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Is there any situations that make rehab difficult than others.

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Is there any situations that make rehab difficult than others.

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People who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions may need emotional and behavioral health rehab in addition to drug or alcohol rehab. Addiction is often both a cause and result of emotional or behavioral problems. Addicts may not know how to handle their emotions and turn to alcohol or drugs to numb painful feelings. In addition, negative feelings themselves can become a new addiction.

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People who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions may need emotional and behavioral health rehab in addition to drug or alcohol rehab. Addiction is often both a cause and result of emotional or behavioral problems. Addicts may not know how to handle their emotions and turn to alcohol or drugs to numb painful feelings. In addition, negative feelings themselves can become a new addiction; the addict may use certain feelings, such as anger or depression, to block other feelings or problems from consciousness. If you're struggling to deal with your feelings or think you might be addicted to negative feelings or behaviors, help is available. Call 1-888-439-3435 Who Answers? or fill out a quick contact form to begin getting the help you need to live a positive and productive life.

What is Emotional or Behavioral Addiction?

Emotional addiction may look similar to struggling with depression or other painful feelings. People who struggle with this type of addiction often cry or get angry. They may act out their negative feelings in destructive ways or seek comfort on a regular basis. However, addiction differs from going through a difficult time. Addicts continually return to the same negative feelings or behaviors even after the problem appears to have been solved and don't seem to be able to let go of those feelings.

Addiction to emotional or behavioral problems is more difficult to detect than addiction to drugs or alcohol. You can tell if you or a loved one is struggling with chemical dependency because you see that you're using the drug you had decided not to use. However, you may be suffering from an emotional or behavioral addiction if you have any of the following symptoms:

Obsessive thinking about a problem. Emotional addicts can't seem to stop thinking the same thoughts over and over that lead to the same negative feelings. They also may ask for reassurance and then not believe the person reassuring them.

Difficulty taking responsibility for actions. People who are addicted to negative behaviors or emotions tend to blame others for their actions or reactions. They also may expect others to solve problems for them.

Co-occurring disorders. Emotional addicts often suffer from depression or other disorders in addiction to addiction to their negative emotions. It's also common for alcoholics and drug addicts to suffer from emotional addiction because they don't know how to deal with their emotions.

Continued negative behavior with no obvious payoff. For example, a child who is developing an addiction to negative behaviors might continue to throw tantrums even though caregivers consistently respond by putting the child in his room. Similarly, adults may continue to express anger or other negative emotions in a destructive manner even though they suffer negative consequences such as loss of friends, disciplinary action at work or legal trouble.

Although emotional addiction can be both destructive and difficult to detect, treatment is available. Therapy or other counseling often helps emotional addicts deal with feelings and situations better. Clients may also learn new skills such as social and communication skills so that they can meet their needs in healthier ways. Family members may also benefit from therapy because of the way that the emotional addict has wreaked havoc in his relationships.

Emotional/Behavioral Addiction and Drug Addiction

Addiction Treatments

Addiction is a compulsive or persistent behavior that individuals continue to do despite the obvious negative effect on their lives. People can be addicted to virtually anything, with the most common addictions including alcohol, sex, drugs, eating and gambling.

Alcoholics and drug addicts often turned to drugs or alcohol in the first place to numb painful feelings. Thus, as an addict comes off drugs, treatment for emotional and behavioral problems, including addiction to these problems, is usually a vital part of the treatment plan. When these addicts first seek treatment, rehab counselors usually evaluate them for co-occurring disorders so that they can treat depression or other mental health issues that may be contributing to addiction issues.

Treatment for alcohol or drug addiction thus usually requires a two-pronged approach. Treatment is aimed at both helping the client to stop using the substance he is addicted to and helping him handle underlying feelings and solve problems that contribute to the desire to drink or use. Treatment often occurs at an inpatient rehab facility, where clients live in a structured setting with other people who are working on defeating the same addiction. Some addicts get help on an outpatient basis instead so that they can continue going to work or participating in their other regular activities.

Regardless of whether your emotional and behavioral addiction is a result of drug addiction or another underlying disorder, help is available. Emotional and behavioral health rehab can help you learn new behaviors to help you express and resolve feelings in a constructive manner. Call 1-888-439-3435 Who Answers? or fill out a contact form to take the first step towards a happier, more productive life.

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Emotional and Behavioral Health Rehab - What is Behavioral Addiction?

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People who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions may need emotional and behavioral health rehab in addition to drug or alcohol rehab. Addiction is often both a cause and result of emotional or behavioral problems. Addicts may not know how to handle their emotions and turn to alcohol or drugs to numb painful feelings.

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After rehab you have to recover from you're addiction and find ways to get around your addiction.

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You've seen it in the tabloids: The celebrity with a history of drug or alcohol problems checks back into a treatment center -- or loses their life because of addiction. We shake our heads and wonder what went wrong.

Here's the thing: Relapse is a common part of the ongoing recovery process.

Just like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure, addiction is a chronic disease. Managing it after you're out of rehab requires lifestyle changes, regular doctor visits and, from time to time, changes in treatment plan. A relapse could be a sign that it's time for a new approach.

Recovery Continues After Rehab

"We don't look at something like a relapse as a failure. It's natural part of recovery, which doesn't end after rehab at a treatment center," says Kathleen Parrish, clinical director at Cottonwood Tucson, an inpatient holistic treatment and rehab center in Arizona.

Recovery involves a lifetime plan. That's because addiction isn't something you can cure, says, Jerry Lerner, MD, medical director at Sierra Tucson, a facility in Arizona. "Recovery is part of an ongoing healthier living process."

Steps to Success

Facing the challenges of daily life after rehab is key. Cravings, for example, are bound to rear up. Here are ways to make the process easier:

* Find sober friends. "You'll want to avoid a social group that is heavily involved in using," Parrish says.

* Focus on work. Consider your work setting. You may need to look for a new job. "We've treated wine-makers who have come in for alcohol abuse problems, so going back to work in that environment is a potential trigger," Parrish says.

* Look for answers. Talking about issues can often help uncover the root of the addiction. "A lot of people have underlying emotional distresses that activate or enhance a craving," Lerner says.

* Build a support network. Join a group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. "Some addicts who have been in recovery for decades still occasionally get a desire to use," Lerner says. Having a sponsor -- another person in recovery to turn to when such problems arise -- can help you avoid relapses.

* Help others. Working to help someone else get sober makes it less likely that a recovering drinker, for example, would binge-drink.

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You've seen it in the tabloids: The celebrity with a history of drug or alcohol problems checks back into a treatment center -- or loses their life because of addiction. We shake our heads and wonder what went wrong. Here's the thing: Relapse is a common part of the ongoing recovery process.

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Approximately how much does it cost to enter rehab?

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Approximately how much does it cost to enter rehab?

