Archives for: September 2009
09/10/09
ADDICTION: VICODAN
It continues to astound me the number of folks coming into my private addiction practice for opiate addiction. There seems to be a definite pattern that the addiction began when they were prescribed Vicodan. I have clients that started “getting hooked” on Vicodan at the age of 14 “following a surgery” to 75 “following a surgery”. My own doctor, knowing that I do mind-body healing and don’t take medications, wrote me a prescription for Vicodan after he removed a splinter from my thumb!
For those of you that don’t know what Vicodan is, let me explain in laymen terms. Vicodan is the trademark name for hydrocodone that has the same or greater potency than oral morphine. Vicodan is also combined with over 200 other products, such as, aspirin (Lortab ASA), and ibuprofen (Vicoprofen). . It has been reported that approximately 20 tons!! of hydrocodone products are used in the US.
Vicodan is, as stated above, most often prescribed for pain. Doctors will say that it isn’t addictive, but the first research report about Vicodan being addictive was published in 1923, then, again in 1961. Yet, Vicodan use, abuse, and dependency continues to grow in the US.
Any drug, even aspirin, can become addictive. It is up to YOU to be proactive in your pain management. The internet is a great resource to educate yourself on what the doctor is prescribing. QUESTION! QUESTION! QUESTION! DO NOT let prescription drugs become YOUR addiction.
Learn more about me, MAx Fabry, and my private practice at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
It continues to astound me the number of folks coming into my private addiction practice for opiate addiction. There seems to be a definite pattern that the addiction began when they were prescribed Vicodan. I have clients that started “getting hooked” on Vicodan at the age of 14 “following a surgery” to 75 “following a surgery”. My own doctor, knowing that I do mind-body healing and don’t take medications, wrote me a prescription for Vicodan after he removed a splinter from my thumb!
For those of you that don’t know what Vicodan is, let me explain in laymen terms. Vicodan is the trademark name for hydrocodone that has the same or greater potency than oral morphine. Vicodan is also combined with over 200 other products, such as, aspirin (Lortab ASA), and ibuprofen (Vicoprofen). . It has been reported that approximately 20 tons!! of hydrocodone products are used in the US.
Vicodan is, as stated above, most often prescribed for pain. Doctors will say that it isn’t addictive, but the first research report about Vicodan being addictive was published in 1923, then, again in 1961. Yet, Vicodan use, abuse, and dependency continues to grow in the US.
Any drug, even aspirin, can become addictive. It is up to YOU to be proactive in your pain management. The internet is a great resource to educate yourself on what the doctor is prescribing. QUESTION! QUESTION! QUESTION! DO NOT let prescription drugs become YOUR addiction.
Learn more about me, MAx Fabry, and my private practice at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
09/09/09
HEROIN
The opiate drug HEROIN is synthesized from MORPHINE. Heroin is identified by a white or brown powder, or as “black tar”, a sticky black substance. Withdrawals from heroin are difficult. Symptoms of withdrawal include muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, restlessness, insomnia, cold flashes, kicking movements, vomiting, and severe craving for the drug. Withdrawal symptoms peak within 48 to 72 hours after the last use, and may subside within a week or months. There are medications now used to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal and to help prevent relapse including: Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone. Patients are able to fully recover from heroin addiction with a combination of medication and addiction counseling.
To learn about the addiction counseling services at LIFESTYLE CHANGES COUNSELING go to: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
The opiate drug HEROIN is synthesized from MORPHINE. Heroin is identified by a white or brown powder, or as “black tar”, a sticky black substance. Withdrawals from heroin are difficult. Symptoms of withdrawal include muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, restlessness, insomnia, cold flashes, kicking movements, vomiting, and severe craving for the drug. Withdrawal symptoms peak within 48 to 72 hours after the last use, and may subside within a week or months. There are medications now used to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal and to help prevent relapse including: Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone. Patients are able to fully recover from heroin addiction with a combination of medication and addiction counseling.
To learn about the addiction counseling services at LIFESTYLE CHANGES COUNSELING go to: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
09/04/09
HEROIN WITHDRAWAL
Withdrawing from heroin can be a traumatizing experience. The old school of thought believes that the addict has to experience the severe withdrawal symptoms in order to deter further use of heroin. Many heroin addicts can vividly describe their “almost deathly” experience of withdrawing from heroin. These same addicts can also describe returning within a short period of time to using again.
