-
How might I know if my adolescent son/daughter has a
substance abuse problem?
-
What should I do if I think my adolescent son/daughter
has a substance abuse problem?
-
Is methadone maintenance always a long-term treatment
in order to be effective?
-
Is methadone maintenance the only type of
medication-assisted treatment you offer for people addicted to
opiates like heroin, Oxycotin or Demerol?
-
How does buprenorphine benefit you?
-
How effective is buprenorphine?
-
Is methadone maintenance really an effective treatment?
-
How long does it take to complete an initial evaluation
at your organization in order to determine if I am a good match for
medication-assisted treatment (Buprenorphine or Methadone)?
-
What is the Medicaid Rehab Option?
-
What type of disabilities do the group homes service?
-
How much does it cost to live at the group homes?
-
How do I get referred to your program?
-
How long does the program last?
-
Do you have single rooms available in the group homes?
-
What are symptoms of psychosis?
-
What is depression?
-
What is Methadone Treatment?
-
Is Methadone Treatment for people on heroin only?
-
What is Suboxone?
-
Why do
people take/use methadone?
-
Do you or have you ever used drugs? If not, you don’t
know what it’s like and you can’t help me.
-
Isn’t using methadone substituting one drug for
another?
-
How does counseling help if someone is still using
illicit drugs?
-
Does Methadone rot your teeth and bones?
-
What is the difference between Methadone and Suboxone?
-
I believe my child is using substances. What type of
services does your program offer?
-
What treatment approaches does this program use
regarding chemical abuse or dependency?
-
What is the cost of treatment? Are the cost covered by
my insurance or health plans?
-
How many people do you
provide shelter to?
-
Is the shelter just for
men?
-
What services do you
offer at Prospect House?
-
What can I bring with me
at the shelter?
-
What’s the
criteria for getting into UMI (Urban Model Initiative)?
-
How long is the
UMI program?
-
Do I have to pay
any fees to be involved with UMI?
1. How might I
know if my adolescent son/daughter has a substance abuse problem?
Signs that your adolescent son or daughter might
be abusing alcohol or drugs include:
Possible Signs in the Home
-
loss of interest or
disengagement in family activities
-
constant disrespect for
family rules
-
withdrawal from
responsibilities
-
acting verbally or
physically abusive
-
sudden increase or decrease
in appetite
-
disappearance of valuable
items or money
-
returning home after curfew
-
not informing you about
where they are going
-
making constant excuses for
behavior
-
spending a lot of time in
their rooms
-
lying about their
activities
-
finding items such as:
rolling papers, pipes, roach clips, small glass vials, plastic
baggies, remnants of drugs
Possible Signs at School
-
sudden drop in grades
-
truancy
-
loss of interest in
learning
-
sleeping in class
-
poor work performance
-
not doing homework
-
defiant of authority
-
poor attitude towards
sports or other extracurricular activities
-
reduced memory and
attention span
-
not informing you of
teacher meetings, open houses, etc.
Possible Physical & Emotional
Signs
-
changes in friendships
-
smell of alcohol, marijuana
or other substances
-
unexplainable mood swings
and behavior
-
negative, argumentative,
paranoid or confused, destructive, anxious
-
over-reacts to criticism
-
acts rebellious
-
shares few if any of their
personal problems
-
doesn't seem as happy as
they used to be
-
overly tired or hyperactive
-
drastic weight loss or gain
-
unhappy and depressed
-
cheats, steals
-
always needs money, or has
excessive amounts of money
-
sloppiness in appearance
Please note that none of these
signs means that your son or daughter is definitely abusing drugs. There
are other causes for some of these behaviors, including the typical
issues of the adolescent life stage.
2. What should I do if I think my adolescent
son/daughter has a substance abuse problem?
Reach
out and contact our Regional Adolescent Program. Our staff members
are well-versed in listening to family members and offering guidance as
well as optimal treatment matching based on one’s individual needs.
3.
Is
methadone maintenance always a long-term treatment in order to be
effective?
Many people believe
that once someone begins methadone treatment they must remain involved
with this type of treatment for life. This simply is not true. Effective
medication-assisted treatment programs are tailored to individual needs.
While long-term treatment is either clinically indicated or a personal
choice for some, others benefit from shorter-term treatment with a
transition to a traditional outpatient setting immediately following the
tapering phase.
4.
Is methadone maintenance the only type of
medication-assisted treatment you offer for people addicted to opiates
like heroin, Oxycotin or Demerol?
RNP offers
innovative evidence-based medication-assisted treatment options for
those diagnoses with opioid addictions. Options include
Buprenorphine or Methadone medications. Buprenorphine is available
by prescription as a treatment for opioid dependence. It has been
found to be effective in reducing the need to continue using opiates (buprenorphine
maintenance) and also in helping people to withdraw from heroin and
methadone. Buprenorphine is also prescribed to treat severe pain.
The Federal Drug Administration has
approved Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone)
is a medication prescribed in RNP’s Medication-Assisted Treatment
programs. The purpose for the addition of naloxone to buprenorphine is
to reduce the risk of misuse. If buprenorphine is misused (administered
intravenously), the naloxone will cause immediate and intense withdrawal
in opioid-dependent people.5.
How does buprenorphine benefit you?
Buprenorphine can decrease cravings and
relieve withdrawal symptoms. This can help you remain in treatment
and gain control over your dependence without the distraction of
cravings and fear of withdrawal.
6. How effective is buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine has been studied
extensively since 1978, when it was first proposed for the treatment of
opioid dependence. A number of clinical trials have established that
buprenorphine is effective for:
-
Suppressing symptoms of opiate
withdrawal
-
Reducing cravings for opiates
-
Reducing illicit opiate use
-
Blocking the effects of other opiates
-
Helping people stay in treatment
7. Is methadone maintenance really an effective
treatment?
