Some signs that your child may have a problem with drugs or alcohol include mood changes (temper, irritability, defensiveness), problems at school (changes in grades, attendance), changes in friends, changes in appearance, and/or a lack of involvement in former interests. In addition, look for physical and mental changes in your child (poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech). Also finding drugs or alcohol in your child’s room or on their belongings can also indicate a problem.
My child is engaging in risky behaviors. What can I do?
The Partnership at Drugfree.org recommends six alternatives to reduce the chance that adolescents will drink, use drugs, or engage in other risky behaviors.
Build and maintain a supportive relationship with your child.
Be a good role model when it comes to drinking, taking medicine, and handling stress.
Know your child’s risk level. Decades of research have shown that some teens are at higher risk than others to develop substance abuse problems. Some of the common risk factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse are, family history, mental or behavioral disorder, trauma, and impulse control problems.
Know your child’s friends.
Monitor, supervise, and set boundaries.
Have ongoing conversations and provide information about drugs and alcohol. An open communication with your teenager can help build a healthy, supportive relationship. Besides, it can also avoid and reduce conflict in your relationship.
DO YOU OFFER CHILDCARE?
We do not offer childcare; however, we do have activities and toys available to keep your children busy while you are in services.
CAN MY FAMILY BE INVOLVED IN MY TREATMENT?
Yes, we strongly encourage family involvement with you while you are in treatment. We offer multifamily days at no additional cost to you. On those days, families attend education and group with you, with your permission. Because babies and small children get restless and need extra attention that can interrupt counseling/education sessions, we ask that you bring children who are at least 4 years old. We understand that this is not always possible. Please let your therapist know if accommodations are needed.
Assessments
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS?
Depending on the individual’s specific situation, an assessment usually takes from 2 to 3 hours. During that time, the individual completes a written questionnaire and has an in depth clinical interview with a substance abuse professional. A urine drug screen may also be required.
WHAT ARE THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN DOING AN ASSESSMENT?
Be prepared to stay approximately 2-3 hours for the entire assessment process. You may bring children with you if necessary.
Confidential assessments are provided Monday through Friday between 6:00am and 6:00pm.
Bring all required paperwork, all medications/documentation, and current Medicaid or insurance card. If you have been sent for an assessment by the courts, you will need to obtain a copy of you charges from your probation officer or the county clerk’s office. If your records are no longer available, you will need to obtain a written statement from the clerk’s office saying that the records are not available.
If you have been assessed elsewhere, you must have documentation from the prior assessor including the date of your assessment and the treatment or education recommendation. Assessments are valid for 6 months. If you have not entered treatment within 6 months of your assessment, a new assessment will be required.
Call to let us know if you are unable to keep your appointment.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN TREATMENT?
An assessment or screening will determine if a person needs treatment and what program best meets that person’s needs. If a client comes to treatment at Life Recovery Services, treatment may involve a combination of individual and group counseling. Also, certain levels of treatment involve family education and counseling. The focus of treatment is to help the client to increase understanding of substance abuse and dependence, to have the correct information to assess his or her own experience with alcohol and/or other substances, to practice abstinence, to explore 12-Step recovery, and to build support for ongoing recovery. Along with counseling, staff provide case management, peer recovery support services, wellness education, urine testing, follow –up with referring agencies, and referral for other services needed.
Treatment Options
DO YOU HAVE FLEXIBLE TREATMENT HOURS?
Your treatment options will be based on your personal needs and schedule. If your schedule changes because of a new work schedule, school hours, or other circumstances, we can change your services accordingly.
IF I WORK DURING THE DAY, CAN I ATTEND SERVICES IN THE EVENING OR ON THE WEEKENDS?
Our standard hours of in-office services are from 6:00am - 6:00pm. This does not mean that these are the only times that services are available. Our staff is open to scheduling sessions that will work with your schedule.
Medications
WILL I BE ABLE TO TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS WHILE IN TREATMENT?
Yes, we believe that certain medications actually enhance treatment and recovery. We ask that the client bring in all medications at the time of assessment or newly prescribed medications during treatment for our medical staff to review. If you feel like you need medications, please let your case manager know. Appropriate referrals can be made to assist you.
Methadone
Is methadone treatment right for me?
