| People from various walks of life such as business | | | | At this center, they are offered exclusive |
| executives, professional athletes, celebrities, | | | | concierge services for patients and family |
| politicians, and even the armed forces and the | | | | members. Upon request, they are even provided |
| religious world are flocking to Palm Beach from | | | | a private escort to accompany the patient to the |
| different parts of the globe, and not necessarily | | | | facility", he says. |
| to enjoy the spectacular beaches, but rather to | | | | The creators of the plan promise that this |
| save their lives. They are coming to break | | | | method allows patients, while under the |
| harmful dependencies to a variety of addictive | | | | supervision and care of a medical team of |
| substances-- medical conditions which until recently | | | | experts in addiction, to withdraw in comfort from |
| were considered taboo to such people. | | | | substance dependency as they continue to work |
| Recently substance abuse and its treatment have | | | | or study. They add that this method is different |
| risen in the consciousness of society. With recent | | | | from other treatment programs because it is |
| television shows such as A&E's Intervention, a | | | | individually modified for each patient, taking into |
| general acceptance of substance abuse as a | | | | consideration not only their medical history, but |
| medical not moral issue is developing. Couple this | | | | also their personal issues as well. It is a holistic, |
| with the recent liberal trends in dispensing opiate | | | | bio-psychosocial approach. |
| pain medications and anti-anxiety medications | | | | "This is not cookie-cutter medicine. It is a program |
| results in a trend of sorts. According to the most | | | | created to suit the needs of the individual—one |
| recent nationwide survey conducted in the United | | | | patient at a time," Dr. Agresti clarifies. |
| States by the National Institute of Drug Abuse | | | | Dr. David J. Stern, an internist who practices in |
| (NIDA), an estimated 6.3 million persons, or 2.7 | | | | West Palm Beach, explains the general procedure |
| percent of the population age 12 and older had | | | | as follows: "Patient arrives for assessment and |
| used prescription psychotherapeutic medications | | | | medical examination by a Board Certified physician |
| non-medically in the month prior to being | | | | and substance dependency specialist. Then he/she |
| surveyed. This includes 4.7 million using pain | | | | is diagnosed and treated according to his/her |
| relievers, 1.8 million using tranquilizers, 1.2 million | | | | specific needs. Patient receives a regimen of safe |
| using stimulants, and 0.3 million using sedatives. | | | | and effective medications, such as Buprenorphine, |
| The problem is on the rise. According to this | | | | that promptly eliminate symptoms of withdrawal, |
| survey carried out in 2003, the increase in rates | | | | including anxiety, sleeplessness as well as |
| of addiction to prescription medication is significant | | | | debilitating aches and pains normally associated |
| when compared to previous survey results. | | | | with detoxification." |
| Substance abuse providers are seeing a new | | | | Throughout course of treatment, patient's physical |
| profile of patients; that of apparently normal | | | | and psychological progress is monitored daily by a |
| professionals often successful in all other aspects | | | | team of addiction specialists. Bevell adds, "This |
| of their lives. Dr Mark G. Agresti, Vice Chair of | | | | safe and carefully controlled program may allow |
| the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia | | | | patients to return to their daily schedules within 2 |
| Hospital explains that most of today's addicts are | | | | or 3 days, and is a much safer alternative to the |
| hooked on prescription medication—pain | | | | Rapid Detox Programs being offered." |
| relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and | | | | After detox, patient returns home, to work or to |
| sedatives—not illegal drugs purchased on a | | | | his or her studies. Although consideration of |
| street corner somewhere. | | | | further treatment options is recommended, |
| James Bevell, Director of Admissions for | | | | hospitalization or confinement to a rehab facility is |
| Poinciana, at Palm Beach, a facility that treats | | | | not strictly necessary. |
| patients presenting with this profile, explains that | | | | According to the initiators of this new curative |
| these programs are adapted specifically for high | | | | method, recurrence rates are minimal, and that is |
| functioning, motivated people who need individual | | | | important because recurrence is the greatest |
| attention and guidance. "Patients can free | | | | obstacle detoxification treatments have |
| themselves from chemical addictions and continue | | | | encountered so far. |
| with their lives", he says. | | | | The new methodology is even applied, with some |
| Bevell states that ‘Executive Detox' is an | | | | variations, for conquering addiction to Methadone, |
| emerging service being provided to this new | | | | a drug used in treating addictions. |
| patient demographic. | | | | |
| "Many people who have been otherwise | | | | Dr. Agresti explains: "Treatment for Methadone is |
| successful in their lives yet find themselves | | | | different than our standard treatment for |
| addicted had found their choices limited and | | | | conventional opiate dependency. Methadone poses |
| unacceptable when seeking treatment. In years | | | | additional problems and the course of treatment is |
| past the only alternatives were psychiatric | | | | longer. But the good news is we can help. Here's |
| hospitals or free standing substance abuse | | | | how it works. Utilizing a medical protocol called |
| hospitals. They used to find themselves thrown | | | | Rapid Receptor TransitionTM (RRT), the doctor |
| into a system which was often overburdened and | | | | will safely and comfortably switch your |
| understaffed. Some found themselves | | | | medications, monitoring your progress daily. After |
| misunderstood, misdiagnosed and mistreated. | | | | 7 days, when Methadone is out of your system |
| These patients could not tolerate the treatment | | | | you will be switched over to Buprenorphine. You |
| and therefore went largely untreated," he says. | | | | may return home. Where you can follow up with |
| According to Bevell, the concept includes an | | | | an outpatient provider who will wean you off the |
| important component of luxury and confidentiality. | | | | Buprenorphine over the next 4 to 6 weeks. You |
| "Even though Poinciana is a hospital-based | | | | may go back to work, your studies, or daily |
| program, patients are discretely separated from | | | | chores immediately. You will have energy. You will |
| regular hospital patients and other clinical facilities. | | | | no longer crave Methadone or opiates. |