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Most rehab centers often cost up to $20,000 for a 30-day program. For those requiring 60 or 90 day programs, the total average of costs could range anywhere from $12,000 to $60,000. Outpatient programs for mild to moderate addictions are cheaper than inpatient rehab. Many cost $5,000 for a three-month program.

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Understanding The Cost Of Rehab

The cost of addiction treatment varies between each center. Some programs are free while some cost thousands of dollars a day. No matter your budget, there is a center available. The opportunity to heal is accessible to anyone if they know what resources can help them.

Types Of Addiction Treatment And Costs

The type of care offered by a rehab affects the total cost of getting sober. Treatment types are also different for some addictions. There are many other factors that affect the cost of rehab, from medical care to amenities. The following estimates are based on costs reported by studies and individual facilities.

Outpatient detox ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 in total. Most inpatient rehabs include detox in the cost of a program. The exact cost of detox depends on whether it's part of an inpatient program and the type of drug addiction being treated. Substances with dangerous detox side effects require more careful monitoring, making the price higher.

Some inpatient rehabs may cost around $6,000 for a 30-day program. Well-known centers often cost up to $20,000 for a 30-day program. For those requiring 60- or 90-day programs, the total average of costs could range anywhere from $12,000 to $60,000.

Outpatient programs for mild to moderate addictions are cheaper than inpatient rehab. Many cost $5,000 for a three-month program. Some outpatient programs, such as the program at Hazelden Betty Ford, cost $10,000. The price tag depends on how often the individual visits the center each week and for how long.

The type of treatment medications needed affects the price tag on rehab. Some people don't need medication for their addiction. Medications most often treat alcohol and opiate addiction. It can cost several thousand dollars a year. Year-long methadone treatment for heroin users costs around $4,700.

Explore These Featured Treatment Centers

Paying For Rehab

Insurance is one of the most common ways of paying for rehab. The amount insurance covers depends on the insurer and what the health provider accepts.

Most rehabs offer financial aid, accept insurance or have financing options.

Types of insurance that may cover addiction care include:

Medicaid/Medicare

State-financed health insurance

Private insurance

Military insurance

Not everyone has insurance, but there are still ways to get the help. One way is to look for a free or low-income center. The other is to look into programs that offer financing options. Financing is often a better choice because free rehabs often have limited funding and waiting lists.

Many inpatient rehabs offer financing options for those without insurance.

Some people may be anxious to take on debt, but it's important to view addiction rehab as an investment. Over time it pays off. Getting sober gives people the tools to get their life and career on track. Recovered addicts are also able to save more because they aren't spending on drugs or alcohol.

The Cost Of Addiction

In the long run, rehab is not nearly as expensive as drug and alcohol addiction. Alcohol and drug users are more likely to skip work and switch jobs more often than sober individuals, which has a negative impact on income. The price of drugs, legal problems, health issues and loss of productivity at work all add up over time.

An alcoholic who drinks a 12-pack a day consistently for a year spends over $3,000. This cost doesn't include potential legal issues that can cost thousands more. It's harder to estimate the price of illicit drug addiction, but it can be much higher.

Some former heroin users have reported spending tens of thousands of dollars on their addiction.

The financial costs of addiction are only part of the equation. They don't include the personal costs on relationships and a meaningful life.

What Factors Into The Cost Of Addiction Treatment?

There are several factors that affect the cost of rehab. Some of the predominant factors include:

Type of Center

There is a big divide in the price of inpatient and outpatient programs. The costs of inpatient programs are higher because the costs of housing and intensive care are higher.

The cost of these programs also depends on the length of the program and location. A center in a state with a higher cost of living, like California, can be more expensive.

Treatments Offered

Some people don't need medical detox when they start rehab. Cocaine users usually don't experience dangerous withdrawals when they stop using, so there is no technical detox other than being monitored. But alcohol and heroin users often experience intense withdrawals during detox and usually need medication.

Those requiring more medical care tend to pay more for rehab. Certain therapies like professional counseling also affect how much you could pay.

Amenities

The amenities offered by a rehab don't come for free. Amenities may include massages, acupuncture, swimming pools, tennis courts, large individual rooms or award-winning chefs. Luxury rehabs typically frequented by the rich and famous are expensive because of amenities.

Luxury centers can cost tens of thousands of dollars per month. While most rehabs aren't this expensive, more amenities mean a higher price tag.

Nonprofit And State-Funded Rehabs

Some people meet requirements for low-income rehab, which are usually nonprofit organizations. Low-income rehab is free or reduced in cost. These programs are available so people can get the help they deserve regardless of income.

The Salvation Army is a well-known nonprofit organization that provides free rehab for people in need. There are also some state-funded rehabs for low-income people.

How To Get Started

After you've made the decision to get help for your problem, the next step is finding a rehab that's right for you. Don't let the price of addiction treatment hold you back. Contact a treatment provider to discuss treatment and financing options.

Last Edited:

Author

Jeffrey Juergens

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The cost of addiction treatment varies between each center. Some programs are free while some cost thousands of dollars a day. No matter your budget, there is a center available. The opportunity to heal is accessible to anyone if they know what resources can help them.

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What happens when you check into a rehab center? Explain the procedures.

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What happens when you check into a rehab center? Explain the procedures.

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A trusted adult or family member has to sign off and allow their person to enter the rehab center. Once the person has successfully entered the program will begin and you decide how long you will stay in the rehab.

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Can a person check themselves out of rehab? What are the rules if you are under 18? What are the rules if you are over 18?

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Can a person check themselves out of rehab? What are the rules if you are under 18? What are the rules if you are over 18?

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Leaving rehab before you complete your program is completely your choice. Just like it was your decision to check yourself into rehab in the first place. Although it is not recommended to leave in the middle of treatment it is possible. Most of the time people impulsively walk away from treatment because of anxiety, and not because they’ve thought through the pros, cons of the decision.

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Leaving rehab before you complete your program is your choice, just like it was your decision to check yourself into rehab in the first place. However, if you're in the middle of a treatment program and are making progress with your addiction, it's important to remember that people most often impulsively walk away from treatment because of anxiety, and not because they've thought through the pros, cons, and consequences of the decision.

We're here to help you understand exactly why someone would want to leave rehab early and some of the consequences that may arise while leaving in the middle of treatment.

Can You Check Yourself Out of Rehab?

If you're currently enrolled in a rehab program and are considering leaving, talk to your therapists and counselors about how you feel. They've been through this before with other patients and can address any concerns you're having about your recovery, treatment, or progress. You might also want to discuss your concerns in group therapy, because others may feel the same, and you might be able to strengthen each other's resolve.

Lastly, if you really want to leave-you can, but just wait it out for 24 hours and see how you feel. Take recovery day by day, and every morning commit yourself to stay another day. Before you know it, you'll be on the road to recovery.

Addressing the Common Reasons for Wanting to Leave Early

There are many reasons and emotions that might make you want to leave your rehab prematurely, and it's important to address these if you're serious about getting sober.

