Wilmington Treatment Center

What to Do When an Addict Doesn’t Want Help

luvcats36 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:51:28 +0000

This is a difficult and heart breaking situation. You may have heard that people must want to have help. We don’t believe this. We believe that it is our responsibility to help those who may not be able to help themselves. It is possible – and often successful – to do a formal addiction intervention on those needing help.

What Happens During Drug Rehab?

luvcats36 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:50:06 +0000

The first day of a drug rehab program can be a difficult, yet life-changing time. You can expect to do the following:

Admission paperwork upon arrival
Nursing assessment
Review of policies/procedures, belongings search, urinary drug screen, and Buddy Assignment
Room assignment
History and Physical by medical staff (if you are admitted before 5 pm)
Counselor assignment (if you are admitted before 4 pm)

The People Behind the Best Drug Treatment Programs

luvcats36 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:48:22 +0000

The best drug treatment programs employ people who know what it’s like to walk in an addict’s shoes. The Wilmington Treatment Center staff is comprised of friendly, caring individuals who have been chosen for their sensitivity and insight. Our employees take an interest in each individual, gaining satisfaction from helping other overcome their drug and alcohol related problems. The staff consists of a Medical Director, Board Certified Psychiatrist, Associate Medical Director, Clinical Director, Masters Level Clinicians, Certified Substance Abuse Counselors and Registered Nurses.

Getting Your Family Involved in Drug Treatment

luvcats36 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:45:32 +0000

Because addiction affects the entire family, families of all clients are strongly encouraged to participate in the family program at Wilmington Treatment Center. This intensive addiction family program is designed to facilitate the healing process of the family system as a whole. We have a two day family program that meets every other week. Any family member can attend. We recommend that they come the second session while their family member is here. They will be introduced to the disease as well as Al-Anon programming. It is an intensive group session that is from 1-5pm each day.

Is Day Treatment Right for You?

luvcats36 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:43:54 +0000

Partial hospitalization or day treatment for addiction is provided for those individuals who need structured services, but who do not require 24 hour medical management or clinical supervision. In some instances, housing arrangements may be made for those patients who live outside the immediate geographic area or for those whose return to a previous living environment may not be conducive to continued sobriety. Once you have been stabilized, you may be transitioned off-site to one of our houses. This means that you will be transported by our staff each morning to and from our facility.

Creating an Addiction Treatment Plan

luvcats36 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:42:41 +0000

When it comes to addiction treatment, having a plan is everything. Wilmington Treatment Center offers different levels of care designed to maximize the strengths of each person. Our programs give clear recognition to the disease concept and focus on the individual as a person with dignity and self worth. The following six problem areas are addressed in making placement decisions and the subsequent formation of an individual’s treatment plan:

Acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential
Biomedical conditions and complications
Emotional/behavioral conditions and complications
Treatment acceptance/resistance
Relapse potential
Recovery Environment

Most Abused Prescription Drugs

luvcats36 — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:14:29 +0000

Several classes of prescription medications that are commonly abused include opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants. Certain over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can also be abused when not taken as directed. It is important to note that many prescription drugs or OTC medications can produce dangerous health effects when taken concurrently or taken with alcohol.

Treating Meth Addiction

luvcats36 — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:12:47 +0000

At this time the most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction are cognitive behavioral interventions. These approaches are designed to help modify the patient’s thinking, expectancies, and behaviors and to increase skills in coping with various life stressors. Methamphetamine recovery support groups also appear to be effective adjuncts to behavioral interventions that can lead to long-term drug-free recovery.

Effects of Marijuana Abuse

luvcats36 — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:10:53 +0000

The short-term effects of marijuana abuse can include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate. Research findings for long-term marijuana abuse indicate some changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term abuse of other major drugs. For example, cannabinoid (THC or synthetic forms of THC) withdrawal in chronically exposed animals leads to an increase in the activation of the stress-response system and changes in the activity of nerve cells containing dopamine. Dopamine neurons are involved in the regulation of motivation and reward, and are directly or indirectly affected by all drugs of abuse.

Inhalant Abuse

luvcats36 — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:08:10 +0000

Inhalants – particularly volatile solvents, gases, and aerosols – are often among the first drugs that young children use. One national survey indicates that about 3.0% of U.S. children have tried inhalants by the time they reach fourth grade. Inhalant abuse can become chronic and extend into adulthood.

Generally, inhalant abusers will abuse any available substance. However, effects produced by individual inhalants vary, and some individuals will go out of their way to obtain their favorite inhalant. For example, in certain parts of the country, “Texas shoe-shine,” a shoe-shining spray containing the chemical toluene, is a local favorite. Silver and gold spray paints, which contain more toluene than other spray colors, also are popular inhalants.