Is Outpatient Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Effective?

Published on: 11 October 2018 Last Updated on: 13 September 2024
Addiction Effective

When a person is seeking help to overcome addiction, it is important that they choose a treatment program that best meets their specific needs. For some, this means entering a residential program so that they’re away from bad influences, whereas others aren’t in a position to spend months away from home or work responsibilities.

Elevate Addiction Services offers an outpatient program that is designed to serve local residents struggling with heroin and other drug use in San Francisco who require the flexibility of attending drug and alcohol treatment sessions when they are able to.

Outpatient Care vs. Inpatient Treatment:

Inpatient treatment available at the best heroin rehab centers offers the advantage of immersing people into a healing environment, away from the enabling people and places in their daily lives. Elevate’s inpatient program has a duration of 90 days which provides adequate time for people to start the healing process ahead of life in recovery. This program is only suitable for those people who do not have to disrupt their lives in order to attend or for whom addiction has become so severe they require intensive treatment for heroin in San Francisco.

On the other hand, outpatient care at the best heroin rehab centers allows patients to remain at home so that they can continue in their daily routine. For some people, this is important as they may have a caregiving role at home or a position of responsibility for others at work. Outpatient services are the same as those offered in our residential program although sessions are arranged for evenings so that it is easy for people to attend. Elevate’s outpatient program has a recommended duration of 8 weeks although this can be extended should individuals require continued support.

About the Elevate Addiction Services Outpatient Program:

Elevate’s drug and alcohol outpatient care program contains the most effective components of our inpatient care including:

  • Evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • One-to-one, group and family counseling sessions
  • Nutritional education and awareness
  • Planning a recovery strategy
  • Relapse-prevention using holistic coping mechanisms
  • Management of stressors and cravings

About the Holistic, Non-12-Step Approach to Outpatient Addiction Recovery:

The term holistic refers to healing a person as a whole in terms of mind, body, and spirit. The Elevate approach encompasses the best components of holistic practices and therapies, using them to address the physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient. One of the main elements of Elevate outpatient treatment for heroin in San Francisco is mindfulness, an ancient practice that focuses on deep and slow breathing.

Mindfulness is a mental state that is achieved using holistic techniques like meditation that focuses on the individual’s awareness of being in the moment. Very often, people with substance abuse issues have lost the ability to relax without taking drugs or using alcohol. Mindfulness opens a doorway to self-exploration that enables participants to gain a fresh perspective. Becoming more self-aware is important in the fight to overcome addiction and mindfulness practices promote this kind of positive introspection.

How Is Evidence-Based Behavioral Therapy Beneficial in Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

CBT and other evidence-based therapies are invaluable in addiction treatment as they allow patients to identify the negative thoughts and feelings driving substance abuse. When individuals discover the root of their substance use, they are able to work with the therapist to make necessary behavioral changes for a more positive outlook.

The evidence-based aspects of an Elevate outpatient treatment for heroin in San Francisco curriculum include the following:

  • Conscious acceptance of how emotions and feelings drive behaviors and tools for coping
  • Eradicating irrational thoughts and feelings by practicing logical thinking
  • Discovering the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions relative to health and overall wellbeing
  • Identifying and understanding the root causes of an individual’s addiction issues
  • Rebuilding relationships and improving communication skills
  • Maintaining sobriety in recovery and preventing relapse

Finding the Right Route to Recovery from Alcohol and Drug Abuse:

Everyone has their own unique journey into addiction and so it makes sense that they will find their own path to recovery. This is why the decision to attend outpatient or inpatient rehab should be made with the interests of the individual in mind. Some people flourish in residential rehab and make leaps and bounds progressing towards recovery because they’re away from everything they associate with substance use. However, other people find it difficult to be away from loved ones, dependents, co-workers and employers, without either drawing too much attention to their issues or letting people down by walking away temporarily from responsibilities.