Methadone provides much-needed relief to patients who are battling an addiction to opioids. This U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication eliminates cravings for continued opioid use while relieving symptoms that often accompany withdrawal from opioids. When methadone is taken as prescribed under the guidance of trained medical professionals within a licensed treatment center, its use is extremely safe. In addition, methadone provides patients with the ability to take part in daily activities such as work, driving, and school without impairment.
We offer patients the ability to incorporate various prescription medications within their individual treatment plan. For this reason, patients should closely work with their treatment provider in order to determine the appropriate medication based upon their unique treatment requirements.
Before we admit anyone for methadone maintenance treatment a thorough evaluation is conducted by a counselor, a nurse, and a doctor to determine if methadone treatment is appropriate for you.
Am I just trading one addiction for another?
No. The single biggest indicator of addiction is loss of control. When using illicit drugs there is never enough and thus, there is no control. Methadone treatment dictates a specific amount of medication every day along with scheduled counseling sessions and urine drug screens. The purpose of all of these efforts is to help you discontinue illicit drug use.
What is a normal dose?
In reality, there is no such thing as a normal dose. Some people require very little methadone to achieve stability while others require much more. Basic body structure — weight, height, gender — doesn’t seem to have any bearing on the dose that is right for a particular person. The right dose for you is the one that makes you feel normal and alleviates cravings for opiates.
Will you still have cravings on methadone?
During the stabilization period (first 30 days) of treatment you may experience some cravings, but once stabilized that should subside.
Does methadone have side effects?
Most patients experience little or no severe side effects. However, when experienced, side effects tend be manageable and short-lived. Theses side effects mostly occur in the early stages of treatment or following dosage adjustments. Let your doctor or medical team know if you experience light-headedness, dizziness, extreme tiredness, nausea or vomiting, sweating, swelling, skin rash, or restlessness.
How long does treatment take?
Medication-assisted treatment programs are individualized for each patient. Different people require different lengths of treatment time. Generally, the longer you are involved in methadone maintenance, the greater your chances are of ultimate success. However, studies have shown that the greatest chance for success comes to those who are in a treatment program for at least a year.
What are the possible drug interactions with methadone?
Methadone is a powerful drug and must be used with great caution. Methadone has a number of interactions and side effects that you should understand. As with heroin and other narcotics, it is never safe to drink alcohol or take benzodiazepines (Ativan, Valium, Xanax, etc.) when using methadone. Combining these substances with methadone can cause your breathing to stop, resulting in coma or death.
Is methadone maintenance good for pain management issues?
While many pain management doctors use methadone for their patients, methadone maintenance is not a good pain management solution. This is largely due to the fact that we prescribe and dispense methadone for once-a-day use. Pain management clients often require multiple doses of an opiate throughout the day to manage their pain.
Can I quit methadone abruptly?
No. If you did, you could experience extreme discomfort that could last for weeks. The discomfort could cause you to relapse. If you decide that you want to discontinue methadone, consult with us and together we can develop a detoxification strategy to lessen any potential discomfort.
Does methadone make you high?
When administered at a proper dose by a licensed professional, methadone will not make you high.
Is medication assisted treatment safe?
When used under medical supervision as a part of a treatment program, methadone and buprenorphine can be safely taken without any damaging side effects. According to the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, methadone is “a rigorously well-tested medication that is safe and effective for the treatment of narcotic withdrawal and dependence.” Methadone and buprenorphine do have serious drug interaction potential that should be discussed with a doctor and fully understood before participating in medication-assisted treatment.
Can I become addicted to methadone?
As methadone is a controlled substance, there is potential for addiction. When taken as prescribed, however, the risk for addiction is minimal. Comprehensive Treatment Centers closely monitor the administration of prescriptions in order to ensure each patient’s safety throughout the course of treatment.
What should I tell my friends and family about methadone?
Many people do not understand what addiction and addiction treatment looks like and how it works for patients. Many people falsely believe that using methadone is the same as using heroin. They may think that you are trading one addiction for another. This, however, is absolutely not true. It is important to remember the points below when speaking to your family and friends about treatment:
Opioid addiction is a chronic illness and methadone is an opioid prescription medicine used to treat it. Methadone has been used in this way for more than 54 years. Through Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), millions of people have recovered from opioid addiction.
Methadone does not make you “high”. People who are treated with methadone will function perfectly well while taking it.
Just like diabetes, heart, and blood pressure medications, methadone must often be taken on a daily basis for up to a lifetime. Many people need a long-term daily dose to ensure their well-being.
