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Jail Addiction Treatment Program Struggling From Medicaid Funding Lack

Polk County, Iowa’s addiction treatment program has decreased by more than three-quarters and is now struggling to survive. Leaders of the Bridges of Iowa program, which has been called an “innovative way to respond to drug-related crime,” is blaming a lack of Medicaid funding for its current woes.

Medicaid Covers Addiction Counseling for Offenders

Medicaid is the public health-care plan that covers low-income state residents. Inmates who are sentenced to jail for crimes linked to addiction, such as theft, are also covered under Medicaid. Organizers at the Bridges of Iowa program have said they been unable to collect more than a fraction of the amount they have billed the public health-care plan for counseling and other services for clients involved with the justice system.

Clinical Director Angie Rodberg stated that the Bridges of Iowa (Bridges) program, which at one point served up to 150 people, was reduced to only 23 clients by early February.

Funding Rehab Programs Can Present a Challenge

The Bridges program has been helping clients in a separate part of the jail from the one housing inmates since 2012. Most of the program’s participants enter the program once they are released from jail on probation; one of the conditions they are required to meet is that they comply with the Bridges treatment program.

Program organizers said their main financial difficulty is that the private companies in charge of running the state’s Medicaid program have not provided reliable payments for therapy sessions. The leaders, who have become frustrated by the situation, have basically given up trying to bill Medicaid for services. Dozens of employees have been laid off, and the program is now relying on private donations to provide a reduced level of support to help clients get their life back on track following an arrest for addiction-related crime.

System Has Become a Tragedy

Ms. Connolly mentioned the opioid epidemic has been discussed at length in the press, and that it’s an issue that politicians have been saying needs to be solved. She said, “We know there’s a crisis — the state recognizes that — but they’re not fulfilling their obligations.” She went on to say that the whole system has become a tragedy.

Americans Abusing OTC Meds Along with Opioids: Study

Prescription opioid pain medications aren’t the only drugs being abused by Americans. Over the counter (OTC) preparations are also falling into that category.

The results of a new study conducted by researchers at Boston University School of Health has revealed that close to one in five users of headache remedies like Advil and Aleve doesn’t use the medicine as recommended. They admitted to exceeding the maximum recommended dose during a one-week period.

OTC Medication Use by Consumers Unsafe

People who use too many of these NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers) likely won’t be starting on the slippery slope of moving toward heroin use. That doesn’t mean what they are doing is safe.

Dr. David Kaufman, the lead researcher on the study, and a professor of epidemiology at Boston University’s School of Public Health, explained that these drugs can produce serious side effects when taken. Even though they are readily available, it doesn’t mean that consumers can make up their own dose, no matter what the dosing instructions say on the label.

Consumers Don’t Read Medication Packages When Dosing

Consumers’ attitude that they can choose their own dose, no matter what the label states, along with lack of knowledge about dosing limits, is contributing to exceeding the daily limit, according to Dr. Kaufman.

The study was conducted in 2015-2016 by having 1,326 participants keep drug diaries for a week. Participants were, on average, 45 years of age. The majority of them (75 percent) were white, and 60 percent were women.

Most of the study participants (87 percent) took ibuprofen, which is sold OTC under brands like Motrin or Advil. Thirty-seven percent of the participants reported they took other NSAIDs like Aspirin or naproxen, such as Aleve.

Chronic Pain Patients More Likely to Take Higher Doses

The study results showed more than 15 percent of the study participants took too many of the pills at least one day of the week. Participants who live with chronic pain were even more likely to take more than the recommended dose.

When asked whether non-prescription pill abusers were trying to avoid taking opioids, Dr. Kaufman replied he didn’t think that scenario applied in this instance. He said that avoiding opioids may influence prescribing behavior for physicians, but it may not have a similar effect on consumers.

Before Meth Intervention, Families are Encouraged to Choose Treatment Location

choose meth interventionOnce you finally get your loved one to accept that he or she needs help overcoming meth addiction, the decision as to what type of treatment is best will come up. As a family member or loved one considering a meth intervention, it’s important for you to also consider WHERE your loved one will go if he or she says YES to rehab. Chances are, as the family member asking your loved one to seek help for his or her meth addiction, you’ll also be the one expected to help cover the costs of treatment so it’s best to prepare for that in advance.

