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Navigating Treatment While in School

Getting treatment can be difficult if you are in college and have a mental health or addiction disorder. There are many things to consider when seeking help for a mental health or addiction disorder. You may wonder how it will affect your schoolwork. What treatment programs will help you manage your needs and attend school? You might wonder if you should drop out of school temporarily or permanently. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you make the best decision for yourself and your future.

Addressing the Issue

If you are struggling with a mental health or addiction disorder, then you will want to address the issue as quickly as possible. Don’t wait until things get bad to seek professional help.

The right treatment will help you create a healthy environment for yourself and others. It also helps you be upfront about your situation with everyone involved. Reaching out to friends, family, and peers can create a support network to ensure that your well-being comes first. Therefore, when you need more support, you will have the resources to help with challenges navigating school and treatment.

How Long Will Treatment Last?

The length of your treatment program can vary based on the severity of your mental health or addiction disorder. For example, if you have an alcohol problem and struggle with depression simultaneously, it may take a more involved treatment to address these co-occurring disorders.

Consider choosing a treatment center that offers transitional living options so that once treatment is complete, there will be somewhere safe for you to live while you adjust back into society.

Having a Conversation With Professors

If you have a mental illness or addiction disorder and are concerned about how your treatment may affect your academic performance, it might be helpful to talk with your professors. Let them know that you are going through treatment. Of course, you only need to tell them what you’re comfortable telling them. Sometimes, letting your professor know can allow for more flexibility with deadlines and attendance. They may also be able to provide guidance for campus resources, such as group meetings for students managing addiction and mental health disorders.

Setting Goals

Creating goals is a great approach to keeping you structured, motivated, and accountable. Some things to remember when setting goals include:

  • Set goals that are realistic
  • Smaller achievable goals help you realize the larger goals
  • Set goals that help lend structure
  • Share your goals with a trusted friend or family member to stay accountable and motivated

Manage Your Schedule

You should also avoid scheduling classes on days where you have appointments that cannot be moved, such as group or individual therapy sessions or medical check-ups. If you can’t get your professors to change the time of your classes, consider looking for another class scheduled during a time that works for you. You might also want to ask if there are any accommodations available so that you can keep pace or catch up on missed work.

Taking Time Off

Taking a semester off from your studies may allow you time to get back on track with medication and therapy so that when it comes time for college, your symptoms won’t be as severe as they were before taking this break. Taking an extra year after high school could allow you more time to figure out what options would work best for you. Sometimes, having such serious issues makes it difficult for someone who isn’t suffering from these same problems to understand what needs to be done. You can use this time to:

  • Consult a professional
  • Find an appropriate diagnosis and treatment
  • Educate those around you about what you are experiencing

Recovery Is Possible

It’s important to remember that recovery is possible even while attending college or university. The first step on the road to recovery is accepting that you have a problem and reaching out for support. It’s also important to have a plan. Such plans might include anything from joining an addiction treatment program to changing your diet and exercising. Having a backup plan will also help you stay motivated when temptations arise during stressful times in your life. For example, while studying for exams or working multiple jobs.

Regardless of how challenging life may become, it’s critical that you remain flexible with yourself and others around you so as not to lose sight of what matters most. What matters most is maintaining your health throughout this process. Your honesty about where things stand today will help you find a treatment plan that is right for you.

In order to ensure you have a successful college experience, it is important to stay organized and know your limits. This requires working toward your goals one day at a time. At Excel Treatment Center, we understand that there are always steps you can take when things get tough. We can help guide you through the process, helping you develop tools to navigate treatment and recovery and help you determine if your school has resources available for students managing a mental health or addiction disorder. We will also help you establish a healthy support network of friends, family, and peers that will keep you motivated and accountable. If you or a loved one needs help, don’t wait; reach out for help today. To learn more about our evidence-based programs, please contact Excel Treatment Center today by calling us at (833) 883-9235. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

Can I Keep My Job and Go to Day Treatment?

Realizing that you might need treatment for your addiction is a huge step in the right direction. However, many fear their life will change when they take that first step, including potentially losing their job. This is a valid concern; however, at Excel Treatment Center, we want you to know that you have options.

If you are searching for addiction treatment and fear losing your job while attending an inpatient program, there are day treatment options that may fit better for your schedule; these are also called outpatient treatment programs. Here at Excel Treatment Center, we offer various outpatient services.

