Juliet Cohen asked:


Child abuse is the physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect of children by parents, guardians, or others. Child abuse happens in all cultural, ethnic, and income groups. Abuse may cause serious injury to the child and may even result in death. There are many effects of child abuse. Emotional effects include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, alienation and withdrawal, and personality disorders. Physical effects include injury, death, lifelong health problems, cognitive difficulties, and physical disabilities. Behavioral effects include problems in school and work, delinquency, teen pregnancy, suicide attempts, criminal or antisocial behavior, substance abuse, aggressive behavior, spousal and child abuse, and anger.

Child abuse can have dire effect.during both childhood and adulthood. The effects of being abused as a child vary according to the severity of the abuse and the surrounding environment of the child. If the family or school environment is nurturing and supportive, the child will probably have a healthier outcome. There are many causes of child abuse. Mental illness is another common factor, with many abusers having personality disorder or other severe forms of mental illness. Psychosocial factors also play a role.Stress, including the stress of caring for children, or the stress of caring for a child with a disability, special needs, or difficult behaviors. Many times, physical abuse is a result of excessive discipline or physical punishment that is inappropriate for the child’s age.

The parent may simply be unaware of the magnitude of force with which he or she strikes a child. Chronic maltreatment can be treated effectively with Cognitive Behavioral therapy interventions, other therapeutic interventions, education, EMDR and other approaches. Reducing the incidence of child abuse is a matter of education and intervention. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy based on modifying cognitions, assumptions, beliefs and behaviors, with the aim of influencing disturbed emotions. Medication can be useful for the symptoms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms. Child abuse prevention is a societal and governmental issue. When children reach age three, parents should begin teaching them about “bad touches” and about confiding in a suitable adult.

Child Abuse Treatment and Preventin Tips

1. In child abuse cases Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also recommended.

2. Some medication can be useful for the symptoms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms.

3. When children reach age three, parents should begin teaching them about “bad touches”.

4. Some time for children, play therapy and family therapy can be helpful.



Leighton

Juliet Cohen asked:


Child abuse is the physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect of children by parents, guardians, or others. Child abuse happens in all cultural, ethnic, and income groups. Abuse may cause serious injury to the child and may even result in death. There are many effects of child abuse. Emotional effects include low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, alienation and withdrawal, and personality disorders. Physical effects include injury, death, lifelong health problems, cognitive difficulties, and physical disabilities. Behavioral effects include problems in school and work, delinquency, teen pregnancy, suicide attempts, criminal or antisocial behavior, substance abuse, aggressive behavior, spousal and child abuse, and anger.

Child abuse can have dire effect.during both childhood and adulthood. The effects of being abused as a child vary according to the severity of the abuse and the surrounding environment of the child. If the family or school environment is nurturing and supportive, the child will probably have a healthier outcome. There are many causes of child abuse. Mental illness is another common factor, with many abusers having personality disorder or other severe forms of mental illness. Psychosocial factors also play a role.Stress, including the stress of caring for children, or the stress of caring for a child with a disability, special needs, or difficult behaviors. Many times, physical abuse is a result of excessive discipline or physical punishment that is inappropriate for the child’s age.

The parent may simply be unaware of the magnitude of force with which he or she strikes a child. Chronic maltreatment can be treated effectively with Cognitive Behavioral therapy interventions, other therapeutic interventions, education, EMDR and other approaches. Reducing the incidence of child abuse is a matter of education and intervention. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy based on modifying cognitions, assumptions, beliefs and behaviors, with the aim of influencing disturbed emotions. Medication can be useful for the symptoms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms. Child abuse prevention is a societal and governmental issue. When children reach age three, parents should begin teaching them about “bad touches” and about confiding in a suitable adult.

