Drug Treatment Categories

Doctors deliver treatment for drug abuse and addiction in many different settings, using a variety of behavioral and pharmacological approaches. Drug addiction is a complex disorder that can involve virtually every aspect of the functioning of a person in every day life: in the family, at work and school and in the community. Because of the complexity and pervasive consequences of addiction, drug addiction treatment must involve many components. Some of those components focus directly on the individual and drug use. Others, like employment training, focus on restoring the addicted individual to productive membership in the family and society and enable the recovered addict to experience the rewards associated with abstinence. Doctors deliver treatment for drug abuse and addiction in many different settings using a variety of behavioral and pharmacological approaches. In the United States, more than 13,000 specialized drug treatment facilities offer counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management and other types of services to persons with substance use disorders. Along with specialized drug treatment facilities, drug abuse and addiction can seek help in the office of a physician and in mental health clinics from a variety of providers, including counselors, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers. Specialists deliver treatment in outpatient, inpatient and residential settings. Although there are some specific treatment approaches that occur in particular treatment settings, a variety of therapeutic interventions or services can be included in any given setting. Because drug abuse and addiction are major public health problems, local, State and Federal governments fund a large portion of drug treatment. Private and subsidized health plans also may provide coverage for treatment of addiction and its medical consequences. Unfortunately, managed care results in shorter stays on average. An historical lack of or insufficient coverage for substance abuse treatment curtails the number of operational programs. The recent passage of parity for insurance coverage of mental health and substance abuse problems will improve this state of affairs.

VIP Medicine

VIP Medicine is a type of medical practice now found in many metropolitan areas across the country. VIP Medicine has come to represent a higher level of healthcare for those who want a more personalized relationship with their physician. At the upper echelon are the practice associations, like IPA Health, which integrate the traditional concierge model and match it with an advanced level of diagnostic care and true concierge services. IPA Health members enjoy the benefit of having access to on-site laboratories and the best diagnostic equipment available in medicine today. The ability to make most diagnoses in a single visit saves concierge patients the time of having to return to the office for a follow-up visit. This, in complement with a dedicated Patient Care Concierge and the ability to network and consult online through a patient portal sets the IPA Health model above most other concierge practices found nationwide. VIP Medical services include the following: IPA Health redefines the concept of Concierge Medicine. As a Concierge member, you will be assigned a Patient Care Concierge who will manage all aspects of the IPA Health experience, from transportation and accommodation (if you are coming from out of town), to medical evacuation if you experience a health emergency while traveling. VIP medicine at IPA Health is a healthcare service that is available to all people and is extremely affordable. Finally, a meaningful option for individuals and families seeking personalized attention from their doctor. A doctor can spend as much time with a patient as the patient needs. Wellness and prevention can be as much the center of attention as the immediate problem. The fundamental concept of Medicine Concierge is to bring back the old fashioned medical care. The number of patients are decreased by 90 percent of a conventional medical practice, our physicians are able to spend prolonged visits with our patients, and provide 24/7 physician availability via cell phone and see patients same-day.

Effective Treatment Duration

Treatment must last long enough to produce stable behavioral changes. In treatment, the drug abuser is taught to break old patterns of thinking and behaving and to learn new skills for avoiding drug use and criminal behavior. Individuals with severe drug problems and co-occurring disorders typically need longer treatment e.g., a minimum of 3 months and more comprehensive services. Early in treatment, the drug abuser begins a therapeutic process of change. In later stages, the individual addresses other problems related to drug abuse and learns how to manage the problem.

Assessment is the First Step in Treatment

A history of drug or alcohol use may suggest the need for a specialist to conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the nature and extent of the drug problems of an individual, and establish whether problems exist in other areas that may affect recovery and enable the formulation of an appropriate treatment plan. Personality disorders and other mental health problems are prevalent in offender populations. Comprehensive assessments should include mental health evaluations with treatment techniques that plan for these problems.