by Northstar | Jun 18, 2024 | Addiction
The Austrian psychologist Viktor E. Frankl said, “There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life.” People struggling with active addiction often feel as if they have lost all meaning in their lives. Of course, this is not true; it is just the nature of the disease of addiction to keep the individual hopeless and isolated. This lack of meaning can be especially pervasive for people struggling with opioid use because it is such a powerful addiction. However, the good news is there is always hope for recovery and getting that vital meaning back in one’s life.
The Prevalence of Substance Use Disorder in the U.S.
Substance use disorder (SUD) is still highly prevalent in the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “46.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 16.5 percent of the population) met the applicable DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year, including 29.5 million people who were classified as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million people who were classified as having a drug use disorder.” Also, perhaps more tragic, “In 2021, 94% of people aged 12 or older with a substance use disorder did not receive any treatment.”
Many of these people specifically struggle with opioid use and opioid addiction. This is because opioid use is one of the most prevalent types of addiction occurring today (behind alcohol use disorder).
The Prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder in the U.S.
Opioid use and opioid addiction have hit crisis levels in the U.S. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Opioid Use Disorder, by Doctors Dydyk, Jain, and Gupta, “OUD [opioid use disorder] affects over 16 million people worldwide and over 2.1 million in the United States… More than 120,000 deaths worldwide every year are attributed to opioids.[2] Examples of opioids include heroin (diacetylmorphine), morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and oxycodone.”
Many of the people who become addicted to opioids do so unintentionally when getting prescribed synthetic opioids for reasonable medical issues, and it slowly “snowballs” out of hand. Then, there are many people who use opioids without understanding how addictive and dangerous they can be.
The Dangers of Opioid Use
Opioid use can be extremely dangerous as it can lead to physical, mental, and emotional dependence as well as potential overdose and overdose death. Of course, those are not the only dangers of opioid use. The following are just a few of the more prominent dangers of opioid use and opioid addiction:
- Can lead to financial insecurity and familial detriment
- May cause legal issues
- Many gastrointestinal problems, including extreme constipation
- Dangerous disruption of sleep patterns, including not sleeping enough and sleeping too much
- Increases the chances of risky behavior
- Can disrupt brain development (specifically in people under 30)
- Leads to anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring issues of mental health
- Increases the chances for co-occurring addictions (including other substance and behavioral addictions)
- Can lead to serious withdrawals
- May lead to self-harm and suicidal ideations
As one can see, these are not insignificant dangers. Also, if any, many, or all of these signs are present, it is highly recommended that professional help be sought as soon as possible. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
A Focus on Fentanyl
One particularly frightening aspect of opioid use and opioid use disorder is the introduction of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a particularly deadly synthetic opioid that is responsible for many of the opioid overdoses and overdose deaths happening today.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.” Also, many people are often unaware they are even ingesting fentanyl because it is now being laced into many different substances.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), “Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage… 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl, considered a potentially lethal dose… One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.” It is because of these types of dangers of opioid use that getting help as soon as possible is critical.
How to Get Help for Opioid Use Disorder
Many people who struggle with opioid use disorder feel stuck in a situation that they don’t know how to escape from. Again, this is the disease of addiction – it keeps individuals from reaching out and asking for help.
On the other side, many people don’t know how to approach an individual who is struggling with opioid use disorder because they don’t know what to say, and they may even be worried that they may offend them. This hopelessness from the individual and this hesitancy from loved ones must be overcome if anyone is to heal and recover.
The key to getting help for opioid use disorder is honesty. If an individual is struggling, they must know that it is okay to reach out for help. Also, family members and loved ones must understand that being uncomfortable is worth the cost of saving a life.
Sometimes, loved ones have to make changes in order to get an individual the help they need. For example, many people are unaware that they are enabling a loved one’s addiction by allowing them to use and stay at home or by giving them money to keep them from doing something illegal to get their opioids. This is only prolonging the problem.
If a loved one is unwilling to get help for their opioid addiction, boundaries must be set. Again, these may be hard, but they are for the health and wellness of everyone involved. These may be boundaries such as not allowing an individual to come into the home if they have been using, no longer giving them any financial help, and not letting them near the family if they are under the influence. Now, these may feel difficult, but they can be life-saving. They can also help an individual decide that they need detox and treatment.
Detoxing From Opioids
For many individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, a medical detox is required. This is because opioid withdrawals can be extremely dangerous. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Opioid Withdrawal, by Doctors Shah and Huecker, “Opioid withdrawal syndrome is a life-threatening condition resulting from opioid dependence.” Also, “Opioid dependence impacts the drug user and imposes a significant economic burden on society by increasing healthcare costs, unemployment rates, absenteeism, and premature mortality… When opioid withdrawal signs are present, pharmacological management of opioid withdrawal is needed.”
It is because of these opioid withdrawal dangers that detoxing in the care of professionals is crucial. Yes, not doing so may potentially be deadly, but it will also be unnecessarily uncomfortable. Not detoxing properly can also lead to a relapse.