Child Abuse Treatment and Preventin Tips

1. In child abuse cases Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also recommended.

2. Some medication can be useful for the symptoms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms.

3. When children reach age three, parents should begin teaching them about “bad touches”.

4. Some time for children, play therapy and family therapy can be helpful.



Louise

Dr. Dawn-elise Snipes asked:


Anyone can have a mental illness, regardless of age, gender, race, or income. Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or AIDS. It is believed that one in five adults and children has a diagnosable mental disorder, one in every 10 young people age 9 or older has a serious emotional disturbance that severely disrupts daily life.and one in four families will have a member with mental illness. Children who develop depression often have a family history of the illness, many times a parent who had depression at an early age. Untreated mental health problems can lead to suicide, which is the sixth leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year olds. An estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need.It is important to remember that mental illness occurs at any age, but most often appears for the first time between the ages of 25 and 44. With proper treatment, most people suffering from a mental illness can return to normal, productive lives, and almost everyone receives some benefit from treatment.

The causes of mental illness are complicated. Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are caused mostly by biology and environment. Examples of biological causes are genetics, chemical imbalances in the body caused by genetics, lack of sleep or poor nutrition, or damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury, lack of oxygen in child birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Many environmental factors also put young people at risk for developing mental health disorders. Examples including exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead; exposure to violence, such as witnessing or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse, drive-by shootings, muggings, or other disasters; stress related to chronic poverty, discrimination, or other serious hardships; and the loss of important people through death,divorce, or broken relationships.

The following six preventive services are recommended and can be carried out in a clinic, church, library or local community center:

1. Prenatal and infancy home visits or support groups.

2. Targeted cessation education and counseling for smokers, especially those who are pregnant.

3. Targeted short-term mental health therapy.

4. Self-care education for adults (money management, relationship skills, stress management).

5. Mentoring and adult supervised after-school and weekend programs

6. Brief counseling and advice to reduce alcohol use.

Over the years I have found that finding good information is kind of like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The following links will take you to addictions and mental health sites that have the most current and useful information for addictions counselors, rehabilitation counselors, mental health clinicians, nurses and (of course) program administrators. All of the resources are FREE so you can order copies for your colleagues and/or staff!

Clinical Preventive Services in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Update: From Science to Services http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA04-3906/ This report has been prepared to summarize the most promising preventive interventions of a behavioral nature intended to impact mental and substance use disorders, or in some cases, medical outcomes. This review focuses on prevention interventions that are primarily delivered by health care systems. Interventions provided in schools, worksites, communities, and criminal justice systems were excluded, as were population-based interventions.Clinical

Preventive Services in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Update: From Science to Services Special Report: Preventive Interventions Under Managed Care: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA00-3437/SMA00-3437ch1.asp Programs and services that prevent substance abuse and mental health disorders have the potential to lessen an enormous burden of suffering and to reduce both the cost of future treatment and lost productivity at work and home. The availability and accessibility of these interventions to the millions of Americans whose health care is provided by managed care organizations depend upon the services’ status as covered benefits.

Get Connected! Toolkit (Linking Older Adults With Medication, Alcohol, and Mental Health Resources) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16523 Alcohol, medication misuse, and mental health problems can be significant issues for older adults. This kit is designed to enable their service providers to undertake health promotion, advance prevention messages and education, and provide screening and referral for mental health problems and the misuse of alcohol and medications. The kit includes a coordinator’s guide and program support materials such as education curricula, fact sheets, handouts, forms, and resources.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): The Basics (CD Rom) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17296 This mini CD—consisting of slides and accompanying notes—provides the latest and most accurate information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or FASD. The CD includes essential facts on what FASD is, how it’s caused, how many people have it, and much more.

Quick Guide for Clinicians Based on TIP 47, Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17615 This pocket-sized booklet concisely presents information from TIP 47, including the principles of intensive outpatient treatment (IOT), the services offered, treatment engagement, clinical issues and challenges, and the approaches used in IOT.

TIP 46: Substance Abuse: Administrative Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17440 This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP), Substance Abuse: Administrative Issues in Outpatient Treatment, was written to help administrators address the changing environment in which outpatient treatment programs operate. The TIP provides basic information about running an outpatient treatment program, including strategic planning, working with a board of directors, relationships with strategic partners, hiring and retaining employees, staff supervision, continuing education and training, performance improvement, outcomes monitoring, and promotion of the program to potential clients, funding agencies, and government officials. More specialized sections address challenges that have emerged and gathered importance in the last decade: preparing a program to provide culturally competent treatment to an increasingly diverse client population and succeeding in a managed care-dominated world by diversifying the funding sources a program draws on.