Research shows that outpatient treatment is as effective as inpatient care, particularly for people with less severe addiction illness. For people who have developed more serious substance abuse issues, an intensive outpatient program or IOP can provide them with flexible treatment that fits around their daily schedule. Essentially, the best rehab centers devise personalized treatment plans for each patient entering their care, with the decision of whether to opt for an inpatient or outpatient program taken into account.

Read Also:

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

CBD

CBD: The understanding of its benefits

Miracle Medicine or Shark Scam? The substance cannabidiol, CBD, is gaining more attention and allegedly curing and alleviating a number of diseases and symptoms - but what exactly is it? According to a page named as the upcoming, CBD is one of the hundreds of so-called cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, and unlike the intoxicating and known substance THC, the CBD is not psychoactive and in itself does not cause intoxication.  However, both THC and CBD are pharmacologically interesting and there is a great potential for medical use - both individually and in different combinations between them. In some states, like Arkansas, it is now legal for people to use both THC and CBD medicinally. Getting a medical marijuana card in Arkansas to help alleviate certain ailments is now made easier with telehealth options emerging. Historically, the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant have been used for a number of ailments in much of the world. For example, to reduce pain or to relieve symptoms from rheumatism and epilepsy. Today, this palette of disease states that cannabis is said to alleviate and the cure has increased even more, although the scientific support for its medicinal effect is often weak or non-existent. CBD is removed from the list of prohibited substances A major problem, however, has been that the research on cannabis medical potential has been made more difficult by the drug classified as a heavy drug without medical potential, which among other things has meant that few large and well-made studies have been done in humans. The fact that it is difficult to patent natural substances is also a reason why pharmaceutical companies have not invested in cannabis medical studies. But much has happened in recent years and today we can see a more relaxed view of the CBD. For example, the anti-doping organization Wada will remove cannabidiol from its list of banned substances in 2018 - while cannabis and THC are still on the list. We can also see that the sales of high quality CBD products, often in the form of oil drops, have grown sharply in recent years. The CBD industry in the US: The CBD industry in the US is both large and profitable. But from the point of view of authority, the criticism has long been hard against the industry. The US FDA recently released a number of letters to a number of major CBD dealers in the United States. Message: Stop marketing your products with medical claims that are not backed by science. The authority is also critical of the fact that CBD oil is marketed as a dietary supplement, although according to the FDA it is obvious that the products are pharmaceuticals. A new study on CBD content in products in the US market also showed that 70 percent of the tested products contained more or less CBD than the table of contents declared. It should be pointed out that there are tons of CBD brands, which claim to be the best at what they do. Huge claims are made about the purity of the extraction process and how well they work when it comes to relieving muscle and joint pains, promoting sleep, and so on. However, closer examinations reveal that the majority of brands operating in the CBD industry are just trying to hitch on the popularity bandwagon. Experts state that apart from brands like penguincbd.com, there are hardly others who can really claim to be creating great CBD products. Meanwhile in some countries: In some countries, it is difficult to obtain figures on how large the industry around