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by James Heller
15. October 2012 11:56
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is a monthly injection of Naltrexone that is FDA approved for alcohol and opiate craving reduction. This treatment reduces your risk of relapse by minimizing one of the major triggers that can lead you back to drinking or using drugs. By clearing the mind of cravings, Vivitrol enables you to focus on treatment and the core issues you need to process. All of this enhances your chance to achieve long-term recovery.
How much does Vivitrol cost?
The best answer to this is: Call us to find out.
As is the case with many medications, it is difficult to provide a solid price in a blog article. How much you pay for Vivitrol at Tarzana Treatment Centers depends on whether you have health care coverage and from which funding source. If you search websites for a price you will see prices varying by over $1000, which does you no good.
Tarzana Treatment Centers accepts Medicare and Medi-Cal for Vivitrol treatment, and other public health programs may pay for it. Also, there are rebate programs that come and go, so it would be irresponsible to publish a set price for individuals who opt to pay cash for the treatment.
What are the side effects of Vivitrol?
The most up-to-date list of side effects can be found on the Home page of the Vivitrol website at http://www.vivitrol.com. It is important for you and your primary care physician to know these facts because, like many helpful medications, you may not be in a position to take Vivitrol.
At Tarzana Treatment Centers, no patients have suffered severe side effects. Minor injection site pain is often reported, along with other minor side effects. They also report that these effects dissipate in a day or two. We’ve also had patients who report no negative side effects at all. It needs to be noted that the great majority of patients starting Vivitrol treatment get their first injection following medical detoxification. So the body is going through changes that can cause pangs of one form or another anyway.
More Questions?
Please contact us today. We will be happy to answer your questions so you or your loved one can get the treatment needed.
Telemedicine services are also available with online medical care, online mental health treatment, and online alcohol and drug treatment.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
5. September 2012 14:10
If you consider that there are an estimated 22 million Americans with a drug or alcohol problem, you might assume that doctors regularly diagnose and treat them. Reality is, though, that most doctors have never been trained to in addiction treatment, and usually treat only the symptoms of the disease. Fortunately, some new treatments involving medications may change this sad situation.
One big problem with alcoholism and drug addiction is that so many medical problems result from them. Substance abuse negatively affects different parts of the body, depending on the drug being used. Alcohol abuse, without exaggeration, harms every cell in the body. To the untrained in addiction medicine, the symptoms of these abuses might appear as primary problems, only requiring common treatments. For example, a doctor may prescribe specialized medication for a bleeding ulcer and schedule a follow-up visit.
Another problem with addiction is that alcoholics and drug addicts are not quick to admit their problems. Even if a doctor asks about drinking and drug use habits, these patients will minimize or deny it. Short of the patient arriving at 9:00am and smelling of alcohol, or having injection track marks up and down their arms, untrained doctors will not see a reason to investigate. The answer is often accepted as true and the doctor looks to heal the symptom.
The result is that alcoholics and drug addicts get temporary relief from negative symptoms of their disease, but don’t receive, at the very least, guidance from their doctors on how to prevent them in the future. The worst result is that people die every day from the negative effects of alcoholism and drug addiction. Most of them could have been saved had they been given early treatment for the primary disease of addiction.
According to this article, there is possible good news on the horizon. There is an effort to attract doctors to the addiction treatment field, and to promote addiction medicine as a recognized subspecialty. Medical treatment and new prescription drugs are proving to be effective means of helping addicts to recover. Counseling for the psycho-social aspects of the disease is still important, but detox and craving reduction medications, like Vivitrol, have become very beneficial in the early days of recovery.
Tarzana Treatment Centers provides Vivitrol treatment for alcohol and opiate craving reduction, for example. This follows medical detoxification, which is important to avoid the severe effects of withdrawals. We have seen some great success stories from patients who previously struggled with relapse after their first Vivitrol injection.
Imagine if doctors could diagnose addiction from the symptoms they normally treat. They could make a referral to a detox facility, followed with Vivitrol for eligible patients, and maybe residential or outpatient treatment. Patients tend to listen to doctors more than they would even to their most beloved family members. Hopefully, the effort mentioned above can spread so more of those who suffer can get the treatment they need.
Telemedicine services are also available with online medical care, online mental health treatment, and online alcohol and drug treatment.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
6. July 2012 15:16
Prescription drug use among teens has increased over the past few years. Benzodiazepines and opiate painkillers can produce a type of euphoria and carry the illusion of being safe, so adolescents are more inclined to try them over other drugs. Studies show youths saying that these drugs are easier to obtain than alcohol. So a program in Fresno, CA, named Lock It Up, aims to cut the supply from its largest source.