TIP 45, Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17398 TIP 45 provides lists and tables related to such topics as initial evaluation domains for clients in detoxification, guidance on assessment and rehabilitation planning, and the management of intoxication and withdrawal from specific substances or substance groups such as alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, and opioids.

TIP 44: Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17183 Research consistently demonstrates a strong connection between criminal activity and substance abuse; research also finds that involvement in substance abuse treatment reduces recidivism for offenders who use drugs. This TIP presents clinical guidelines to assist counselors in dealing with problems that routinely arise because of their clients’ status in the criminal justice system.

Good resources for teachers and parents regarding mental health and addictions can also be hard to come by. Additionally, many parents have a hard time sticking with programs because day-to-day things come up—working late, homework whatever. It is often more effective to use these materials in a group setting. Not only does it allow the parents and children to spend time together, but families can provide social support to one another. The following FREE resources are available for order and/or download and can be easily used in a classroom, homeschool or church setting.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - Science of Addiction http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17602 (As seen on HBO’s Addiction: Communities Take Action) This landmark publication provides scientific information about the disease of drug addiction, including the many harmful consequences of drug abuse and the basic approaches that have been developed to prevent and treat the disease, and aims to increase understanding of the basics of addiction to help people make informed choices in their own lives, adopt science-based policies and programs that reduce drug abuse and addiction in their communities, and support scientific research that improves the Nation’s well-being.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future Family Guide http://media.shs.net/bblocks/ParentGuideLong.pdf

The Building Blocks Family Guide contains ideas for fun activities and discussion starters for you and your children, as well as advice and guidance on topics such as active listening, rule making, and being a good role model. It also can be used to guide you through the rest of the Building Blocks materials with your children.

Brain Power! The NIDA Junior Scientist Program: Grades K-1 http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16883; Grades 2-3 http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16037; Grades 4-5 http://www.drugabuse.gov/JSP3/JSP.html The Brain Power! program takes students step by step through an exploration of the processes of science and how to use these processes to learn about the brain, the nervous system, and the effects of drugs on the nervous system and the body. The materials include a videotape, a teacher’s guide, trading cards, and parent newsletters.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): The Basics (CD Rom) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17296 This mini CD—consisting of slides and accompanying notes—provides the latest and most accurate information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or FASD. The CD includes essential facts on what FASD is, how it’s caused, how many people have it, and much more.

Family Guide to Systems of Care for Children With Mental Health Needs http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4054/ Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign is a national public education initiative emphasizing attention to children’s and adolescents’ mental health. It supports the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program, in place in communities across the Nation, which is demonstrating the effectiveness of systems of care in meeting the services needs and improving the lives of children with serious emotional disturbances (SEDs) and their families. This campaign is managed by the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services. The guide is intended to help parents and caregivers seek help for children with mental health needs. Information is provided on what parents and caregivers need to know, ask, expect, and do to get the most out of their experience with systems of care.

Reach to Teach Educating Elementary and Middle School Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17603 Reach To Teach is a resource guide for parents of a child with an FASD and for teachers in elementary and middle schools who work with children who have an FASD. It provides a basic introduction to these disorders and tools to improve communication between parents and teachers.

Heads Up: A website with .pdf printables from scholastic publishers. http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/headsup/support/index.asp?article=reproducibles

Real News About Drugs and Your Body. Here you’ll find real, science-based facts about the effects drugs have on the teen brain and body. Check out the articles and features below to get the latest facts so you can make smart choices about your health.



Tyler

Todd Lange asked:


If you check out the health website of the state of Rhode Island, you will find that there is a very strong correlation between substance abuse and mental illnesses. In fact, substance abuse in Rhode Island is considered to be nothing more or less than a psychiatric problem and as you read further on their health website, you will find that even the treatment program chalked out for it is in accordance with this belief. Treatment for substance abuse in Rhode Island is of a similar form and manner as it should be for some kind of mental illness. So, how far is this consideration valid?