CBD products is today, but that the growth is strong in recent years is clear. Many salesmen have long worked in a legal gray area and marketed their products as food and dietary supplements. This has meant that you have been in a more or less lawless country since you do not have to follow the Medicines Act and it is up to the manufacturers themselves to be responsible for ensuring that the products are safe. Specifically, this means that buyers can’t possibly know whether the amount of CBD in the product is actually what is claimed or if it contains heavy metals, other drugs, or toxic substances. You also have no responsibility to collect any side effects. Can CBD cure unusual diseases? In the United States, CBD passed on a broad front after a notable CNN report in 2013, where one had to meet the five-year-old girl Charlotte Figi who suffers from a very difficult and unusual form of childhood epilepsy, Dravet's syndrome. Charlotte was plagued by up to 300 heavy epileptic seizures a week and after existing drugs did not work, the parents tested her medication with CBD-rich cannabis oil, which drastically reduced the epileptic seizures. The girl suffers from the difficult and unusual epilepsy disease Dravet's syndrome and became an early symbol of the medical cannabis movement. Photo: TT And it is precisely to relieve and reduce seizures in difficult-to-treat and unusual epilepsy that CBD has shown the most promising results. In a review article from 2016, a number of researchers went through a number of studies on cannabidiol's medical effects and pointed out a number of areas where CBD drugs can be extra interesting, especially if combined with other substances, such as turmeric for example. To note, CBD and turmeric benefits are considered important by a lot of researchers. Epilepsy: Here, both early clinical data and anecdotal evidence indicate that CBD can be effective against epilepsy and then specifically difficult-to-treat forms that affect children, such as Dravet's syndrome and Lennox-Gastauut's syndrome. A British pharmaceutical company, GW Pharmaceuticals, is also in the final phase with a CBD-based drug that many people hope to be able to print soon to children suffering from severe epilepsy. A study from 2017 on 120 children and young adults with Dravet's syndrome also adds additional weight to CBD treatment in epilepsy. One could then show a statistically significant reduction in severe epilepsy cases in the group receiving cannabidiol. However, the CBD group also had more side effects than the placebo group. Schizophrenia and Psychosis Diseases: Today we know that cannabis use is one of several risk factors for suffering from schizophrenia and other psychosis diseases. And that one should be able to relieve and treat this with substances from the cannabis plant may sound strange, but cannabidiol antipsychotic properties are now being studied carefully. In the review article, the researchers stated that various studies have shown that it is possible to alleviate symptoms from schizophrenia with CBD. And among the more than 100 studies on cannabidiol that are currently registered, there are several whose future results can clarify the CBD's potential in psychosis disease. The same British drug companies that develop the CBD-based epilepsy drug have also, in a recently published and well-done study, shown that CBD can provide symptomatic relief in schizophrenia. Depending Disease: Another interesting area where CBD is predicted to have a medical field of application is dependency disease. Studies are currently underway in the treatment of problematic use of alcohol, cocaine, and opioids. There are also studies suggesting that CBD and turmeric capsules can reduce withdrawal symptoms in people trying to stop cannabis. And much more… From the information above, it can be concluded that CBD really has health benefits. But of course, it would be wiser if the use is consulted in advance with the doctor or related medical officer. Read Also: 4 Advantages Of Using CBD Oils Is CBD Oil & Edible Treats Safe For Pets – Dogs & Cats Cannabis Can Help In The Fight Against Drug Addiction

