How to beat Addiction and Substance Abuse in 2019!

Its 2019, a New Year!  A time to ponder on all that has been accomplished during the previous 365 days and reflect on both the shortcomings as well as the accomplishments.  The New Year is a time for one to set goals for the upcoming year and aspire to achieve those goals come the following New Year.  Many individuals set New Year Resolutions where one resolves to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life.  On December 31, a lot of individuals make the resolution to lose weight, become thinner, be a better person for their family, and even leave a lifestyle where there is a dependency on drugs.

Statistics about Substance Abuse and Addiction in the United States 

Currently, there are over 20 million people in the United States who are both active and former addicts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2000 to 2015, more than half a million individuals died from drug overdoses. 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. In 2017, the number of opiate overdose deaths has jumped to 144 per day. Addiction plays a multi-faceted role in how it affects society. Not only is it detrimental for the abuser’s overall health and risk of developing disease, it affects incarceration rates, vehicle accidents, employment and the overall financial burden placed on the government and health insurers. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has estimated that the annual financial burden to be in excess of $78.5 billion, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.

Fighting Substance Abuse and Addiction is an All-Encompassing Decision

If attaining and maintaining abstinence is on the top of one’s list of things to do in the New Year, then it has to be an all-encompassing decision that effects all aspects of one’s life.  Negative influences and decisions have to be put to a halt at the workplace, home and during one’s free time.

Important tips when choosing A Substance Abuse Treatment Center for Addiction

An important first step is to choose a Substance Abuse Drug Rehab Center that will be there to assist one on their journey of sobriety.  It is important to note that there are several criteria that one should consider ensuring that they do not land in a program that is just after their money and has little to no interest in their sobriety.  Firstly, their contact information should be readily available on their website which would have photos of the staff and facility as well.  The facility should be accredited by the Joint Commission and have the gold seal or by Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities.  All staff members should be qualified with the appropriate credentials to treat patients.  The facility should have gender and age-appropriate medical and behavioral treatment program that will help individuals from different age demographics pinpoint the main issues/triggers to substance abuse and treat them accordingly.

Advancements in Substance Abuse Treatment for Addiction

Evidence-based treatment approaches should be utilized by the facility.  A cookie cutter approach generally is not effective in treating patients effectively and should raise red flags about the treating facility.  There should be effective treatment of co-occurring mental health and medical instabilities at the facility or effective referral.  There should be a clear schedule of daily activities planned during the treatment process and one’s family should be included in the patient’s recovery.  There should also be a clear discharge and aftercare process which will ensure that follow-up appointments are set up before the patient is discharged.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Substance Abuse Treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA- approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs are gaining increasing popularity and recognition as an effective way to aide patients on their path of sobriety. By being placed on long-term “maintenance” doses of opiates, such as Subutex/Suboxone, the patient is able to have a temporary “crutch” which will aide them in fighting cravings and moving towards their long-term goals. This program is going to be driven by Evidence-Based Medicine, with all of its treatment regimens being individually tailored for each patient, and their specific case.

Substance Abuse Treatment Options for those suffering from Addiction

Substance Abuse Treatment options are available for those who have fallen victim to Addiction. At Detox of South Florida, a premier Florida drug and alcohol treatment center, treatment options for patients with alcohol and chemical dependencies are addressed and treated.   Patients are treated according to the individual patient’s specific substances of abuse and usage history.  This Drug rehabilitation center provides alcohol treatment services, cocaine treatment services, benzodiazepine treatment services, opiate treatment services and many other substance abuse treatments.  The latest, cutting–edge technology and substance abuse treatment modalities are employed to provide a “whole-patient” approach to treating all the medical complications associated with addiction in all age demographics.

Dr. Vikram Tarugu MD

Dr. Vikram Tarugu, M.D, is the CEO of Detox of South Florida, Inc and medical professional focused on addiction. A veteran in the medical field with over 25 years of professional experience. He is a consultant for many South Florida Rehab centers. Patients travel from allover the US to seek his help with addiction and Hepatitis C treatment.