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by James Heller
14. February 2013 10:36
Cravings are among the most powerful triggers faced by anyone completing opiate detox. The combined force of a psychological need for the drug and chemical reactions in the addict brain makes them at least a distraction and, at worst, a cause for relapse. Whether drug cravings are mild or strong, reduction of them is a good aid to relapse prevention in early recovery.
Tarzana Treatment Centers provides Vivitrol injections for eligible alcohol and drug treatment patients. We have been doing this for several years, and are very pleased with the results so far. Since the beginning, we have interviewed our Vivitrol treatment patients who had been in and out of rehab facilities. Almost all of them reported that the reduced cravings improved their treatment experience and it has lengthened recovery times.
To the unfamiliar, cravings may not seem so threatening. After all, if your mouth waters for a bag of french fries, you can probably enjoy the feeling and forget about it after a few seconds. Addiction doesn’t allow the forgetting, though, and opiate cravings don’t go away easily. Imagine waking up with a craving for french fries and having it with you all day long, knowing that if you eat one fry you won’t be able to stop eating more of them.
Opiate addicts often complete medical detoxification and will go straight to their dealers or doctors to satisfy cravings. Even if they have a safe place to go for treatment, and know very well that they are making a mistake, they get drawn back into the dark world of addiction. The obsession to “feel better” is just too great.
Monthly Vivitrol injections during the first months of recovery free the mind to receive drug treatment and work on core issues. More clean time means more life issues get resolved. So, even if a relapse occurs, the road back to recovery becomes much shorter and recovery times extend. As clean time accumulates, the sense of accomplishment also helps to encourage remaining in recovery. All of this means that Vivitrol is a solution for a great threat to a drug addict’s recovery.
Vivitrol is covered by Medicare and Medi-Cal. So please call even if you are concerned about funding.
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
16. January 2013 10:29
Setbacks occur for everyone. You can plan ahead for everything you do, and you still can’t guarantee that it will all go your way. For people in recovery, of all ages, it is a daily exercise to deal with this fact, and to avoid relapse. If there is a relapse, the suggested action is to get help right away, especially for seniors.
Individuals in early recovery learn to accept what happens externally so they can better cope with events internally. This is a foreign concept to the alcoholic and addict brain, and it takes years for most of them to put it into regular practice. Even after years of “getting it”, something can happen that breaks down all strength, destroying all coping mechanisms, and leading individuals to drink alcohol or use drugs.
Tarzana Treatment Centers makes relapse recovery accessible and affordable for anyone who needs it. Alcoholism and drug addiction treatment is not as simple as detox and groups anymore. We offer Vivitrol treatment to reduce alcohol and opiate cravings, and telehealth video conferencing for our clients who can’t get to our treatment centers or live far away. If finances are a problem, many of our services are covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and other Los Angeles County health care funding programs.
We put great effort into helping you achieve long-term recovery. We also recognize the commonality of relapse and won’t shame you. There are no 100% solutions to substance use disorders. It is rare for anyone to remain clean and sober for life after one treatment episode of any kind. Our goal is to get you back on your feet so you can put your own effort into long-term recovery. We can provide you with the best tools available in substance use treatment to improve your chance at success.
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
4. December 2012 15:32
While this time of year brings joy and merriment to most of us, we in the substance use and mental health treatment field are all too familiar with those who find it troublesome. Conflicts can arise from within, stemming from disorders that make social gatherings terrifying. Or they can be substance induced, making someone an annoyance or worse at holiday gatherings. If this was a problem for you or a loved one last year, we would like to suggest that you get help so the holidays can be pleasant going forward.
Anyone who suffers from mental health or substance use disorders, and their loved ones, are familiar with troubles during the holiday season. Yet, each year, millions hope that conflicts and heartaches from the past won’t be repeated. As a general rule, negative behavior gets in the way of the good times once again, every year.
Mental health disorders can cause individuals to avoid social gatherings, in cases of depression, which can bring loneliness and bitter feelings. Anxiety, Bi-Polar Disorder, and other conditions can result in tense outbursts or other negative behaviors at gatherings. Their loved ones might say that they suffer as much, if not more, than the person with the disorder. Sadness or anger becomes the prevailing emotions of the season for all involved.
Alcohol use is at an annual high due to holiday parties, out of school youths, and the seasonal servings of festive drinks. The weather is colder, and many feel like they have an excuse to “let loose”. When alcohol abusers drink more than usual, verbal conflicts, physical fights, and tragic accidents are a higher likelihood. When alcohol is served at a large holiday gathering, at least one person is bound to be negatively impacted by an alcohol abuser. And, we’re sorry that it still needs to be said, innocent people die from drunken driving accidents. Alcohol abuse is in no way “festive”.
It’s the same pattern, year after year, that we see at Tarzana Treatment Centers. Admissions for substance use and mental health drop as the holiday season approaches. Then they rise somewhat sharply as the New Year begins, after the spotlight has been shown on individuals and their disorders. Most of them had considered entering treatment before the holidays, but put it off so they could enjoy them, as they say.