The Benefits of an Outpatient Program

Day treatment offers a convenient, cost-effective way for many people to get the care they need in a safe environment with minimal disruption to their lives. A day program can also offer an easier transition between work and therapy than residential treatment, which typically involves a 24-hour commitment with no outside responsibilities like work or family obligations to distract from recovery efforts.

An inpatient program might be too much of a time commitment for some people who are searching for treatment options. An outpatient program offers many things that inpatient programs don’t provide. With outpatient care, you can carry on with your regular activities, live in your own home, and visit the treatment facility on a regular basis. This allows people to keep their jobs and maintain active treatment and sobriety.

Different Types of Day Programs

There are multiple different types of day programs people can attend. Choosing a day program that fits your needs can ensure success.

Partial Hospitalization

Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are programs that work well for people struggling with co-occurring disorders. This type of program ensures you can still take care of daily responsibilities while receiving the level of care you need. In PHP, you will live at home and travel to and from a treatment facility for the program. Most PHPs are approximately six hours a day for five days a week.

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are an excellent option for those who are in the thick of their addiction and need a lot of support. The integrated approach of intensive outpatient programs may benefit clients who need a structured treatment plan to conquer addiction. Programs for intensive outpatient care are created to help people obtain intensive outpatient therapy with the least amount of disruption to their daily life possible.

The goal of intensive outpatient programs is to allow clients to continue managing other aspects of their lives, such as their jobs or studies, while also attending sessions at the facility on their own time. Clients are encouraged to come into the clinic about six days a week. During the week, it is recommended to spend between six and thirty hours attending treatment at the facility.

Outpatient Programs

Outpatient programs are a great option for those who don’t need round-the-clock support for their addiction but still need some support. This program supports clients’ reintegration into society and supports them in leading fulfilling lives. You will learn, with help, how to overcome life’s challenges if you remain actively involved in the therapy process while still taking care of your daily obligations.

With the potential to create enduring relationships that support people in holding one other accountable for their recovery goals, outpatient programs establish a favorable climate for shrewd encounters. You will develop lifelong friends and relationships through outpatient programs.

Day Treatment vs. Inpatient Treatment

Day treatment options might be better for some people than an inpatient program because it allows more flexibility and might allow you to continue working while attending treatment. Although it may seem impossible to continue working while attending day treatment, there are many ways that you can go to treatment and still maintain employment.

Attending Treatment Before Work

You can attend day treatment before work each morning. This allows the treatment professional in charge of your care at the facility to make sure that your needs are being met, and it also allows them time with you when they would otherwise not be able to meet with clients in person, such as after hours.

Attending Treatment in the Afternoon

Another option for attending day treatment while maintaining a job is to attend sessions in the afternoon instead of staying until closing time at work every night. This will allow you to maintain employment while working on your recovery.

Protections for Treatment

Anti-discrimination laws protect you from losing your job if you need to attend treatment. The following laws, when applied correctly, can ensure you maintain employment while finding help for your substance abuse or mental health needs:

  • Family Medical Leave of Absence Act (FMLA): Under FMLA law, you are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected medical leave. Under this law, substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders are considered serious health conditions.
  • Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): SUD and mental health disorders are considered disabilities. This means your job is protected under anti-discrimination protections. Companies with 15 or more employees are bound by ADA.
  • Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act (MHPAEA): This law protects your right to access treatment with insurance provided by your job. Under MHPAEA, group health plans cannot provide fewer benefits for addiction and mental health treatment.

Professionals at a treatment facility can help you learn more about your job protections in treatment and assist you with taking leave or creating a treatment plan that allows you to continue treatment while working.

Many people fear seeking treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) due to employment. Luckily, day programs exist. Day programs allow you to live at home while attending treatment. With day treatment, you can continue to work while receiving care for SUD. At Excel Treatment Center, we offer three different day treatment options: partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and outpatient programs. Our team of professionals recognizes that every individual has a unique situation. We can help you create a treatment plan that fits your goals and needs and helps you succeed in a life free from substances. With our outstanding clinical services, psychiatric treatment options, and family support choices, our goal is to help you excel in life. For more information on Excel Treatment Center’s day treatment options or to learn more about how you can continue to work while receiving addiction treatment, call (833) 883-9235. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

How Can I Support a Loved One Struggling With Addiction?

