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These days, facial treatments are very common. You can get different kinds of facial treatments (or facials) at beauty salons, fitness centers and spas. There are facials for men and women. The cost varies from a paltry sum to whopping, unbelievable amounts. Since there are no industry standards, it is difficult to know whether the treatment you receive is giving you good value or whether somebody is taking you for a ride. Most people don’t even know whether they need a facial treatment or how often these need to be done so they can really deliver what they promise. So, here are some answers.

The basic facial treatment demystified

A facial treatment aims to do the following:

Ø Clean the face and neck thoroughly

Ø Moisturize

Ø Relax facial and neck muscles

Ø Improve blood circulation in the face and neck

The procedures that you commonly find in different facial treatments are designed to achieve the above aims. For instance, most facial treatments begin with a scrub which may be followed by gentle steaming. These steps pull out dirt, grime and dead cells from the surface as well as the deep pores in the skin. In this way, the treatment prevents accumulation of dirt, development of skin problems and skin infection.facial treatment is incomplete without a relaxing massage of the entire face and neck.

This is the basic facial treatment. Many places offer a number of value added services. Some centers offer you special massages for the delicate area around the eye. This is a good idea because the oil/cream and the delicate touch reduce wrinkle formation in these vulnerable areas. Some facial treatments include a mudpack or a treatment pack. Mudpacks make the skin firm. Treatment packs contain nourishing vitamins or minerals that feed the skin.

Specialized treatments are also available. For example, there are special facial treatments for teens as their skin tends to release a lot of sebum. Many teens suffer from acne and pimple attacks, so ordinary facial treatments may not work for them. Then, there are specialized treatments for different skin types. Oily skin is the hardest to maintain.

Who needs facial treatments?

Just about everybody. The human face is exposed to some of harshest conditions. It is exposed to harmful UV rays, dirt and pollutants. To make matters worse, there are a number of enemies from within. The kind of food you eat, your genes, your age and your sex affects your skin. Childhood diseases can leave blemishes on your skin. In the teens, you may have an acne attack. In your thirties, you may see the development of wrinkles. So, problems of the skin never cease. As a result, there is no age or sex bar for a good facial treatment. Everyone can benefit from such a treatment provided it is carried out hygienically and by experts.

How often you need a facial treatment depends on two factors: your skin type and age. Generally, a teenager needs it more often than a person in their thirties. Oily skin and combination skin are more prone to dirt buildup. But there are other factors involved too. For example, if you are in the habit of using makeup, regular facial treatments cleanse your skin. If you are regularly exposed to the sun, cooling facial treatments can soothe and heal you and leave you looking young and healthy.

When the facial treatment is done correctly, it can keep your skin healthy and rejuvenated. But choose your skin care specialist carefully because when it comes to your face, you cannot take any chances.

Cancer is a frightening word. But prostate cancer doesnâ??t mean the end.

There is a breakthrough that is giving men diagnosed with prostate cancer their lives back, and next to painlessly!

“When I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in 2002, I honestly felt that my world was rapidly coming to an end. Fortunately, I discovered HIFU treatment. My roommate at the Indiana University Hospital had undergone a standard prostatectomy two days before meâ?¦and was in considerable painâ?¦while I was walking laps around the perimeter of the 6th floor within four hours of regaining consciousness! My progress has been steadily upward ever since. Thank you for giving me my life back!”

Norman

West Chester, Ohio

What is HIFU treatment?

HIFU treatment, which is short for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, is a state-of-the-art technology acoustic ablation technique that utilizes the power of ultrasound to destroy deep-seated tissue with pinpoint accuracy for treatment of prostate cancer. HIFU treatment focuses sound waves in a targeted area which rapidly increases the temperature in the focal zone causing tissue destruction.

The control and precision of HIFU treatment reduces the risk of common side effects such as impotence and incontinence.

HIFU treatment is a 1-3 hour, one-time procedure preformed on an out-patient basis under spinal or epidural anesthesia. Unlike radiation, HIFU treatment is non-ionizing so it can be repeated if necessary without damaging healthy tissue! This means that HIFU treatment can also be used as a salvage technique if other prostate cancer treatments fail.

What is the HIFU treatment like?

It is very important that you do not move during the HIFU procedure, therefore, after arriving at the treatment facility, you will be given an epidural anesthesia that will numb you from the waist down. You will also be given light intravenous sedation.

During HIFU treatment, the prostate specialist uses continuously updated real-time images of the prostate to map out and execute the entire treatment plan. These images show treatment progression and permit the prostate specialist to customize treatment for maximum safety and effectiveness.

The patient experiences no pain during the HIFU treatment! A small probe that emits ultrasound waves directly to the prostatic tissue is inserted into the rectum. First, the prostate specialist captures real-time images of the prostate and the surrounding area. Treatment time varies depending on the size of the prostate, but generally lasts one to three hours. You may experience swelling in the abdomen as a result of the destruction of tissue, therefore a catheter is inserted and is typically worn for 2-3 weeks to make sure that the bladder can empty properly as your body heals. Most patients are able to resume a normal diet and lifestyle almost immediately! No hospital stay is required and the procedure involves no incision and no scalpel.