Is Substance Abuse a Mental Illness?

For this, we need to analyze the way the body works when a person starts using a substance for recreational purposes. This is how most of them work:-

When a person consumes the substance, the substance will send triggers to the nervous system of the body, which will then increase the secretion of some chemicals that are important for the feeling of happiness that the body experiences, most notably dopamine. The main draw during the initial abuse of the substance is this production of dopamine. The person is consuming the substance actually to condition the mind to release dopamine so that that feeling of pleasure can be experienced.

Now, as the person begins consuming more and more of the substance, the mental system of the person gets immunized and does not secrete as much dopamine as it did in the earlier instances. Consequently, the person begins stepping up the dosage of the substance. This is the beginning of the unbroken cycle of addiction; the person consumes a drug to make the mind happy, but the mind is dissatisfied with that particular amount and asks more of it.

If you consider this now, you will find that the urge for consuming the substance occurs right in the brain of the person. Though the person is physically consuming the substance, the part of the body that is asking for it is the brain and the nervous system. Hence, it does seem quite logical to pair substance abuse with mental illnesses.

So how is the Treatment for Substance Abuse in Rhode Island carried out on These Lines?

If substance abuse in Rhode Island is considered as a mental illness, it is quite understandable that the treatment will be done in a similar fashion too. That is indeed the case and it is quite a helpful one at that, considering that it becomes more effective at the overall treatment. Consider the following points:-

1. The detox program, though very prominently present and used for most kinds of addiction in Rhode Island, is not the end of the treatment program. In fact, if you check out the patterns on substance abuse treatment in Rhode Island, you will find that detox is merely the beginning of the entire treatment program. While the detox aims at cleansing the body of the person from the accumulation of the substances in it, it is the later part of the treatment program that is the most relevant part. This is the part where the person is taken into a counseling therapy. The counseling is targeted at helping the person come out of the tendency of using the substance. This is definitely a method of treating the mind rather than the body.

2. If you were to check out the various therapies that are taught during the relapse prevention program in any rehab center in Rhode Island, you will see that there is definitely a focus on treating the mind. People are taught meditation and relaxation exercises to free their mind from the shackles of the addiction. In fact, in a residential treatment center in Rhode Island, you will find that the major bulk of the program consists of treating the patients in this manner.

3. There is actually a program that deals with treating the body and the mind together during substance abuse treatment in Rhode Island. This is the dual diagnosis program. Basically speaking, the dual diagnosis treatment program is meant for the treatment of coexisting conditions, but in the realm of substance abuse treatment in Rhode Island, it is mostly applies to the treatment of mental illnesses that occur along with substance abuse (which incidentally is also a mental illness). Here, the patient will be provided psychiatric counseling and the treatment for both conditions will be done on an almost simultaneous footing. This is a clear example of how substance abuse is considered to be a mental illness in the state treatment program in Rhode Island.



Jamie

Todd Lange asked:


Alcohol abuse in Massachusetts among its teenagers and its senior population are two diametrically opposite issues. There are various reasons that complicate both teenage alcohol abuse and senior alcohol abuse. Here we look into some points that cause problems in the alcohol abuse treatment in Massachusetts for these two age groups.

Teenage Alcohol Abuse in Massachusetts

The most significant roadblock on the way to acquiring teen alcohol abuse in Massachusetts is the overall ignorance of the target population. It has been found out that most of the people who are into juvenile alcohol habits in Massachusetts do not even know what they are in. Most of these people might have taken up the habit just because of the curiosity of it or because of peer pressure, but without understanding what its repercussions would be. It becomes very important to work out this ignorance in the minds of the people first. This is one of the reasons why counseling is such an important part of the teen alcohol abuse treatment in Massachusetts.

Then there is the problem of the way in which these people will react to the addiction. Being young, their bodies won’t be quite built to face the strong addictions that they are taking in. Ironically, their central nervous system will accept the addictive substance very easily but the body will not be able to bear the substance. This kind of dichotomy causes an intense condition within the person’s constitution.