Relapses are more common than many people may realize. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Relapse Prevention, by Doctors Guenzel and McChargue, “One primary concern in addiction treatment is the high rate of relapses within a short period after even the most intensive treatment. Many studies have shown relapse rates of approximately 50% within the first 12 weeks after completion of intensive inpatient programs that often last 4 to 12 weeks or more and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
These relapse rates go down exponentially with the proper addiction care. A safe and secure detox is just the start of that care as it can help people to the next step, which is often day treatment.
What Does Day Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Look Like?
Day treatment is a form of treatment that allows an individual to closely focus on their recovery while also staying connected to their everyday lives. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who have financial and familial responsibilities that they can not completely step away from.
Day treatment for opioid use disorder should always look individualized and comprehensive. This means that each recovery plan should be tailored to the specific needs of the client, and each recovery plan should use as many treatment means, methods, and modalities as necessary.
Effective day treatment for opioid use disorder is also going to look very active. Many people are under the misconception that day treatment is less intensive than residential addiction care. This is simply not the case. Effective day treatment often consists of five days a week of focused and rigorous work. For some people, their day treatment will also include medication management.
Medication Management for Opioid Use Disorder
Many treatment centers have yet to offer medication management, even though it has been shown to be effective in many cases. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Effective medications exist to treat opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These medications could help many people recover from opioid use disorder, but they remain highly underutilized. Fewer than half of private-sector treatment programs offer medications for opioid use disorders, and of patients in those programs who might benefit, only a third actually receive it.”
Medication management is also a great way for individuals to slowly work their way down to abstinence. This process can be greatly aided by the use of psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma therapy.
Psychotherapy for Opioid Use Disorder
Many people are under the misconception that the sole problem of the addiction is the substance involved. This is simply not the case – as is said in many recovery circles, “The substance is but a ‘symptom’ of the disease.”
Psychotherapy can get to the underlying issues that cause the negative behaviors of addiction. Often, these underlying issues include issues of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma.
Trauma is much more common than many people may be aware of. According to the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Exposure to traumatic events is not rare, as has been consistently found in epidemiological studies. The World Mental Health Surveys of adults were carried out among nearly 70,000 participants from 24 countries ranging in economic status from low to high. These data showed that at some time in their life, 70.4% of the respondents had experienced at least one type of a traumatic event.”
For individuals with opioid use disorder, these underlying issues must be addressed if one is to heal at the molecular level. Another modality that can be particularly helpful for this is group therapy.
Group Therapy for Opioid Use Disorder
Connecting with others in recovery is vital for long-term success. One way to make these connections is via group therapy. Group therapy allows for a safe space where individuals can engage in “shared experiences” and help each other work through the process of recovery. This type of therapy also helps people in recovery get comfortable meeting and working with new people.
Connecting with others in recovery is often referred to as the “primary purpose” in many recovery communities – “Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help another person in recovery.” This is also a great way to maintain sobriety on both ends.
Addiction recovery can be full of many paradoxes. A very common one is, “You have to give it away to keep it.” This is what connecting to other people in recovery is all about. The primary text of 12-Step recovery (often referred to as the Big Book) puts it this way, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.” This work also helps with long-term recovery after day treatment has concluded.
A Focus on Long-Term Recovery
Here at NorthStar Recovery Center, we believe in long-term recovery over short-term “fixes.” It is why there is always a focus on what comes next after treatment. This includes connecting with a recovery community and getting involved.
It is important to stay active in one’s recovery. This might include doing service work at a recovery meeting, volunteering to help out at a rehabilitation center (such as coming to speak about one’s “experience, strength, and hope”), and continuing to go to individual therapy sessions.
Long-term recovery also often involves helping the entire family recover. It is important to remember that not only is addiction a disease, but it is a “family disease” as well. The entire family can be affected by one person’s addiction, and thus, the entire family has the right to recover.
Another way to maintain long-term recovery is by utilizing the alumni support services that are often offered by treatment centers. These services can help individuals stay active in their recovery and keep them connected with healthy, sober events and sober outings that they can take part in. After all, opioid addiction recovery is about a lot more than simply putting down the substance. It is about having fun and living life to the fullest as well.
Building a New Life in Recovery With NorthStar Recovery Center
Viktor E. Frankl also famously said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” No place is this more true than in the realm of recovery.
Here at NorthStar Recovery Center, we know that recovery must begin with the individual. But we also know that the best road to success is one aided by others. That is where we come in. Recovery is possible; we can help make it happen.
There is little doubt that there remains an opioid crisis in the United States. This is why it is important to continue discussing the dangers of opioid use and how quickly dependency can occur. Opioid use disorder can take everything and everyone away, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There is treatment out there. The key is reaching out for help. If you feel like you or a loved one may be struggling with issues of addiction or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward recovery right away. For more information about the dangers of opioid use and how there is hope, please reach out to NorthStar Recovery Center today at (888) 311-0911.
by Northstar | Jun 5, 2024 | Recovery, Treatment Tailored
The iconic author and philosopher Eckhart Tolle said, “The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present.” People in active addiction often find themselves in two places – one is regretting the past, and two is fearing the future. They are rarely in the present moment, and if they are, they are quick to blot it out with alcohol and drugs. So, when that present moment pops when an individual is ready to get help, they must get the right help. Effective day treatment offers that help.