Experiencing Withdrawal

One of the main reasons that people often want to leave early is the withdrawal experience. Withdrawal symptoms are a multitude of physical and emotional side effects of detoxification. Depending on the drug you are withdrawing from, symptoms may vary, but most common symptoms include nausea, irritability, depression and mood swings, sweating and anxiety.

We understand that experiencing withdrawal is hard, but the worst of this will pass in a few days, and a facility with experienced medical staff is the best place to endure detox and help you manage your systems and keep you safe.

Not Enjoying Rehab

Not enjoying the rehab experience is another common reason why people leave early. There are several things that come into play here, starting with personalities and denial. Sometimes patients think their addiction isn't as bad as everyone else or they "don't fit in." Others think they don't need rehab at all once they complete the detox process.

We like to emphasize that rehab is the beginning of many changes in your life and there will be some ups and downs. But in the end, the recovery process takes time, effort, and perseverance and you really have to see it through before you can see the beneficial effects it will have on your life.

How Leaving Early Impacts Recovery

Leaving a rehab program means walking away from everything you've worked so hard for. Recovery is a process, and all the steps you've taken, all the days you've struggled through withdrawal, and all the progress you've made battling your addiction will be lost if you choose not to see your program through. Addiction and substance use require therapy, counseling, and healing, and interrupting this process can have a lasting impact on your ability to recover.

What Can Happen if You Leave Rehab Early?

Typically, leaving early is any time before the initial 30 days. However, this all depends on your unique treatment program. There are several things that can happen if you decide to check yourself out of rehab and the sooner you check out, the more dangerous the consequences.

Leaving During a Cleanse

The initial withdrawal process or cleanse period from a number of drugs can actually be life-threatening. Withdrawing from drugs can cause strokes, heart attacks, and even seizures. These symptoms may last a week or more, typically hitting their worst within 24-72 hours.

However, leaving the safety of a supervised medical detox during this time is never recommended because only a comprehensive rehab facility will be able to offer you 24-hour medical care and monitoring. Also, patients are more likely to stick with a detox program when they have lots of help.

Chances of Relapse

Substance abuse treatment provides you with the building blocks that are necessary to not only treat addiction but to learn how to control and manage emotional and psychological health outside of rehab. By leaving treatment early, you may find yourself back to where you started as you have not had enough time to learn all of the coping skills that are taught in a treatment program.

Seeing Recovery Through

Inpatient rehab is an incredibly important part of the recovery process and seeing the program through is the only way to guarantee you'll have a solid foundation on which to build lasting sobriety and a healthy future. Even if you've only been in the program for a couple of days, you have already taken the most difficult step on your path to recovery, and the road ahead is already much brighter because of the work you've done.

At Beachside Rehab Center, we offer detox and holistic treatment in a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere that is ideal for recovery. If you are considering leaving rehab early, we urge you to think of the positive impact recovery will have on your life and the lives of your loved ones before making your decision. Call Beachside today at 866-349-1770 to learn more.

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What Happens if I Want to Leave Rehab? | Beachside Rehab

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Leaving rehab before you complete your program is your choice, just like it was your decision to check yourself into rehab in the first place. However, if you're in the middle of a treatment program and are making progress with your addiction, it's important to remember that people most often impulsively walk away from treatment because of anxiety, and not because they've thought through the pros, cons, and consequences of the decision.

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What is rehab, what types are there and why would someone go to one?

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What is rehab, what types are there and why would someone go to one?

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Rehab is a place where someone who is facing addiction with any substance would go to. It is a place to help treat someone's dependency on psychoactive substances.

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Abstract

Psychological improvements in patients with substance use disorders have been reported after neurofeedback treatment. However, neurofeedback has not been commonly accepted as a treatment for substance dependence. This study was carried out to examine the effectiveness of this therapeutic method for opiate dependence disorder. The specific aim was to investigate whether treatment leads to any changes in mental health and substance craving. In this experimental study with a pre-post test design, 20 opiate dependent patients undergoing Methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance treatment were examined and matched and randomized into two groups. While both experimental and control groups received their usual maintenance treatment, the experimental group received 30 sessions of neurofeedback treatment in addition. The neurofeedback treatment consisted of sensory motor rhythm training on Cz, followed by an alpha-theta protocol on Pz. Data from the general health questionnaire and a heroin craving questionnaire were collected before and after treatment. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that the experimental group achieved improvement in somatic symptoms, depression, and total score in general mental health; and in anticipation of positive outcome, desire to use opioid, and relief from withdrawal of craving in comparison with the control group. The study supports the effectiveness of neurofeedback training as a therapeutic method in opiate dependence disorder, in supplement to pharmacotherapy.

Keywords: Neurofeedback, Opiate addiction, Mental health, Craving

Introduction

Substance use disorder is characterized by physiological dependence accompanied by the withdrawal syndrome upon abstinence from the drug, psychological dependence with craving, a pathological motivational state that leads to active drug-seeking behavior, and tolerance, expressed in the escalation of the dose needed to achieve a desired euphoric state (Sadock and Sadock 2008). It is a chronic, relapsing mental disease that results from the prolonged effects of drugs on the brain (Dackis and O'Brien 2001; Volkow et al. 2003, 2004). Opiate dependence refers to a cluster of substance use disorders with physiological, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms, which, taken together, indicate repeated and continuing use of opiate drugs despite significant problems related to such use (Sadock and Sadock 2008). Drug and opiate substance dependence can take control of the brain and behavior by activating and reinforcing behavioral patterns that are excessively directed to compulsive drug use (Di Chiara 1999; Gerdeman et al. 2003).

The effects of pharmacological and behavioral treatment for substance dependence have been criticized as being limited (Fagan 1994). While major resources have been employed to study and treat substance dependence, there has been minimal improvement in success rates of treatment and the relapse rate is typically over 70 % (Higgins et al. 1995). Gossop et al. ( 2002) reported 60 % of heroin addicts relapsed 1 year following substance dependence treatment. Effective treatment for substance dependence will always require a combined biological, physiological and psychological approach. Few treatment programs address the neurological and physiological issues of substance dependence (Sokhadze et al. 2008).

In recent years, the psychological and neurophysiologic dimensions of substance dependence have attracted more scientific attention (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2000). Volkow et al. ( 1988) were the first to use positron emission tomography (PET) to study the effects of cocaine on the human brain. This study has played a central role in ascertaining the interactions between the brain, drug and behavior in humans. Studies have shown that some symptoms of substance and opiate dependence such as craving, impulsiveness, and psychological abnormalities, are connected to pathological neurophysiology (Kaufman 2000; Dackis and O'Brien 2001; Hubbard and Martin 2001; Volkow et al. 2003, 2004; Ardila et al. 1991). Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) as a kind of brain mapping technique can characterize some of these abnormalities (Newton et al. 2003). The spontaneous EEG activity of substance and opiate dependence patients is characterized by alterations mainly within the alpha, theta and beta bands (Alper et al. 1998; Sokhadze et al. 2008), which may be the result of prolonged substance use itself (Ardila et al. 1991; Marchesi et al. 1992; O'Mahony and Doherty 1996).

