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Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

Addiction Treatment: Deciding on Programs Best for You

Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of treatment programs available to you? Perhaps you are trying to find a program best for you. Nowadays, we have endless options regarding addiction treatment. While having so many options is great, it can also be overwhelming.

In theory, there is no right or wrong program for you because treatment is most effective when tailored to your needs. Nevertheless, if you feel overwhelmed by the number of treatment programs available, reach out to a trusted facility. Discussing options with a medical provider or mental health professional can also help narrow things down.

Additionally, you can utilize your time in a treatment facility to experiment with different treatment modalities and programs. You do not have to have everything figured out when initially entering treatment.

Potential Treatment Programs

Entering treatment for the first time – or even a second time – is unique. There are various ways to treat different addictions. For example, treating a behavioral addiction may require stronger medications and a focus on psychotherapies that treat compulsions. Treating a substance use disorder (SUD) may also use medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and psychotherapies, but in a way that is tailored to your needs. For instance, SUD treatment for methamphetamines may be different than treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). So, the substance in question is significant to the treatment options utilized.

As mentioned, addiction treatment is most effective when tailored to your needs. Specialized substance use treatment programs will assess your needs in order to create a specific plan. A few treatment programs you may experience include detoxification, behavioral therapies, and MAT.

Detoxification (Detox)

Detox removes toxic substances – such as drugs or alcohol – from the body. The process is necessary to enter treatment as it helps reduce dependency. Though many try detoxing alone, it is incredibly dangerous and not recommended. Detoxing in a facility offers assessments, withdrawal management, medication, and around-the-clock supervision and support.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies are typically used in treating SUD, behavioral addictions, and a number of mental health disorders. The most common such therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Other practices like group therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EDMR) are frequently used as well.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

MAT combines medications and behavioral therapies to treat SUD. Some people are weary of using medications to treat their addiction to drugs. However, MAT uses medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help ease withdrawal symptoms and manage other discomforts throughout the treatment process. Additionally, MAT in a facility is constantly monitored throughout the detox and treatment phases.

Knowing the potential programs and treatments can prepare you for entering treatment. However, it does not quite help you determine the best programs for you on its own.

Finding Programs Best for You

The best way to find treatment programs best for you is by researching and reaching out to professionals. It sounds simple in theory, but an internet search can produce a lot of inaccurate information if you are unsure what to look for. Keep things simple to start. If you recognize the signs of SUD, behavioral addiction, or a mental health disorder within yourself, talk to your primary care physician. They may be able to refer you to a program, recommend a facility, or offer other resources to get you started in your recovery journey.

In addition to researching and talking to your doctor, do not be afraid to call facilities near you. If your doctor offers any highly recommended programs, call them first to ask them about treatment. Ask as many questions as needed to find the best facility with the right programs. Consulting with your doctor will sharpen your eye for what to look for, but you must also be honest about your situation for a facility to assess how they can help.

Creating Programs Best for You

Research, resources, and references are vital, but there are also ways for you to create your own program. Since addiction treatment is most effective when individualized, clients should have the chance to work with clinicians and have some power over their treatment program. Do not be afraid to be vocal with treatment professionals about your goals and vision for your treatment. Treatment is the time to experiment with different modalities, holistic approaches, and other alternative addiction treatment therapies. Talk to your doctor to learn more about having autonomy over your treatment program and recovery journey.

Consider Excel Treatment Center

At Excel Treatment Center, we offer a number of programs that may help your current situation. That includes partial hospitalization programs, outpatient and intensive outpatient programs, MAT, and inpatient rehabilitation. We encourage you to call and learn more about these potential programs and how Excel can help you today.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the number of addiction treatment programs out there? Do you want to find help but are struggling with where to turn? Most people struggle to find the best treatment facility because there are now more options than ever. While options are good, they can be daunting. That is why discussing your concerns with your doctor or mental health professional is vital. They can offer advice and resources or make referrals to credible treatment programs they trust. You should not feel defeated when trying to find the programs best for you. Call Excel Treatment Center at (833) 883-9235 to learn about our services and how we can help you in your recovery journey today. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

How Does Drug Addiction Impact Memory Loss?

Drug addiction has many adverse effects on the body and brain. If untreated, long-term drug use can lead to a number of cancers, chronic diseases, and other mental disorders. Drug use can also affect memory loss. Sometimes, educating people on the dangers and potential risks of drug use is the only way to encourage them to seek treatment.

