New "Executive Alcohol/Opiate Detox" draws famous people to Palm Beach

New "Executive Alcohol/Opiate Detox" draws famous people to Palm Beach

People from all over the world are coming to Palm Beach, including business leaders, professional athletes, celebrities, politicians, the military, and even religious leaders. They're not coming to enjoy the beautiful beaches; they're coming to save their lives. They are come to break hazardous dependencies on a number of addictive substances, which were once thought to be taboo for people like them.

People have become more aware of substance misuse and how to handle it in recent years. A mainstream recognition of drug usage as a medical issue rather than a moral one is growing thanks to recent TV episodes like A&E's Intervention. When you add in the recent tendency of giving out opiate painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs more freely, you get a trend of sorts. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) did a survey across the country and found that about 6.3 million people, or 2.7% of people aged 12 and up, had used prescription psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical reasons in the month before the survey. This includes 4.7 million people who use painkillers, 1.8 million who use tranquilizers, 1.2 million who use stimulants, and 0.3 million who use sedatives. The issue is becoming worse. This 2003 poll shows that the number of people addicted to prescription drugs has gone up a lot since the last time a survey was done.

Substance misuse treatment centers are witnessing a new type of patient: professionals who seem normal and are doing well in all other areas of their lives. Dr. Mark G. Agresti, Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia Hospital, says that most of today's addicts are addicted to prescription medicines such painkillers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives, not illegal substances bought on the street.
James Bevell, the Director of Admissions for Poinciana at Palm Beach, a facility that treats patients like this, says that these programs are made just for people who are high-functioning, motivated, and need one-on-one help and direction. He argues, "Patients can break free from chemical addictions and go on with their lives."
According to Bevell, "Executive Detox" is a novel service that is being offered to this group of patients.

"Many people who have been successful in other areas of their lives but are now addicted have found their treatment options to be limited and unacceptable." In the past, the only options were mental institutions or substance abuse centers that were not part of a larger hospital. They used to be put into a system that was often too busy and didn't have enough staff. Some people were misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. "These patients couldn't handle the treatment, so they mostly went without it," he explains.

Bevell says that the idea incorporates an important part of luxury and privacy.

"Even though Poinciana is a hospital-based program, patients are kept separate from other hospital patients and clinical facilities." Patients and their families can get special concierge services at this institution. He continues, "If they ask, they can even get a private escort to take them to the facility."

The people who came up with the concept say that this strategy lets patients comfortably stop using drugs or alcohol while still working or going to school, with the help of a team of addiction experts. They further say that this method is distinct from previous treatment programs since it is tailored to each patient, taking into account not only their medical history but also their personal problems. It takes into account all aspects of a person's life, including their biology, psychology, and social life.

"This is not medicine that fits everyone. Dr. Agresti says, "It's a program made to fit the needs of each person, one patient at a time."
Dr. David J. Stern, an internist in West Palm Beach, outlines the overall process like this: "A Board Certified doctor and substance dependency specialist examines and assesses the patient." Then he or she is given a diagnosis and treatment that is right for him or her. The patient gets a safe and effective combination of drugs, such Buprenorphine, that quickly get rid of withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, trouble sleeping, and the severe aches and pains that come with detoxification.

A team of addiction experts keeps an eye on the patient's physical and mental health every day while they are getting treatment. Bevell says, "This safe and carefully controlled program may let patients go back to their normal lives in just two or three days. It's a much safer option than the Rapid Detox Programs that are being offered."
After detox, the patient goes back to school, work, or home. It's a good idea to think about other treatment alternatives, although being hospitalized or sent to a rehab center isn't always essential.
The people who came up with this new healing approach say that the chances of it happening again are quite low. This is crucial because the biggest problem with detoxification treatments so far has been that they happen again.
Some people even utilize the new method, with some changes, to get over their addiction to methadone, a medicine that is used to treat addictions.

Dr. Agresti says, "Methadone treatment is not the same as our usual treatment for opiate addiction." Methadone makes things worse and takes longer to treat. But the good news is that we can help. This is how it works. The doctor will use a medical protocol called Rapid Receptor TransitionTM (RRT) to safely and pleasantly switch your medications. He or she will check on your progress every day. You will be transferred to Buprenorphine after 7 days, when Methadone is no longer in your body. You can go home now. You can go back to an outpatient provider who will help you stop using Buprenorphine over the next four to six weeks. You can go back to work, school, or your daily tasks right away. You will have power. You won't want Methadone or opiates anymore.

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