Immediately after the HIFU treatment there is a one to two hour recovery period at the treatment facility and then you are discharged to recover comfortably at your hotel. Your prostate specialist will prescribe some antibiotics and other medications for after HIFU treatment, but most people donâ??t experience any pain after the procedure. You may experience some discomfort or body aches which is normal and temporary. Additionally, in the first one to two weeks after HIFU treatment, you may experience very mild urinary symptoms such as frequency and/or urgency to void, which are also normal and temporary.

What are the benefits of HIFU treatment?

â?¢HIFU treatment is â??cleanâ? energy; there is no radiation exposure to the patient, so there is no risk for weakening or damaging of cells and tissue surrounding the prostate.

â?¢HIFU treatment is non-surgical; therefore there is minimal blood loss and it is less invasive than other treatments for Prostate cancer.

â?¢HIFU treatment is preformed under spinal anesthesia, thus eliminating risk associated with general anesthesia.

â?¢It is an out-patient procedure; no overnight hospital stay is required.

â?¢HIFU treatment can be repeated, if necessary.

â?¢After HIFU treatment, if needed, patients may pursue other treatment options.

â?¢HIFU treatment can be used as a salvage treatment for local prostate cancer recurrence.

â?¢Studies show that HIFU treatment preserves patient quality of life by minimizing side effects such as impotence and incontinence.

For more information on this life altering treatment visit www.hifucare.com or call 1.866.876.3627

CONTACT PERSON Jeff Walker

COMPANY NAME Dr. Richard Lotenfoe, M.D.

TELEPHONE NUMBER 1-877-I- LUV-HIFU

FAX NUMBER 407-454-7888

EMAIL ADDRESS info@drlotenfoe.com

WESITE ADDRESS www.hifucare.com

There are numerous treatments for prostate cancer and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Patients and their prostate specialist must weigh many factors when determining the best treatment option. Age, Gleason score (measure of aggressiveness), PSA, lifestyle and quality of life issues all play a very important part in the equation of finding the optimal treatment.

HIFU treatment, which is short for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, is a state-of-the-art technology acoustic ablation technique that utilizes the power of ultrasound to destroy deep-seated tissue with pinpoint accuracy for treatment of prostate cancer. HIFU treatment focuses sound waves in a targeted area which rapidly increases the temperature in the focal zone causing tissue destruction.

The control and precision of HIFU treatment reduces the risk of common side effects such as impotence and incontinence.

HIFU treatment is a 1-3 hour, one-time procedure preformed on an out-patient basis under spinal or epidural anesthesia. Unlike radiation, HIFU treatment is non-ionizing so it can be repeated if necessary without damaging healthy tissue. This means that the HIFU treatment can also be used as a salvage technique if other prostate cancer treatments fail.

HIFU Treatment Information

An overview of what patients may expect during each phase of HIFU treatment – should you have any specific questions regarding treatment, please visit www.hifucare.com.

Before HIFU Treatment

The night before your HIFU procedure, you will be given two enemas that are administered 2 hours prior to the procedure. It is very important that you do not move during the HIFU procedure, therefore, after arriving at the treatment facility, you will be given an epidural (spinal) anesthesia that will numb you from the waist down. You will also be given light intravenous sedation.

During HIFU Treatment

The patient experiences no pain during HIFU treatment. A small probe that emits ultrasound waves directly to the prostatic tissue is inserted into the rectum. First, the prostate specialist captures real-time images of the prostate and the surrounding area. Treatment time varies depending on the size of the prostate, but generally lasts one to three hours. You may experience swelling in the abdomen as a result of the destruction of tissue, therefore a catheter is inserted and is typically worn for 2-3 weeks to make sure that the bladder can empty properly as your body heals. Most patients are able to resume a normal diet and lifestyle almost immediately. No hospital stay is required and the HIFU procedure involves no incision and no scalpel.

After HIFU Treatment

Immediately after the HIFU treatment there is a one to two hour recovery period at the treatment facility and then you are discharged to recover comfortably at your hotel. Your prostate specialist will prescribe some antibiotics and other medications for after the HIFU treatment, but most people don’t experience any pain after the procedure. You may experience some discomfort or body aches which is normal and temporary. Additionally, in the first one to two weeks after your HIFU treatment, you may experience very mild urinary symptoms such as frequency and/or urgency to void (the compelling urge to urinate, along with discomfort in your bladder), which are also normal and temporary.

How does HIFU work?

In order to understand the basic concept of how HIFU treatment works an analogy can be drawn between HIFU ablating the prostate and sunrays entering a magnifying glass to burn a leaf. When a magnifying glass is held above a leaf in the correct position on a sunny day the sunrays intersect below the lens and cause the leaf to burn at the point of intersection.

If you insert your hand into the path of either one of the sun rays individually, away from the point of intersection, there is no significant heat felt or harm caused. Alternatively, if you place your hand at the point of intersection you will be burned.

