Addiction Treatment Q&A
16 experts · 100+ questions answered
Latest Q&As
Finding a good therapist
Hi there and thank you for your question. It can be tough to find a good therapist and unfortunately, I'm about 3,000 miles away from Orange County. It's my experience that the best local clinicians - especially those knowledgeable about addiction are well known by the members of Alcoholics Anonymou
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Rehab without Insurance
Thank you for reaching out with an important question. My heart goes out to your son and to your family. Treatment of every form is very expensive and for the uninsured it's often unattainable. The best resource I have seen for the uninsured are faith based rehabilitation programs. The Salvation Arm
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Mandatory Treatment
Hi there and thank you for your question. The short answer is that while there is a lot of variance from state to state, there is also variance (in my experience) from judge to judge. I would expect the number of past convictions would be factored, as well as any existing probation and parole requir
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Drinking in Our Senior Years
Hi there and thank you for your excellent question. We've seen a lot of folks struggle with retirement and for many, they drink because they're just not sure what else to do or because they're trying to fill an emptiness in their lives. I'm a big believer that people need a reason to get out of bed
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Suboxone or Methadone? A Quick Comparison
Thank you for contacting ChooseHelp.com with your important question concerning your son's use of heroin and his challenges. I can assure you that by supporting his use of methadone as an alternative is a good first step in his recovery process. It is much safer for him to be using methadone as an a
Answered by James Cloughley
Rehab
I really can't answer your question without more information. What are using? How much? Have you tried to stop using? Have you tried Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings? I would say your best chance of recovery is going to rehab. The longer, more intensive treatment generally has th
Answered by Anna Deeds
The problem is real and here's why . . .
Thank you for connecting with ChooseHelp.com. The question you pose is a good one and a very real one. I commend you for taking the risk to ask it. I encourage you to recognize it is not our job here at ChooseHelp.com to convince you that you have a drug or alcohol problem. Our job is to provide hon
Answered by James Cloughley
Triggering the reward pathway in the brain
Even though alcohol is not the substance your brain prefers, it does activate the brain reward pathway. This pathway by passes the prefontal cortex, or "judgement" center of your brain. In other words, your brain goes on a sort of auto-pilot, not bothering to consult you about what it wants to do. A
Answered by Jennifer Hamilton
Searches in Detox
Thank you for your question! I don't believe the detox was trying to treat you as less than human. People go to detox for many different reasons even if they are voluntary. Sometimes they go voluntarily for their family, their spouse or even because their their methadone or Suboxone treatment facili
Answered by Anna Deeds
Detox, Freedom and What It Takes
Hi there and thanks for your excellent question. It feels like your intuition is trying to tell you something. That small voice that tells you you're kidding yourself? Yeah - that's your gut saying, "We've been down this road before." Is there value to pain? Well, it's certainly not masochism - it's
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Marijuana Rehab
Only a very small percentage of people develop a physical dependence to marijuana. Psychological dependence is quite frequent with long term heavy use. What you describe sounds like you’ve become dependent on functioning in your life being high. Even after using becomes an impediment to socializing
Answered by Zelik Mintz
Family member suspect of using
Asking a family member if they are using while professing to be sober is a very difficult decision. Since shame and avoidance of admitting to using are part of addiction, the answer you get if asked may not be satisfying. Considering the family member is only staying for a week or so it may not be a
Answered by Zelik Mintz
Rehab for the Uninsured
Hi there and thanks for writing. This is a question I get a lot and I wish I had more options to share. The very best resource I know for those seeking to overcome addiction without insurance is the Salvation Army. Now - there are a myriad of needs and resources that are a part of recovery - we can
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Unconditional Love
Hi there - thanks for writing. I get it - your whole world is mess but the dog loves you anyway and the idea of having to give it up just kills you, right? Sad as this is - it's one more thing your addiction will use against you to prevent you from getting the help you need. The guilt and responsibi
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Children of Alcoholics
I posted the link to your book on Amazon on my Facebook account. I have a large network of therapists on there so that will help spread the word. I will also recommend it to the therapists that I supervise through email as they are all children's therapists. In addition, I will let my co-workers kno
