Palm Beach and Detox Treatment

People from various walks of life such as businessmisunderstood, misdiagnosed and mistreated.
executives, professional athletes, celebrities,These patients could not tolerate the treatment
politicians, and even the armed forces and theand therefore went largely untreated," he says.
religious world are flocking to Palm Beach fromAccording to Bevell, the concept includes an
different parts of the globe, and not necessarilyimportant component of luxury and confidentiality.
to enjoy the spectacular beaches, but rather to"Even though Poinciana is a hospital-based
save their lives. They are coming to breakprogram, patients are discretely separated from
harmful dependencies to a variety of addictiveregular hospital patients and other clinical facilities.
substances-- medical conditions which until recentlyAt this center, they are offered exclusive
were considered taboo to such people.concierge services for patients and family
Recently substance abuse and its treatment havemembers. Upon request, they are even provided
risen in the consciousness of society. With recenta private escort to accompany the patient to the
television shows such as A&E's Intervention,facility", he says.
a general acceptance of substance abuse as aThe creators of the plan promise that this
medical not moral issue is developing. Couple thismethod allows patients, while under the
with the recent liberal trends in dispensing opiatesupervision and care of a medical team of
pain medications and anti-anxiety medicationsexperts in addiction, to withdraw in comfort from
results in a trend of sorts. According to the mostsubstance dependency as they continue to work
recent nationwide survey conducted in the Unitedor study. They add that this method is different
States by the National Institute of Drug Abusefrom other treatment programs because it is
(NIDA), an estimated 6.3 million persons, or 2.7individually modified for each patient, taking into
percent of the population age 12 and older hadconsideration not only their medical history, but
used prescription psychotherapeutic medicationsalso their personal issues as well. It is a holistic,
non-medically in the month prior to beingbio-psychosocial approach.
surveyed. This includes 4.7 million using pain"This is not cookie-cutter medicine. It is a program
relievers, 1.8 million using tranquilizers, 1.2 millioncreated to suit the needs of the individual-one
using stimulants, and 0.3 million using sedatives.patient at a time," Dr. Agresti clarifies.
The problem is on the rise. According to thisDr. David J. Stern, an internist who practices in
survey carried out in 2003, the increase in ratesWest Palm Beach, explains the general procedure
of addiction to prescription medication is significantas follows: "Patient arrives for assessment and
when compared to previous survey results.medical examination by a Board Certified physician
Substance abuse providers are seeing a newand substance dependency specialist. Then he/she
profile of patients; that of apparently normalis diagnosed and treated according to his/her
professionals often successful in all other aspectsspecific needs. Patient receives a regimen of safe
of their lives. Dr Mark G. Agresti, Vice Chair ofand effective medications, such as Buprenorphine,
the Department of Psychiatry at Columbiathat promptly eliminate symptoms of withdrawal,
Hospital explains that most of today's addicts areincluding anxiety, sleeplessness as well as
hooked on prescription medication-pain relievers,debilitating aches and pains normally associated
tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives-not illegalwith detoxification."
drugs purchased on a street corner somewhere.Throughout course of treatment, patient's physical
James Bevell, Director of Admissions forand psychological progress is monitored daily by a
Poinciana, at Palm Beach, a facility that treatsteam of addiction specialists. Bevell adds, "This
patients presenting with this profile, explains thatsafe and carefully controlled program may allow
these programs are adapted specifically for highpatients to return to their daily schedules within 2
functioning, motivated people who need individualor 3 days, and is a much safer alternative to the
attention and guidance. "Patients can freeRapid Detox Programs being offered."
themselves from chemical addictions and continueAfter detox, patient returns home, to work or to
with their lives", he says.his or her studies. Although consideration of
Bevell states that 'Executive Detox' is anfurther treatment options is recommended,
emerging service being provided to this newhospitalization or confinement to a rehab facility is
patient demographic.not strictly necessary.
"Many people who have been otherwiseAccording to the initiators of this new curative
successful in their lives yet find themselvesmethod, recurrence rates are minimal, and that is
addicted had found their choices limited andimportant because recurrence is the greatest
unacceptable when seeking treatment. In yearsobstacle detoxification treatments have
past the only alternatives were psychiatricencountered so far.
hospitals or free standing substance abuseThe new methodology is even applied, with some
hospitals. They used to find themselves thrownvariations, for conquering addiction to Methadone,
into a system which was often overburdened anda drug used in treating addictions.
understaffed. Some found themselves