The scientific principles at work in this example are the same as those with the HIFU treatment. Instead of light as the energy source, HIFU treatment utilizes sound. Instead of a magnifying glass HIFU treatment uses a transducer. Just as the individual sunray is harmless to the hand, the individual sound waves are harmless to the healthy tissue it travels through.

During HIFU treatment, the prostate specialist uses continuously updated real-time images of the prostate to map out and execute the entire treatment plan. These images show treatment progression and permit the prostate specialist to customize treatment for maximum safety and effectiveness.

For more information on HIFU treatment visit www.hifucare.com or call at 1-866.876.3627

CONTACT PERSON Jeff Walker

COMPANY NAME Dr. Richard Lotenfoe, M.D.

TELEPHONE NUMBER 1-877-I- LUV-HIFU

FAX NUMBER 407-454-7888

EMAIL ADDRESS info@drlotenfoe.com

WESITE ADDRESS www.hifucare.com

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If you are looking for an option for addiction treatment in Tennessee for yourself or for someone that is in under your care, you need to be careful. The success or failure of addiction treatment depends on what kind of treatment was selected. That is the reason you have to be extra cautious in choosing your options.

The following are some of the points that you must remember to look into when considering addiction treatment in Tennessee:-

Is the Program Right for the Patient?

There are different kinds of treatment programs in the state, such as outpatient treatment programs, detox programs, rehabilitation programs, day treatment programs, partial hospitalizations, residential treatment programs, etc. And these are just the qualified treatment programs. You will find a large number of holistic programs, spiritual programs and faith-based healing programs. With all this variety, you are sure to get confused. Remember the important rule that not every patient is going to feel at home with every kind of treatment program. For that reason, you need to think and plan properly.

The best way is to check out the website of the treatment program in Tennessee that you are considering. Here you will definitely find out in detail how the program is conducted and that will help you know whether it is suitable for the patient’s needs and requirements or not. The things you must look into include the principles that the program is based on and the way it will be implemented.

Does the Program have all the Facilities that the Patient Requires?

This is one more important point, which applies to every addiction treatment center in Tennessee that you are considering. No two centers of addiction treatment in Tennessee will have the same kinds of facilities. One of them might have a detoxification treatment facility, for example, and the other might not. There are other such variations that might make some programs unsuitable to the patient.

In some cases, you might need to make a blend of different programs to suit the patient’s requirements. For example, the patient may like a particular outpatient treatment program but the nature of addiction in them might be quite strong due to which the patient might require a detox treatment program too. Now, detoxification is not included in most outpatient treatment programs in Tennessee. But you can plan a combination of the two programs. You can enroll the patient into a detox center and then continue the aftercare in the outpatient treatment program that is preferable to them. In this way, the patient can get both of the treatment options. But, of course, things become more complicated and you will need more planning when you budget does not allow you to use more than one program.

Is the Program Licensed?

It is very important that the addiction treatment in Tennessee that you consider is provided through a licensed center. This is necessary because it serves as an approval certificate that the program you are enrolling the patient into is a genuine program and the patient will find the right kind of treatment there. You must know that in Tennessee even the holistic and other nonqualified treatment programs must have licenses of their own. If it’s a center providing alcoholism or drug addiction treatment, it needs to have a relevant license.

It is no just the licensing that you should be concerned about. Take a look into the accreditation of the treatment program too. This is actually the true worth of the credibility of the treatment center. Check out whether the center is accredited with another state or federal institution. These affiliates show how strong the treatment center is in itself.

Similarly, you have to check the licensing and qualifications of the doctors too. You will find their certificates hanging around in the offices most times. These treatment providers should be ideally licensed through a federal organization like the American Society of Addiction Medicine and must have experience in the particular kind of addiction treatment you are considering them for.

It is absolutely essential to keep your eyes and mind open when you are scouting for an addiction treatment program in Tennessee for someone that you care. Taking note of these things helps you in finding the most appropriate program. But if you think that you are still not able to do this effectively, you can always meet with a specialist on substance abuse treatment in Tennessee or have an interventionist guide you through the entire treatment process.

Here are some questions people frequently ask when they are looking for options on addiction treatment in Arizona. These are mostly pertaining to the different kinds of treatment programs available in the state and which must be selected.

Q1. What is the day addiction treatment program in Arizona?

The day addiction treatment, or the day treatment program in Arizona, is a treatment program that allows people to stay in their own homes and still get treatment for moderate forms of addiction. The program does not isolate the patient. However, the patient will need to attend three to four hours of therapeutic treatment in a clinic, usually on an everyday basis. The treatment will consist of medication, monitoring and counseling. In most cases, an outpatient form of detox is also included and the patient is constantly monitored for any presence of complications caused due to the addiction.

The day addiction treatment in Arizona has become quite popular because people now have a method that allows them to keep on working or studying and at the same time find a suitable option for treating their addiction. But this method is not advised for people with very strong addictions because they would need a lot of medical supervision and care, which can only be provided in an inpatient setting.

Q2. Who is not advised to get into outpatient addiction treatment program in Arizona?