At the same time, because the substance has become so well-accepted by the central nervous system, the temptations for more of it will be quite strong. This will make it all the more difficult to work out the addiction from the person’s system. Even the detox treatment will be difficult to carry out, because the typical medicines that are provided during a normal detox program will not be permissible for the young patients, considering their frail physiques.

Hence, the doctors face the very challenging problem of treating a strongly placed addiction using mild medicines. This is what greatly impedes alcohol abuse treatment in Massachusetts for the youngsters.

Senior Alcohol Abuse in Massachusetts

In the case of senior alcohol abuse, the biggest problem is of long term dependency. Most of the seniors who are into alcohol abuse today will have probably started out with their dependencies several years ago. It is quite natural that their bodies must have become completely immunized to the substance by now and that would make it extremely difficult to work out the substance from their physical system.

The detox is very difficult because of this reason. The patient will have built up a very intense accumulation of toxic substances within his or her body over the years and that is what will make it all the more difficult to make the person abstain and go through the entire detoxification process. The patient will definitely face a very strong withdrawal reaction. Detoxification for elderly persons always takes more time than that for youngsters, because the withdrawal effects are always experienced for a very long time and it becomes a very challenging task to work it out.

There is also the problem of a supplementary condition when alcohol abuse in seniors is involved. In most cases, after the body becomes immune to the euphoria that alcohol creates, the patient wants to try out stronger kinds of addictions. Prescription drug abuse is something that is very commonly found among patients undergoing alcohol abuse treatment in Massachusetts. It becomes a challenge to work at these two addictions at once.

Similarly, there could be some health complications or a mental condition that might make the alcohol treatment difficult for the seniors. This calls for dual diagnosis treatment. In such treatments, the patient is first led through a detox program, which lasts longer than a normal detox program because of the very strong withdrawal that people with dual conditions are wont to experience. If the patient has a mental condition that comes in the way of the detox treatment, then it will become a very complicated matter because a weak mental situation will not be able to make them effectively abstain from the substance or to go through the withdrawal conditions.

After this, the patients are led through an aftercare program and if there are mental issues making the treatment complicated, then they are provided with psychiatric counseling also. However, it is always difficult to provide aftercare to senior persons who are undergoing alcohol abuse treatment in Massachusetts because of the preconceived beliefs and their rigid mindsets which makes it very difficult for them to look at things with another perspective.



Steven

Todd Lange asked:


Check out the addiction treatment program in Florida and you will find how much emphasis is laid on the concept of substance abuse being a mental condition. Today, substance abuse in Florida is considered to be on par with other conventionally known mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, stress disorder, depression, schizophrenia, hallucinations, phobias, etc. Just as these ailments reside in the mind and control the person from that dominating center, even substance abuse is believed to be a controller of the user’s body from a point within the brain.

Why is Substance Abuse in Florida considered to be a Mental Illness?

For years, various approaches had been forwarded by experts to explain why substance abuse makes a person so captivated by it the way it does. Till about a decade ago, substance abuse in Florida was still thought to be a habit, just as any other simple habit that a person might suffer from. It was believed that in a highly controlled environment, the person will be able to come out of this “habit” completely. That was the approach to addiction treatment anyway. People who were under various forms of addiction were subjected to torturous punishments in treatment centers when they were not able to keep away from using the substance because substance abuse was considered to be no more than a “habit” and the general belief was that all habits can definitely be controlled.

However, today the situation has changed drastically. Today we know that substance abuse is not a mere “habit”. It is something even larger than a dependency though we name it as that most of the time. When a person consumes a particular addictive substance, it might trigger the brain to release some pleasure inducing hormones. This is what creates the rush of emotions in the person which he or she begins to enjoy immensely.

Once this rush is produced, it is recorded in the right centers of the brain. Some time later, the brain will want to duplicate that feeling. This is when the brain sends messages that it wants more of the substance. This leads the person to obtain more of the same drug and use it to experience that heady feeling.

This is the cycle that keeps continuing now. The brain asks for more of the substance, the body provides it, the brain gets the euphoric sensation and sometime later it asks for more of the substance. If the body is not able to give the substance to the brain when it asks, it may react in violent ways, which is what withdrawal is all about.