Whether the problems of last year were mild or severe, we suggest that you or your loved one speaks with a counselor before the first holiday gathering. This is especially a good idea if problems have occurred more than once with an individual. You deserve better. Something as simple as a Vivitrol injection to reduce alcohol cravings may be the remedy. It will help you to begin the process of healing, and you can become a part of the crowd that will enjoy a happy holiday season this year.
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
16. November 2012 15:15
Employee alcohol and drug abuse is a problem in almost every business category. Management is often faced with weighing the value of substance abusing staff members with the potential problems that their behavior may cause. The decision is not always easy, and the problem is sometimes swept under the rug. There is a solution, though, for employees who are willing to stop drinking and using drugs.
Tarzana Treatment Centers suggests the use of Vivitrol treatment. If you want to keep an employee on staff, and they are willing to get help, this can potentially solve problems for both of you. Vivitrol is a monthly injection of Naltrexone that reduces alcohol cravings and opiate cravings. It is convenient and it works. We have seen many patients achieve long-term sobriety after Vivitrol treatment, when they previously had multiple relapse issues.
Society associates some jobs with alcohol and drug abuse, and we won’t get into examples. You probably can think of a couple of them. The fact is that the problem exists in practically every type of job, including those you would never imagine. Co-workers usually spot the problem before management and business owners discover it, and then those in charge need to decide how to handle the situation.
Stress can often lead high-value employees to abuse alcohol or prescription painkillers. To them, they are relieving stress. To you, they are slowing down and are distracted by issues outside of work. It is up to management to open the lines of communication with these individuals, and let them know they are worth keeping if they will get help. Vivitrol treatment can be an investment in the increased productivity they can give to your company, and their own health.
While “zero tolerance” is a fair enough model, some states and contracts regulate businesses’ ability to terminate employment upon discovery of a substance abuse problem. Since alcohol and drug abuse problems don’t get better without help, keeping these individuals on staff can be a potential hazard to the company. Here is another area where Vivitrol treatment can save costs in the long run when individuals are willing to get help.
If you have an alcohol or drug abuse problem in the workplace, Vivitrol is an option worth investigation. It can potentially improve your company’s bottom line, and it might save a life. Please contact us for more information today.
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
9. November 2012 11:25
Regardless of the type of treatment you choose, alcoholism and relapse almost always go hand in hand. The challenge for a treatment facility is to minimize the risk that each patient has for relapse. One way is to provide Vivitrol as part of a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program.
Tarzana Treatment Centers provides Vivitrol for eligible patients. This monthly injection of Naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings so individuals can focus on treatment.
It is rare for an alcoholic to stop drinking and remain sober for life on the first attempt. This is largely due to the feeling of strong cravings for alcohol when they are “dry”. Even with the highest motivation for recovery and to abstain from drinking, cravings trigger an urge to drink that is difficult to ignore. A single urge can last for days, relentlessly keeping the thought in an alcoholics mind that a drink is needed. The great majority give in in a couple of months, or weeks, or even after only a few hours.
Alcoholism treatment plans always include relapse prevention as one of the goals. Tried and true methods include positive peer influence, education groups, and gender-specific groups, among many others. These help alcoholics to bond with others who share their disease, and to uncover what leads them to continue drinking. Cravings can be a distraction to these, though, and minimize their effectiveness.
With Vivitrol, the distraction of cravings is minimized or eliminated so other relapse prevention efforts can have an impact. Recovery can be built on a more solid foundation, and set the stage for long-term sobriety. As strength in recovery grows and positive habits become the norm in an alcoholic’s life, cravings have much less power. It is not difficult to see how Vivitrol improves the lives of those early in recovery.
Vivitrol treatment is covered by Medicare and Medi-Cal at Tarzana Treatment Centers. Please contact us for more information today.
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
8. November 2012 15:03
Heroin is in a special class of drugs that are highly addictive and very difficult to quit using. Opiates and opioids can spark an addiction with just one use, due to cravings that make the user want more. So an effort to reduce opiate cravings in early recovery makes sense to boost chances of long-term abstinence.
Tarzana Treatment Centers provides Vivitrol for heroin and other opiate craving reduction. Upon successful completion of our medical detoxification program, patients can begin Vivitrol treatment. Vivitrol is Naltrexone in the form of a monthly injection. You don’t need to think about how to reduce opiate cravings anymore, and the treatment is convenient.
The disease of addiction includes psycho-social symptoms that are commonly at the core of an individual’s substance use. Proper treatment of these issues can take some time, so counseling is always recommended after medical detoxification. It is very important for patients to remain as focused as possible on treatment so they can begin to see the benefits of recovery.
Heroin creates a stronger craving than most prescription pain killers, which have varying effects depending on the drug and person. Even so, any opiate craving is a distraction to treatment and can easily send a newly recovering person to relapse. With Vivitrol, patients can explore the issues that make them abuse heroin and painkillers in a more effective mindset. They are less likely to leave treatment early, and more likely to remain drug free for a longer period of time.
