Chemical Dependency
This author chose to conduct her research on a drug and alcohol abuse program located in the South Bay in order to familiarize herself with the resources available within her community. This paper will proceed to discuss the characteristics and services provided by her chosen chemical dependency program. It is her belief that a substance abuser and/or addict is more likely to succeed at living a life free of alcohol and drugs when they continually attend a 12-step program, follow the steps, have a sponsor, a support group and educate themselves on how to live life without turning to alcohol or drugs. Of the several chemical dependency programs available, she chose to conduct a telephone interview with a treatment professional employed by
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This center does not self induce their services upon any individual. Patients come to their facility seeking treatment by their own will, by court order, by employer demand, parents and/or family involvement (i.e. a wife may coerce her husband to obtain treatment or she will file for divorce, etc.). Prior to accepting a patient, the facility will conduct an assessment in order to determine whether treatment is necessary. If they find that treatment is necessary, the patient will be required to take a drug test in order to be admitted and if detoxification is required, the patient will be referred to local hospital to complete detoxification. Although many facilities do offer a detoxification process for their patients, this center is an exception. Throughout the detoxification period, there are several withdrawal symptoms that can occur, some of which can be life threatening. Withdrawal symptoms may range from tremors, anxiety, vomiting, nausea, hypertension, hallucinations, diaphoresis, seizures and tachycardia. "Despite appropriate treatment, the current mortality for patients with DTs ranges from 5-15%. Mortality was as high as 35% prior to the era of intensive care and advanced pharmacotherapy. The most common conditions leading to death in these patients are respiratory failure and cardiac arrhythmias." (eMedicine, 2009) Although there are licensed nurses on staff, the center does have on site physicians to monitor and administer care. Once the detoxification phase is complete, the patient may return and commence the treatment
This center does not self induce their services upon any individual. Patients come to their facility seeking treatment by their own will, by court order, by employer demand, parents and/or family involvement (i.e. a wife may coerce her husband to obtain treatment or she will file for divorce, etc.). Prior to accepting a patient, the facility will conduct an assessment in order to determine whether treatment is necessary. If they find that treatment is necessary, the patient will be required to take a drug test in order to be admitted and if detoxification is required, the patient will be referred to local hospital to complete detoxification. Although many facilities do offer a detoxification process for their patients, this center is an exception. Throughout the detoxification period, there are several withdrawal symptoms that can occur, some of which can be life threatening. Withdrawal symptoms may range from tremors, anxiety, vomiting, nausea, hypertension, hallucinations, diaphoresis, seizures and tachycardia. "Despite appropriate treatment, the current mortality for patients with DTs ranges from 5-15%. Mortality was as high as 35% prior to the era of intensive care and advanced pharmacotherapy. The most common conditions leading to death in these patients are respiratory failure and cardiac arrhythmias." (eMedicine, 2009) Although there are licensed nurses on staff, the center does have on site physicians to monitor and administer care. Once the detoxification phase is complete, the patient may return and commence the treatment