The Prevalence of Addiction and Mental Illness in the U.S.
Addiction and mental illness are certainly in the public conversation today. However, many people may not realize just how prevalent they really are. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders… Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses,” and “Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.”
Unfortunately, many of these individuals don’t end up getting the proper addiction and/or mental health care that they ultimately need. According to NIDA, “[D]ata from 2020 shows that only 13 percent of people with drug use disorders receive any treatment.” Also, “Only 11 percent of people with opioid use disorder receive one of the three safe and effective medications that could help them quit and stay in recovery.” Also, many people who seek recovery wind up in the wrong treatment program or with an ineffective recovery plan.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Recovery Program for You
There are many different types of treatment. The most common are residential care and day treatment. Residential addiction and mental health care are for those individuals who require more round-the-clock attention and tend to be at the more severe stages of mental illness or addiction. This type of treatment is also very helpful for individuals who struggle with relapse.
Many people don’t realize just how prevalent relapse is. According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.” Day treatment can also be helpful for people who struggle with relapse when they try to recover on their own.
Better Understanding Day Treatment
Day treatment is a form of recovery that allows the individual an opportunity to work on their recovery while also maintaining a connection to their day-to-day lives. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have responsibilities that they must attend to during the recovery process. This may include family, school, and/or work obligations.
Many people often look at day treatment as a less intensive form of treatment than residential care. With effective day treatment, this is not the case. Day treatment fully engages the individual and fully immerses them in the process while they are at the treatment center. The primary difference is they still live and function off the property. This is just one of the benefits of day treatment.
The Benefits of Day Treatment
Day treatment offers a myriad of benefits. Yes, flexibility may be the most prominent one, but there are many others. The following are just a few more of the benefits of day treatment:
- It helps connect individuals to other people in recovery (helps create a “sober network”)
- Offers the support needed to focus on recovery
- Connects individuals with a recovery community while they are still in treatment
- Reduces the chance of relapse
- Keeps individuals accountable for their recovery
- Helps teach crucial life skills needed to maintain long-term recovery
- Begins the therapy process
- Provides essential structure needed for recovery
- Keeps individuals connected to any necessary medical help
- Connects individuals with alumni resources once they are done with day treatment
- Often offers an opportunity to “step down” to a sober living facility
As one can see, these benefits can be crucial for attaining and maintaining long-term recovery. These benefits can also be experienced by most people who choose day treatment.
Who Is Best Suited for Day Treatment?
Individuals best suited for day treatment are those who are struggling with issues of addiction and mental illness but are still functional enough for day-to-day life. Day treatment is also best suited for people who are willing to do the work because it involves intensive work.
A few people that day treatment may not be suited for are those who are coming right out of detox and still need 24/7 attention to avoid harming themselves or others (including those who have a history of relapsing right after detox). It may also not be for individuals who currently live in toxic “triggering” situations that may keep them from fully focusing on their recovery.
It should also be noted that insurance and financial factors can play a part in getting into day treatment. However, one should never put finance over recovery, and there are often many ways in which a person can get the help they need, such as working out a payment plan with a recovery center. The key is to reach out and ask – most recovery centers have an admissions center that will be happy to help get an individual into the right place and type of treatment for them.
What Does Effective Day Treatment Look Like?
Effective day treatment is going to look specific in two ways. It is going to look individualized, and it is going to look comprehensive.
This means that each recovery plan will have a focus on each client’s specific needs. This includes a proper intake that focuses on their backstory, their current needs, and their goals for the future. It will also take into account any co-occurring disorders that an individual may have, as well as any family dynamics they may be dealing with.
Comprehensive care means that a recovery plan utilizes many means, methods, and modalities to help individuals recover. These types of treatment should be pulled from all different areas of recovery such as the psychotherapeutic, the experiential, and the holistic.
Effective day treatment will also look very active. It should involve an entire week of work (a minimum of five days) with full days of treatment (a minimum of six hours a day). Day treatment should also expect the individual to do work while they are not at the recovery center. This often includes connecting to a recovery community and attending recovery meetings (such as 12-Step meetings).
Therapy and Day Treatment
One of the most important components of day treatment is therapy. The primary type of therapy is often psychotherapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
These types of therapy can get to the underlying issues of one’s addictive behaviors. As is often the case, “the substance is but a ‘symptom’ of deeper issues.” Many times, these issues include trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is much more common than many people may think. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Center for PTSD, “About 6 out of every 100 people (or 6% of the U.S. population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives.” Also, “About 5 out of every 100 adults (or 5%) in the U.S. has PTSD in any given year. In 2020, about 13 million Americans had PTSD.” Effective psychotherapy in day treatment will address these underlying issues of PTSD.
Another type of therapy that is often used in day treatment is experiential therapy. These are therapies that focus on experiences (either active experiences or creative ones) to help individuals work through their issues. Perhaps the most common type of experiential therapy is art therapy. Art therapy helps individuals and their therapists analyze artistic choices and end products to help work through and address the issues an individual is dealing with.