Lock It Up is an awareness campaign that will educate the public about prevention efforts that can be implemented in the home. Here is a little more information:
The article states that “More than 70 percent of teens who abuse prescription painkillers say they get them from family, relatives and friends.” What they don’t mention is that most of the people they get the drugs from have no idea that they are gone. This is why the Lock It Up project is such a good idea. Most parents will quickly take action if they know that they are unwittingly supplying the teen prescription drug trade.
When non-addict adults are prescribed painkillers or anti-anxiety medications, like Xanax, they will often not use the entire amount of pills prescribed to them. The need for them runs its course or they just don’t like them, and they leave remaining pills to be forgotten. This leaves 5, 10, 20, or more powerful tablets unattended in the medicine cabinet. Even if the empty bottle is found after the pills are long gone, a child may have already overdosed on them.
Fresno citizens will learn to lock away or dispose of medications properly. This can put a very large dent in the prescription drug street market. Both parents and teens need to know that prescription drugs are not safe for recreational use, and they can easily cause fatalities from an overdose. Opiates and benzodiazepines are highly addictive, and can ruin a teen’s growing years and cause struggles in adulthood. Let’s all follow Fresno’s lead.
Telemedicine services are also available with online medical care, online mental health treatment, and online alcohol and drug treatment.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
15. June 2012 13:09
Opiates are highly addictive and either controlled or illegal. This combination of factors most often leads to increasing doses, which can cause the loss of employment, financial issues, and engagement in criminal activity. Opiates, like heroin, are often administered intravenously, which also increases the risk of infection with HIV, hepatitis, and other blood-borne pathogens. So there is a great risk of harm for those who find abstinence-only treatment difficult to maintain.
Because opiate addiction impacts the addicted individual and society in the way described above, the treatment approach must include more than the traditional detox-to-abstinence model. Abstinence should always be the ultimate goal. The road to abstinence, though, may require a period of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) using Methadone Maintenance. This could be a lifesaving step in the recovery process for many opiate addicts.
Methadone Maintenance has been proven effective as a “harm reduction” treatment method. The linked paper below shows the true and positive effects of Methadone Maintenance. The fact is that this form of treatment reduces health risks, crime, unemployment, and improves treatment outcomes for individuals who previously believed they had no hope of breaking their addiction cycle.
Tarzana Treatment Centers offers Methadone Maintenance to qualified individuals. During this MAT treatment, our clients also undergo addiction counseling to help them on the road to abstinence. We added this Narcotic Replacement Therapy (NRT) to our services because we want all addicts to have a chance to survive and recover. Many opiate addicts are motivated for recovery, but they can’t get past the opiate cravings that drag them back to using again. We keep them in treatment.
Telemedicine services are also available with online medical care, online mental health treatment, and online alcohol and drug treatment.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
3. August 2010 14:06
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles will participate in Recovery Month 2010 by planning and attending several events you may want to attend. We will help the national recovery community to bring awareness to the public about the benefits of recovery from alcohol dependence and drug addiction. Please join us in September for this celebration of hope and freedom.
Here are just a few of the events we will attend:
August 31, 9:30am LA County Supervisors Proclamation at LA County Hall
September 7, 6:00pm City of San Fernando Proclamation at Council Chambers
September 23, 6:00pm Recovery Night at Dodger Stadium
September 28, 10:00am Antelope Valley Rally and March for Recovery at Tarzana Treatment Centers
September 29, 10:00am San Fernando Valley Rally and March for Recovery at Van Nuys Court Quad
We will plan and attend more events, so please bookmark this page and check back every day for updates. If you or your organization would like to plan an event in your area, go to this page for information:
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Community-Events/Event-Planning.aspx
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides adult and youth alcohol and drug treatment. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.
All of our services are also available via video conference or phone as part of our telehealth services.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
18. May 2010 13:48
Tolerance, as it relates to alcohol dependence and drug addiction, is often misunderstood by many in the general public. In the manner that drug and alcohol tolerance functions, it can be a safety mechanism to the body and, at the same time, deadly. This makes awareness of the subject critical for anyone who engages in alcohol abuse or drug abuse, as well as those in recovery.
It can easily be assumed that tolerance means that an individual can drink more alcohol without getting drunk, or handle drug use in a seemingly controlled manner. With this assumption comes the belief that these “abilities” are an example of the natural differences that exist from one individual to another. While this is partially true, the nature of alcohol and drug tolerance is much more complicated.
Alcohol tolerance is the example with which most people can relate. Consider the amount of alcohol you need to drink before you feel the effects, or “buzzed”. Let’s say this is 2 beers. If you drink 2 beers every day, over time you will feel less of an effect. If you want to feel the same effect, you must drink more alcohol. The amount of alcohol needed for the same feeling will continue to increase as you add more alcohol.
The same concept works with drugs. Alcohol abuse or drug abuse can result from tolerance since individuals will chase that feeling by drinking or using more on each occasion. If the cycle continues with regular daily alcohol or drug intake, the body can become physically dependent and alcoholism or drug addiction is the result.
