cadca.org 9/29/05

While we value treating medical problems from birth, we are not encouraged to get any sort of mental health "check up" unless major symptoms begin to surface. 3.7% felt they needed treatment but did not make an effort. There could be many reasons for this, but the one that instantly comes to mind is the utter hopelessness and despair that result from addiction, especially in its late stages.

Interventions would be most useful in such circumstances. 2.1% of these untreated substance abusers actually made an effort but were not able to receive treatment for a variety of reasons. Almost half of this group named cost and insurance barriers as the block to treatment. A quarter said they had decided they were not ready to stop using. Other major factors cited were the stigma of entering treatment, lack of knowledge on where to go for treatment, feeling that they could handle the problems in ways other than treatment, lack of time and lack of faith in the treatment process.

These result show the reality of how difficult it is to access individuals who could benefit from help. The managed care system continues to discourage the use of mental health benefits through discrimination against those who have been in treatment as well as through the continual decrease in coverage for mental health treatment. This contributes to the stigma around mental health treatment.

SAMHS - Department of Health and Human Services, 2005

A recent study has shown that an investment in sobriety pays a return of 766%.

Researchers recently released the results of a study that shows that drug rehab costs are more than made up for by a reduction in crime and an increase in earnings by former addicts.

The study stated that for every $1.00 spent on drug treatment, society gained $7.66 in monetary benefits. Even without considering the well-being of the individual, it's clear that spending taxpayer funds on addiction recovery is a sound investment.

The researchers compared the cost of residential and outpatient treatment against the cost to society of medical care, criminal activities, unemployment, decreases in productivity, mental illness and public aid.

Members of society who abuse drugs and alcohol consume a disproportionately large chunk of public funds spent on medical services and the judicial system.

The annual cost of drug addiction to society is estimated to be more than 250 billion dollars per year. It is also estimated that addiction to drugs and alcohol claims more than 500,000 lives per year.

The effects of addiction can be various and widespread and sometimes take decades to play themselves out. For instance, children of parents who suffer from addiction are more likely to suffer from addiction themselves. In addition they often have physical and psychological difficulties, which impact the fabric of society in a multitude of ways.

1. Continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks
2. 1. a. Poisoning by alcohol.
   2. b. A chronic disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction

Alcoholism is usually characterized by the following traits:

• Craving -

  The overwhelming need or compulsion to drink.

• Loss of Control -

  The inability to stop consuming alcohol once a person begins.

• Physical Dependence -

  When alcohol consumption is stopped after a period of heavy use, withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, anxiety and shakiness. These symptoms are relieved by taking another drink or by the use of sedatives.

• Tolerance -

  To achieve the same "high" greater amounts of alcohol are required.

Alcoholism actually has little to do with the type of drink or the amount consumed, but everything to do with the person's inability to limit the need for alcohol. With prolonged use of alcohol, the brain chemistry changes and becomes accustomed to and dependent upon presence. The body and brain's desire for more alcohol can become stronger than even the need for food or water.

The question is asked: Why do some individuals develop a dependency on alcohol and others are able to remain casual users? It is thought that alcoholism is an inherited, genetic disease. But genetics is only part of the equation. Environmental factors such as peer influences, availablility of alcohol, economic difficulties, etc. play an important role in determining the likelihood of the development of alcoholism.

1. 1. Euphoria (BAC = .10)

   • The person becomes more confident and daring.
   • They have trouble paying attention.
   • They have more color in their face.
   • They lack good judgement, acting on impulse.
   • They find tasks requiring fine motor control difficult.

2. 2. Excitement (BAC .20)

   • The person may become sleepy.
   • Their short term memory is impaired.
   • Their reaction time is greatly reduced.
   • Their gross motor skills are uncoordinated.
   • They have trouble maintaining their balance.
   • Vision becomes blurry.
   • Their senses become dull (hearing, tasting, touch, etc.)

3. 3. Confusion (BAC .30)

   • The person might not know where they are or what they are doing.
   • Walking may be difficult.
   • Emotions run high - aggressive, withdrawn, overy affectionate.
   • Vision is very blurry.
   • They are very sleepy.
   • The sensation of pain is dulled.