The new school of thought is combining medication treatment with talk therapy, either individual or group. Medications, such as buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone, are used to help addicts during the detox process and helps to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. The medication combined with a behavioral treatment to change thinking patterns and to provide skills for coping with life stressors gives the addict a better chance of having a healthier lifestyle.
Lifestyle Changes Counseling offers a behavioral treatment that follows the client for a minimum of one year. Learn more about this
program at
Withdrawing from heroin can be a traumatizing experience. The old school of thought believes that the addict has to experience the severe withdrawal symptoms in order to deter further use of heroin. Many heroin addicts can vividly describe their “almost deathly” experience of withdrawing from heroin. These same addicts can also describe returning within a short period of time to using again.
The new school of thought is combining medication treatment with talk therapy, either individual or group. Medications, such as buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone, are used to help addicts during the detox process and helps to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. The medication combined with a behavioral treatment to change thinking patterns and to provide skills for coping with life stressors gives the addict a better chance of having a healthier lifestyle.
Lifestyle Changes Counseling offers a behavioral treatment that follows the client for a minimum of one year. Learn more about this
program at
09/03/09
HEALTHY HEALING: GROUPS
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
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An adjustment that was difficult for my case study to make was not “going to meetings”. She had been attending 12-step meetings for 15 years; even though she agreed that the program wasn’t working, she enjoyed the socializing that went along with belonging to the group. She said that she also liked “listening to others stories…..knowing I’m not the only one screwing up.”
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM initially did not have a group component to it. Looking at the 12-Step program and the format of the meetings, I had a few problems with the concepts of the program. Having knowledge of how the brain functions provided my biggest challenge with the 12-step meetings. Having someone standup (sometimes three or more times per day) and say “Hi, my name is John; I’m an alcoholic(/drug addict)” made me cringe. I kept picturing strong pathways in the brain being negatively reinforced with “This is who I am.”
Another problematic area in the meetings was debating what “Higher power” meant. What if someone is an atheist? Do they not get to be healthy? Many long-time programmers admit that “the meetings are my higher power.” Since this is Step 2, does that mean people can’t get healthy until they accomplish that step?
I am building an addiction treatment program that will address the needs of individuals. I hear my clients saying they miss groups. So the challenge was to come up with a group that would be open to everyone, whether in addiction or not (after all, everyone is working on being healthy on one level or another: physically, emotionally, spiritually); a group that would provide the social aspects; but, more importantly would nurture an atmosphere of positive growth.
I have been dropping in at different groups in search of one that would meet my three requirements. Most recently I attended an Intenders of the Highest Good. The Intention Process is the power of everyone supporting each other’s positive intentions. People that attend the Intenders Circles learn how to set positive intentions to achieve their “desires easily and effortlessly as possible”. The group helps people to become clear about the power of words and thoughts. This group is not attached to any one specific religious beliefs.
This is one group that I am considering. Do you have any other suggestions? The three criteria for the group would be: (1) open to everyone that wants to improve their lives and be healthy; (2) provides a nurturing atmosphere for positive growth; and, (3) has a healthy social component.
I look forward to receiving your feedback.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
________________________________________________
An adjustment that was difficult for my case study to make was not “going to meetings”. She had been attending 12-step meetings for 15 years; even though she agreed that the program wasn’t working, she enjoyed the socializing that went along with belonging to the group. She said that she also liked “listening to others stories…..knowing I’m not the only one screwing up.”
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM initially did not have a group component to it. Looking at the 12-Step program and the format of the meetings, I had a few problems with the concepts of the program. Having knowledge of how the brain functions provided my biggest challenge with the 12-step meetings. Having someone standup (sometimes three or more times per day) and say “Hi, my name is John; I’m an alcoholic(/drug addict)” made me cringe. I kept picturing strong pathways in the brain being negatively reinforced with “This is who I am.”
Another problematic area in the meetings was debating what “Higher power” meant. What if someone is an atheist? Do they not get to be healthy? Many long-time programmers admit that “the meetings are my higher power.” Since this is Step 2, does that mean people can’t get healthy until they accomplish that step?
I am building an addiction treatment program that will address the needs of individuals. I hear my clients saying they miss groups. So the challenge was to come up with a group that would be open to everyone, whether in addiction or not (after all, everyone is working on being healthy on one level or another: physically, emotionally, spiritually); a group that would provide the social aspects; but, more importantly would nurture an atmosphere of positive growth.