The limitations of pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy, combined with knowledge from studies on nerophysiological abnormalities in substance dependence, underline the need for alternative and/or complementary therapies for these disorders, with long lasting effects and minimal side effects (Hubbard and Martin 2001). Neurofeedback appears to be a promising alternative due to effects such as reduced drug seeking symptoms, improved psychological and neurophysiological variables and longer periods of abstinence that have been reported in the literature after neurofeedback treatment (Peniston and Kulkosky 1989; Masterpasqua and Healey 2003; Scott et al. 2005v Sokhadze et al. 2008).

Neurofeedback as a branch of biofeedback technology, is an operant conditioning technique used to reinforce or inhibit specific forms of EEG activity (Scott et al. 2005v Kaiser and Othmer 2000). It is a therapeutic method designed to train the mind and body to act in a more optimal way in order to improve emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral experiences (Demos 2005). Today, based on the research in neuropathology, we can use this method to turn abnormal rhythms and frequencies (based on QEEG) into normal (or relatively normal) rhythms and frequencies, and following that, turn abnormal psychological states into normal ones (Gunkelman and Johnstone 2005). Neurofeedback has been used as a therapeutic method to treat different types of disorders, for example attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Kropotov et al. 2007; Strehl et al. 2006; Rossiter 2004; Fuchs et al. 2003), epilepsy (Kotchoubey et al. 2001), depression (Putman 2001), anxiety and affective disorders (Hammond 2005; Vanathy et al. 1998), fibromyalgia (Muller et al. 2001), and obsessive compulsive disorder (Hammond 2003), and also to enhance attention and memory performance in healthy subjects (Wilson et al. 2006; Hanslmayr et al. 2005; Egner et al. 2002; Vernon et al. 2003). This technique also has been used as a therapeutic method for substance or alcohol dependent patients, and results have corroborated the efficiency of neurofeedback treatment on negative neuropsychological consequences of these disorders (Sokhadze et al. 2008; Scott et al. 2005; Frederick et al. 2005; Burkett et al. 2004; Masterpasqua and Healey 2003; Lawrence 2002; Kaiser et al. 1999; Peniston and Saxby 1995).

Alpha training was the first neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) protocol that was employed in substance and alcohol dependence disorders. Research by Passini et al. ( 1977) has shown the effects of alpha neurofeedback training in reducing anxiety and improving aspects of personality in drug dependence patients. Goldberg and Hillier ( 1979) reported that their alpha conditioning program reduced drug use and increased self-control in 4 patients addicted to opioids. Afterward the treatment of addictive disorders by EEG biofeedback or neurofeedback was popularized by the work of Eugene Peniston (Peniston and Kulkosky 1989, 1991) and became popularly known as the Peniston Protocol. In Peniston's ( 1989) neurofeedback study, ten alcoholic patients underwent approximately 40 alpha-theta brain wave training sessions. These patients had all failed previous hospital residential treatment programs. Eight of them remained generally abstinent at least three years after neurofeedback treatment (Peniston and Kulkosky 1989). This protocol also resulted in a decrease of 13 on the millon clinical multiaxial inventory scales (MCMI), including anxiety, whereas traditional treatment produced decreases of only two points on these scales (Peniston and Kulkosky 1991).

In 1992, Fahrion, Walters, Coyne and Allen replicated these results in a controlled case study. They also reported a decrease in stress-related, blood based beta endorphins and in substance craving in patients. In researches completed by Bodehnamer and Callaway ( 2004) and Burkett et al. ( 2004) on crack-cocaine abusers improvements in mental state, craving and neurological functions have been reported. In another experimental study, participants who received neurofeedback treatment (alpha-theta training) showed significant improvement in their mood and in their Minnesota multiphase personality inventory-2 (MMPI-2) scales (Raymond et al. 2005). Follow-up studies showed the constancy of treatment outcomes in alcohol or drug addicted clients who completed an alpha-theta neurofeedback training program (Kelley 1997; Bodenhamer-Davis and BeBeus 1995; Trudeau 2000).

In a more recent study Scott et al. ( 2005) gave mixed substance dependence patients feedback on their brain's electrical activity in conjunction with conventional treatment. They reported that their treatment doubled the recovery rate for drug dependence. In addition to improving the success rate for recovery from use of drugs, the study documented significant improvements in the ability of the experimental group to focus their thinking and information processing. Moreover, the experimental subjects exhibited significant improvement in some relevant measures of psychological functioning. After only 45 days of treatment, nearly one-third of the control group had dropped out of treatment prematurely and left the residential facility, compared to only 6 % for the experimental group. Even thought all of the works presented thus far were conducted on adults, Trudeau ( 2005) also suggested that neurofeedback could be effective for helping adolescents with substance use disorders.

Despite all these promising results, neurofeedback treatment has not yet beenaccepted as a standard therapy for substance dependence disorders because there are only a few studies in this field, and most of them have been conducted on alcoholic patients. In this study we examined the effectiveness of the neurofeedback method combined with pharmacotherapy in opiate dependence. We believe this is the first study to examine the effects of neurofeedback treatment in addition to Methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance treatment (MMT/BMT) on improvement of comorbid abnormalities in opiate dependent patients. A comprehensive assessment was carried out on general psychological health and substance craving. This study aimed at answering (a) if neurofeedback treatment leads to an improvement in mental health and craving for opiates and (b) if the two experimental and control groups differ in mental health and craving variables. This paper compares results from both groups.

Materials and Methods

Participants

The participants were 20 men, aged 20-50 years, who had opiate dependence disorder according to DSM-IV-R criteria. The main substances on which they were dependent were opium, heroin, and/or crack heroin. The route of administration was smoking. None of participants were intravenous addicts. They had no additional anoxia, head trauma, stroke, encephalitis or HIV. Participants were recruited from an outpatient clinic for substance dependence disorders treatment. They had received at least 3 months of Methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance treatment (MMT/BMT) for substance dependence disorder. Just two participants (one in the experimental group and another one in the control group) had been receiving Buprenorphine maintenance treatment. For patients under Methadone maintenance treatment, Suboxone, that has also Naloxone as a part of substance dependence pharmacotherapy, was the formulation of Methadone that had been used. The prescribed Methadone was in liquid form. During the incoming phase a complete blood and urine test had been taken from all participants. None of them had any substance usage during the last 10 days.

After providing informed consent, all 20 participants were initially evaluated for general psychological health and opiate craving. The patients were then randomized into the experimental and control groups, with the constraint that the groups be matched regarding age (average of 30 years old), education, and general health scores. Table shows key demographic information for the two groups. Both groups were under Methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance treatment for substance dependence disorder. The experimental group also received 30 sessions of neurofeedback in addition to their usual MMT/BMT.