Working With Others in Day Treatment
One of the most important aspects of recovery is connecting and working with others who have “shared experience.” This is discussed in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (often referred to as the Big Book). The book states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.”
Working with others in recovery can also come out of connections made in group therapy, which is often another critical component of day treatment. Connecting with others while in treatment also makes it much easier to connect to others outside of treatment, which can be essential.
Connecting With a Recovery Community While in Day Treatment
It is often said in recovery that one needs to get “in the middle of the herd.” This means that getting involved in a recovery community can be very helpful in keeping one sober and avoiding a potential relapse.
Many people think of getting involved in a recovery community as simply going to meetings. However, while this is important, it is the minimum that one can do. It is often much more effective to join a “home group” of a recovery community and volunteer one’s time. This might involve greeting people at the door, making coffee, or even leading the meeting. This service can be vital in keeping one sober in the long term.
Creating a Healthy Lifestyle in Day Treatment
Day treatment is also a great way to create a healthy “design for living.” This means learning essential life skills like financial responsibility and sleep hygiene (creating healthy sleep cycles). It also often means bringing healthy holistic practices into one’s life, like yoga and meditation.
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years to help people quiet their minds and find inner peace. Originally, yoga was practiced solely for religious or spiritual purposes, but it has since moved into the realm of recovery.
Yoga offers a myriad of benefits that can help individuals with addiction and mental health recovery. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent reduce or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional and spiritual pain, suffering or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.” Meditation also offers similar benefits.
Meditation is a great practice to learn in day treatment because not only does it have benefits, but it can go virtually anywhere the individual goes. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Ayurveda (AYU), “During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency.” It can also help with goal-setting.
Setting Goals in Day Treatment
Day treatment also offers a great opportunity to set goals for the future. Yes, these include goals regarding staying sober, but they also include familial, financial, and social goals.
Another big part of setting goals in recovery is connecting with loved ones and healing together. Many people understand that addiction is a disease, but they may not be aware that it is a “family disease” as well. This means the entire family is affected by one person’s addiction. It also means that the entire family may require help to heal.
Day treatment can offer an opportunity for the family to both heal together and apart. This may include individual therapy and counseling as well as family therapy, both with and without the individual who is in day treatment. This can also be a big help when it comes to transitioning back into everyday life.
Transitioning Back Into Everyday Life After Day Treatment
Day treatment is not just about the present moment, but it is also about the long term. This is one of the paradoxes of recovery – one must “live one day at a time” in order to attain long-term recovery.
Day treatment can help this transition back into day-to-day life because an individual always maintains some connection to their outside lives while also focusing on their recovery in the treatment center. Many recovery centers also help this transition happen by offering comprehensive alumni support services. These alumni services help individuals stay connected to other people in recovery, as well as offer support and relapse prevention plans.
The Importance of Enjoying Recovery and Long-Term Success at NorthStar Recovery
Eckhart Tolle also famously said, “Always say ‘yes’ to the present moment… Surrender to what is. Say ‘yes’ to life – and see how life starts suddenly to start working for you rather than against you.” When the opportunity presents itself, it is also time to “say yes” to recovery. For many, it is time to “say yes” to day treatment.”
Here at NorthStar Recovery Center, we know that seeking help for addiction can be daunting. However, we also know that seeking help for addiction is one of the best choices an individual will ever make.
Recovery is possible, and there is hope. The key is to reach out, take the first step, and ask for help. Once that happens, we will always be here at NorthStar Recovery Center to help take the next steps toward a life beyond what was once unimaginable.
For many people, day treatment is the best option for recovery. This is due to the convenience of these programs and how they allow individuals to seek treatment while continuing to handle their daily responsibilities. Day treatment is also a great way to stay focused on one’s recovery without having to commit to residential care. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. For more information about the benefits that day treatment provides, please reach out to NorthStar Recovery Center today at (888) 311-0911.
by Northstar | May 17, 2024 | Addiction Recovery
The iconic Austrian psychologist Anna Freud famously said, “I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” Supporting all women seeking treatment can help them uncover that essential source of inner strength.
While inclusivity continues to get better in the recovery realm, there is still a long way to go to ensure that everyone’s unique needs are met. This includes addressing the unique needs of women seeking treatment. It is important women feel empowered when it comes to seeking treatment because, for far too long, women faced gender-specific stigmas around addiction and mental health.
The Prevalence of Addiction in the U.S.
Addiction is more prominent than many people may realize. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In 2022, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older (or 17.3%) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 8.0 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD.”
There are also many people who struggle with co-occurring disorders alongside their addiction issues. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.” Of course, while these statistics are comprehensive, they are not absolute. This is because many people who struggle with addiction and/or mental illness (behavioral health issues) do not speak up or seek help. Also, this includes many women who don’t seek help due to social stigmas.