The outpatient treatment program is only suitable for mild forms of addiction. Typically, in Arizona, a center that provides treatment on an outpatient basis will call in patients for twice or thrice in a week, not going beyond ten hours a week. This is not much of a treatment as much as it is a therapy. People are counseled on what the addiction is and what they can do to suppress the temptation for the substance. They may be taught certain holistic methods to suppress the temptation. However, this wouldn’t work for people with severe addictions.

People who have been with their addictive habit since a long time would be better suited to a stronger treatment method. Similarly, people who have some health complications will not do well here. They will need hospitalization and medical attention, especially during the detox period. People with mental complications would also be better suited to a program that has complete medical supervision, especially through the dual diagnosis method of treatment.

Finally, the outpatient treatment is mostly considered as a first form of treatment. If a person has already tried outpatient treatment in Arizona once, then they are not advised to go through again if it did not work for them the first time. However, people who have undergone a detox program and are now considering the outpatient treatment program as a form of aftercare will find this program quite appropriate for their needs.

Q3. What program should be taken by people who are in severe addictions in Arizona?

For people who are in strong forms of addiction, Arizona offers two kinds of programs: the inpatient treatment program with detox and the residential treatment program. The inpatient treatment program includes a detox treatment which can go on for three days to three weeks, depending on the condition of the patient’s addiction. The detox might be severe considering the strong extent of the patient’s addiction. After the detox, the patient might be referred to an outside center for an aftercare therapy, either on an outpatient basis or in a residential treatment center. Some of them will have their own aftercare programs.

The residential treatment program is much more elaborate. It includes the detox and then a long rehabilitation period where the patient is provided education on what the addiction is about and is counseled on how to stay away from it. Actually, the residential treatment program is more of a community living program in which the patient is coached on how to live in a healthy lifestyle without the addiction involved in it.

Q4. Are there single detox programs in Arizona?

By single detox programs, people usually mean programs that have detox treatment and nothing else. There are such programs in the state, provided by most of the same treatment centers that provide the inpatient treatment with detox. However, you must be advised that it is not quite right to leave an addiction treatment after the detox. There is a very strong possibility of a relapse happening if that is done and if that happens, the entire treatment program would be futile. Most detox centers will refer the patient to an outpatient aftercare with maintenance medication. These are convenient programs to get enrolled in.

There is a residential addiction treatment program in Alaska too, which is quite similar in pattern to the residential treatment programs of the other states. In fact, the residential program in Alaska has been modeled on the programs of other states and so you will find several similarities. Just as in other states, even here the program is considered to be the most elaborate and detailed addiction treatment program which almost ensures complete recovery for the patient. Here’s some information on the residential treatment program in Alaska.

Who enters a Residential Treatment Program in Alaska?

This program is generally meant for people who consider it as the last refuge for bringing them out of the addiction. This might include the following groups of people:-

1. People who have been arrested for some crime committed under the influence of an addiction are ordered by the drug courts in Alaska to complete a program at a residential treatment center. For this reason, people feel that the residential treatment program is a form of punishment. However, this is not the case. Even people of different groups such as the following are potential candidates for such a program.

2. People who have been with an addiction for a very long period of time will likely have a lot of accumulated toxins in their bodies because of the addiction. This can be lethal for them in the long run. If these people were to go for an ordinary treatment program, there is a possibility that that program wouldn’t work for them because of the very high concentration of the substance in their body that will keep on creating the urge for them repeatedly. They would require the substance to be removed from their body before the treatment is to have any effect.

3. Next, people who have some health complications will find suitable treatment with the residential treatment program. They may be put into a dual diagnostic treatment approach which can help treat both the conditions simultaneously.

4. People who have some mental disabilities are always a challenge for addiction treatment. One of the main things that addiction treatment requires is a resolve on part of the patient to come out of the addiction. However, people with mental conditions are not able to work out this resolve. They will require additional care and counseling which is provided through the residential treatment program, using the dual diagnosis approach.

5. People who have hit bottom with their addictions, such as those who have required hospitalization due to a complication caused by the addiction will also do well with such a program.

How does the Residential Treatment Program in Alaska work?

There are three main aspects to a residential treatment program in Alaska. These aspects are outlined below:-

1. The first part of the program is about convincing the patient why they need treatment. This is always an important part of the program because most people who are introduced to a residential treatment program in Alaska are not sure that their addiction is a problem and do not want treatment. Several weeks may pass in just convincing the patient for the treatment and in this period, the treatment would progress very little.

2. The next big step is the detox treatment. Detox is always needed for people who get into residential treatment because of the great extent of the addiction present in them. The main purpose of the detox treatment is to cleanse their bodies from the toxins that accumulate in them because of the long period of addiction. This helps people to come out of the addiction faster because it mitigates the urge that the body produces for the substance.

