The Benefits of Comprehensive Addiction Treatment for Individuals and Families in Del Mar, Solana Beach, Poway, La Jolla, and Carlsbad

The field of addiction medicine and substance abuse disorder treatment in San Diego County includes a comprehensive group of committed clinicians, medical doctors, alcohol and drug counselors, nurses, and  treatment programs to provide medical, psychiatric, psychological, family and community treatments. . 

Although alcohol and drug addictions are often mistaken as a moral problem by some families and friends, it is recognized by the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and even the World Health Organization among others,  as a brain disease. People don’t intentionally develop addiction and attempt to ruin families, get DUI’s, lose jobs, relationships and destroy the good things in their path. But that is what happens when a person who has the genetic predisposition to become addicted to seeking euphoria, no matter what the substance looks like. 

Over the past 30 years science and clinicians and healers have contributed to the  development of new therapies, alternative approaches and medications to heal the wounds created by chemical use.

ADDICTION IS A MEDICAL CONDITION

Many addiction treatment programs throughout the United States, now include or encourage the use of non addicting anti-craving medications, and effective therapies, that when used in combination with group, family and community support, are giving men and women with addiction problems an opportunity for a healthier life.

Comprehensive by definition means complete, inclusive and wide ranging. People often ask,  “What is the MOST effective treatment for alcohol and drug dependencies? “  Research has often indicated that in individual psychotherapy the benefits of a positive, supportive and empathic therapeutic relationship outweigh the type of therapy utilized by the therapist. 

In substance abuse disorder treatment, the need  for effective and new treatments is greater, as the progression of this destructive disease wounds at least 5 other people as it ravages the body of one person.  In addition to a trained, skilled, empathic, and knowledgeable clinician doling out support and hope, (usually in recovery themselves)  the person in treatment needs a safe and supportive group process AND family education and therapy, AND skills to manage mood changes, AND possible medications for cravings and or a secondary diagnosis,  supportive aftercare, including community support meetings in order to build the foundation of hope. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Inpatient Treatment 

For those people who have a co-occurring medical condition or an unstable family situation and need to be medically detoxed. Although not all individuals who undergo a medical inpatient detoxification for their substances require inpatient treatment, many attend outpatient treatment programs. 

Outpatient Treatment

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)  (small groups – up to 8) 3 hours a day, a minimum of 3 days per week,  for those people who have structure in much part of their day through work, school or have children at home. May be experiencing intense cravings, depression, anxiety or mood disorder and have made multiple attempts to establish sobriety  and have been unable to do so for any length of time, have family problems and possible a potential marital separation and/or job loss. 

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)  -   3- 6 hours a day, 5 days a week;   (small groups  - up to 8) for those people who do not have structure in their day and who have a difficult time with intense cravings, depression, anxiety and are unable to provide the structure for themselves at this time in their addiction. PHP is also for those men and women who are seeking an alternative to Inpatient Treatment.  

If you or someone you love has a substance use problem, including alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines, vicodin, Oxycontin,  or illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine,  methamphetamine, get them help today!  Call for help with an intervention, treatment or an assessment to talk to someone who has been there, been addicted and knows the way to a path of recovery. 

Call me at Lasting Recovery, (858) 453-4315 or talk with one of our staff members. We promise you we will help you or find you a program that will! Take the first step into your health!

In Gratitude,

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D., MFT, CAS

Co-Founder and Lasting Recovery