Cancer, chronic conditions, and memory loss are just a few potential problems drug use can cause. Excessive and long-term drug use can lead to dependency and impaired function and may even result in death. There is a better way, but you must choose it for yourself.

Most Common Drug Addictions

There are several substances that individuals can become addicted to, some that seem mundane and others that are used for legitimate medical reasons. That is the risk people take when they begin using substances, whether they start consuming alcohol at a young age or start prescription medications for pain management.

Aside from alcohol, some of the most common drugs people become dependent on include:

  • Prescription opioids – pain relievers that cause euphoria and can lead to death when prescriptions are not followed
  • Marijuana – often misconstrued as being non-addictive
  • Cocaine – an addictive stimulant from the leaves of a coca plant
  • Heroin – an opioid made from morphine that is highly addictive and can cause detrimental effects
  • Methamphetamine – an addictive stimulant, also known as crystal meth

All these substances have one thing in common–they are highly addictive and can wreak all kinds of short- and long-term adverse effects on people. Some effects may vary depending on the drug, but they are all, nonetheless, dangerous.

What Are the Effects of Drug Use?

Excessive drug use can lead to several complications. For starters, it can lead to the development of co-occurring mental health disorders. On the flip side, mental health disorders can also lead individuals to substance use to cope with symptoms. In either situation, dependency is a serious risk. Some of the most typically co-occurring illnesses include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Short-Term Effects

Effects vary depending on the drug in question, but some of the short-term effects of drug use include:

  • Euphoria
  • Hangover
  • Withdrawal
  • Anxiety or panic attacks
  • Paranoia and hallucinations

These effects typically occur relatively quickly, but they can last for hours. People sometimes use drugs because of their short-term effects. For example, marijuana can relax individuals or reduce their worries, so they may use it to help with anxiety. However, people can also react badly to it, causing an intense fit of paranoia. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how the brain or body will respond to drugs, which only scratches the surface of why drug use is so dangerous.

Long-Term Effects

Similarly, the longer a person uses drugs, the greater their risk of developing long-term problems. Excessive drug use can lead to:

  • Psychosis
  • Overdose
  • Death
  • Erratic behavior and intense mood swings
  • Disturbed sleeping patterns
  • Impaired cognitive function or memory loss
  • Reduced appetite and malnutrition
  • Chronic conditions like liver and kidney disease, heart problems, or cancer
  • Consequences from risky behaviors, such as drunk driving or unprotected sex
  • The development of co-occurring mental disorders

The best thing a person can do to prevent these long-term effects is to refrain from drug use. To quit using drugs, a person may require detox and treatment.

How Does Drug Addiction Impact Memory Loss?

As mentioned, long-term or excessive drug use can lead to impaired cognitive function or memory loss. That is because the “brain regions and neural processes that underlie addiction overlap extensively with those that support cognitive functions, including learning, memory, and reasoning,” according to Addiction Science & Clinical Practice. Research indicates that drug use in these regions early on “foster strong maladaptive associations between drug use and environmental stimuli,” which lead to cravings and drug-seeking behavior.

The effects on a developing brain can be even more problematic. As an adolescent, drug use can affect cognition, leading to the development of other physical or mental disorders and other long-term changes. Most illegal substances cause chemical changes to the brain, which can make the brain change physically as well. These chemical changes, in turn, make recalling memories more challenging.

Are There Ways to Reduce the Risk of Memory Loss?

Again, the best way to reduce the risk of memory loss due to drug use is to stop using those drugs. Upon abstaining from drugs, the brain can begin to heal itself over time. That is not to say all memory recall will return or other chronic conditions will be cured. There are medications and memory loss treatments you can try. However, the longer you abstain and the more time you have to heal, the better the results will be over time.

Memories are precious, and losing them can be difficult. Addiction takes so much away from us – do not let it take your memories too.