4. 4. Stupor (BAC .40)

   • The person can barely move.
   • They do not respond to external stimuli.
   • Walking or standing is impossible.
   • They may vomit repeatedly.
   • They may become unconscious.

5. 5. Coma (BAC .50)

   • The person is unconscious.
   • Pupils are unresponsive to light.
   • Body temperature is lower than normal.
   • Breathing is shallow.
   • Pulse rate is slow.
   • Death may occure.

6. 6. Death (BAC more than .50)

   • Breathing is halted and the person dies.

howthingswork.com

Extended care environments have been common in the mental health field for decades to help people transitioning from treatment back into society. They have also been common for people who were incarcerated and were transitioning to the 'real world'. The extended care environments were sometimes referred to as "half-way houses" because people were half-way on their way to complete independence.

Extended care environments (or half-way houses) began to be used for people who were transitioning from alcohol or drug treatment. The term "sober house" was coined to describe these living arrangements. Sober houses gained visibility in popular culture through the show "Sober House" on VH1; the program followed a group of celebrities who had successfully completed treatment in "Celebrity Rehab" at Pasadena Recovery Center.

Extended care environments vary widely in terms of accommodations, price, and level of supervision, but all have some common features:

Stable Sober Environment

Quite simply, the main benefit of extended care environments is the stability they provide. After inpatient treatment, some individuals lack the skills necessary to set and follow schedules and to integrate sober living into their lives. The extended care environment provides a structured living arrangement in which to develop healthy habits and practice integrating those habits into their daily lives, including employment and social interactions. Residents must submit to random drug and alcohol tests to ensure a safe, sober environment for everyone. Most extended care environments have a curfew and require that you complete a probationary period before you are allowed passes to be off-site overnight.

Camaraderie and Support

All residents in a sober living house are recovering from some form of addiction, providing a ready support network of peers who are recovering - people who share the same values, goals and desires for sober living. Extended care residents often motivate each other to attend 12-step meetings and stay focused on sobriety. Some extended care environments also have on-site managers--or on-call staff--for professional support.

Accountability

The disease of chemical dependency often progresses to the point that the addict's life is consumed with either using or obtaining drugs. They neglect tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and sometimes even grooming. The extended care environment requires individuals to assume responsibility and develop accountability. Often, residents must:

• Follow all house rules
• Work or actively seek employment
• Obey curfews
• Commit to length of stay

In most extended care environments, there are consequences if a resident doesn't meet the expectations. The recovering alcoholic or addict learns to be accountable for their actions.

Focused living

In most extended care environments, daily stressors are minimized, with structured shelter and social opportunities provided. The cost of staying in the sober house is usually dealt with in a single, lump sum payment, eliminating the stress of various bills and financial management. Visiting hours are often highly regulated, minimizing outside social interactions. The goal is to free up the individual to focus on sober living by eliminating basic stressors they might otherwise have to face after alcohol rehab. The sober environment also eliminates many of the distractions and temptations which await in the outside world.

Alcohol Recovery Guidance and Supervision

Many extended care environments provide some form of continual care. Daily or weekly meetings are usually mandatory and residents are expected to be actively working a 12-step program. Often, residents will have weekly counseling sessions with staff to make sure they are working on their recovery.

Extended care environments offer a wide range of options in cost and accommodation. At one end of the spectrum, there are sober houses where residents rent a shared room for a weekly rate of $100. At the high end are residential options like Promises Malibu where prices start at $25,000 per month.

Although there is no national criteria for a sober house, Illinois is at the leading edge of creating standards for extended care environments. The Illinois Extended Care Association, Inc (IECA) was established over 20 years ago to ensure individuals in recovery have a safe and healthy place to live where the primary goal is recovery. IAEC is also committed to ensuring that quality residential extended care facilities are readily available and that staff are properly trained to meet the needs of the chemically dependent men and women being served.

The Extended Care Program at New Hope Recovery Center offers a supportive, sober, transitional living environment for individuals who have abstained from alcohol and drugs for thirty days or more. Sober living residences are available in Chicago (Lincoln Park) and Geneva, IL and each is within walking distance of New Hope Recovery Center. Separate units house men and women who are actively working a twelve step program to stay drug and alcohol free.