Understanding Women and Addiction
While statistically, there may be more men who seek treatment than women, it is not because they are more susceptible to addiction. According to NIDA, “For most age groups, men have higher rates of use or dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than do women. However, women are just as likely as men to develop a substance use disorder. In addition, women may be more susceptible to craving and relapse, which are key phases of the addiction cycle.”
This last aspect of relapse susceptibility is important because many people don’t realize just how common relapse currently is in the U.S. (for both men and women). According to the peer-reviewed thesis Addiction Relapse Prevention by Doctors Guenzel and McChargue, “One primary concern in addiction treatment is the high rate of relapses within a short period after even the most intensive treatment. Many studies have shown relapse rates of approximately 50% within the first 12 weeks after completion of intensive inpatient programs that often last 4 to 12 weeks or more and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
However, these relapse rates can be reduced if an individual’s needs are specifically met. This is why individualized care can be so crucial. Overarching “one-note” recovery plans rarely tend to work. They cannot address everyone’s needs. This includes the needs of women seeking treatment.
The Unique Needs of Women Seeking Treatment
Most people can benefit from many of the same types of treatments. However, there are many stigmas and social inequities regarding recovery that are specifically unique to women.
For example, one of the unique stigmas that women face is how they are perceived regarding addiction and pregnancy. According to NIDA, “Unfortunately, it can be difficult for a person with a substance use disorder to quit, and some women with such disorders fear that seeking help while pregnant or afterward could cause them legal or social problems. Communities can build support systems to help women access treatment as early as possible, ideally before becoming pregnant.” Also, “If a woman is unable to quit before becoming pregnant, treatment during pregnancy improves the chances of having a healthier baby at birth.”
The Barriers for Women Seeking Treatment
Pregnancy is just one of the barriers for women seeking treatment. Another barrier for women seeking treatment is the way they are believed by hospitals and primary care providers. Many women feel dismissed or disrespected when it comes to asking for addiction help. This often stops women from continuing to seek help.
There can also be financial barriers for women seeking treatment as the pay disparities in the U.S. are still prominent, and many women who struggle with addiction face financial insecurity when it comes to seeking treatment. Women can also feel insecure about how they will be perceived if it is discovered that they are seeking treatment or are in recovery. This is because women tend to face a disproportionate standard when it comes to social circumstances. Many women also fear that seeking treatment could bring more discrimination down the road.
Understanding Trauma, PTSD, and Women Seeking Treatment
Many women who struggle with issues of addiction and mental health also struggle with underlying issues of trauma, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “Women’s experiences of trauma have been linked to a variety of negative mental health consequences, including especially PTSD. Estimates from community studies suggest that women experience PTSD at two to three times the rate that men do.” Also, “U.S. prevalence estimates of lifetime PTSD from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication are 9.7% for women and 3.6% for men.”
Many women who struggle with PTSD also do so because they have experienced some type of assault at the hands of the opposite sex. This could be physical, verbal, or sexual assault. It is for this reason that many women may feel apprehensive about being in a treatment program that doesn’t take their needs into account. Understandably, women who have experienced some type of trauma are looking for a safe space when it comes to recovery.
The Importance of Safe Spaces for Recovery
A safe space for women does not necessarily mean that the space has to be gender-specific. However, it does mean that it needs to take women’s specific needs into account. This may involve ensuring that the professionals on staff are representative of all genders.
A safe space for recovery may also mean that there are program specialties that focus solely on the needs of women. This may include female-only group therapy sessions, for example. Women-specific care should also address women-specific addiction stigmas. According to Fusio: The Bentley Undergraduate Research Journal, “Although many women initiate the use of drugs as a way to self-medicate and address social pressures, they are stigmatized by society for using drugs, and women who are mothers face even greater stigmatization.”
Women-specific care doesn’t have to look a certain way, either. Again, it is as much a matter of ensuring that the space is safe, regardless of what type of recovery program is being employed. This includes day treatment that addresses women’s specific needs.
The Benefits of Day Treatment for Women in Recovery
Many women avoid seeking treatment because they don’t feel that they can step away from their responsibilities. While this is understandable, the truth is that pushing treatment back will only make the problem worse.
Day treatment is a great option for women who still need to manage day-to-day responsibilities. This type of treatment allows people to actively engage with their recovery without having to stay directly at the facility.
Of course, not all day treatment programs are created equally. Some day programs only engage with the individual a few times a week for a few hours at a time. For most, this is rarely enough to get to the underlying issues that are causing a person’s negative and addictive behaviors.
A quality day treatment program is going to include daily work for a minimum of six hours a day for a least five days a week. Depending on the individual, this may last for a few weeks or a few months. The key is to address all of the issues the first time so the individual can avoid a potential relapse and do it all over again.
A quality day treatment program is also going to be comprehensive. This means that it is going to offer multiple means, methods, and modalities for recovery, including individual and group therapy sessions.
Individual Therapy for Women in Recovery
One of the most prominent ways to address addiction, for both men and women, is via individual psychotherapy. This includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is going to help get to the underlying issues of one’s addiction issues.