On this road to addiction that we just followed, the brain has protected the body from overdose, with tolerance, by adjusting to the higher levels of substance use. This benefit of drug tolerance can become a dangerous consequence, though, for recovering individuals who relapse. The addicted brain still needs a large amount of drugs for an effect, but the body returns to a lower tolerance of what is essentially a poison.
At the time of first use on a relapse, the brain will dictate the most recent amount of drugs used to get a desired effect. If the formerly recovering addict is not careful, this amount can easily cause a drug overdose or even be fatal. Many drug addicts are not aware of this fact, and will even ignore warnings from fellow drug users because they don’t realize the consequences they face.
While alcoholics are less likely to overdose on alcohol during first use on a relapse, they may experience what is known as a lack of tolerance. At this point, a drunken feeling may result from only 1 drink. Lack of tolerance can actually occur with anyone who drinks alcohol, but it is typically coupled with alcohol dependence. Of course, that 1 drink will still not be enough to satisfy alcoholics and they can become a danger to themselves through inebriation and alcohol’s effect on the body.
This information is good to share with teens, friends in recovery, or anyone you may know who engages in alcohol abuse or drug abuse. Too many see tolerance as a benefit both early in substance use and in addiction. Tolerance is explained in effective alcohol and drug treatment as part of addiction education groups to prevent accidental overdoses among those who may relapse. Bringing this awareness to the general public may save even more lives.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment and addiction education. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
12. May 2010 15:07
Senior alcohol abuse is often more difficult to correct than with any other group in America. By age 60, most individuals are set in their ways and don’t feel the need to change anything. In fact, many seniors are aware of the risks they face with heavy drinking and continue seemingly without care. Loved ones may feel helpless, but solutions exist.
About 40% of those over 60 say they drink alcohol, with almost one-third of them admitting to binge drinking and heavy drinking, or alcohol dependence. These statistics come from a 2007 report at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies website. This means that about 1 in 10 seniors at least binge drink on occasion, which can be very dangerous to their health and that of others.
Many external changes happen with individuals when they reach age 60. Retirement is imminent if it has not already occurred, friends begin to move away or pass away, and family members may even suggest a change of residence. Worst of all, the mind and body begin to show signs of aging, meaning that doctor visits become common and more medications need to be taken. All of these can be terribly stressful on anyone when they are grouped into a few short years.
Boredom, loneliness, and a sense of powerlessness can each lead anyone to drink alcohol. Whether it is a time-filler or an escape from negative feelings doesn’t matter. The end result is that it works and leads to earlier drinking times and less time outside the home. Senior alcohol abuse may even be a purposeful celebration of the golden years. The daily party begins with joy, but can quickly turn to injury or a fatality.
This can all be very harmful for seniors due to interactions with medications, a higher risk of falling, and aging major organs. If alcohol dependence sets in, the effects on the body and brain are more detrimental to seniors than anyone else. The celebrators, in freedom, usually drive under the influence. Yet most seniors who abuse alcohol either hide it or justify it, and accept the risks.
Family members who see the alcohol abuse will often accept the behavior as a rite of passage. Considering the years they have lived, why would a loved one deny what seems well deserved? And if nobody gets hurt, all is okay. That is, until somebody gets hurt or health problems develop. Some seniors will stop the behavior at this point, but most will continue to drink heavily and probably more.
There are 2 things that loved ones can do at this point. The first is to strongly suggest alcohol detox and alcohol treatment. But most people in their 60’s today will see that as a sign of weakness and refuse, and family members generally won’t force the issue. Doing so may get the elderly alcoholic into treatment, but he or she will only benefit if self-motivated. So keep suggesting, with love, and let them make the decision.
Second, you can set boundaries and stick to them. If they refuse to quit drinking or cut down, suggest accompanying them to the doctor so you can discuss medication interactions. Let them know you understand that they are not concerned with their own health, but you are concerned with the health of others including yourself and younger members of the family. It may be hard, but you must be firm, with love, and continue to suggest alcohol treatment.
To the younger generations, seniors who refuse to change these behaviors seem stubborn. However, like any other individual who engages in alcohol abuse, the bottom line is that they are escaping from emotions. Instead of arguing and treating them like children, it is best to discuss feelings as much as possible. Avoid forcing the issue of senior alcohol treatment, and use gentle, loving nudges.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol and drug treatment for seniors in a culturally sensitive manner. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
12. May 2010 14:11
The senior prom at high schools across the country is a special evening of celebration for most teens. To most of them, there is a sense of freedom involved that is typically supported by parents. The problem with this is that too many youths see this freedom as an open door to teen alcohol abuse. And even if they don’t drink, it is likely that they will condone it for others and may suffer injury because of it.