Please contact us today even if you question your ability to afford treatment. Tarzana Treatment Centers accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal, and other health care assistance programs.
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
31. October 2012 14:43
Tarzana Treatment Centers accepts Medi-Cal for a treatment that will help you to stop drinking. Our goal is always to set you on a path to long-term sobriety. Our approach is to combine traditional counseling with mental health treatment and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) where they are necessary. Vivitrol is one form of MAT that we have found to be very effective.
The early days of recovery are the most difficult, partially due to the fact that the body is missing a substance that it became accustomed to being present. The brain is complicated and reacts to the lack of alcohol in the body, even after the detox process, resulting in both physical and psychological symptoms. Alcohol cravings are one of the strongest symptoms and have the power to send a sober alcoholic back to drinking.
Vivitrol is a monthly injection of Naltrexone that reduces alcohol cravings. This treatment begins at the completion of medical detoxification, where you will have already participated in several individual and group counseling sessions. Combined, these treatments enable you to enter recovery without this major relapse trigger.
Alcohol craving reduction is a tool that frees the mind of alcoholics new to recovery so they can focus on treatment. It is important for recovering individuals to absorb healthy living techniques and to leave old habits behind. By removing the distraction of cravings, this can be accomplished much more quickly and effectively.
Vivitrol treatment is covered by Medi-Cal and Medicare for individuals who qualify.
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
26. October 2012 09:20
It’s very rare for addicts to be monogamous with their drug of choice. They usually abuse alcohol as well. Even if they don’t, alcohol use in early recovery could pave a path back to addiction with the same or another drug. Especially when individuals have had multiple relapse issues, prevention of another could come in the form of alcohol craving reduction.
Tarzana Treatment Centers provides Vivitrol for alcohol and opiate craving reduction. This monthly injection of Naltrexone has helped many who suffer from alcoholism and opiate addiction. They have achieved long-term sobriety when they previously struggled with relapses. Vivitrol works with brain chemistry to minimize the distraction and temptation of this major relapse trigger.
Alcohol is a drug, just like any other. Most addicts abused alcohol before they tried the drug they eventually became addicted to, and either combined the two (or more) or cut back on alcohol. In any of these cases, alcohol holds a psychological connection with dependence on the drug of choice.
In recovery, the suggestion is to remain abstinent from all drugs, including those that were not a part of the problem. This is to avoid the problem of cross addiction. The disease of Addiction causes sufferers to seek an escape mechanism because they can’t cope with normal life occurrences. So, cocaine addicts in recovery might think it is okay to have a glass of wine because alcohol was not a problem before drug rehab.
The addicted mind works in such strange ways that alcohol might not be the biggest threat. Methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine addicts may have a history of being prescribed opiate painkillers from a past injury. This is a great temptation for someone who is desperately trying to remain abstinent. The “pain” mysteriously reappears, quite often, and the addict requests another prescription. Unfortunately, there are far too many doctors who are willing to accommodate.
Whether the hope is to avoid alcohol or opiate abuse, Vivitrol is the solution. After the first 30 days without alcohol or other drugs, recovering addicts of any drug will see the benefits of total abstinence. By eliminating the possibility of cross addiction with alcohol or opiates, and blocking that psychological path to their drug of choice, addicts to any drug have a better chance for long-term recovery.
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
16. October 2012 11:50
When individuals suffer from addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, treatment for both becomes a challenge. This is largely due to the double impact of alcohol or drug cravings compounded by a desire to feel “normal”. If the cravings are reduced to a level where they are no longer a trigger, this can greatly improve chances for successful therapy.
Tarzana Treatment Centers has found success in treating dual diagnosis sufferers with Vivitrol. This monthly Naltrexone injection reduces cravings for alcohol or opiates, like heroin or prescription drugs. Patients eligible for Vivitrol treatment have experienced longer terms of sobriety, making therapy more effective.
Substance use and mental health disorders can be difficult to treat on their own. When they co-occur with an individual, both need to be treated as primary problems. Each disorder will work against treatment of the other. So treatment must be equally focused on both disorders or patients will almost certainly fall into a cycle of chronic relapses. They must remain sober and clear-headed during therapy and, at the same time, resist the psychological urge to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
Providing medications to treat mental health disorders only works as long as patients are willing to take them. Even if they do take them and begin to feel better, they may decide that they can handle a drink or go back to using drugs. Relapses hinder therapy for mental health disorders because patients might disappear for some time or, at least, they won’t be able to focus on the core issues that make them abuse alcohol or opiates.
Vivitrol is highly effective in this area due to the fact that it only needs to be administered once every 30 days. Patients don’t need to think about it. And, once they get the injection, they can’t decide to stop taking it after a few days. A window of 30 days is open to the patient and therapist where they can make great strides in the work they need to do. And when patients see progress in those 30 days, they are more likely to continue with the monthly injections.
Tarzana Treatment Centers has seen patients achieve several months of sobriety and improved lives after Vivitrol treatment, when they had previously struggled to stay clean and sober for only a couple of weeks. Please contact us today for more information.
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. 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.
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