CBT has been shown to be one of the most highly effective therapies when it comes to treating a broad range of addiction and mental health issues. According to Psychology of Addictive Behaviors: the Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, “Multiple meta-analyses and reviews over the past 30 years have concluded that CBT is an effective treatment across a range of substance use disorders. The most recent and comprehensive meta-analysis included 53 controlled trials, published through 2006, of CBT for adults diagnosed with alcohol or drug use disorders, and reported a small but statistically significant treatment effect (g = 0.15) for CBT over control conditions across studies.”
CBT is also an evidence-based therapy that does not discriminate based on gender or sex. However, many women seeking treatment prefer working with a CBT specialist who is of the same sex.
As with other modalities, CBT’s benefits are also positively influenced when other therapies are used in tandem. This includes the use of group therapy (including women-specific group therapy).
Group Therapy for Women in Recovery
Studies reported in the American Journal on Addictions found that women felt more secure in gender-specific group therapy settings. According to the American Journal on Addictions, “Men more frequently endorsed the helpfulness of mixed-gender groups than did women while women appreciated the enhanced support in single-gender SUD groups. Issues of stigma are especially salient for women.” Also, “Only women endorse stigma as an obstacle to their treatment and recovery.”
A big part of group therapy is the feeling that it is a safe space to share without the fear of judgment. For women, this safety is better established in gender-specific group therapy sessions.
Another critical component of group therapy is the aspect of “shared experience.” Many women who struggle with addiction and/or mental health feel isolated and alone. Connecting with other people who have also felt like that can be essential. Group therapy can also be helpful because it allows new people in recovery to see the progress of others. It is the concept of “If they can make it, maybe I can too!” This can be especially salient in women-specific recovery communities.
Connecting With Other Women in Recovery Communities
Recovery communities can be an ideal way to both attain recovery, as well as maintain it in the long-term. Many people connect with recovery communities while they are still in day treatment and stay connected with them after they finish.
As with individual therapy, it is important to stay connected to a recovery community after one leaves treatment. Doing so is one of the best ways to stay accountable and avoid a potential relapse.
Many different types of recovery communities exist. There is SMART Recovery for those who wish to avoid a spiritual path, there is Recovery Dharma for those seeking recovery with a focus on Buddhism, and there is 12-Step recovery, which offers both secular and spiritual meetings.
A 12-Step Track to Recovery
Many people are under the wrong impression that 12-Step recovery is just about recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). While yes, the initial 12-Step group, founded by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, was Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), there are now many different types of 12-Step programs available. This includes groups that focus on substance use disorder (SUD) and behavioral disorders.
Many people are also under the impression that one must be a religious or spiritual person to practice 12-Step recovery. There are many different types of 12-Step meetings out there, and one can be as spiritual or religious as they wish to be – this is why the Twelve Steps use the term “Higher Power of one’s own understanding” rather than God.
Just as there are many different types of spiritual (or atheist) 12-Step meetings, there are also meetings that address other areas. For example, there are LGBTQ+ meetings, men’s meetings, meetings that are open to the public, and, yes, women-specific meetings too.
Many women find that attending women-specific meetings helps them stay more connected to their own personal issues of addiction. They also feel more comfortable to share at meetings.
Women can also feel empowered by helping other women recover, which 12-Step recovery helps them do. This adheres to the “Responsibility Statement,” which is often read in 12-Step recovery meetings. It goes, “I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of [recovery] always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.” It is a powerful message that has helped millions of individuals and their families recover and stay recovered.
Helping Women Recover at NorthStar Recovery Center
Dr. Anna Freud also said, “Sometimes the most beautiful thing is precisely the one that comes unexpectedly and unearned, hence something given truly as a present.” For many, this is the gift of desperation that is often needed to begin the recovery process.
That desperation is a gift because it opens up the willingness needed to start the recovery journey. At NorthStar Recovery Center, we understand that for women, this journey deserves to be taken without any fear of stigma or lack of respect. This is why we offer individualized care for each and every one of our clients.
Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to recover. At NorthStar Recovery Center, they do. That is our promise, our primary purpose, and our overall recovery mission.
Women face unique needs when it comes to seeking appropriate treatment. There are certain stigmas and barriers women face when seeking care and specific reasons why they may opt not to seek treatment. At NorthStar Recovery Center in West Springfield, MA, we take the needs of women very seriously, and our diligent professional staff works to provide safe settings and the resources necessary to encourage women to seek and maintain care. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can get you on the right road to long-term recovery. For more information about women-specific addiction care, please reach out to NorthStar Recovery Center today at (888) 902-4234.
by Northstar | May 1, 2024 | Addiction
According to the latest survey produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In 2022, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older (or 17.3%) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 8.0 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD.” This includes people currently struggling with cocaine addiction.
It is now widely understood and agreed upon that addiction is a “family disease” and thus needs a “family solution.” Yes, one of the hardest experiences a family may ever go through is helping a loved one get the recovery help they need for cocaine addiction. However, there is a solution. But first, you need to know what signs to look out for.