Table 1

Indeed, the patients in this study, was the same as those contained in our previous publication (Dehghani-Arani et al. 2010) and the treatment procedure as well. But this paper examines a different set of measures on the subjects.

Experimental Procedure

The neurofeedback program for the experimental group lasted 2 months (30 50-min sessions). The control group patients were receiving their usual treatment without neurofeedback. The neurofeedback training protocols in every session focused on Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR) training in the Cz (the central brain cortex) area (Scott et al. 2005) and alpha-theta in the Pz (the parietal brain cortex) area (Peniston and Kulkosky 1989), each lasting 20 min, using a Thought Technology Procomp2 system.

The brain's electrical activity was displayed on a monitor in the form of an audio-visual exercise. The feedback informed patients of their success in making changes. The training was introduced as a computer game in which they could score points by using their brain waves. Participants were advised to be attentive to the feedback and to find the most successful mental strategy to get as many points as possible. No other specific instructions were given to them.

In SMR training protocol on the Cz area, the active electrode was placed at Cz with a left-ear reference (A1). The right earlobe was connected to circuit ground. In this program the reinforcement band was SMR (12-15 Hz) frequency band, and the suppressed frequency were delta (2-5 Hz), theta (5-8 Hz) and high beta (18-30 Hz), frequency bands. Thresholds were adjusted in a way that if the participant maintained the reinforcement band above the threshold for 80 % of the time during at least 0.5 s, and the suppressed band under the threshold for 20 % of the time, feedback was received. Whenever participants could maintain the reinforcement band's above the threshold for 90 % of the time during two continuous trials, the threshold was changed automatically so that it was closer to the optimal threshold (Scott et al. 2005).

Feedback in the alpha-theta training protocol on the Pz area was in audio format only. In this protocol, the participants closed their eyes, and only listened to the sound being played to them. Three pathways connected with this protocol were related to the theta (5-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), and beta (15-18 Hz) frequency bands, with one additional pathway to control delta (2-5 Hz). The initial sessions were used to train patients to decrease alpha levels that were above 12 mV (peak to peak), while augmenting theta, until there was ''crossover.'' This was defined as the point at which the alpha amplitude dropped below the level of theta. Subsequent to achieving the first crossover, both alpha and theta frequencies were augmented and the delta frequency range was also inhibited. This was intended to discourage the sleep transition during low-arousal states.

Each alpha-theta session began with the subject sitting in a chair with eyes closed. The active electrode was placed at Pz with a left-ear reference (A1) and right-ear ground (A2). Two distinct tones were employed for alpha and theta reinforcement, with the higher pitched sound used to index the higher-frequency alpha band. At the start of each session, the therapist spent 3-5 min reading a script of guided imagery to the experimental subject that dealt with identified essential elements of maintaining abstinence. After the guided imagery, it was made clear to the subject that the objective of the training did not involve explicit rehearsal of the script during the neurofeedback. Subjects reporting previous meditative practices were asked not to use them during the training, because meditation has been observed to override alpha-theta reinforcement effects (Scott et al. 2005). Following the alpha-theta training, subjects were given the opportunity to process their experience. When it appeared that the subject's delta activity started to elevate and that sleep might be occurring during training, subjects were told prior to their next session to move a limb if they heard the therapist say for example "left hand". Subsequently, during sessions where delta was elevating toward no responsiveness levels, the feedback sounds were inhibited in order to discourage the sleep transition. (Peniston and Saxby 1995; Scott et al. 2005).

Instruments

The 28-item form of the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the 45-item form of the heroin craving questionnaire (HCQ-45) were used to obtain general psychological health and opiate craving information before and after treatment.

The general health questionnaire (GHQ) is a self-administered screening questionnaire designed to detect probable psychiatric disorder in primary care settings (Goldberg 1972). It is highly popular and widely used in research (e. g., Lobo et al. 1986; Gureje and Obikoya 1990; Schmitz et al. 1999). It was developed by Goldberg and Hiller in 1972 for diagnosing non psychotic mental disorders in health centers. This questionnaire is equipped with the proper questions to ascertain the severity of mental disorders (Robins and Brooks 1981). Benjamin et al. ( 1983) have emphasized use of the shorter 28-item version of this questionnaire in order to save on costs and time in important research projects, when studying the general status of mental health of patients. The 28 section form of this questionnaire, compiled by Goldberg and Hillier ( 1979), has four subscales: physical signs, anxiety and sleep disorders, social disorders, and severe depression subscales. A Total score is also obtained. Reliability coefficients have ranged from 0.78 to 0.95 in various studies (Furukawa et al. 2001; Goldberg 1972).

The heroin craving questionnaire includes 45 questions with a 7 level Likert scoring system (with some items reverse scored). Respondents indicate the degree to which they agree with each statement along a 7-point Likert-type scale ranging from "Strongly disagree" to "Strongly agree". This instrument provides five main subscales, all of which were included in analysis: anticipation of positive outcome, relief from withdrawal, intention and plan to use substance, desire to use substance, and lack of control over use. Research supports the validity and reliability (0.69-0.93) of the subsections of this questionnaire in measuring the severity of craving in patients with heroin or other opiate dependence disorders (Heinz et al. 2006; Sayette et al. 2000).

The results obtained in the pre and post-treatment phases for the experimental and control groups were analyzed by the SPSS.16 tool.

Results

In order to check the effect of the pre-treatment phase in an effort to find whether neurofeedback plus pharmacotherapy (MMT/BMT) is more effective than pharmacotherapy alone, the multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used. For this purpose the scores in post-treatment subscales of general health questionnaire and Heroin Craving Questionnaire as the dependent variables, the intervention (in two levels) as the independent variable and the score of pre-treatment indexes as the covariate variables, were used for analysis. After checking the hypothesis of linearity, homogeneity of regression lines, and homogeneity of variances, the effect of intervention with the dependent variables was examined.

General Health Questionnaire

Descriptive statistics for the experimental and control groups, pre and post, for the GHQ-28 are shown in Table and graphically displayed in Fig. . MANCOVA results are provided in Table , where it is seen that the intervention produced significant improvement for physical symptoms, depression, and the total score of mental health. It can be argued that the independent variable had caused a significant difference between the experimental and control groups. No differences were found for anxiety or social functions.

Table 2

Heroin Craving Questionnaire

Descriptive statistics for the experimental and control groups, pre and post, for the HCQ may be found in Table and graphically displayed in Fig. . MANCOVA results, provided in Table , show that the intervention led to significant improvements for anticipation of positive outcome, desire to use, and relief from withdrawal.No changes were noted for plan to use and lack of control.