I have been dropping in at different groups in search of one that would meet my three requirements. Most recently I attended an Intenders of the Highest Good. The Intention Process is the power of everyone supporting each other’s positive intentions. People that attend the Intenders Circles learn how to set positive intentions to achieve their “desires easily and effortlessly as possible”. The group helps people to become clear about the power of words and thoughts. This group is not attached to any one specific religious beliefs.
This is one group that I am considering. Do you have any other suggestions? The three criteria for the group would be: (1) open to everyone that wants to improve their lives and be healthy; (2) provides a nurturing atmosphere for positive growth; and, (3) has a healthy social component.
I look forward to receiving your feedback.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
09/02/09
HEALTHY HEALING:EXERCISE & NUTRITION
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM addresses the three dimensions of every human being: physical, emotional, and spiritual.This is an update on the end of the first month of the year long test case for the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM.
-Addicts, particularly long-term addicts, deplete their bodies of important nutrients, their eating habits are usually filled with non-nutritious foods. Sometimes they overeat, sometimes they go days without eating. Exercise is almost non-existent; they usually count their work as exercise--and, often, it is the only movement they have through the day.
For the first two months of the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM clients are focused on getting physically healthy—increasing oxygen to the brain. We do this by having the client work with a trainer a minimum of three times per week. We were fortunate to find an excellent facility, OZ FITNESS, Springfield, OR, http://www.ozfitness.com, with professional trainers that could work confidentially with our clients. So far, our client has kept all her gym appointments and has fully cooperated with the trainer. She also added jogging on her own, and is coordinating that with the trainers program at the gym. In the world of drugs being thin is important—thus, methamphetamine addictions. There are also mental health issues that are centered around image, like eating disorders, that must be evaluated. The Healthy Healing counselor reinforces that going to the gym is about health more so then appearance.
Clients also meet with a Health Coach to work on nutrition. Years of living an addiction lifestyle plays a toll on addict’s bodies including affecting the liver, pancreas, heart, and lungs. For this case we are using DR. DEBRA MARTIN BELLEVILLE, Eugene, OR. Drdebra82@yahoo.com. Dr. Debbie does blood work to determine what the client is going to need to eat to be healthy; she also checks for allergies. The client is given a food plan tailored to meet their individual need. The doctor works with the client to teach how to eat better, shop smarter, and understand the effects foods have on the body. Again, reinforcement by the Doctor and the counselor about diet and exercise being for health more so then appearance.
Lessons for this month from the exercise and diet piece is: what an important piece this is for any recovery program. After just the first thirty days, our client is so much more focused on the individual counseling sessions. The communication between OZ FITNESS and the counselor, and DR. BELLEVILLE and the counselor, helps the counselor pace how much he wants to push the talk sessions with the client. The focus on exercise and diet gives the counselor the ability to LISTEN in the first thirty days of treatment, and to allow the client to vent and express fears without feeling judged is extremely valuable. One of the important things to listen for is: what addiction the client may be transferring to. HEALTHY HEALING is about teaching balance in a person with addiction tendencies.
Tomorrow I will share some of the adjustments the client has to make in accepting a new style of addiction counselor.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
The HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM is a comprehensive, multidimensional alternative holistic counseling/coach approach to healing from addiction on an individual basis. This program was just launched in July, 2009, by Lifestyle Changes Counseling Services as an alternative to more traditional programs: http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
This blog is to provide information about the HEALTHY HEALING program, share test cases already completed, and follow the year long test case presently in progress.
The HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM addresses the three dimensions of every human being: physical, emotional, and spiritual.This is an update on the end of the first month of the year long test case for the HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM.
-Addicts, particularly long-term addicts, deplete their bodies of important nutrients, their eating habits are usually filled with non-nutritious foods. Sometimes they overeat, sometimes they go days without eating. Exercise is almost non-existent; they usually count their work as exercise--and, often, it is the only movement they have through the day.
For the first two months of the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM clients are focused on getting physically healthy—increasing oxygen to the brain. We do this by having the client work with a trainer a minimum of three times per week. We were fortunate to find an excellent facility, OZ FITNESS, Springfield, OR, http://www.ozfitness.com, with professional trainers that could work confidentially with our clients. So far, our client has kept all her gym appointments and has fully cooperated with the trainer. She also added jogging on her own, and is coordinating that with the trainers program at the gym. In the world of drugs being thin is important—thus, methamphetamine addictions. There are also mental health issues that are centered around image, like eating disorders, that must be evaluated. The Healthy Healing counselor reinforces that going to the gym is about health more so then appearance.