Drug addiction can lead to a number of chronic conditions and dangerous problems, including cancer, liver and heart disease, and the development of co-occurring mental disorders. Unfortunately, drug addiction can also lead to impaired cognitive function and memory loss. That is because the chemical changes that occur cause physical changes to the brain and body. These changes make recalling memories more difficult, but they can improve with time and memory loss treatment. The ultimate way to prevent drug-related memory loss is to abstain from substance use and seek treatment if you need help stopping. If you need help, call Excel Treatment Center at (833) 883-9235. Drugs and addiction do not have to consume you – choose the path to recovery today. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

Dangers of Drug Overdose in America Today

There continues to be a growing number of individuals who experience a drug overdose or have died from an overdose. Despite this growing concern, we continue to see high numbers because individuals are either not seeking treatment or may not have access to effective treatment. In addition to understanding the dangers of a drug overdose, it is important that individuals also know what to do in the event of an overdose and how to prevent one. During treatment, you will have the chance to learn about avoiding overdose through relapse prevention. You will also have the opportunity to develop a relapse prevention plan, which can help reduce your own risks.

What Is a Drug Overdose?

A drug overdose is when a person takes more than a “normal or recommended amount” of drugs or other substances. Overdose is dangerous and can cause a number of harmful symptoms or result in death. While some individuals may intentionally overdose, many drug overdoses are unintentional and happen for different reasons. For example, someone may have been sober for a while and experienced a relapse. However, because their body was no longer accustomed to that substance, it was too much to take. Another common reason someone may overdose is that their drugs are laced with a more dangerous and lethal substance, like fentanyl.

The risk of drug overdose has always been a cause for concern among individuals seeking treatment or who are in recovery. According to research and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 100,306 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States from April 2020 to April 2021. This was a 28.5% increase from the previous year. While the COVID-19 pandemic helps to explain this increase, it is still concerning why so many people across the country are overdosing. It is also concerning why so many people were continually overdosing prior to the pandemic.

Fentanyl Overdose

As mentioned, we see a lot of overdoses caused by fentanyl lacing nowadays. Fentanyl is a “powerful synthetic opioid” similar to morphine, but it is “50 to 100 times more potent,” says the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Not only is it a growing concern, but Anne Milgram – administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – describes fentanyl as “the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.”

Over 150 people die each day from a synthetic opioid such as fentanyl. Even a small dose of fentanyl can be deadly. Recognizing the signs of a fentanyl or opioid overdose can save a life. Warning signs of an overdose include:

  • Small and constricted pupils
  • Loss of consciousness or falling asleep
  • Impaired breathing
  • Choking and gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Discolored skin, especially on the lips and nails

Preventing Drug Overdose

Unfortunately, there is no sure way to prevent overdose. This is especially true because individuals do not plan accidental overdoses. However, we can prevent them by offering more education and treatment options. It also helps to recognize factors that can increase the risk of overdose. In their brochure about preventing an opioid overdose, the CDC lists the following factors that can increase the risk of overdose:

  • Combining opioids with alcohol and other drugs
  • Taking high dosages of prescription opioids or taking more than prescribed
  • Using illicit or illegal opioids such as heroin or fentanyl
  • Having underlying health conditions such as reduced kidney or liver function

Additionally, the CDC created a framework with the goal of helping to prevent overdoses and substance use-related harm. In this framework, they identify six guiding principles and five strategic priorities to address the overdose crisis. The six guiding principles include:

  1. Promoting health equity
  2. Addressing underlying factors
  3. Partnering broadly with other organizations
  4. Taking evidence-based actions
  5. Advanced science to build the evidence base for what effectively prevents overdose
  6. Drive innovation through new ideas to reduce overdose and substance use-related harm

The five strategic priorities are as follows:

  1. Monitoring, analyzing, and communicating observed trends
  2. Building state, tribal, local, and territorial capacity
  3. Supporting providers, health systems, payors, and employers
  4. Partnering with public safety and community organizations
  5. Raising public awareness and reducing stigma

What to Do in the Face of a Drug Overdose

If you encounter someone overdosing, there are things you can do to help save their life. First, you must recognize the overdose and then treat it if you can. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helps explain what to do in the face of a drug overdose.

If someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately if the person exhibits any of these symptoms:

  • Pale face and clammy skin
  • Limp body
  • Blue or purple lips or fingernails
  • Makes gurgling noises and begins vomiting
  • Breath or heartbeat slows or stops

After calling 911, you can begin CPR if the individual’s breathing has stopped or slowed and, if you are able to, administer naloxone if it is available. According to NIDA, naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can “rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.”

Understanding the dangers of drug overdoses in America is vital for everyone because we all have the potential to save the life of someone who is overdosing.