It’s hard enough to get your loved one to accept treatment for his or her addiction—forcing the burden of finding and choosing a rehab center on him or her may defeat your efforts and leave you back at square one. Think about it from an addict’s standpoint, It can be hard to make decisions about your rehab when you are still in the middle of full-blown meth addiction. The drug makes you more likely to be distracted and this ruins the thought process. Thinking clearly, especially when you’ve just been faced with your family, friends and an interventionist encouraging you to quit, can be quite difficult.

Narrow down the options and simplify the decision-making process by picking either inpatient care or outpatient care for your loved one BEFORE the meth intervention happens. This way there are no roadblocks when help is accepted.

Inpatient Care: The Basics

If you decide to recommend inpatient rehab for your loved one, he or she will be required to remain at the rehab facility for the entirety of the treatment. This period is generally 30-90 days or more. The addict will eat, sleep, and bathe at the rehab center which will provide around-the-clock care for him or her. From intake to the days when the rehab program comes to a close, your loved one will reside at the treatment facility.

Outpatient Care: The Basics

On the other hand, if you choose outpatient care the individual is not in any way required to reside at the facility. Instead, patients are scheduled to attend rehab sessions and they are required only to arrive at the rehab to take part in those sessions. All other activities take place outside the rehab center leaving much of the recovery process to be taken on by the addict looking to you and other loved ones for added support.

Benefits of Choosing Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab, first, is ideal for patients who are homeless or who have unstable housing, just as many with a meth addiction do. This allows them to get proper rest and maintain a nutritious diet during their treatment, and this lets them do their best in recovery without the burden of outside stressors.

Additionally, inpatient rehab provides a completely drug and alcohol-free space, removing any possibility of relapse. If your loved one faces daily temptation in his or her normal life, this environment may be vital to their success in rehab.

Benefits of Outpatient Rehab

If your loved one has avoided rehab because of obligations to their home, family, or workplace that they cannot fail to fulfill, you may consider outpatient rehab. This could also help you to get a positive response during the intervention as there will be less resistance toward the idea of rehab since it won’t be taking away from their daily priorities. Outpatient rehab allows participants to continue living their daily lives, which means people who may not otherwise accept rehab for help may be more conducive to it.

Still Wondering Which Is Best?

If you’re still on the fence as to whether inpatient or outpatient rehab is the best choice for you call 1-888-605-7779. We’ll connect you with an intervention specialist that will help you get your loved one sober once and for all.

Advice for Friends and Family Considering Alcohol Intervention

advice for alcohol interventionsFew things are more stressful than dealing with an addict. You feel obligated to care for the person you love as they grapple with their addiction, but you also need to take the time to nurture and care for yourself. Approaching the situation with understanding and a willingness to participate in the recovery process can both give you a way to help the addict you love, but can also help you to heal.

If you’re considering the idea of an alcohol intervention to get your loved one into treatment, the following advice can help you to balance out your emotions and to make the right decision towards help. For assistance in finding a local interventionist, call 1-888-605-7779 today.

Participate

Yes, you need to practice self-care and make your life a priority, but your participation will make a huge difference in your loved one’s recovery, so don’t disappear on them. Clinical experience indicates support from family and friends is an important component of recovery from alcohol addiction. Health providers consistently recommend it.

If you are uncertain about the role you can play or the support you should offer, call our helpline at 1-888-605-7779 for answers. We’ll help you to figure out how YOU can actively participate in helping your loved one to get into alcohol rehab through a carefully planned and executed alcohol intervention.

Be Patient

Overcoming an alcohol addiction is not fast nor is it easy. You will have to remind yourself that altering deeply ingrained habits takes time, is very difficult, and may require repeated efforts. If you’ve tried intervention before and failed, don’t be afraid to try again—a Systemic Family Intervention may be helpful in getting your family system to change and ultimately pulling the addicted individual along with you to make positive change.

Most people who are making a big change will face some backsliding; alcohol addiction recovery is no different. Even once you get your loved one to commit to rehab, the reality is relapse is always going to be a likely possibility. Don’t give up.

Most addicts have some degree of relapse during their recovery and it is not a signal of failure. Relapse merely points to the need for increased, modified, or reinstated treatment. If you are having trouble getting your loved one to accept that he or she needs continuing or modified treatment, an intervention can help. The interventionist will support you and provide helpful ways that you can get your loved one to commit to his or her recovery once again.

