Residential Treatment Programs

Residential treatment programs can also be very effective treatment methods for recovering addicts, especially for those with more severe problems. For example, therapeutic communities offer highly structured programs in which patients remain at a residence, typically for 6 to 12 months. Therapeutic communities differ from other treatment approaches principally in their use of the community treatment staff and those in recovery as a key agent of change to influence patient attitudes, perceptions and behaviors associated with drug use. Patients in therapeutic communities may include those with relatively long histories of drug addiction, involvement in serious criminal activities and seriously impaired social functioning. Experts are now designing certain therapeutic communities to accommodate the needs of women who are pregnant or have children. The focus of the therapeutic is re-socialization. The patient will learn to live without drugs and crime.

Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides leadership in a national effort to reduce problems related to alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism conducts research in a range of scientific areas, including genetics, neuroscience, epidemiology, and studies the health risks and benefits of alcohol consumption, prevention and treatment. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism coordinates and collaborates with other research institutes and Federal programs on issues related to alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism collaborates with international, national, state and local institutions, organizations, agencies and programs to translate and disseminate research findings to health care providers, researchers, policymakers and the public.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for short periods during the night. A person who has sleep apnea may suffer from daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating and even heart failure.
The risk for sleep apnea is higher for overweight people. An overweight person may have more fat stored around his or her neck. This may make the airway smaller. A smaller airway can make breathing difficult, loud, cause snoring or stop altogether. In addition, fat stored in the neck and throughout the body may produce substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation in the neck is a risk factor for sleep apnea.
Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea. Weight loss may help to decrease neck size and lessen inflammation.