3. The final part of the resident program, the rehab treatment, can go on for several years. The main aspect of this program is to make the person aware of the repercussions of the addiction and to train them on how to answer the temptations that the substance produces. This could be an extended aftercare program that includes both counseling and maintenance treatment. The maintenance treatment is targeted at keeping the person away from feeling the need for the substance repeatedly. Counseling therapies could include behavioral therapy, motivational therapy, social readjustment, cognitive behavioral therapy and many more depending on the visions of the treatment center.

Throughout the program, the family of the patient would be an important factor, even though the program itself is an isolated form of treatment. There are collective counseling programs for families of all patients at the treatment center at once so that they can meet with each other and share mutual experiences.

When looking for a treatment program in California, there are many decisions that need to be made. One of the most important of these decisions is whether to go ahead with a holistic treatment program or to accept a more conventional qualified treatment program. The decision here pegs on various factors. The following are some points that you have to consider. But first, you must know the difference between the qualified treatment programs and the holistic treatment program in California.

Programs that are approved by the state for addiction treatment in California are called as qualified programs. These programs are quite similar to ones that are outlines on the national substance abuse websites such as those of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the National Clearinghouse. This is where the qualified treatment programs of a national level are outlined. The programs that are qualified in California are based on these programs; however, there can be some alterations and modifications to better suit the requirements of the state. However, these alterations will be minor subtle points and nothing that changes the overall policy of theory of the programs.

The qualified treatment programs in California include programs such as the outpatient treatment programs, the inpatient treatment programs with detoxification, the inpatient treatment programs without detoxification, the rehabilitation programs, the day treatment programs, the residential treatment programs, the partial hospitalization programs, etc.

The holistic treatment programs, on the other hand, are the unqualified treatment programs. These are not approved by the state and are mostly conducted in private rehab centers. These include techniques such as the herbal detox programs, the massage therapies, the acupuncture and acupressure programs, the aromatherapy programs, the Yoga and other meditation therapy programs, etc. All these programs have not been qualified in the state; however, they are still predominantly used in the state for addiction treatment. They are quite popular also, judging by the way people enroll for these programs.

Now, when you are trying to choose between any one of these programs, it could be a dilemma which one to go ahead with. Here are the points of comparison that can help you decide:-

1. First and foremost, you should know that the qualified treatment programs in the state are those that are approved by the state authorities. That in itself becomes a very important plus point. These programs are tried and tested by medical experts of the state and even of the nation. Hence, the programs can be a better and safer choice. The holistic programs are, at best, experimental. Though they might have success stories to corroborate with their claims, they do not have the state approval that is deemed quite important when it comes to something as sensitive as addiction treatment.

2. The second point is that the holistic treatment programs will be a lot costlier than the qualified treatment programs. This is because most of the holist treatment methods are conducted within private treatment centers. The state approved programs are run in state run centers. For that reason, they might get some financial help from the state, which helps in considerably reducing the costs of the treatment. There is also the advantage of the easy payment plans that most of these state programs will provide you with. The holistic treatment centers will not be able to provide such plans mostly because they do not get any help from the state themselves.

3. The insurance companies are much more likely to cover for a qualified treatment program in California than a holistic treatment program. This is because of the state approval that these programs have. The insurance companies look upon them as safe bets and a willing to cover for them. That further eases your financial burden of the treatment.

4. You can rest assured about the licenses and other qualifications when it comes to the state approved programs. However, this may be a problem in the holistic programs. The same applies to the licenses that the treatment providers must carry.

5. However, the holistic programs win on several counts too. Like, you get better accommodation facilities in most of these centers for the simple reason that they are conducted in private rehab centers. Hence, these programs are the first choices for the rich and the famous. Also, these centers do not make you wait for getting an admission. You can get yourself or someone else checked into these centers on the same day as the treatment begins.

Among all the different programs for alcohol and drug addiction treatment that exist in Georgia, the residential treatment program is considered to be the severest and also the most effective. This program is implemented for people who are in very strong conditions of addiction. People who have developed some health problems because of the addiction or those who have hit bottom in some manner will be strongly advised by their treatment officers to enter into a residential treatment program in Georgia. But while this program seems to be quite severe, which is really is, it must also be noted that this is the only program that works for people who have been fruitlessly trying to come out of their addiction using other methods.

Let us get acquainted here with the residential treatment program in Georgia.

What kind of patients must use the residential treatment program in Georgia?

People who have been with an addiction for a very long time and people who use their substance of addiction at a very high rate must use the residential treatment program. This is the only program that can help them out of their usage which is dangerously excessive. People who are into long term addictions will also have a very high accumulation of the addictive substance in their bodies and hence removing the temptation of the substance from their bodies will become very difficult through other approaches.

There are several people who have taken up an addiction as a result of a mental disorder, or have fallen into a mental illness as a result of an addiction. This is a vicious cycle that other treatment programs will find very difficult to break. Such people will be best treated in a residential treatment program.

Similarly, people who are with health complications brought on through an addiction or otherwise will be most effectively treated through a residential treatment program. The residential treatment program in Georgia uses what is known as the dual diagnosis approach to treat coexisting conditions. Such a treatment can be most effectively meted out only in the closely guarded and medically supervised setup that a residential treatment program can provide.