Addiction not only affects those struggling with the addiction but also affects the friends and family around them. It can be just as challenging to support them as it is to watch them in active addiction. Learning to create a loving, supportive space without enabling can be difficult, but it is crucial to develop this space to help your loved ones through their recovery.

What are some things that you can do to help those struggling with addiction? How can you create successful boundaries while allowing them to feel loved and supported? Here are some ways to support your loved ones as they fight against their addiction.

Educate Yourself

The best way to support someone through their addiction is to educate yourself on the type of addiction your loved one is battling. Suppose they are struggling with opioids; this could be a good opportunity to research opioid addictions. Learn about the symptoms and what the recovery would look like. Research treatment options and what they will go through as they start their recovery. The more you learn, the better you will understand what they are going through, and the more you can assist your loved one.

It isn’t easy to help someone when you know nothing about what they are dealing with. Although you won’t know what they are going through as you are not experiencing what they are, you can learn about addiction to better serve them. Your loved one will feel more comfortable and appreciative when you take the time to learn about what they are going through and how to help them.

Compassion and Patience

Showing compassion to your loved one while facing one of life’s biggest battles is probably the most important thing you can do for them. They are already going through so much, and having love and compassion next to them will help far more than judgment will.

With compassion comes patience. This is a long journey, and there will be setbacks. They are going to have many hard days. Don’t expect immediate change from them as they navigate their new life without the use of substances. Recovery will not be an overnight change; as you practice patience, they will feel supported.

Don’t Enable

Love and support are extremely important to ensure your actions don’t turn into enabling behaviors. There is a difference between support and enabling; you want to ensure you don’t cross that line into enabling your loved one.

Along with not enabling their behaviors, it is essential not to fall into their manipulation. Some people struggling with addiction can’t control their behaviors, and ensuring that you don’t fall into their manipulation tactics will help create boundaries that will support their recovery and not enable them.

Get Involved

If your loved one is entering treatment, visiting the facility with them can help them feel supported. Going to 12-Step meetings with them can also help. Communicating with them to understand what they need and how to be involved will benefit them. Showing them that you are interested in their recovery will help them feel safe and supported.

Seek Counseling or Therapy

As a loved one of someone struggling with addiction, you are going through something. You are facing something that needs to be talked about. Guidance and support from a mental health professional will help you feel supported and make sure you are creating healthy boundaries as your loved one goes through this battle. It is just as important to take care of your mental health so you can be the best support system for your loved one.

What to Expect

Knowing what to expect when a loved one enters treatment can help you to support them. You may feel an array of emotions as your loved one starts this journey to recovery.

You might be glad your loved one is finally getting help and feel the comfort that they are making a good, safe choice. You may worry about the well-being of your loved one. You might feel resentment that your loved one has placed this burden on you for a long time. You might feel sad that this is part of your story and the story of your loved one. You might feel shame that addiction has infiltrated your life.

All of these feelings are valid and real. You are allowed to feel whatever emotions come to you during this trying time. Don’t try to stuff them down. Allow yourself to feel them. Talking with a therapist might help you manage all of these emotions.

Watching a loved one battle addiction can be very scary, and if they make the decision to enter treatment, it can be even scarier. Learning to support your loved one during this trying time can be the difference between keeping a healthy relationship with your loved one or losing that relationship. Take time to care for yourself so you can be the best version of yourself to support your loved one through their journey. Here at Excel Treatment Center, we want to help you be involved in your loved one’s recovery. We want to support you just as much as we support your loved one; you and your well-being are just as important. The client and the family can both benefit from family support and participation in the addiction recovery process. Call Excel Treatment Center at (833) 883-9235 to learn how we can support you and your loved one.

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

How to Approach a Conversation About Marijuana Addiction

Addiction is a complicated topic, and conversations surrounding the use of addictive substances are often met with resistance, making these conversations very delicate. Talking about marijuana addiction is no different, and this unique substance can present additional hurdles in the conversation ahead. However, despite the situation, marijuana addiction still needs to be discussed. Preparing for the conversation can ensure that one’s message stays clear when helping a loved one recognize their use and how it has affected those around them.