The Dangers of Substance Abuse being a Mental Condition

The whole point here is that being a mental condition, substance abuse is much more difficult to treat. A habitual tendency can be easily controlled with some measure of strictness. But that is not possible in the case of the mental dependency that substance abuse creates. Over time, the brain will want to have more and more of the substance, and the body will be forced to give it. The person will begin overstepping the dosage and a time will come when the person will not know that amount of the substance being used is now getting in fatally deep waters. This is what we commonly call as an overdose.

Being a mental condition, substance abuse is much more difficult to treat. It is difficult to shake a habit that gets so deeply ingrained in the person’s body and mind. Also, if the substance abuse is tried to be treated earlier, there’s a much higher chance of complete recovery than later. This is, of course, another evidence that substance abuse is a mental condition.

How is Substance Abuse in Florida treated?

In the light of substance abuse being a mental condition, the treatment program in Florida for it is much stricter and focuses a lot on the mental aspect of the addiction. You can see an example of that with the dual diagnosis treatment program in which the person is treated simultaneously for the addiction as well as for an underlying coexisting condition which could very well be a mental problem. In such treatment methods, the treatment oscillates between treating the person for the addiction and for the coexisting condition.

Even in a single treatment approach, substance abuse is treated with care and counseling just as a mental condition would be handled. There is a detox treatment, but this is always followed by a lengthy aftercare program which would help the patient in really coming out of the addiction and into a life of complete sobriety.



Jamie

peterhutch asked:


Alcohol is a stimulant which addicts often resort to help them get over some form of depression or problems, like break up from relationships or marriage, loss of loved ones, job loss, etc alcohol here is seen as the solution to forgetting these problems and situations. Addicts always want to have their ways in any given issue or matter even when they are wrong. These are signs of an alcohol abuse effects.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is for many a relaxing and enjoyable pastime. There are many social gatherings where drinks are served and everyone has fun socializing and sharing the time together. Sometimes there are those with a predisposition to alcohol abuse and these people gradually develop a dependence on the substance. Those who are victims of alcohol abuse cannot control the urge to drink.

The term “alcohol abuse” is used to describe a state less severe than true alcoholism. As an alcohol abuser, you may drink to excess and suffer social and health consequences, but never completely lose your control over the substance as you would in full-fledged alcoholism.

People who clearly drink too much on a regular basis are known as Alcohol abusers or problem drinkers. These so called Alcohol abusers can present a danger to others, when they reach a state called alcoholism they looses control on the amount of alcohol they drink and they cannot stop using alcohol despite the severe physical and psychological consequences of excessive drinking.

The drinking of alcohol should be control weather you are an addict or not so as to reduce the risk of health hazards. Addicts should be encouraged and empowered to develop the will and courage to go for rehab and get treatments immediately.

Alcohol affects the brain and the nervous system by slowing down the drinker’s reactions and making him feel tranquilized and relaxed. Alcohol dulls the brain. When someone takes alcohol, his inhibitions are lowered making him more aggressive and hostile. When taken in higher dosage, alcohol can cause mental block out, impairing the person’s concentration and ability to judge situations properly. This will also create distorted coordination and emotional reactions.

Many people wonder about recognizing the early signs of alcohol abuse. These can include: sneaking drinks, gulping first drinks, frequent memory blanks while engaging in drinking, unwillingness to discuss drinking habits, and feelings of guilt over drinking. An alcohol abuser will demonstrate a pattern of excessive drinking and usually sets out to drink in order to feel the “high” that excessive alcohol ingestion brings.

Other common alcohol abuse symptoms can include: often turning up late for work or school due to hangovers, frequent injuries that occur during times of excessive drinking, trouble with the authorities for drinking and driving or aggressive behavior. Physical signs of alcohol abuse are drunkenness, drowsiness, slurred speech, short attention span, uncoordinated movements, memory problems, and aggression.



Bethany

Todd Lange asked:


You can find many centers that offer senior alcohol abuse treatment in Kentucky. Such treatments are available for the people over 65 years of age. Senior alcohol abuse remedy is never so easy and due to one or the other reason, elderly people suffer from many health problems during alcohol abuse treatment. It is fact that such alcohol treatment in elderly people may bring complication and that is why; health care provider must be ready to answer such complications before beginning the therapy. Alcohol, though common among all and there is no age bar, alcohol abusing treatment for elderly people is difficult as compared to treating a young fellow having same case.