Better Understanding Stimulant Use Disorder
Many people are unaware that illicit stimulants represent a specific type of addiction referred to as stimulant use disorder. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Stimulant use disorder describes a range of symptoms associated with the use of stimulant drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and amphetamines, but not including caffeine or nicotine. A diagnosis of stimulant use disorder is made when a clinician identifies a pattern of use of an amphetamine-type substance, cocaine, or other stimulant that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress, including an inability to reduce or control consumption…”
These stimulants are represented by a broad range of substances. However, one of the primary ones is cocaine. According to SAMHSA, “Stimulant use disorders are a major public health concern in the United States, with more than 5 million people age 12 and older reporting past-year cocaine use, nearly 2 million reporting methamphetamine use, and almost 5 million reporting prescription stimulant misuse in 2019.” Also, “Overdose deaths from stimulants have been increasing over the past 20 years, especially deaths attributable to stimulants taken with either synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl) or semisynthetic opioids (e.g., heroin).”
This last point about synthetic opioids and cocaine is critical because it represents a new level of danger that now comes along with untreated cocaine addiction. The good news is there are signs that can be detected to help your loved ones from falling deeper into cocaine addiction.
Better Understanding Cocaine Addiction
One of the most insidious aspects (of many) of cocaine use is its relatively quick potential for addiction. According to the peer-reviewed journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, “Among cocaine users, about 20% will meet the criteria for CUD at some point in their lifetime. Among individuals who report cocaine use (including even just once), approximately 15% are estimated to progress to CUD within the following 10 years – a rate of progression higher than those found for cannabis (8%) and alcohol (12–13%). Additionally, the speed of progression from first cocaine use to CUD is much faster than the speed of progression from the first use of alcohol to alcohol use disorder…”
Many people who use cocaine do so, intending to only try it once. The issue is that there is no guarantee that that individual does not possess the characteristics that make them more susceptible to becoming addicted. This includes genetic predisposition.
Recognizing the Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Being able to spot the signs of cocaine addiction in a loved one can mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. This is because spotting the signs early (before more severe symptoms of addiction occur) means getting a loved one the help they need early.
It is important not to minimize the early signs of addiction, especially cocaine addiction. Just because an addiction was caught early does not mean that treatment isn’t necessary. Addiction is a chronic disease, and as with other chronic diseases (such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes), it will almost certainly get worse without some type of professional intervention. Simply stopping is often not enough. In fact, simply stopping is not the objective of recovery. Staying stopped is the objective.
The Physical Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Signs of cocaine addiction can be broken down into three distinct categories. These are the physical, mental, and emotional signs of addiction. However, it is important to remember that rarely will anyone experience one category of symptoms. The symptoms of cocaine addiction are symbiotic and are a devastating combination.
Perhaps the most recognized signs of addiction are the physical ones. The following are just a few of the physical signs of cocaine addiction:
- An inability to sit still, including repetitive movements of the hands and feet
- Clenching the jaw and grinding one’s teeth
- Extreme weight loss and a lack of appetite
- Sweaty and “clammy appearance” (appearing pale)
- Speaking excessively and excessively fast
- Having trouble communicating
- Trouble sleeping (including insomnia followed by prolonged sleep periods)
- Are extra sensitive to light and loud noises
- Complains of gastrointestinal problems
Of course, some of these physical signs cannot be separated from the mental ones. For example, having trouble communicating is also due to one’s mental difficulties in putting thoughts together (cognitive disruptions).
The Mental Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Many of the mental and emotional signs of addiction can also be classified as behavioral. This makes them somewhat hard to distinguish, but there are delineations between the two. The following are just a few of the mental signs of cocaine addiction:
- Trouble with both short and long-term memory
- Difficulties connecting thoughts
- Has racing thoughts followed by a “crash”
- Is overly paranoid
- Experiencing trouble in school or at work
- Becomes delirious
- May experience cocaine-induced hallucinations
Cocaine addiction could also lead to other co-occurring issues of mental health. According to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, “Additional psychiatric disorders can accompany the diagnosis of cocaine dependence and can include cocaine intoxication, cocaine withdrawal, cocaine intoxication delirium, cocaine-induced psychotic disorders with hallucination and/or delusions, cocaine-induced mood disorder, cocaine-induced anxiety disorder, cocaine-induced sexual dysfunction, and cocaine-induced sleep disorder.” Detecting the signs early can help to avoid these later state mental health issues.
The Emotional Signs of Cocaine Addiction
While the physical and mental side effects may be more visible, the emotional side effects of cocaine addiction are just as detrimental – potentially more so. The following are some (but certainly not all) of the emotional signs of cocaine addiction:
- Feels overly elated at one moment and upset and depressed the next
- Struggles with heightened levels of stress and anxiety
- Isolates away from family and loved ones
- Has a poor self-image and lacks self-esteem
- Exhibits little self-control
- Experiences extreme mood swings and becomes easily agitated
- Feels the need to self-harm
- Expresses suicidal ideations
As one can see, all of the various signs of cocaine addiction represent a serious problem that needs serious attention right away. If any, many, or all of these signs are present, it is highly recommended that professional help be sought as soon as possible. The good news is there are currently many evidence-based and effective ways to treat cocaine addiction.
