Chemical Dependency - The Disease
Chemical Dependency is an all pervasive disease that touches the lives of most Americans. Consider these facts:
1 out of every 4 families in the United States suffers from alcohol or drug related addiction problems.
An estimated 98 million people in this country are chemically dependent or in a relationship with someone who's chemically dependent.
25 to 40 % of all general hospital patients are admitted for a drug or alcohol related problem.
35 million are children of alcoholics.
Being Chemically Dependent is not immoral or evidence of a weak individual, as many people believe. It is an illness that can be successfully identified, diagnosed and treated. In many minds, the word alcoholic or addict conjures up an image of a male skid row individual or someone that is outside the main stream. In reality, it is estimated that only 3 to 6 percent of addicted individuals would fit that description. Most have jobs, homes and families. 45 percent of alcoholics for example, are in professional or managerial positions, 25 percent are white collar workers, and 30 percent are manual laborers. Overall, over half have attended college, and only 13 percent have not finished high school. Physicians, brokers, attorneys, judges and clergymen all have a high incidence of alcohol and drug problems. It truly is an equal opportunity disease.
There is a significant amount of data that supports a genetic predisposition toward chemical dependency disease. Genetically associated diseases ultimately have a bio-chemical basis. Science is now working hard to find biological markers to identify high risk individuals, but no such tests are currently available.
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Addiction Identification and Drug Dependence Diagnosis
Many different tools are available to help identify and diagnose chemical dependency. Most simply, if drugs and/or alcohol are causing problems, then you most likely have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol. It is common to hide and conceal symptoms, as well as the rituals and obsessions that support the disease. It must be realized that chemical dependency problems are often complex and involve many variables. For these reasons seeking professional assistance from addiction treatment professionals is important and recommended to assist with the assessment and evaluation of individual cases and circumstances.
Chemical Dependency Rehabilitation Programs
The good news about Chemical Dependency is that it can be identified and successfully treated. Remember, medical detoxification is not a substitute or replacement for treatment; it is just the beginning of the recovery process. At the Hemet Valley Recovery Center, rehabilitation programs are provided in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Following detoxification (if necessary) rehabilitation treatment provides the foundations that will support long term recovery. Just as a newly diagnosed diabetic would need to learn how to alter their diet, how to test their blood sugar levels, and how to identify changes in lifestyle that will support optimum health while living with the disease, so must the Chemical Dependent individual. We believe that chemical dependency is a primary problem, not a symptom of another disease and thus primary treatment for addiction is appropriate and important. Treatment provides the tools to support and maintain long term recovery. Closely aligned with the principals of 12 Step Recovery, the Hemet Valley Recovery Center provides individualized care that includes psychological, social, spiritual, and physical aspects of the whole person. Care is provided through an interdisciplinary team with a case manager assigned to each individual patient. The treatment team includes Physicians, Registered Nurses, Certified Counselors, and Adjunctive Therapists. When indicated a Dietitian and Physical Therapist participate in the team process. Patients are included in goal setting and participate in the development of the treatment plan. Treatment includes group therapy, educational lectures and presentations, cognitive therapy, assignments and printed material, 12 Step introduction and groups, exercise and recreation groups, and relapse prevention to name a few. Rehabilitation Treatment Programs are available in inpatient, residential, outpatient day hospital, and partial day programs.
Chemical Dependency is a family disease and treatment is available for family members as an included service. For more information regarding our family treatment program, please visit the Family Program page listed on this site. |
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