The Importance of Having the Conversation

Marijuana addiction is serious, and its consistent use has many negative effects. Not only is it detrimental when in active use, slowing one’s reaction speed, compromising decision-making skills, and affecting one’s memory and attention span, but its long-term effects are just as destructive. An increase in risk-taking behavior can come coupled with the use of the substance, not only making marijuana dangerous itself but also promoting other dangerous behaviors.

Addiction, if left unchecked, will continue to develop as one’s tolerance increases. The more marijuana is used, the more the drug is needed to achieve the desired high, effectively making addiction exponentially more detrimental to one’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

Addressing a Fluctuating Legality

Despite the use of marijuana as a prescribed drug for anxiety, panic, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), marijuana is still a federally illegal drug. While some states have adopted its legality, its status as a federally prohibited substance still stands, making the nuanced laws around its use challenging to navigate. However, this gray area has caused a lot of misinformation about the drug to circulate, even touting it as non-addictive or simply “not a big deal.”

These notions are often birthed from the idea that if the substance is legalized, it must not present too much risk. Discussions surrounding marijuana will often involve these notions or bring up its legality as a justification for its use. However, it is essential to remember that when prescriptions for marijuana are prescribed, they help with specific diagnoses under certain circumstances and do not indicate that the drug poses no risks, especially for recreational use.

Approaching the Conversation

There are a few ways to approach a conversation about marijuana use. While employing specific strategies can help keep the conversation focused and fair, it is still a delicate situation to navigate. Consulting with professionals can further aid each individual in creating a plan to address the topic.

Educate Yourself

Before tackling such a complicated topic, taking the time to educate oneself about the short and long-term effects of marijuana use is essential. Knowing the effects of the drug can allow one to understand and identify signs and symptoms of its immediate use, from the inherent effects of the drug and the “high” that come with it to the lasting dangers it presents.

This education can help those addressing others about their use identify specific instances where one may have been under the influence of the drug and provide real-world context, experience, and anecdotes about how the use of the drug has affected others. Knowing about marijuana and addiction is also beneficial as it can help keep the conversations personal and relevant. Knowing, with evidence, that drugs were involved in a certain scenario and bringing up the specific circumstance can be an essential source of perspective, making one’s use not speculation or statistic but a real-world, personal trial to overcome.

Conduct in a Safe Time and Place

It is common for those using marijuana to become defensive, deflect the blame, or change the subject entirely when addressed. Holding conversations in a safe space can help mitigate this discomfort, promoting a fair atmosphere. Talking to a loved one in their bedroom or a familiar shared space such as a living room or dining room can all add an air of equality.

Likewise, blindsiding one with the conversation can promote even more defensive tactics, and talking about one’s use should be done when there is time to sit and have a dialogue. This allows time for all parties to discuss things in a non-confrontational way. Avoiding time constraints, such as just before work or getting back from class, can promote an open time for discussion.

Address the Intent

There are a number of reasons why one may feel compelled to use marijuana, and it is essential to listen to another’s reasoning behind their use. For some, the use of the drug may be centered on coping with anxiety or stress, particularly about one’s work or worrying about an upcoming test or project. Others may use the drug as a recreational, social tool, in which case exploring why one feels that drugs are needed for a particular social outlet can be a part of the personalized dialogue. Addressing the intent behind one’s use, rather than only the act of using marijuana, not just helps an individual feel heard but also helps create a personalized recovery strategy for an individual.

Keep a Calm Dialogue

Emotions will run high. Staying calm and avoiding accusations or lectures can establish oneself as a support rather than a hurdle or source of stress. Allowing others to talk about their use and genuinely listening to another’s side with a calm and supportive tone can set the atmosphere for an ongoing dialogue.

Marijuana addiction can affect many facets of one’s life, and overcoming an addiction of any kind is a difficult task. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to marijuana and are ready to take the first step towards your sober future, we at Excel Treatment Center can help you today. We offer an array of programs to help you begin your sober journey. From taking your first step into detox or attending our outpatient program, we can personalize your stay to help you address your unique needs and goals. Art therapy, music, writing, mindfulness practice, and much more are all available to you, backed with comprehensive education, relapse prevention, and life skills programs. For more information on Excel Treatment Center’s treatment options and to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, call (833) 883-9235 today.

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

What Is MSR?

Over 2.5 million Americans are affected by opioid use disorder (OUD). Further, in 2020, nearly 68,630 people died due to opioid overdose. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), opioids include prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Unfortunately, overdose numbers continue to rise year after year.