Pay Attention

It’s very easy to be angry when your loved one is in the throes of their addiction and then to remove yourself from the situation when they are getting better. Families often take recovery for granted not realizing the impact that this has on the addict. Whether you’re in the early stages of considering an alcohol intervention OR you’ve already tried to intervene and you’re considering what else can be done before life gets to rock bottom, your attention to detail will go a long way in helping your loved one.

Alcohol interventions begin with YOUR support. It all starts with YOU recognizing that your loved one is sick, needs help, and simply cannot get sober on his or her own. However, after alcohol rehab is over and the recovering individual in your life is making strides towards a sober lifestyle of his or her own it’s important that you pay attention when they are improving or making an effort. A word of acknowledgment and kind words of encouragement show that you care.

Need Help Finding an Interventionist?

For help finding an alcohol intervention specialist that can guide your family down the road of addiction recovery, call 1-888-605-7779. We can connect you with local interventionists that are ready to assist with the planning, execution and follow-up care that is required to help your loved one overcome alcohol addiction once and for all.

A Human’s Guide to Interventions – Infographic

Did you know that 40% of American families struggle with addiction? Most people don’t realize the number, but many of you are struggling right alongside others with addiction. Whether it’s you that is addicted or a loved one, the numbers are staggering–and scary.

What do you DO if your mom, dad, brother, sister, daughter, son, uncle or cousin is addicted to drugs or alcohol? Where do you turn for help? IS there help?

The following infographic outlines what you can do to STOP drug or alcohol addiction and get help for your loved one — remember that fact above (40% of ALL AMERICAN FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH ADDICTION) that’s nearly 1 in 2. You ARE NOT ALONE!

Guide to Drug interventions

Alternate Method of Treating Injuries May Prevent Opioid Abuse

One of the most common knee injuries is an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear. These injuries are common because they can be caused by any sudden movement like; stopping quickly, landing from a jump or changing direction suddenly. And while this a common injury, it still generally needs to be repaired with surgery and the patient is oftentimes in a lot of pain before and after the procedure. In order to make the patient more comfortable, doctors are likely to prescribe painkillers before the surgery to handle the pain from the ACL tear.

However, new research suggests that consuming painkillers before an ACL surgery could be very dangerous to the patient, as it greatly increases their chances of developing an addiction to painkillers. Researchers at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics released a study stating that patients who receive painkillers before an ACL surgery are ten times more likely to be on painkillers longer than patients who were not given painkillers before their surgery. And when it comes to painkillers, the length of time a patient uses the medication is extremely important. The longer a patient uses painkiller the more likely they are to develop a physical and mental addiction to the dangerous drugs.

The researchers gathered information from, 4,946 ACL repair cases in order to come up with their findings. While most of the patients healed nicely after their surgeries, not requiring painkillers three months after the procedure, seven percent of the patients were still filling painkiller prescriptions. These seven percent had a much higher rate of pre-operation painkiller use. And younger people are more likely to fall victim to this increased painkiller usage than older people, according to the study.

The study could provide doctors insight as to how dependent the body can become on opioids and may prevent further addiction cases.

“With the ever-increasing opioid epidemic our nation is facing, understanding the risk factors for postoperative narcotic use could aid surgeons and healthcare systems in identifying patients who could benefit from a different pain management and counselling regimen than previously identified,” explained Chris Anthony, co-author of the study.

Study Shows High Rate of Addiction Among Women Inmates

Women inmates are sitting in prisons and jails across the country with more instances of addiction than ever before. A new report, released by the government shows that 69% of female state prisoners and 72% of female jail prisoners are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. These rates are higher than the male population and higher than the average U.S. population as well.

It turns out, according to the study, that women inmates have higher rates of addiction but they also have higher rates of depression and anxiety that their male counterparts, problems that oftentimes lead to drug abuse. And these inmates are not getting the treatment they need while incarcerated. Instead of enrolling drug addicts in treatment programs while they are in jail, many inmates are left to wait out their sentences without any help for their problems. The study noted that only 28% of state inmates and 22% of jail inmates received treatment while incarcerated. These numbers are extremely low when one looks at the volume of addicts housed within the prison walls. But, this statistic also seems to be the most manageable to change at this point. Offering more treatment options, perhaps making treatment mandatory for those that have committed drug-related crimes could help many inmates from reoffending after their sentences have been served.