There is one more significant group of people who use the residential treatment program. People who have been apprehended by the law for some crime or offense committed under the influence of a drug or alcohol addiction are ordered by the drug courts to complete a treatment program. This treatment program is usually conducted in a residential center. Since it is undeniable that these people are in a very severe situation of addiction, such a program becomes important for their treatment.

What are the main components of the residential treatment program in Georgia?

The first part of the treatment here will always be an intervention program. This is absolutely needed because people who get into an addiction treatment program in a residential center will have strong addictions and hence they will deny treatment. But, the denial needs to be overcome if the treatment has to have any effect. In order to remove this denial, the patients are made to go through an intervention process. Most residential treatment centers will handle the intervention by themselves; however, some of them might use the agency of the person’s family and friends in order to better motivate them to get into treatment.

Once the intervention program has been conducted, the next step of the treatment will be the detoxification. This is vital in people who are admitted in a residential treatment center in Georgia because of their high degrees of addiction. People are made to abstain completely from the substance, which causes the withdrawal to occur, which is subsequently treated. However, the treatment is not as simple as it sounds.

There are particular kinds of medication that work with particular kinds of addiction. Also, different patients will have different extents of addiction and hence they will be given different dosages. In addition, the withdrawal can be really nasty and complete medical supervision and a medical program is needed to get people out of their withdrawal.

The detox is continued with an aftercare process. Here the main intention is to sustain the treatment that the detox has provided. People are provided with counseling on how they can stay out of the temptations for the substance that might occur. Here the family of the patient could also be provided with a counseling program so that they can become an important part of the recovery process. They are trained to understand the signs of an incoming relapse and what they must do if that happens.

The following are some important points that you need to keep in mind when you are looking for heroin rehab treatment for someone in your family.

1. Make sure to check the kind of program the treatment center follows thoroughly. This should be one of your first considerations. Remember that “heroin treatment” is an umbrella term. There are several different kinds of treatments involved within this canopy such as the outpatient treatment program, the detox program, the rehab program, the day treatment program, the residential treatment program, etc. You must make sure that the program you are planning is suitable for the needs of the patient in question.

2. See that the program is a qualified program. This is essential because these are the programs that are approved by the state authorities. These are the programs that are tried and tested by the substance abuse authorities of the state and hence are better in their principles and methods to provide for treatment. On the other hand, there are several nonqualified treatment programs in every state, such as the holistic programs, the faith-based programs and the spiritual treatment programs, which might not be suitable to the needs of the patient.

There are also some practical difficulties in going through the nonqualified treatment programs too. These programs are more expensive, because they will not have state funding in most cases. Since these programs are not approved by that state, the insurance companies will also flinch in providing them coverage. Hence, you need to be cautious when you are selecting programs that are not qualified.

There are several places where you can make sure the program you are considering is qualified or not. One place is the state health website. There is usually a list of all permissible programs on the state website. You can also find this information on the various federal substance abuse websites such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Clearinghouse and the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

3. Next, look at what kind of medication the heroin rehab treatment center will be using. There are two types of medication that are popular in the US. These are methadone and buprenorphine. Though methadone is the older of the two, it is a highly addictive substance in itself and if things go wrong with the treatment, the person will end up with a methadone addiction instead of heroin. That is why it is needed that only an experienced treatment center handle this kind of treatment. Buprenorphine is a safer medicine for that matter. Though it also acts by replacing a person’s heroin craving with itself, it is not quite as addictive as methadone is and hence can be more easily used for the treatment.

It becomes important for you to consider what kind of medication will be used because a lot of the manner in which the treatment will go ahead will depend on the kind of medication used. Buprenorphine is a newer method of treatment and hence people still rely on methadone to a larger extent. This also has a placebo effect on people. If the patient is keener on a particular kind of treatment, there are chances that he or she will respond to that kind of treatment more.

Whether the heroin rehab treatment is inpatient or outpatient might also differ on the kind of medication that is used. Methadone is usually administered on an inpatient basis because of its highly addictive nature. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, has outpatient treatment program for heroin addiction possible in most states.

4. You must be discerning and check all the licenses and other qualifications of the heroin rehab treatment centers you are thinking about. Remember that just a general drug addiction treatment license won’t suffice; they must be qualified for heroin treatment. This is a necessity. At the same time, you must ensure that the treatment providers are also well qualified in this form of treatment. Check the experiences of both the treatment center and the providers, especially looking at whether they have dealt with heroin addiction treatment in the past or not.

5. Look also at what facilities the heroin rehab treatment center will provide you with. Detox is a very important part of heroin addiction treatment, but not all treatment centers have their own detox programs. If there is no detox in the center, they might refer the patient to an outside center, which could be a problem. Similarly, look at whether the nursing care is continuous or just for a few hours each day.