Undeniably, our country is in a dangerous condition due to opioid addiction and the shockingly high number of overdose deaths that have occurred in recent years. The morbidity and death rates linked to alcohol intake are still too high and are rising due to stimulant abuse. Relapse rates and readmission to treatment facilities serve as warning indications that all possible avenues for recovery must be taken into account.

Finding a Solution: Medication-Supported Recovery

If you are struggling with opioid abuse, you are not alone. There are millions of people struggling, and you are worthy of recovery. There are many different options for you to get the help you need. One of them is medication-supported recovery (MSR).

MSR is a specific approach to treatment that uses medication such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, to help individuals overcome their opioid addiction and manage symptoms. These can be used to treat anything from opioid abuse to alcohol abuse and smoking cessation. MSR encourages any medication that helps in recovery, not just those used to treat substance abuse.

Medications can help people finish treatment without the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany the cessation of drug or alcohol abuse. When an individual can focus on their recovery in treatment, they are more likely to succeed outside of a facility’s walls. Medications are tools and should be treated as such. They can help individuals become involved in their recovery and succeed.

MSR does not only include medications. Part of MSR is also developing a treatment plan with professionals to combine medication and therapy, giving you the best chance of long-term recovery success. A comprehensive MSR plan can:

  • Improve client survival
  • Increase retention in treatment
  • Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people struggling with substance use disorder (SUD)
  • Increase ability to gain and maintain employment
  • Improve birth outcomes in pregnant women struggling with SUD

Who Is MSR For?

MSR is an excellent option for those struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), OUD, and smoking. Some medications, like methadone, are most often used only in the detox phase. However, medications like buprenorphine and Vivitrol can be used past the detox stage for maintenance.

Common Misconceptions

Many people believe that by using MSR, you are just switching one drug for another, from an illegal drug that gets you high to prescription medications that can also get you high. However, these types of medications do not induce a feeling of being high.

Medications in MSR are used as a form of treatment. They can help reduce cravings and symptoms of withdrawal. They can also help restore the balance in the brain after potential damage caused by addictive substances. The use of these drugs helps the client focus on recovery and not the need to use.

Precautions With Medications

While medications used in MSR are beneficial, they still should be used under the guidance of treatment professionals. Even though medications like buprenorphine do not get you high and block the effects of opioids, they still should be taken with precaution. Clients who miss one dose of buprenorphine can use opioids and feel the effects. Due to this, it is essential to have treatment professionals monitor their use and create a plan for an eventual taper. While using medications in MSR, it is recommended clients still engage in a recovery program.

Medication Options

Three different types of medications help treat SUD:

  1. Agonists: These medications counteract withdrawal symptoms by stimulating the same brain regions as specific drugs. Even though they imitate the effects of illicit substances, they only have a slight impact. The primary agonist used in MSR is methadone.
  2. Antagonists: These medications prevent the impact of opioids. They consist of naltrexone and naloxone.
  3. Mixed agonist-antagonists: These medications can inhibit the effects of opioids while slightly activating brain opioid receptors and reducing withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine and the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone are among these medications.

These medications normalize body processes, reduce cravings, prevent the effects of alcohol and opioids, and restore normal brain chemistry. Finding the best course of action for treatment is crucial. Working with professionals through this process will help you be the most successful.

Moving Past Shame and Stigma

Eliminating the stigma associated with utilizing medication as a recovery tool can help people find new paths to reclaiming a happy, fulfilled life. MSR can keep people involved in treatment and make them active participants in their rehabilitation, enhancing their relationships, chances for success in the workplace and school, and emotional health. MSR is an effective tool that helps people in early recovery experience newfound optimism in finding meaning and value in life when combined and continued counseling and peer support.

If you are struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), you are not alone; millions of people across the globe are also struggling. You may feel at a loss on how to move forward and live successfully without the use of substances. With the help of medication-supported recovery (MSR), you can be successful at beating this disease. At Excel Treatment Center, we can help you begin your journey in recovery and start living a happy and fulfilled life. Our mission is to provide exceptional treatment using clinical services, psychiatric treatment options, and family support choices. With the use of MSR, our facility can help you overcome SUD and create the life you deserve. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or opioid abuse, we are here to help. Call Excel Treatment Center today at (833) 883-9235 to discuss our treatment options. 

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