Outcome measures show that MMT
dramatically decreases illicit drug use and after 3 months intravenous
drug injection almost totally disappears. Mood, social and personal
functioning improves after 3 month of constant observed
self-administration of methadone medication. MMT decreases illicit
opioid abuse, criminal and violent behavior and at a relatively
reasonable cost.
Methadone is a
long-acting, synthetic and addictive narcotic. When administered
on a daily basis, it effectively blocks the craving for opiates and
negates the painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal. The effects of
methadone last from 24 to 48 hours, about six times longer than heroin.
Therefore, not only can methadone be administered once per day, but the
client suffers little discomfort if forced to miss a daily dosage.
Methadone stabilization generally occurs
within two (2) months. Clients do not experience a “high” from a
usual dosage of opiates due to the blockading effect of methadone.
At this point in treatment clients report that they feel “normal” or “do
not feel anything” from their daily dosage of methadone. A
client’s ability to function normally is restored.
Fully authorized
by the medical establishment and strictly supervised by experienced
clinical and medical personnel, methadone maintenance programs are
regarded as the most viable alternative to combating opiate addiction.
Prescribed
methadone and strict adherence to an individual treatment regimen
provides re-entry to a “normal” mode of life. At the same time,
the client is freed from the preoccupation of obtaining opiates and its
accompanying criminal activities. Clients enrolled in methadone
maintenance treatment are able to work, attend school or participate in
training programs; they can effectively handle responsibilities within
the home and social interests. Many clients report a renewed
interest and a greater participation in their family life following
admission to methadone treatment.
8. How long does it take to complete an
initial evaluation at your organization in order to determine if I am a
good match for medication-assisted treatment
(Buprenorphine or Methadone)?
RNP was recognized
by the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services (DMHAS), for its state of the art rapid admission process.
From time of initial screening to 1st dose of Methadone is
approximately 90 minutes in length.
9. What is the
Medicaid Rehab Option?
The Medicaid Rehab Option is a program
through DSS that pays the group homes throughout the state to provide
rehab services to consumers who have TXIX. Services are geared towards
helping consumers live independently in the community.
10.
What
type of disabilities do the group homes service?
The
group homes work with clients who have a mental health diagnosis and
substance abuse issues.
11.
How much
does it cost to live at the group homes?
The
cost is $24.99/day. The cost includes food, laundry facilities and all
utilities.
12.
How do I get referred to your program?
First, you need to speak with your clinical team and they will fill out
an application. This application needs to be sent to the group home and
GBCMHC to be placed on a referral list.
13.
How long does the program last?
The
program is individualized based on individual treatment plans. The
length of stay is based on individual needs.
14. Do
you have single rooms available in the group homes?
Yes, we have single rooms, 2 at Huntington House and 1 at Iranistan
House.
15.
What are symptoms of psychosis?
A person experiencing
psychosis may hear voices that nobody else can hear.
A person might spend a lot
of time by themselves.
A person might neglect
their appearance, not bathing or changing clothes.
16. What
is depression?
A person may experience
lack of energy.
A person may isolate
themselves in darkness.
A person may feel
hopeless, helpless, and might want to harm themselves.
17.
What is
Methadone Treatment?
Methadone treatment provides the patient who is addicted to opiates with
health, social and rehabilitation services that relieve withdrawal
symptoms, reduce opiate craving and allow normalization of the body’s
functions.
18. Is Methadone Treatment for people on heroin only?
No.
Methadone can be used in the treatment of any opiate addiction; this can
include but not limited to Oxycotin, Percocet, Vicadin, etc…..
19. What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a tablet that dissolves under
the tongue and is made up of two ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone.
Buprenorphine suppresses withdrawal symptoms and decreases cravings.
Naloxone is added to discourage misuse of this medication. If the
medication is crushed and then injected or snorted, the naloxone may
cause withdrawal symptoms. If Suboxone is taken as directed, the
Naloxone will not cause withdrawal symptoms.
20. Why
do people take/use methadone? It only makes them high; I see them
nodding.
Methadone does not make you high. A person may feel some euphoria during
initial phase, after that then either the dose is too high, or other
substances are being used.
21. Do
you or have you ever used drugs? If not, you don’t know what it’s like
and you can’t help me.
Staff
is trained to use the appropriate techniques to help you. You do not
have to use drugs in order to help someone.
22.
Isn’t using methadone substituting one drug for another?
No,
because unlike heroin and other opiates, tolerance for methadone does
not increase after stabilization. Tolerance is stable.
23. How
does counseling help if someone is still using illicit drugs?
Counseling can provide structure, and help address specific problems in
the areas of drug use, physical health, interpersonal relationships,
family interactions, and vocational/educational goals as well as a tool
to help monitor progress.
24. Does
Methadone rot your teeth and bones?
It
has been proven that Methadone has no negative Medical effects to the
body.
25.
What is the
difference between Methadone and Suboxone?
Methadone is a full antagonist Suboxone is a partial antagonist that has
Naloxone in it. Both medications have an effect on the Dopamine
receptors in the brain.
26. I believe
my child is using substances. What type of services does your program
offer?
The
Regional Adolescent Program provides a drug-free, outpatient treatment
program for youth, both males and females under the age of 18, who have
demonstrated a history of substance abuse and/or dependence. RAP also
deals and provides service to adolescents with co-occurring disorders.
27. What
treatment approaches does this program use regarding chemical abuse or
dependency?
The
Regional Adolescent Program provides individual, group and family
counseling based upon the clients and families needs.
28. What is the cost of
treatment? Are the cost covered by my insurance or health plans?
Regional Adolescent Program do not deny services to individuals
regardless of their ability to pay for services.
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