Table 4

Discussion

The purpose of the present study was to explore if neurofeedback training could enhance existing treatment for opiate dependence disorder. Although previous attempts at using neurofeedback as a treatment method have showed positive results, such studies have typically possessed a number of technical limitations that have reduced their usefulness especially as regards opiate disorders. For instance most of them have been focused on alcoholic patients and there are few experimental studies with a control group for opiate dependence disorders. Further, most of the latest research has consisted of case studies. Furthermore none of them has carried out studies comparing neurofeedback and Methadone or Buprenorphine maintenance treatment. Therefore in the present experimental study we examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback in comparison with MMT/BMT in two groups of opiate dependence patients, with a pre versus post treatment evaluation. This study focused on general psychological health and opiate craving in patients.

Neurofeedback was shown to decrease the craving to use substance and improve general mental health in opiate dependence patients. Some studies on alcohol dependence patients (Passini et al. 1977; Bodehnamer and Callaway 2004; Burkett et al. 2004; Raymond et al. 2005) found improvements like ours when comparing treatment to controls. For example, Scott et al. ( 2005) showed an increase in psychological health in mixed substance dependence patients receiving neurofeedback training, while Passini et al. ( 1977) and Peniston and Kulkosky ( 1989, 1991) found significant differences regarding anxiety signs in their study, that we could not achieve it in this study. Results obtained from the latest studies were based on long term neurofeedback training; however the current study has been able to obtain the same results, except for anxiety, but over a much shorter period of time. Continuing therapy could potentially lead to additional positive outcomes such as improvement in anxiety.

Our results, combined with those of others, suggest that neurofeedback training over a long period may be more effective than pharmacotherapy alone in treating substance use and in promoting mental health. Although pharmacotherapy can lead to some improvements in patients, side effects, instability, and the high risk of relapse, are some of the main limitations of using pharmacotherapy alone (Fagan 1994; Gossop et al. 2002). Neurofeedback attempts to address the fundamental operational functions of the brain and acts as a mechanism for the brain to self-regulate. Its goal is to correct irregular brain functions and consequently improve psychological abnormalities. Furthermore research confirms the stability of neurofeedback effects and its prevention of negative side effects (Hammond 2005). Thus pharmacotherapy can be used to maintain the initial balance between physiological and psychological health in substance dependent patients (Gossop et al. 2002), and then neurofeedback training can be used to guide the patient towards longer lasting health and balance.

There are several opinions about the fundamental mechanisms of effectiveness of neurofeedback training as a therapeutic method in substance use disorders. Several (Ochs 1992; Peniston 1994) suggest that the most active (and apparently transformational) properties of neurofeedback protocols in substance dependency treatment involve teaching participants to intentionally increase the amplitude and coherent interaction of both their alpha and theta brainwave frequencies in either of the brain locations. The mechanism of alpha-theta neurofeedback may lie in its ability to allow participants to better tolerate stress, anxiety, and anxiety eliciting situations, which are particularly evident during the initial phases of recovery (Scott et al. 2005).

Some other theories focus on conditional normalization of reinforcement systems in the brain. Blum et al. ( 2000), focusing on the reward deficiency syndrome that leads to substance craving, suggested that neurofeedback training can initiate a neurological normalizing shift. Following this idea, some studies stated that an apparent neurological "normalization" is responsible for shifting the trained subject into a physical state of comfortable calmness. When chemically dependent patients are calm they often have a neurologically based inability to experience pleasant feelings from simple stimulation (Fahrion et al. 1992; Salansky et al. 1998). Dysfunction of this pleasant feeling is the most important factor "forcing" patients to feel craving and to use substances (Kreek et al. 2005).

On the other hand Cowan ( 1994) suggested that the apparent effectiveness of such training may be due to the enhanced imprinting of positive temperance suggestions and the feeling of inner empowerment which the alpha-theta state seems to encourage. In another opinion, McPeak et al. ( 1991) suggested that self-induced altered-states such as those found in various forms of meditation, can sometimes replace the self destructive pursuit of alcohol and drugs. On the basis of this, Rosenfeld ( 1992) questioned whether there would be any difference between Peniston's neurofeedback protocol, general relaxation, and hypnotic suggestion. Others suggest that the same results can be accomplished with meditation procedures alone (Taub et al. 1994).

Finally, as studies have shown, in the treatment of substance dependence disorder, no single program can lead to a cure by itself (Gossop et al. 2002). While taking into consideration the complexity of the dimensions of this disorder, treatment programs must be able to affect various factors and not be prone to the problems of previous methods, such as relapsing, instability, and other side effects (Trudeau 2000). The results of this study suggest neurofeedback training may produce additional benefits for increasing mental health in patients addicted to opiates, as well as being feasibly integrated with other methods.

In the current study, although we tried to control different factors in the process of neurofeedback training, due to the fact that we used technology in neurofeedback, and it is a new method, patient's hope and motivation for the new treatment, could have heightened the effects noted. Despite this, the use of a placebo group could have strengthened the current design of the program and created more control over other aspects of the program. The high costs of the technology and time involved in neurofeedback, it was not feasible to use a placebo group. Future research projects need to consider incorporating attention/placebo condition to control the effects of interfering factors, so that the benefits of neurofeedback training can be seen more clearly. Inclusion of larger samples and longer term outcomes are needed to increase the level of validity of the results as well. Furthermore, the current research could not be carried out on patients with opiate dependence without also using the pharmacotherapy. In the future studies, one group should receive neurofeedback without receiving pharmacotherapy, which will permit a test of the individual and unique contributions of each approach. Finally in this study we did not repeat blood and urine tests for substance use. So we could not mention the abstinence range during the study. Future studies should include continuous assessments of these types.

References

Bodenhamer-Davis, E. & BeBeus, M. (1995). Neurotherapy for the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse: results of a two year study. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society of Study of Neuronal Regulation, Scottsdale, April.

Sadock, B. J, & Sadock, V. A. (2008). Kaplan & Sadock's comprehensive textbook of psychiatry. 8th Edition Copyright. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Sayette M, Shiffman S, Tiffany S, Niaura R, Martin C, Shadel W. The measurement of drug craving. Addiction. 2000;95(2):189-210. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.95.8s2.8.x. [[PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] Google Scholar]

Sokhadze TM, Cannon RL, Trudeau DL. EEG Biofeedback as a treatment for substance use disorders: Review, rating of efficacy, and recommendations for further research. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. 2008;33(1):1-28. doi: 10.1007/s10484-007-9047-5. [[PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] Google Scholar]

Volkow ND, Fowler JS, Wang GJ. The addicted human brain: Insights from imaging studies. Journal of Clinical Investigations. 2003;111:1444-1451. [[PMC free article] [PubMed] Google Scholar]

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Neurofeedback Training for Opiate Addiction: Improvement of Mental Health and Craving

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Psychological improvements in patients with substance use disorders have been reported after neurofeedback treatment. However, neurofeedback has not been commonly accepted as a treatment for substance dependence. This study was carried out to examine the effectiveness of this therapeutic method for opiate dependence disorder.

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The process of removing toxic substances from a living thing.

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by: Deborahann Smith
Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world - including Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems - detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health through a range of methods including yoga, meditation and more.