Here are few of the problems that are encountered during senior alcohol abuse treatment in Kentucky:-

Strong refusal

Elderly people who are addicted to alcohol would strongly deny the treatment as compared to the younger ones. It is quite obvious to do so since the numbers of years of alcohol consumption are much more than what a younger alcohol addicted would have. The period of alcohol addiction may come in decades as compared to younger ones who might be consuming it since just a few years. Senior people are more addicted to alcohol and they have become stubborn, not so convincible for the treatment.

Intense detoxifying treatment

Due to longer period of alcohol consumption, the accumulation of alcohol in a senior’s body requires thorough cleansing. Though they get convinced for the alcohol abusing treatment, they will have to undergo detoxifying programs. Such intense detoxifying treatment may cause uneasiness and that is why they may deny further treatment. However, thorough cleansing is done for two main purposes; to prevent various health complications that may be due to heavy consumption of alcohol and to make body not to crave for alcohol anymore.

The problem with alcohol abuse treatment in Kentucky is the medicines to the patient with alcohol addiction cannot be given randomly. The people in sexagenarian group may have may have many other health ailments and such coexisting health diseases make it difficult to treat alcoholism since they interfere the medication and other treating techniques. Moreover, a senior’s age may not permit many things that are required in alcohol abuse treatment in Kentucky, abstinence being one of them. Sudden withdrawal of alcohol could be disastrous and simultaneously, many medicines are contraindicated because of the age of the patient.

It is a fact that old age brings lots of mental stress and depression and that is why, elderly people generally suffer from some mental ailments. Alcohol abuse treatment in Kentucky with such mental problem turns to be more difficult. Detoxification in such condition makes situation even worst since such seniors will strongly refuse to stay away from alcohol. They have already an impression that alcohol can soothe their brains and therefore, it is difficult for them to keep their drink away! In fact, they think that it is the alcohol that keeps them so mentally stable all the time!

Post treatment care

For any treatment follow up is must. One has to follow the instruction given by health care provider. Aftercare, especially in alcohol abuse treatment Kentucky, is very essential. When it comes to seniors, it becomes harder. For them, it is quite difficult to restrict the cravings for alcohol as they have been consuming this since years and it has now become integral part of their lives.

They are rigid to believe and to follow any kind of advice given by treatment provider and they think that therapeutic techniques annoy them a lot. They have accepted the fact that alcohol is the only way to survive or else they lose their physical and mental stability. This mindset never let them to look after the follow-ups. Health care providers, for alcohol abuse treatment in Kentucky, found it very difficult to convince senior abusers to strictly follow the instructions that help them quitting alcohol.

However, treatment providers could find some other ways to make the senior abusers convinced. They call it as behavioral therapy and indirect method to keep the treatment on track and also to please the senior abusers!

For this, seniors are rewarded and congratulated who successfully managed keeping away their addictions for a particular period of time. Health care providers believe that such greetings given in alcohol abuse treatment Kentucky help boosting the morale. Another way to make them happy though on treatment was make them engaged in their favorite sports and other constructive hobbies.



Lyle

Linda Rosenberg asked:


Decades of research has demonstrated that treatment works for addiction disorders and substance abuse patients.

> > Studies of publicly supported treatment programs show a savings of $7 or more in other societal costs

for each dollar invested in treatment.1

> > Studies indicate drug treatment reduces use by 40-60% and significantly lowers criminal activity.

> > Counseling and other behavioral therapies are critical components of virtually all effective treatments for

addiction. For certain types of disorders, medications are an important element of treatment, especially

when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.2

> > A parent must be matched to the appropriate treatment program in terms of intensity, duration, and

treatment content. In addition to treating the addiction, for recovery to occur, the child welfare and

alcohol and drug services partnership must identify and treat other co-occurring psychological, physical,

and social problems.3

Community-based partnership is key when treating addictions disorders and substance abuse victims.