From April 2020 to April 2021, approximately 100,306 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This was a 28.5% increase from the prior year, though the COVID-19 pandemic is partly to blame. The issue of drug overdoses in the country has been a growing concern for decades. In order to prevent or decrease the number of people overdosing each year, we must offer more education and treatment options, especially for individuals using illicit synthetic substances such as fentanyl. If you are seeking treatment and want to prevent the risk of a drug overdose, call Excel Treatment Center at (833) 883-9235 today to learn more. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

A Fresh Start for the New Year

Many individuals do not subscribe to the idea of making a resolution for the new year. Whether you do or not, celebrating the new year can be an opportunity to make a fresh start in your personal or professional life. However, it is a misconception that we need a new year to make a fresh start. Rather, we can decide any day that we will be a better version of the person we were yesterday.

While every day is a good day for seeking addiction treatment or maintaining recovery, the new year can be a blank canvas for making a fresh start. That goes for whether you are seeking treatment for the first time or looking for new ways to stay motivated to maintain sobriety.

Recovery is a lifelong process, which, at times, can feel daunting. Whether or not you subscribe to the whole new year’s resolution thing, you can use the new year to recharge and reset your intention for sobriety, including seeking treatment if that’s what you need.

Making Resolutions

People make resolutions for a number of reasons. Some of the most typical resolutions individuals make, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), include:

  • Losing weight
  • Exercising more
  • Quitting smoking
  • Improve finances
  • Focus on self-care

While good intentions fuel resolutions, the execution tends to be shaky. For example, weight loss is the most common resolution. However, instead of consulting a doctor or making dietary changes, individuals experiment with dieting fads or unhealthy weight loss methods.

Though the DHS indicates that many Americans do not follow through on their resolutions, they also claim making a resolution has “positive effects on behavior change.” They reference a study from the Journal of Clinical Psychology, which found that people who set resolutions are “10 times more likely to change their behavior” than people who do not. However, everyone is different. People should not think there is anything wrong with not making a resolution.

Another reason it can be challenging for people to stick to a resolution is they try to make too many changes at once. Making life changes is not always an easy task. Some believe it takes at least 21 days before a change becomes a habit. Yet, when trying to make five to ten significant changes together, you risk becoming overwhelmed, frustrated, and giving up those changes altogether. Instead of tackling multiple things at once, focus on a single resolution you hope to achieve this new year, and remember, any day of the year can be a good day to change your life.

Seeking Treatment for the First Time This New Year

Some may utilize the new year to make significantly life-saving changes, like seeking addiction treatment. Again, you can seek treatment any day of the year, but if it has been on your mind, this is a sign to take that first step. There are many treatment options available whether you are struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) or behavioral addiction.

Some of the treatment options you can explore include:

Finding the right program will depend on your situation. First, you must reach out to a facility, rehab, or treatment center. During this time, an initial assessment will be conducted so that the facility can get to know you and our situation better. That includes learning more about the substance you are using, how long you have been using that substance, and whether or not you are experiencing co-occurring disorders.

The initial assessment will help clinicians learn the best path to recovery. A treatment plan will be created, and during this time, you will learn how to live life post-treatment. However, sobriety is a long-term process. There will be times when you need to find extra motivation to maintain your sobriety.

Staying Motivated in Recovery

In addition to making resolutions, there are simple things you can do not just in the new year but throughout the year to stay motivated in recovery. Some of the things you can do include:

  • Connecting with a support group and making connections with new people you meet there
  • Setting new goals for yourself that are achievable and can help guide you throughout the year
  • Keeping a journal to document your recovery journey
  • Maintaining a daily schedule for yourself and making a plan to bring more structure to your daily life
  • Consider volunteering for an organization, becoming a sponsor, or helping others in recovery in a unique way
  • Practicing self-care, whether that includes nutrition and exercise, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, or taking up new hobbies

Make Changes This Year

These are just a few changes you can consider implementing this year. If you have not yet sought treatment, decide that this is the year you change your life. The road to recovery can be long, but it is well worth it.

Not everyone subscribes to the practice of making a resolution every new year. However, some research indicates that those who make a resolution are more likely to change their behaviors. One of the changes you may want to make this year is to stop substance use. There are 365 days a year to make this change, but the new year is like a blank canvas you can mold into a newfound life of recovery. To learn more about addiction treatment and program options, contact Excel Treatment Center. Through initial assessments, our clinicians can create an effective treatment plan to help you achieve recovery this new year. Call (833) 883-9235 to learn more today. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

How Toxic Relationships Threaten Recovery

There are a number of things that can potentially threaten your recovery. One example is the people we surround ourselves with in life. Toxic relationships – whether they are romantic, familial, or friendships – can threaten recovery and significantly increase the risk of relapse.

