| Definitions of Treatment Services |
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Detoxification- The general definition of detoxification is to remove poison or the effects of poison from a system. In substance abuse treatment the term is used in a similar manner; drugs or the effect of drugs are removed from the body. There are numerous detoxification programs, and each has a slightly different approach, but most follow a similar procedure.
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Medicaid- The term Medicaid often evokes stares of bewilderment from many and is easily confused with other medical assistance services with similar names. Simply put, Medicaid is a program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources.
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Medicare- In the United States, politicians debated for decades on how to best provide a nationwide health insurance program for its elderly citizens. Though discussion began as early as 1912 and the first health insurance bill was introduced to congress in 1935, it wasn’t until 1965 that President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill to establish what we now know as Medicare.
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Mental health services- The surgeon general definition of mental health is: “The successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity; from early childhood until late life, mental health is the springboard of thinking and communication skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self esteem.” Mental health services are any service that helps a person obtain these abilities.
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Methadone maintenance- Methadone maintenance treatment is a medication that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioid drugs. Opioid drugs include heroin, codeine, and oxycodone. Methadone does not induce the euphoria, or sedative effects that these other drugs cause and has been proven to be extremely effective as a maintenance medication.
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Outpatient- Outpatient drug rehabilitation means that a person does not live in the facility for treatment, but come to the facility for classes, visits with specialists or group meetings. Outpatient drug rehabilitation centers are more long-term and patients can attend programs for as long as needed. A variety of techniques and program intensity levels are used to achieve this goal.
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Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders- Quite often, individuals suffering from substance abuse are also afflicted with some type of mental illness. In the mental health community, these simultaneously occurring illnesses have come to be known as co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders.
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Private health insurance- Securing private health insurance can be confusing, especially if you’re not covered by your employer or if the employer offers a number of options from which to choose. Determining which plans are best for you and/or your family is difficult.
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Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)- Choosing the proper treatment program for substance abusers can be a daunting task. With so many programs from which to choose, the addicted individual and their family turn to professionals and other resources for suggestions in regards to the proper treatment.
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Substance abuse treatment- Substance abuse treatment is often individualized to each patient, but there are a few steps that each patient needs to take to become drug free. The first of these steps in recognizing the problem. Denial used to be mistakenly believed to be part of the drug addiction symptoms, but recent research is showing it is not. People trying to help a person accept that they have a substance abuse problem need to show empathy, and respect.
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