Reactive Attachment Disorder is a severe developmental disorder caused by a chronic history of maltreatment during the first couple of years of life. Reactive Attachment Disorder is frequently misdiagnosed by mental health professionals who do not have the appropriate training and experience evaluating and treating such children and adults. Often, children in the child welfare system have a variety of previous diagnoses. The behaviors and symptoms that are the basis for these previous diagnoses are better conceptualized as resulting from disordered attachment. Oppositional Defiant Disorder behaviors are subsumed under Reactive Attachment Disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms are the result of a significant history of abuse and neglect and are another dimension of attachment disorder. Attention problems, and even Psychotic Disorder symptoms are often seen in children with disorganized attachment (1)

Approximately 2% of the population is adopted, and between 50% and 80% of such children have attachment disorder symptoms (2). Many of these children are violent (3) and aggressive (4), and as adults are at risk of developing a variety of psychological problems(5) and personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder (6), narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychopathic personality disorder (7). Neglected children are at risk of social withdrawal, social rejection, and pervasive feelings of incompetence (8). Children who have histories of abuse and neglect are at significant risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as adults (9). Children who have been sexually abused are at significant risk of developing anxiety disorders (2.0 times the average), major depressive disorders (3.4 times average), alcohol abuse (2.5 times average), drug abuse (3.8 times average), and antisocial behavior (4.3 times average) (10). The effective treatment of such children is a public health concern (11).

Left untreated, children who have been abused and neglected and who have an attachment disorder become adults whose ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships is deeply damaged. Without placement in an appropriate permanent home and effective treatment, the condition will worsen. Many children with attachment disorders develop borderline personality disorder or anti-social personality disorder as adults (11).

So, what is a person to do? Is there effective treatment for disorders of attachment? The answer is yes; there is an effective treatment for disorders of attachment. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (12). Family therapy, individual therapy, play therapy, residential placements, and intensive outpatient treatment, among other treatments, are often used to treat attachment disorders. However, when compared with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, these treatments proved to be ineffective. A follow-up study compared the effectiveness of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and “usual care,” and found that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy produced clinically and statistically significant improvements one year after treatment ended. The study was composed of 34 families receiving Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and 30 families receiving “usual care.”

Before treatment/evaluation in both the treatment and control groups, Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire scores and Child Behavior Checklist scale scores were elevated and in clinically significant ranges (more than two standard deviations above the mean for the CBCL). The extent and severity of these children’s disorder is underscored by the fact that 82% of the treatment group and 83% of the control-group subjects had received prior treatment using other methods. The average number of previous treatment episodes was 3.2 for the treatment group and 2.7 for the control group.

The results for the treatment-group were achieved among children aged six to fifteen years, averaging 9.4 years, who received an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. The study found clinically and statistically significant reductions in scores for the treatment group and no change for the control group.

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy is effective because of its reliance on and development of concordant intersubjectivity and affective attunement between therapist and child, caregiver and child, and therapist and caregiver. The process of maintaining affective attunement allows for dyadic regulation of affect between child and therapist so that the child feels a sense of safety and security and can experience the affect associated with past traumas, allowing for integration of these experiences rather than dissociation of the affect and memory. Furthermore, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy’s significant involvement of caregivers in treatment facilitates the development of an affectively attuned relationship between the child and caregiver. An affectively attuned relationship may be described as a relationship in which the two persons are experiencing the same affect and that their affect co-varies. Within the safety of the attuned relationship the shame of past trauma and current misbehaviors are explored, experienced, and integrated. The caregiver-child interactions build on a dyadic affect regulation process that normally occurs during infancy and the toddler years. The child’s past traumatic history of abuse and neglect strongly suggests that such interaction, which facilitates a health attachment and a trusting and safe relationship, did not occur or occurred in an inadequate manner. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy facilitates the development of a healthy attachment between child and caregiver, enables the child to affectively trust the caregiver, and allows the child to secure comfort and safety from the caregiver.

This study examined the effects of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy on children with trauma-attachment disorders who meet the DSM IV criteria for Reactive Attachment Disorder, all of whom were either adopted or in foster care. A treatment group composed of thirty-four subjects and a usual care group composed of thirty subjects was compared. All children were between the ages of five and sixteen when the study began. Seven hypotheses were explored. It was hypothesized that Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy would reduce the symptoms of attachment disorder, aggressive and delinquent behaviors, social problems and withdrawal, anxiety and depressive problems, thought problems, and attention problems among children who received Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Significant reductions were achieved in all measures studied. The results were achieved in an average of twenty-three sessions over eleven months. These findings continued for an average of 1.1 years after treatment ended for children between the ages of six and fifteen years. There were no changes in the usual care-group subjects, who were re-tested an average of 1.3 years after the evaluation was completed. The results are particularly salient since 82% of the treatment-group subjects and 83% of the usual care-group subjects had previously received treatment with an average of 3.2 prior treatment episodes. This past history of unsuccessful treatment further underscores the importance of these results in demonstrating the effectiveness and efficacy of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy as a treatment for children with trauma-attachment problems. In addition, 53% of the usual care-group subjects received “usual care” but without any measurable change in the outcome variables measured. Children with trauma-attachment problems are at significant risk of developing severe disorders in adulthood such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and other personality disorders.