If you or someone you love was in a toxic relationship before seeking treatment, know that the relationship can be detrimental to your sobriety. In order to maintain recovery post-treatment, changes must be made. That may include ending a relationship that is not conducive to your sobriety.

Excel Treatment Center can help you or a loved one achieve a life of recovery today. There is a better way, and we can help you find it.

What Is a Toxic Relationship?

Toxic relationships can exhibit many characteristics. There is no singular definition for a toxic relationship except for being in a relationship that does not make you feel good. Both friendships and romantic relationships should be relatively joyful experiences. Every relationship has its ups and downs, but when everything about a relationship makes you feel worse, unsupported, or unsafe, there is a problem.

Some people typically associate these relationships with domestic violence or abuse. However, a toxic relationship is not solely characterized by violence or abuse. Gaslighting, emotional and verbal abuse, and other behaviors can be harmful. Toxic relationships are not only within romantic partnerships either. They can occur within school friendships, professional connections, and family dynamics.

A toxic relationship can be any connection with a person where your emotional, mental, and physical well-being is at risk.

Recognizing the Signs of Toxic Relationships

Since so many factors can play a part in a toxic relationship, it is challenging to determine what the signs of one are. They can include the warning signs of a potentially violent relationship, such as:

  • Your partner speaking to you in a disrespectful or insulting manner
  • Placed blame that makes you feel like all problems are your fault
  • Lack of control in a relationship or inability to make decisions
  • Fear of discussing certain things with your partner
  • Feeling forced to do something you do not want to do

However, warning signs of a toxic relationship are not limited to these. Other signs to look out for include:

  • Lack of support from your partner
  • Holding on to grudges
  • Being dishonest with each other
  • Feeling like you are walking on eggshells
  • Not prioritizing your mental, physical, or emotional well-being
  • Feeling like you give more than you receive
  • Needs not being taken care of in a relationship
  • Feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem
  • Bringing out the worst in each other and never feeling like you are your best selves when together
  • Feeling like you are always to blame for things that go wrong

If you recognize any of these signs within your relationship, you may want to reconsider your situation. Perhaps couples therapy or other interventions can save the relationship. However, it takes two to tango. Both individuals in the relationship must want to make amends. Likewise, understand that there are situations where a connection can meet a point of no return.

Gaslighting

A common thing seen within toxic relationships is gaslighting. In a 2023 article published by Forbes Health, contributor Marissa Conrad defines gaslighting as “a form of psychological manipulation that hinges on creating self-doubt.” When someone gaslights you, they are trying to “distort reality” in a way that allows them to manipulate you for a number of reasons.

The more someone manipulates you in a relationship, the more you may begin to believe the lies. Additionally, gaslighting can lead individuals to experience a number of other mental illnesses or related symptoms. Gaslighting victims may encounter anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or suicidal thoughts.

Toxic Relationships and Addiction

Another indicator of a toxic relationship is if the relationship seems to be based on substance use. You and your partner can seek treatment together, but you must both be on board. That can be hard to do, especially if one partner is abusive and unable to recognize they are struggling with addiction.

Additionally, it is not unheard of for people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to cope with their toxic relationship. If your relationship is causing you to self-medicate, it is a clear sign that something is wrong. Self-medication can quickly turn to dependency. No toxic relationship is worth a life of active addiction.

Knowing When to Walk Away

Walking away from a partner after years of manipulation, gaslighting, and other toxic practices can be challenging. It is, however, necessary for recovery. Staying in a toxic relationship post-treatment can be triggering and may increase your risk of relapse. Consider seeking treatment. You can learn how to confidently walk away from one for the sake of your sobriety.

Toxic relationships can be hard to recognize, especially if your partner, family member, or work superior is gaslighting or manipulating you in other ways. In many cases, toxic friendships or romantic relationships are fueled by substance use. Either the foundation of your relationships is founded on substance use, or you turn to substances to cope with a toxic relationship. In either scenario, it is quite easy to become dependent on drugs and alcohol if you begin self-medicating. For that reason, although it can be challenging, leaving toxic relationships is crucial. If you are struggling with addiction and are seeking treatment, call (833) 883-9235 today. Excel Treatment Center would love to help you. 

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