READ MOREDetails
Connect with nature

3 Ways to Connect With Nature and Quiet Your Mind

Living near nature can help women live longer, with women in the greenest areas living as much as 12 percent longer than women who live in more built-up areas. You need to connect with nature to stay fit and healthy. Although male mortality rates do not show as much of a clear link, making time to connect with nature has many positive health benefits for both men and women. In fact, a range of studies have shown that regular contact with nature can improve everything from pain control to eyesight, as well as reduced stress levels and less anxiety. But, that's not to say that we all have to move to the countryside to take advantage of these health benefits. Simply making time to connect with whatever natural surroundings you live close to is enough to refresh your mind and improve your health and well-being. Here are three ways to connect with nature and quieten your mind. 1. Create Time Alone in Nature : It's great to experience the beauty of nature in the company of friends or family. But, when we're with other people, we tend to talk. This may be because we worry about what the people we're with think of us. Or we might just feel the need to fill the silence with chatter. However, the best way to connect with nature is by experiencing it alone. Being alone in nature allows us to focus on what we can hear, see and feel in these natural surroundings. Whether it's blades of grass between our fingers or the rush of water from a nearby river, you'll become much more aware of what's around you. So, if you go for a hike with friends, ask for an hour by yourself. Or head to the park or even out into your garden and emerge yourself in the sensory experience that nature offers. Other than hiking, traveling different beautiful locations is always a great way to behold the true beauty of nature and fall in love with it all over again and again. If you have the love for travel, you should consider traveling as much as you can and plan to visit some of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world. Some naturally beautiful places include the fjords of Norway, the Greek Islands, Islands of Maldives,  Switzerland, Kashmir in India, Nepal and so on. 2. Find Your Special Spot : You'll find that as you spend more time in nature, especially alone, you'll start finding special places that you're drawn to. It could be a tree you like to lean against when you visit your local park, or the rocks you often sit on to watch the ocean waves crashing on the shore. Wherever you feel most connected to nature, take the time to really get to know it. Go there in the heat of summer and the midst of winter, know it by day and by night. Noticing the small changes in nature as well as the contrasts between seasons helps you put things in perspective as you become more aware of how you are a part of something bigger than yourself. 3. Sleep Outdoors : Since Americans spend around 93 percent of their time indoors, it's important to actively seek out ways to experience longer periods immersed in nature. There's no better way to get in touch with nature than by waking up to a stunning sunrise, the sounds of birdsong and the smell of fresh morning dew. It certainly beats your alarm clock! Make Time to Connect with Nature : Whether you live in an urban area or in the middle of the countryside, it's important for your mental and physical health to take time out to connect with nature. Do you feel that you spend enough time in nature? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below, or contact us for more information. Read Also : 5 Ways You Can Be Inhibiting Your Fitness Top 10 Muscle And Strength Building Exercise At Home Choosing A Diet Based On Your Personality Type

READ MOREDetails
The Best Way In Relaxing Your Feet

The Best Way In Relaxing Your Feet

If you are always on your feet moving from one place to another, you might have experienced fatigue that especially affects your feet. This is something many people experience and one of the solutions recommended is to embrace some massage that could help to give a calming effect to the affected feet. There are many things you could do to prevent foot pain and also keep your feet in perfect health. Here are some of the best solutions for relaxing your feet that you may want to try out. Foot Massage : Foot massage is the first and most applicable solution you will go for when you want to relax your feet. This includes rubbing peppermint extract into the palms and fingertips. You need to press them firmly towards the sole of the foot using your thumbs, and while doing this you must slowly stroke your footpad from the toes to the base. Also, consider winging your foot using both hands while moving the grip back and forth. Lastly gently pop your toes while tugging on them. You can get some reviews about cushions you need for massage on https://massagers.pro/best-cushion. Soaking : Soaking has been recommended as a solution to relax your feet after a long tedious day. This includes warm water therapy, which has been practiced for many years. When you choose this remedy, you should not soak your feet for more than 30 minutes as this could lead to scalding. Also, ensure that you have your towel near you to dry the feet afterward, and this helps to prevent slipping and falling. After soaking you may consider taking a cold foot bath for another 10 minutes, and this gives maximum effect and best results. Elevation : Some people suffer from sore feet and this can prove a nuisance. One of the solutions you could try is elevation, which includes elevating your feet to at least 12 inches above your heart’s level. The effect of the exercise is that it helps to improve blood circulation while decreasing swelling. It is the best solution to allow blood to flow naturally from the feet instead of it pooling around the same area. You can also do this with a stool if you don’t prefer to practice it while standing. The elevation is a simple fix that works perfectly without the need for complex equipment. Rolling : The bottom of your feet is a surface that needs massaging and this could contribute to healing when you have pains in your feet. You can do rolling with any round object the size of a tennis ball. You simply need to place the arch of your foot on the ball and move your foot in all directions. This, when performed on both feet daily, could help to keep your feet healthy. You can learn more about this exercise from massagers.pro website. Many people put more effort into workouts that are good for other parts of their bodies, but they forget their feet also need some care. If you have been wondering how you can take care of your feet to keep them relaxed, the suggestions shared above are a good place to start. Read More : 6 Ways To Promote Healthy Brain 5 Mental Health Benefits Of Massage Therapy That You Must Know How To Stay Healthy And Fit Despite A Hectic Schedule

READ MOREDetails