How does detoxification work?

Basically, detoxification means cleansing the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. However, when these systems are compromised, impurities aren't properly filtered and the body is adversely affected.

A detox program can help the body's natural cleansing process by:

1. Resting the organs through fasting;

2. Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;

3. Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys, and skin;

4. Improving circulation of the blood; and

5. Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.

"Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life," says Peter Bennett, N.D., co-author of 7-Day Detox Miracle with Stephen Barrie, N.D., and Sara Faye.

How do you know if you need to detoxify?

Bennett suggests that everyone should detox at least once a year. However, Bennett cautions against detoxing for nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing is right for you.

Today, with more toxins in the environment than ever, "it's critical to detox," says Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D., the author of Detoxification: Programs to Cleanse, Purify and Renew. Page recommends detoxing for symptoms such as:

Unexplained fatigue

Sluggish elimination

Irritated skin

Allergies

Low-grade infection

Puffy eyes or bags under the eyes

Bloating

Menstrual problems

Mental confusion

How do you start a detox?

First, lighten up your toxin load. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars, and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives.

Another hindrance to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the "adrenaline rush" to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. Yoga, Qigong and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring. Gaiam carries yoga mats, props and accessories for beginner yogis to advanced practitioners and a meditation seating to help you relieve stress.

Which detox program is right for you?

There are many detoxification programs and detox recipes, depending on your individual needs. Many programs follow a seven-day schedule because, as Bennett explains, "it takes the body time to clean the blood." His program involves fasting on liquids for two days, followed by a carefully planned five-day detox diet to allow the digestive system to rest. Page recommends a three- to seven-day juice fast (drinking only fresh fruit and vegetable juices and water) as an effective way to release toxins.

Here are our five favorite detox diets:

1. Simple Fruit and Veggie Detox

2. Smoothie Cleanse

3. Juice Cleanse

4. Sugar Detox

5. Hypoallergenic Detox

Top 10 ways to help your body detoxify

After a detoxification program, you can cleanse your body daily with these diet supplements and lifestyle practices:

1. Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and organically grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.

2. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock, and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.

3. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.

4. Drink at least two quarts of water a day, made easy by bringing our 32 oz. Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Water Bottle with you everywhere you go!

5. Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.

6. Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.

7. Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.

8. Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate waste through perspiration.

9. Dry-brush your skin or try detox foot spas/foot baths to remove toxins through your pores. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.

10. What's the most important way to detoxify? "Exercise," says Bennett. "Yoga or jump-roping are good. One hour every day." Also try Qigong, a martial arts based exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.

Consult your doctor before using any health treatment, including herbal supplements and natural remedies, and tell your doctor if you have a serious medical condition or are taking any medications. The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended as substitute for medical counseling.

Also in Discover

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by: Deborahann Smith Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world - including Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems - detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out.

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What is an intervention and how is one set up?

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What is an intervention and how is one set up?

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An intervention is an action to taken to improve a medical condition of a specific person. Interventions are set up by a friend or relative who contacts a intervention specialist who is qualified to help out somebody they know. The intervention specialist will then set up a face-to-face meeting with friends and family and try to convince them of stopping and what consequences can happen to the person and the people in their lives.

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Intervention is a word frequently used by people, but they're unsure of what it really is, or what happens in an intervention. The following is some information that defines "what is an intervention," and also outlines what happens in an intervention.

First, to answer "what is an intervention."

An intervention is something that involves intervening in the life or behavior of a person, in the hopes of changing their behavior or the outcome of the situation at hand. An intervention is often something that happens when the loved ones of an addict see their life spiraling out of control, and they want to do something to help them, and they want to also end their own enabling. In many cases, an intervention may also include an ultimatum presented to the addict, and in some cases, an intervention might include a professional who works with the group, but others may not.

What happens in an intervention is that a group of people come together and in a sense, confront the person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, and they work to persuade them to not just make changes in their life, but more specifically, to seek help from a professional or a rehab center to deal with their substance abuse. A group that does an intervention usually includes very close friends and family of the person with an addiction, or it can even include colleagues in some cases.

What happens in an intervention is usually decided upon before the addict is included because it's important that it's well-prepared.

The intervention group meets beforehand to discuss how the intervention will go and what will be said, along with what will happen, and usually, interventions have a leader who is selected by the rest of the group.

The group, when they initially meet, discusses what they know about the person's drug abuse who they're confronting, and they will usually write down a list or letter, or maybe several letters to be read that will highlight how the addiction individually affects each of the people. They will show how addiction has affected the addict's own life as well, and they will then let the person know that it's their wish that he or she go to treatment.

There are also consequences outlined as to what will happen if the person doesn't go to treatment, and they will define the outcomes if the person doesn't agree to treatment.

In most cases, what happens in an intervention is that the group tries to find a reason to get the addict to a specific place at a certain time, and the objective is usually to catch the addict off guard, to allow for more honesty and vulnerability from the addict. Then, once the addict arrives at the agreed-upon location, everyone is present in one room. The addict is asked to have a seat, everyone reads a letter or shares their thoughts, and then also provides some sense of boundaries.

The goal of an intervention is to motivate an addict toward treatment. There is some research showing addicts are more likely to seek treatment when an intervention is what ultimately pushes them toward going, although they don't necessarily affect how well the treatment itself works. Much of how an intervention works is based on the fact that it creates boundaries for the addict, such as financial or providing a shelter for that person, and it also lets members of the group highlight specific, definitive ways the addiction affects them.

Answering "how does an intervention work" is really about understanding that it's a way to show an addict just how profound their substance abuse is in the ways that it affects the people around them.

Also important to answering "how does an intervention work" is the fact that if an addict does agree to treatment, they need to go as quickly as possible after the intervention itself. If an addict doesn't agree to treatment following an intervention, then they must face the consequences outlined by their friends and family during the meeting.

Some general things to consider about how drug intervention works includes the fact that it should be conducted by someone with experience, who can mitigate defensive reactions on the part of all participants. What a lot of people don't realize is how emotionally charged interventions can become because of all the intricate personal relationships at play, and a professional drug intervention specialist is detached from these personal relationships, which can be incredibly helpful. It's also important to note that during an intervention the addict will not only be defensive, but may minimize their problem r their behavior, may try to guilt their loved ones, or they may start to present themselves as a victim.

In fact, both denial and victimhood are two of the primary obstacles to a successful intervention, and professional interventionists are specifically trained to address these areas.

Often once people have an understanding of what a drug intervention is and the drug intervention definition, they wonder who needs a drug intervention?

A drug intervention is ideal for someone who is struggling with drug abuse, but who seems unaware or unable to see how their addiction is affecting their life negatively, and the life of the people around them.

In many cases, a drug intervention takes place when someone denies that their drug use is causing problems. The addict may place blame on others, rather than accepting the effects of their abuse.

While some people may not use professional guidance to stage an intervention, finding professional drug intervention help can be a more effective way to improve the likelihood that an addict will seek treatment following an intervention.