It is a “party night” for almost every senior in high school across the country whether they attend the Prom or not. For most of them, this is the night where they feel free to act like adults. One aspect of adulthood in the United States is the “right” to drink alcohol. So it is common for adolescents to believe they have this same privilege, even though they are not of legal age.
Planning for this big drinking night can begin weeks before. Groups of friends will pool money and figure out how they will purchase liquor. Some parents will actually chip in and get alcohol for them, with the hope that the youths will follow orders to be safe. They may even rent a limousine and get a hotel room, thinking this is a responsible move.
As talk among peers spreads, so does the pressure for others to engage in youth alcohol abuse. Adolescents feel a need to be a part of the crowd, so they will either join the party or be silent about others drinking in their group. The danger is in the perception of risk. A recent survey showed that while about 9 out of 10 teens believe that either they or their friends will drink on prom night, only about one-quarter see any danger in it.
Other than the obvious dangers that come from driving under the influence of alcohol, there are risks from uninhibited behavior of violence, thrill seeking, and sexual assault. Adolescent alcohol abuse also brings a higher likelihood of future problems with alcohol dependence. One does not need to get drunk to be a victim of these activities; they only need to be close by. Parents and educators should strongly caution teens about these consequences regardless of how responsible they have proven to be in the past.
The main tool in the prevention of adolescent alcohol abuse is education. Adolescent alcohol treatment is only necessary when education does not deter teen alcohol abuse. When teens are provided with negative consequences, they may think twice before abusing alcohol or condoning it among their friends. Alcohol abuse might seem like fun to many teens, but they need to hear about the negatives.
Promoting a safe prom means more joy among the attendees, and less risk of a tragedy occurring on prom night.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment, as well as prevention education. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
5. May 2010 12:37
Teen drug addiction does not only occur with drugs like heroin and methamphetamines. Prescription opiate and benzodiazepine abuse can quickly lead to addiction, and we should not forget about marijuana and alcohol which are still drugs. Parents need to be aware of these facts so they can easily spot the signs of impending drug addiction with their youth.
Don’t be fooled by the idea that if you don’t catch your adolescent using strong drugs, then it is not a big deal. Granted, finding evidence of heroin or methamphetamine use can scare any parent into contacting the closest drug treatment center. Too many parents, though, do not take the same drastic action with other drugs, and may simply resort to grounding or other minor punishments.
Alcohol and marijuana are the best examples. Many parents still believe it is okay to allow teen alcohol use in the home, in hopes that they will not drink outside the home. In most cases they will and put themselves at risk of injury and death. Adolescents, in most cases, simply don’t drink responsibly like adults. Getting a buzz is the purpose as opposed to having a social moment with friends.
The 21st Century has seen an equalizing with alcohol of the social acceptance of marijuana. The drug has become normalized with such a high percentage of the population having smoked pot in younger days. If marijuana use caused them no major problems, parents may allow their teens to use it or just wave it off as typical youth behavior. What they don’t know is that marijuana is now much more potent and addictive, and can also lead to injury or death if they drive under the influence of pot.
Now prescription drugs like Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin), and benzodiazepines ( Xanax and Valium) have become popular with adolescents. Adolescent prescription drug abuse is largely driven by a low perception of risk. Teens believe there is no danger that comes with the high, as long as they take the drugs in controlled situations. But drug addiction can take hold quickly with these drugs, which can lead them to try heroin addiction since it is cheaper and more potent.
Drug addiction treatment usually begins with drug detox or alcohol detox. Drug withdrawal symptoms include flu-like aches and intestinal problems among others, and alcohol withdrawal can be fatal in serious cases. It is best to avoid the need for medical detoxification before teen drug treatment. The way to do this is to treat all teen drug abuse equally, and seek treatment at the earliest signs of use.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment, as well as prevention education. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
by James Heller
22. April 2010 15:06
Arguably, the story of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, is the most heartwarming to those in recovery from alcohol dependence or drug addiction. His wife, Lois Wilson, has always been equally memorialized in that her life experience led to the founding of Al-Anon. Now a made-for-TV movie will chronicle her life, and how her own tragedy led to a life-saving program for millions.
The CBS Network will air the Hallmark Hall of Fame story, When Love Is Not Enough – The Lois Wilson Story on Sunday, April 25th at 9/8c pm. No doubt, many individuals in recovery will watch this show along with their families. We are using our web space to promote this important TV movie with the hope that many others will watch, as well. It is an opportunity to spread awareness of the disease of addiction through entertainment.
View the movie trailer here:
http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article|10001|10051|/HallmarkSite/HallmarkHallOfFame/HHOF_TOP
Read more about the movie and Lois Wilson here:
http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article|10001|10051|/HallmarkSite/HallmarkHallOfFame/HHOF_SCENES
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides alcohol and drug treatment for adults and youth. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.
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