A second study followed these children out to four years after treatment ended and found that the children in the treatment group continued to have scores in the normal range on the Child Behavior Checklist. (13).

The children in the usual care or control group continued to have scores on the Child Behavior Checklist that were unchanged prior to treatment and remained in the clinical range, and that actually got statistically significantly worse on several of the scales of the Child Behavior Checklist; despite the fact that all these children received treatment (but not Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) from other providers at other clinics.(14)

This study supports several of O’Connor & Zeanah’s (15) conclusions and recommendations concerning treatment. They state (p. 241), “treatments for children with attachment disorders should be promoted only when they are evidence-based.” The results of this study are a beginning toward that end. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy provides caregiver support as an integral part of its treatment methodologies. Finally, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy uses a multimodal approach built around the concordant intersubjective sharing of experience.

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D.

Director

Center For Family Development

5820 Main Street, suite 406

Williamsville, NY 14221

716-810-0790

REFERENCES

[1] Lyons-Ruth, K., & Jacobvitz, D., Attachment disorganization: unresolved loss, relational violence and lapses in behavioral and attentional strategies. In Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P., (Eds.) Handbook of Attachment. pp 520-554, NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Solomon, J. & George, C. (Eds.). Attachment Disorganization. NY: Guilford Press, 1999.

Main, M. & Hesse, E. Parents’ Unresolved Traumatic Experiences are related to infant disorganized attachment status. In Greenberg, M.T., Ciccehetti, D., & Cummings, E.M. (Eds.) Attachment in the Preschool Years: Theory, Research, and Intervention, pp.161-182, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.

Carlson, E.A. (1988). A prospective longitudinal study of disorganized/disoriented attachment. Child Development 69, 1107-1128.

[2] Carlson, V., Cicchetti, D., Barnett, D., & Braunwald, K. (1995). Finding order in disorganization: Lessons from research on maltreated infants’ attachments to their caregivers. In D. Cicchetti & V. Carlson (Eds), Child Maltreatment: Theory and research on the causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 135-157). NY: Cambridge University Press.

Cicchetti, D., Cummings, E.M., Greenberg, M.T., & Marvin, R.S. (1990). An organizational perspective on attachment beyond infancy. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & M. Cummings (Eds), Attachment in the Preschool Years (pp. 3-50). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[3] Robins, L.N. (1978) Longitudinal studies: Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behavior. Psychological Medicine,. 8, 611-622.

[4] Prino, C.T. & Peyrot, M. (1994) The effect of child physical abuse and neglect on aggressive withdrawn, and prosocial behavior. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 871-884.

[5] Schreiber, R. & Lyddon, W. J. (1998) Parental bonding and Current Psychological Functioning Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 358-362.

[6] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[7] Dozier, M., Stovall, K.C., & Albus, K. (1999) Attachment and Psychopathology in Adulthood. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.). Handbook of Attachment (pp. 497-519). NY: Guilford Press.

[8] Finzi, R., Cohen, O., Sapir, Y., & Weizman, A. (2000). Attachment Styles in Maltreated Children: A Comparative Study. Child Development and Human Development, 31, 113-128.

[9] Allan, J. (2001). Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders. NY: John Wiley.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S., & Kirk (2000). Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109, 69-73.

[10] MacMillian, H.L. (2001). Childhood Abuse and Lifetime Psychopathology in a Community Sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1878-1883.

[11] Allan, J. Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorders, NY: Wiley, 2001.

Andrews, B., Varewin, C.R., Rose, S. & Kirk. Predicting PTSD symptoms in Victims of Violent Crime. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, vol. 109, 69-73, 2000.

[12] Becker-Weidman, A., & Shell, D., (Eds.) (2005) Creating Capacity for Attachment: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma-Attachment Disorders. OK: Woods N Barnes publishing.

Becker-Weidman, A., (2006) “Treatment for Children with Trauma-Attachment Disorders: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy,” Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Vol. 23 #2, pp. 147-171 April 2006.

Becker-Weidman, A., (2006) “Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: A multi-year Follow-up”, in, New Developments In Child Abuse Research, Stanley M. Sturt, Ph.D. (Ed.) Nova Science Publishers, NY, 2006, pp. 43 – 60.

Becker-Weidman, A., (2007) “Treatment For Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy,” http://www.center4familydevelop.com/research.pdf

Becker-Weidman, A., & Hughes, D., (2008)“Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: An evidence-based treatment for children with complex trauma and disorders of attachment,” Child & Adolescent Social Work, 13, pp.329-337.

[13] Becker-Weidman, A., (2005) Treatment for Children with Trauma-Attachment Disorders: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Vol. 12 #6, December.

[14] Becker-Weidman, A., (2006) “Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: A multi-year Follow-up”, in, New Developments In Child Abuse Research, Stanley M. Sturt, Ph.D. (Ed.) Nova Science Publishers, NY, 2006, pp. 43 – 60.

[15] O’Connor, T., & Zeanah, C., (2003) Attachment Disorders: Assessment strategies and treatment approaches. Attachment & Human Development, 5, 223-245.