cutter medicine. It is a program created to
suit the needs of the individual--one patient at a time," Dr.
Agresti clarifies.
Dr. David J. Stern, an internist who practices in West Palm
Beach, explains the general procedure as follows: "Patient
arrives for assessment and medical examination by a Board
Certified physician and substance dependency specialist. Then
he/she is diagnosed and treated according to his/her specific
needs. Patient receives a regimen of safe and effective
medications, such as Buprenorphine, that promptly eliminate
symptoms of withdrawal, including anxiety, sleeplessness as well
as debilitating aches and pains normally associated with
detoxification."
Throughout course of treatment, patient's physical and
psychological progress is monitored daily by a team of addiction
specialists. Bevell adds, "This safe and carefully controlled
program may allow patients to return to their daily schedules
within 2 or 3 days, and is a much safer alternative to the Rapid
Detox Programs being offered."
After detox, patient returns home, to work or to his or her
studies. Although consideration of further treatment options is
recommended, hospitalization or confinement to a rehab facility
is not strictly necessary.
According to the initiators of this new curative method,
recurrence rates are minimal, and that is important because
recurrence is the greatest obstacle detoxification treatments
have encountered so far. The new methodology is even applied,
with some variations, for conquering addiction to Methadone, a
drug used in treating addictions.
Dr. Agresti explains: "Treatment for Methadone is different than
our standard treatment for conventional opiate dependency.
Methadone poses additional problems and the course of treatment
is longer. But the good news is we can help. Here's how it
works. Utilizing a medical protocol called Rapid Receptor
TransitionTM (RRT), the doctor will safely and comfortably
switch your medications, monitoring your progress daily. After 7
days, when Methadone is out of your system you will be switched
over to Buprenorphine. You may return home. Where you can follow
up with an outpatient provider who will wean you off the
Buprenorphine over the next 4 to 6 weeks. You may go back to
work, your studies, or daily chores immediately. You will have
energy. You will no longer crave Methadone or opiates."
For further information, please call 561-881-5904, write to
admissions@detoxpalmbeach.com; or visit
Opiat
e Detox
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