> > Most states identify substance use as one of the top two factors in child abuse and neglect.4

> > Studies suggest that 40-80% of children in the child welfare system have been affected by child abuse

or neglect because of a parents’ addiction to drugs or alcohol.5

> > It is important for child welfare workers to recognize when alcohol or drug use is a factor in the case of

child abuse or neglect; to help parents obtain appropriate treatment; and to understand the concept of

recovery in the context of child safety.6

> > To help accomplish permanency for children, child welfare workers should partner with local alcohol

and drug addiction treatment professionals and programs. An effective partnership between the child

welfare and the alcohol and drug treatment systems can help parents with substance use disorders

retain or regain a parental role with their child, while not putting the child at risk of harm. Thus, the child

welfare-alcohol and drug services partnership becomes a cornerstone for long-term child protection, a

key issue for child welfare workers.7

Co-occurring Disorders are Prevalent

> > The co-occurrence of substance abuse and substance dependence with mental illness is estimated

to affect between seven and 10 million adults each year. Child welfare workers should be aware of the

prevalence and complexity of co-occurring substance abuse and dependence and mental illness and

identify providers who are experienced working with both illnesses.8

> > Individuals with coexisting substance use and mental health disorders should have both disorders treated

in an integrated way.9

Gender-specific considerations are important in the treatment of addictions disorders and the recovery of substance abuse patients.

Research studies have begun to identify gender-specific components and issues to address in treatment. Research indicates that women are more likely to complete treatment in women-only programs and that women have different needs than men in treatment (such as dealing with a history of victimization). A high percentage of women who access addiction treatment have experienced physical or sexual abuse in childhood. Many have a history of family dysfunction or addiction. In addition, women who use substances may have experienced physical or sexual victimization as adults

(e.g., domestic violence).10

Shared planning and service delivery lead to practices that better meet the needs of children and

Families.

Through collaboration, multiple agencies working with the same family can reduce confusion and fragmentation for the family members and improve coordination of services. Collaboration with local treatment programs can provide the expertise that is needed for a family in the child welfare system.

If the protective services on-site investigation and screening of parents suggest that alcohol or drug use is a factor in the abuse or neglect, alcohol and drug addiction treatment providers are needed to:

> > Conduct a substance abuse assessment or evaluation;

> > Help identify the level and type of treatment program that is needed;

> > Provide treatment and aftercare services; and,

> > Participate in case management and monitoring.

In addition, alcohol and drug treatment agencies may be able to provide crisis intervention, trauma-related services, or other services needed by the parent.11

References

1. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University (2001). Shoveling Up: The Impact of Substance Abuse on State Budgets http://www.casacolumbia.org.

2. NIDA InfoFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction, http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/treatmeth.html

3. Understanding Substance Abuse and Facilitating Recovery: A Guide for Child Welfare Workers, Available online at: http://www.ncsacw.samhsa.gov/files/UnderstandingSAGuide.pdf

4. Id.

5. “Safe and Sound: Models for Collaboration Between Child Welfare and Addiction Treatment Services.” Arthur Liman Policy Institute of the Legal Action Center. http://www.ncsacw.samhsa.gov/files/SafeSoundReport.pdf. 2003

6. Understanding Substance Abuse and Facilitating Recovery: A Guide for Child Welfare Workers, Available online at: http://www.ncsacw.samhsa.gov/files/ Understanding-SAGuide.pdf

7. Id.

8. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (1999). Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center

for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2002). Report to Congress on

the Prevention and Treatment of Co-Occurring Substance Abuse Disorder and Mental Disorders. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Young, N.K.

and Gardner, S.L. (2002). Navigating the Pathways: Lessons and Promising Practices in Linking Alcohol and Drug Services With Child Welfare. SAMHSA Publication No.

SMA-02-3639. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, p. 132.

9. NIDA InfoFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction, http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/treatmeth.html

10. Understanding Substance Abuse and Facilitating Recovery: A Guide for Child Welfare Workers, Available online at: http://www.ncsacw.samhsa.gov/files/UnderstandingSAGuide.pdf

11. Id.