“In order to reduce crime and save taxpayer dollars, the U.S. Justice system must address addiction and substance abuse as health problems and provide effective intervention and treatment. Incarceration alone cannot prevent or treat a disease,” cautions the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Marijuana was the most common drug the inmates were addicted to, followed by cocaine and then heroin and other opioids. Additionally, it appears that white inmates are struggling with addiction more than black and Hispanic inmates.

But, some states are working hard to improve the lives of inmates with addiction problems. Texas has recently added treatment facilities, specifically for drug addicted inmates and have also implemented treatment programs that are required before the inmate can be released back into society.

Study Shows Drug Use Among Medical Students

Despite the knowledge and understanding of the dangers of drug use, a new study shows that many medical students are experimenting with, and misusing drugs. Marijuana, alcohol and prescription drug use seem to be the most prevalent among medical students, although other illicit drugs are also used on campuses throughout the country.

The study includes information gathered from nine medical schools within the state of Florida and provides a comprehensive snapshot at what types of drugs are being abused by future doctors. According to the data collected, nearly 50% of medical students have used marijuana in their lives. Almost 25% of students used marijuana during medical school. 46.9% of medical students surveyed stated that their prescription drug use got worse in medical school, and most of these students admitted that these prescriptions were not their own. Of those that drink alcohol, 6.7% feel that they have a drinking problem.

Additional probing into the drug problem among medical students revealed the reasons behind the misuse. For instance, 16% of the future doctors that are abusing painkillers do so because it helps to relieve stress associated with medical school and work. For those doctors that are abusing ADHD medication, like Adderall, their primary reason (90%) was to help study, the same motivator for many college students throughout the country.

Perhaps what is most alarming about these figures is that these are the professionals that many families hope will prevent, stop, or intervene on their loved one’s drug use may be struggling with the same issue.

It is clear that medical schools need to step in and adjust the academic and social culture of their institutions. And for their part, schools are trying to help their students. Many school have implemented different early screening techniques to catch potential drug problems before they spiral out of control. Some colleges are implementing different relaxation techniques like yoga, wellness days and other personal services.

“I think the take away for medical schools is you have an opportunity and an obligation to help students develop into the healthiest physicians they can be. It’s much easier treating addiction problems or psychiatric issues early as opposed to waiting until they become more severe,” said Dr. Lisa Merlo, a clinical psychologist at the University of Florida and Director of Research for the Professionals Resource Network.

Appetite May Be Linked to Cocaine Addiction

Scientists are constantly looking at and investigating different areas of the brain that the medical community knows little about. And in a new study, released by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, shows an interesting area of the brain that may be responsible for cocaine addiction. They found that an area of the brain that is responsible for appetite and alertness, may also be the same mechanism that promotes the urge to use cocaine.

Each part of the brain is responsible for certain functions necessary for life. The hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) system of the brain exists to ensure that a person is driven to eat enough and also stay alert. This same part of the brain may also be compelling cocaine addicts to continue to seek out the dangerous drug.

This phenomenon was discovered after researchers observed rats that were given access to cocaine and how their brain, specifically the HCRT system, reacted. They found that rats who had allowed to self-administer cocaine for an hour (a relatively short amount of time) did not have this part of the brain taking over. However, rats that were allowed to self-administer cocaine for six hours (a relatively long period of time) did display an overreaction of the HCRT. They then administered blocking medication designed to target this part of the brain. The rats who were exposed to cocaine did not have any reaction to the medication, but the rats that been using cocaine for six hours had a positive reaction. These rats stopped compulsively seeking cocaine.

Researchers are hopeful that this study will pave the way for some sort of medication that would target the HCRT system of the brain in long term cocaine addicts and allow them to get some relief from the compulsive drug-seeking behavior that is usually present.

“The results of this study would suggest that the hypocretin system could be considered a pharmacological target, with the hopes that a medication designed to target hypocretin receptors could be used in combination with cognitive behavioral therapies as part of a cocaine abuse treatment strategy,” explained Dr. Schmeichel, lead author of the study.