Getting Help for Cocaine Addiction
The first step to getting a loved one the help they need for cocaine addiction is to openly address the problem. Of course, this can be particularly scary for people as they don’t want to “offend” a loved one or push them away. However, it is important to remember that you are doing this for the good of everyone involved, especially the individual who is struggling.
It is often the case that the person with the cocaine addiction is looking for some type of intervention but is not at a place physically, emotionally, or mentally to admit it. Their life often feels like it is in chaos, so having someone come in and offer help is quite often readily received.
However, some individuals are not ready to accept help and will push back. In this instance, it is important to remember that while you can help a loved one get sober, you cannot make them get sober. They must make the decision on their own. But, you can set some boundaries that will show them how serious you are about the situation.
These boundaries may include not letting the individual into the home if they have been using, denying access to loved ones if they are using, cutting them off financially, and refusing to offer legal assistance if they get into substance-related trouble. While this may seem harsh, it is important to remember that the ultimate goal is saving their life and healing your family.
How Is Cocaine Addiction Generally Treated?
While there is no “cure” for cocaine addiction, it is highly treatable. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Yes, addiction is a treatable disorder. Research on the science of addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders has led to the development of research-based methods that help people to stop using drugs and resume productive lives, also known as being in recovery… Treatment enables people to counteract addiction’s disruptive effects on their brain and behavior and regain control of their lives.”
Cocaine addiction is primarily treated via an assortment of therapies. These therapies help an individual learn to live without cocaine and live a substance-abstinent lifestyle. Some people who struggle with the more severe stages and symptoms of cocaine addiction also require a safe and secure, medically supervised detox. Also, some people have comorbidities of mental illness that may be addressed. This may require an individual to choose an inpatient treatment plan to begin with. However, for many individuals, day treatment is the best option for recovery.
Utilizing Day Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Day treatment can be ideal for people who are still able to function in their day-to-day lives but also need some intensive structure when it comes to recovery. Many people misunderstand day treatment as a less involved form of recovery. With the right recovery center, this is certainly not the case.
A quality day treatment program is going to consist of six-hour days of in-person treatment, at least five days a week. Depending on the needs of the individual, this type of treatment may last a few weeks up to a few months. The objective is to get an individual to a place where they feel comfortable enough in their recovery so that they can fully engage in their everyday lives. This includes feeling well enough to navigate certain “triggers” that could lead to a potential relapse.
Relapse in the U.S. is more common than many people may think. According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.” An effective day treatment plan that utilizes individual therapy is going to help people avoid being one of these statistics.
Individual Therapy for Cocaine Addiction
A critical part of treating cocaine addiction is getting to the underlying causes of the addiction. These are also known as the “root/core” causes.
Individual therapies, especially psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can help get to these root/core causes. For example, CBT helps an individual better understand how they may negatively perceive themselves and the world around them. Someone with cocaine addiction may have been using the substance as a coping mechanism for these perceptions.
Once these underlying issues are detected, then they can be worked on and worked through to adjust and amend one’s negative addictive behaviors. CBT is also highly beneficial in giving people the coping skills that they need to manage triggering situations in the moment. Also, group therapy is highly effective at doing this.
Group Therapy for Cocaine Addiction
People with cocaine addiction often feel isolated and alone. This is one of the symptoms of the disease that has been mentioned previously. Attending group therapy is an exceptional way to combat this loneliness and isolation.
Group therapy in day treatment allows people with “shared experience” to work through their issues together while also being guided and supported by an addiction specialist. It is also a great way for individuals to connect to other people in recovery who they may one day rely upon if they run into a situation in which they feel like they may relapse. This is also known as establishing a quality “sober network.”
A 12-Step Track for Cocaine Addiction
While individuals may have to make the choice to get sober themselves, they don’t have to go through the process of recovery alone. This is a big tenet of 12-Step recovery.
There is a chapter in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as the Big Book) entitled “Working With Others.” The chapter states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using substances] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.”
Connecting with a recovery community (such as a 12-Step community) is an excellent way to both attain sobriety and maintain long-term recovery. Day treatment that has 12-Step recovery, as well as individual and group therapy, has been shown to be highly effective at helping people get sober and achieve their recovery goals.
The Importance of Long-Term Success at NorthStar Recovery Center
Here at NorthStar Recovery Center, we understand how daunting it can feel when trying to get a loved one the help they need for cocaine addiction. That is why we have a professional and caring staff that is going to ensure that each client gets the individualized and comprehensive care that they need.
The iconic American author and philosopher Joseph Campbell once said, “We must let go of the life we have planned so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” That new life is waiting; the key is to take the first step toward it and ask for help.
Cocaine addiction is very serious and can even be deadly. This is why it is vital to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease. Being able to do so can help minimize any lasting effects that cocaine addiction may cause. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with cocaine or any other type of substance addiction, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. Addiction doesn’t have to win. Life can get better, but it takes work. For more information on the benefits of day treatment and how to recover from cocaine addiction, please reach out to NorthStar Recovery Center today at (888) 902-4234.