There are experienced, professional interventionists who can do everything from training the loved ones of the addict over the phone as to how to guide the process, to coming and helping them in person and being present at the actual intervention.

Even if you're not going to have a professional interventionist present when the meeting takes place, it is almost always better to seek drug intervention help during the planning process, to understand the best way to approach it, and how to increase the chances the person will accept help.

It can be overwhelming when a family or group of loved ones decide to stage an intervention, and that's when drug intervention programs can be helpful. There are drug intervention programs and drug intervention services that provide resources to help loved ones as they plan and stage an intervention.

There are a few things to know about interventions that can make it better to seek help from a drug intervention program or drug intervention services.

First, there are risks that can come with an intervention, and when you have help from a drug intervention program, these risks can be managed or mitigated. It's also important to realize there are outlined steps for how to stage a formal intervention that's effective, and drug intervention services can help you understand and follow these steps.

An outline of the steps that should be included in effective drug intervention programs are:

An intervention group should include the people close to the abuser. This isn't just limited to family members but can also include close friends, colleagues, and religious advisors.

Professionals who can help with an intervention include counselors or professional interventionists from various drug intervention programs that are local or national, or other therapists or counselors.

During the actual intervention, the group will talk to the addict about how their substance abuse has had a negative impact on them. They emphasize that they won't stand by and overlook it anymore, and they will urge the person to seek help immediately.

Because interventions can have such an impact on everyone involved, seeking drug intervention services can be very helpful.

Also important to understand about drug intervention programs and drug intervention services is the fact that there are specific interventionists certifications that professionals should have.

One example is the Association of Interventionist Specialists (AIS) which has two levels of certification, BRI I and BRI II. The second level is the more experienced in the area of intervention, and AIS is one of the primary certification boards for interventionists. To become an AIS Board Certified Interventionist Specialist, professionals are required to show they have a great deal of experience in conjunction with an educational background.

When you decide you're going to work with a provider of professional drug intervention services, that person will help you plan the meeting to try to help the addict, and the professional will facilitate all steps of the processes. There will usually be at least one preliminary meeting between the people who will participate in the intervention and the professional, and this is when the group will prepare their letters, and practice and outline their strategy.

Also key to know about drug intervention programs is that there are different approaches that may be used. Two of the most common are the Johnson Intervention and the ARISE Intervention. With the Johnson approach, the addict is confronted by a group of loved ones, and they're presented with consequences if they don't agree to treatment. This tends to be the most successful type of intervention.

The ARISE drug intervention program strives to be less confrontational, and it's usually about compassion and healing for everyone in the group. It's also more collaborative, in that the group and the addict work together in the recovery process.

An intervention is something that's meant to provide the motivation an addict needs to seek help for drug or alcohol abuse. In some cases, interventions are also staged as a way to overcome other addictive behaviors or eating disorders and encourage the individual to seek help.

Many times, before learning how to stage an intervention, families and loved ones of people with addiction problems will often try to have conversations with the person, but they aren't successful. It's difficult for people with addiction problems to step outside of their own drug use and see how they're affecting others, and that's why a focused, strategic intervention can be helpful.

If you've tried talking to the addict about their use and behavior and it hasn't helped, a group intervention is usually the next step.
Below outlines some steps as far as how to do an intervention and how to do a drug intervention.

The first step in how to do a drug intervention or how to do an intervention for a drug addict is to contact an intervention specialist who is qualified to help you understand what needs to be done and how to do it. Even if an intervention specialist isn't present during the face-to-face meeting, they can equip you with the tools and resources you need to hold an intervention. An intervention specialist is trained and experienced in overcoming some of the obstacles loved ones face during an intervention, including facing addicts who continue to deny there's a problem.

Without guidance from a professional as far as how to hold an intervention, it can be tough to break through a sense of stubbornness the addict may display.

Once you have connected with a professional, the next step of how to do a drug intervention is to bring together the friends and family that will be participating. Some of the people that may be part of an intervention can include parents, spouses, siblings, colleagues and very close friends.

In some cases, there may be children of the addict that participate, but because it can be a difficult experience, this isn't always the case.

Once the group is formed, the next step in how to hold an intervention is to start preparing for what will be said during the actual meeting.

You may not even realize when you're looking at how to stage an intervention just how emotional and even combative it can be, which is why it's so important to be prepared and work with a professional if possible. During the initial phases of planning how to have a successful intervention, the team can be created as well. You want team members to be the closest people to the addict, and you want them to have communication with one another during the planning stages.

Next, when you're learning how to have a successful intervention, you want to gather the necessary information. First, the members of the intervention group can consult with one another to share stories and determine all the known details about the addict and their drug or substance abuse. Then, the group can start considering the steps and arrangements that can be made for the addict if they agree to treatment.

One of the key components of how to stage an intervention is the setting of boundaries and consequences if the addict refuses help. These consequences need to be extremely specific and decided on in advance of the actual intervention. Each individual who's part of the group has to decide on their own set of consequences.

All of the intervention team should write letters or take notes that they can use to ensure they make all of their relevant points during the meeting.

When someone is addicted to drugs, and you're researching how to do an intervention for a drug addict, one of the most important things to realize is that person may not see how they're affecting others. They may be putting the drug so much above everyone and everything around them that they're blinded to the effects, which is why the personal stories and sharing during an intervention are so critical.

Once you've rehearsed what you'll say, the next step in how to hold an intervention is to choose the meeting time and location. You want the addict to feel like they're going to a place that isn't threatening, and it's best to try to find a time when they'll be sober. Regarding length, most interventions last around an hour, but that's up to the people holding it.

Finally, when you're looking at how to stage an intervention, during the actual meeting, it's important that every person shares their specific thoughts and consequences that they're ready to follow through with if the person doesn't go to treatment.

There's not a definitive answer to the question of are interventions effective and can interventions work because ultimately it all depends on the individuals including the addict and the group holding the intervention. Also, how success is defined may differ.

A family may not define the success of an intervention as immediately entering treatment either. Instead, they might determine whether or interventions are effective by looking at their ability to follow through with what was communicated during the intervention.

The success of an intervention depends on many factors, but drug interventions tend to be more successful when a formula is followed, and when the group works with a professional.

To sum up, can intervention work and how effective are drug intervention programs: it's all based on the individuals, but following a plan and implementing certain steps can increase the chances of success.

Intervention, unlike many rehabs and treatment programs, isn't covered by insurance, so expenses can vary significantly.

When you're deciding how much you're able to spend on an addiction intervention, you might want to add up what it would cost if the addict continues their current behavior, such as legal fees and lost wages, and then compare that to the cost of addiction intervention resources and services.

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Collapse table of contents Intervention is a word frequently used by people, but they're unsure of what it really is, or what happens in an intervention. The following is some information that defines "what is an intervention," and also outlines what happens in an intervention. First, to answer "what is an intervention."