Answered by Jennifer Hamilton
Poly-Substance Abuse
Thank you for your question. That is a lot of addictive medication to be taking. I'm sure you do want to stop taking it but have stayed on it because you fear the withdrawal symptoms. You asked me how you can avoid the withdrawal from the pain medication. Unfortunately, the answer is that you probab
Answered by Anna Deeds
Rapid Detox
Thank you for your question. I have to say I'm not a believer in the safety or effectiveness of rapid detox. Rapid detox is a process where an opiate addict is anesthetized or put to sleep while medications are given to speed up the process of removing opiates from the body and brain. After this, yo
Answered by Anna Deeds
Support for a Friend in Rehabilitation
Hey there, I'm so sorry, but every facility is different. It has been my experience that there is a detox period where no contact is allowed and then after patients are able to use the phone. Without knowledge of where this facility is, what it's name is, or how much time he is supposed to stay it i
Answered by Katie Brooks
Addicted Family Member
Thank you for your question. You and your parents will need support to cope with having a family member who is addicted to heroin. Nar-Anon is a self-help support group for the family and friends of addicts. The Nar-Anon website has a meeting locator to find a meeting in your area. The website also
Answered by Anna Deeds
Methadone on Private Insurance for the Employed
Thank you for your question. This question is a repeat of one already answered. Here is my answer: I am unaware of any methadone clinics in your area that take private insurance. I agree that this is not fair. It puts people who work at a disadvantage. It almost encourages people on methadone to not
Answered by Anna Deeds
Everything is Temporary & Screw Guilt
Thank you for your question - your love for your daughter comes through loud and clear and your desire to do what's best for her i awesome. I also hear a LOT of guilt in your words - while I don't fault you for that I do say that when we make decisions and parent based on guilt or fear...t just does
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Restless Leg Syndrome in Withdrawal
Thank you for your question. Withdrawal from any substance can cause a lot of uncomfortable symptoms. Restless legs is a common problem. It makes it very difficult to sleep with you cannot keep your legs from moving or get comfortable. Meditation can help calm the body and the mind and make it easie
Answered by Anna Deeds
Marijuana recovery and sensitivity to light
The first thing that needs to be assessed is whether there is something happening with your eyes regardless of whether smoking marijuana is the cause. If you can, find an opthamologist in your area and make an appointment. If money is a problem, there is possibly a low fee eye clinic you can go to.
Answered by Zelik Mintz
Marijuana and treatment
Because marijuana is so widely used and most often not physically addictive, many people do not take addiction to the substance seriously. Only about 10-15% of marijuana users acquire a physically addiction to the drug - attempting to stop causes a physical craving and withdrawal symptoms. Marijuana
Answered by Zelik Mintz
Should I go to Rehab?
Thank you for your question. Alcohol addiction can cause severe withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit without medical attention. You could have a seizure which could be fatal from the withdrawal. Because alcohol withdrawal is so dangerous, you need medical treatment to quit drinking. I think its cl
Answered by Anna Deeds
State laws regarding conservatorship and mental health
Hi. I'm a licensed clinician in the state of California, so I'm not at all familiar with Michigan laws. I can say that some states refer to conservatorship as "guardianship" or "trustee." When a family member is seeking to keep another family member in "treatment," usually the courts become involved
Answered by Dyan Kolb
Failing at recovery
You sound very knowledgeable about the options to achieve sobriety and stated frustration about staying clean and getting your life to where you want it to be. Without knowing anything about you, it is difficult to address why, after so many attempts at recovery (rehab, AA, detox), you repeatedly pi
Answered by Zelik Mintz
VA and Rehab
Thank you for your question. The VA and its health care system are not known for quality services and their coverage tends to be limited in my experience. I do believe it's possible and I encourage you to check out this resource http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/307. That's a starting
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Pain Free Detox = You're Doing It Wrong
Hi, thanks for your question. The short answer is no. Ultra rapid and painless...come at a high price and involve the use of drugs to help you get off of drugs. I totally get the appeal but I have the Ramones playing in my head right now, "I wanna be sedated." The approach you're looking at isn't an
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Neurontin for Opiate Withdrawal
Thank you for your question. I suggest that you go to a treatment program to go through withdrawal. If you go to proper detox in a hospital or treatment facility, they will make sure that you have medications that will help with withdrawal symptoms. You stated that you get restless legs every time y
Answered by Anna Deeds