Clients also meet with a Health Coach to work on nutrition. Years of living an addiction lifestyle plays a toll on addict’s bodies including affecting the liver, pancreas, heart, and lungs. For this case we are using DR. DEBRA MARTIN BELLEVILLE, Eugene, OR. Drdebra82@yahoo.com. Dr. Debbie does blood work to determine what the client is going to need to eat to be healthy; she also checks for allergies. The client is given a food plan tailored to meet their individual need. The doctor works with the client to teach how to eat better, shop smarter, and understand the effects foods have on the body. Again, reinforcement by the Doctor and the counselor about diet and exercise being for health more so then appearance.
Lessons for this month from the exercise and diet piece is: what an important piece this is for any recovery program. After just the first thirty days, our client is so much more focused on the individual counseling sessions. The communication between OZ FITNESS and the counselor, and DR. BELLEVILLE and the counselor, helps the counselor pace how much he wants to push the talk sessions with the client. The focus on exercise and diet gives the counselor the ability to LISTEN in the first thirty days of treatment, and to allow the client to vent and express fears without feeling judged is extremely valuable. One of the important things to listen for is: what addiction the client may be transferring to. HEALTHY HEALING is about teaching balance in a person with addiction tendencies.
Tomorrow I will share some of the adjustments the client has to make in accepting a new style of addiction counselor.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM at
http://www.lifestylechangescounseling.com
Send comments, feedback and inquires to
09/01/09
HEALTHY HEALING COUNSELORS
We have completed the first month with our subject client going through the entire HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM. I would like to share a few of the insights so far starting with this one:
-Not only are the clients vested in 12-step recovery treatment plans, so are the counselors. On the counselors part it seems more reactionary then anything. All of the counselors presently working on this case are committed to offering an alternative approach to addiction. Yet, after their first meeting with the client and/or client’s husband, they each reached into their counseling tool bag and pulled out—you guessed it!—12-step! All the counselors were willing to back-up on what they did, and we had a great discussion about what happened. Reaching in their tool box and pulling out 12-step was more reactionary then therapeutic. Even if Healthy Healing had a 12-step component, it was not appropriate for either client or husband in this particular case. Following a few more sessions with each, the client and husband, two of three counselors stated “This is hard work.” And it is. Developing a treatment plan that is exclusively for a particular client IS hard work—for the client and the counselor. What I do know from years of developing this program is that, after a while, you wouldn’t think of doing it any other way. There are so many good therapies out there—both Western and Eastern—that we short the client if we try to make one plan fit all.
What I have learned from this insight is that I need to get really busy creating curriculum to train counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM. Also, addiction counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM will have to have a minimum of a CDCII (requires Bachelor’s Degree).
The other thing I personally learned from this first month is that I don’t like being a Program Director. Guess I also need to get busy on a job description for a Program Director.
Tomorrow I will talk about introducing exercise and diet up front into the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING TREATMENT PROGRAM at
We have completed the first month with our subject client going through the entire HEALTHY HEALING ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM. I would like to share a few of the insights so far starting with this one:
-Not only are the clients vested in 12-step recovery treatment plans, so are the counselors. On the counselors part it seems more reactionary then anything. All of the counselors presently working on this case are committed to offering an alternative approach to addiction. Yet, after their first meeting with the client and/or client’s husband, they each reached into their counseling tool bag and pulled out—you guessed it!—12-step! All the counselors were willing to back-up on what they did, and we had a great discussion about what happened. Reaching in their tool box and pulling out 12-step was more reactionary then therapeutic. Even if Healthy Healing had a 12-step component, it was not appropriate for either client or husband in this particular case. Following a few more sessions with each, the client and husband, two of three counselors stated “This is hard work.” And it is. Developing a treatment plan that is exclusively for a particular client IS hard work—for the client and the counselor. What I do know from years of developing this program is that, after a while, you wouldn’t think of doing it any other way. There are so many good therapies out there—both Western and Eastern—that we short the client if we try to make one plan fit all.
What I have learned from this insight is that I need to get really busy creating curriculum to train counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM. Also, addiction counselors for the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM will have to have a minimum of a CDCII (requires Bachelor’s Degree).
The other thing I personally learned from this first month is that I don’t like being a Program Director. Guess I also need to get busy on a job description for a Program Director.
Tomorrow I will talk about introducing exercise and diet up front into the HEALTHY HEALING PROGRAM.
Learn more about the HEALTHY HEALING TREATMENT PROGRAM at