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Rehabilitation and Therapy

Hillary Houston

2012-06-21 09:24:44

Q: I have several groups with which I am involved, including recreational sports. I am wondering what the advantages are to custom printed t-shirts, as opposed to generic ones for groups. Can you give me a few things to consider? Thanks in advance for your help.

A: There was a time when many people chose non-custom t-shirts because they were the more affordable choice. Today however, with the advent of additional technologies, the prices between custom and non-custom t-shirts are quite comparable. Also, the custom shirts offer some advantages that others do not. First, custom shirts let you add sponsors, if that is applicable to you. This could be a source of ad revenue for you, or at least a way to off-set the cost of the shirts. Many local businesses welcome an opportunity to target market in this way. They are also a way to boost revenue if they are available for others to purchase. Second, it creates team spirit. Whether in sports, recreation or other social clubs, t-shirts create a unified front, boost moral, and are a rallying point when the chips are down. Having them custom printed gives you an opportunity to add a slogan, personalized name/number or other important elements unique to your team. Custom shirts are also a great way to say thank for participating in events, such as those for charity. Finally, custom shirts become keepsakes. Who doesn’t like to receive that free t-shirt or buy a shirt that says they’ve been to an event? The fact that the shirts are completely unique to a team or occasion makes them extra special to participants, and encourages their participation in future events. Of course, there are many more reasons why custom t-shirts are especially useful, but I hope this gives you a start. Remember, the only limits are those of the imagination, so there is a world of opportunity in t-shirt design.

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Rehabilitation and Therapy

Steve Shaffer

2007-06-01 09:43:00

Are there replacement drugs that will help overcome addictions?

Answer: For years people in the drug rehab field have been trying to focus most of their time and efforts into developing drugs to overcome addiction, but treating a chemical problem with more chemicals has never produced long-lasting, stable results in a rehabilitation environment. The latest push is for the use of extended-release injectable naltrexone for alcoholism. However, Naltrexone is an opiate blocker and no one really knows how, or if, it will work with alcohol. This guessing game – let’s try this and see if it works - is another reason why giving addict’s replacement drugs doesn’t work for long-term recovery. Other problems with Naltrexone include side effects such as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, dizziness, anxiety and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts and behavior. Also, the recommended dose of 380 mg. injected intra-muscularly, hasn’t been tested to find out what affect it will have on the liver – it could result in toxicity. Who would want to subject themselves to that? Alcohol and drug rehab programs are supposed to detoxify, not introduce more toxins. A successful alcohol or drug rehab program works by finding alternative solutions to problems in life that caused the person to turn to drugs or alcohol in the first place, and thereby reducing the desire to drink. The results of Naltrexone speak for themselves - a six-month study showed only limited reduction in the number of heavy drinking days, and little effect on abstinence. That doesn’t seem effective to me. Really successful drug and alcohol programs fix the body, get the person in better shape physically, and address the underlying issues that got them there in the first place. Is medical detoxification really needed for a successful rehab? Most people’s definition of detoxification is simply just withdrawing from the drug. In most cases, a medically-supervised withdrawal is not necessary, especially with most stimulants and even painkillers and heroin, although it is common with the latter two. Even though a common aide is to have someone ‘sleep it off,’ alcohol and some other drugs can be very difficult to withdraw from when a person is consuming large quantities. Medical detoxification helps someone to systematically withdraw from alcohol or drugs by reducing the amount and/or using other medicines to ease the process and eliminate the risk of seizure and other severe drug withdrawal symptoms.People most often wanting or needing a medically-supervised detoxification before beginning addiction treatment include those on benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium), opiates (prescription painkillers, heroin, methadone), barbiturates (Phenobarbital) and heavy amounts of alcohol. One main problem with this is, though, that many drug users will try to stop their treatment after detoxification thinking that their problem is solved, but in actual fact they are much better off statistically to go into a longer-term drug-free residential rehabilitation program after detoxification. In recent years there have also been other classes of prescribed drugs that require medical detox to step down from. These drugs include antipsychotics (Zyprexa, Risperdol, Seroquel), antidepressants (Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, etc.) and other mind-altering prescriptions. Given that more information and side effects of these drugs are discovered each year, more and more people are deciding to not take them and are seeking alternative treatments. These types of drugs have very severe withdrawal symptoms and people coming down from them often experience sudden psychotic episodes, so stepping down gradually in a medically-supervised environment is highly recommended over gradually detoxing at home. Some information obtained from Addiction Help Services.

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Rehabilitation and Therapy

Steve Shaffer

2007-05-01 13:27:00

What is a drug and alcohol intervention and what steps should be taken to ensure a positive outcome?

An alcohol or drug intervention is a necessary process to help an addict (regardless of the addiction) recognize the extent of their problem. Individuals who are addicted to drugs or alcohol usually don’t recognize their addiction is out of control (denial). They tend to look at those around them as a measure of how right or wrong their behavior is. They normally surround themselves with individuals “friends” that are a mirror of themselves, leading them to believe that their own actions are acceptable. Remember that an individual who is suspected of having a substance abuse problem will almost always try to minimize their use, change the topic, or joke about their use. Expect to hear things such as “My use is no worse than anyone else’s.” or “If it wasn’t for (any reason) I would not have a problem” The sole purpose of an intervention is for the person to accept the reality and severity of his or her addiction and to seek help. The process of conducting a drug intervention is a difficult and sensitive task. It is important that it is done correctly; or the individual could feel cornered and become defensive. Advice from a trained professional is useful in determining the proper strategy and timing for your specific intervention. Steps for a successful intervention 1. Stop the “rescue missions.” Friends or family often try to protect an abuser from the results of their behavior by making excuses to others and by helping them out of any crisis their addition may have caused. It is important to stop all such rescue attempts immediately, so that the addict will fully experience the harmful effects of his use and thereby become more motivated to stop. 2. Don’t enable (help) them. Sometimes family members feel sorry for the person or tend to avoid them altogether. This comes across to the abuser as a reward—after all; all he or she wants is to be left alone. Be careful not to help by paying their bills, bailing them out of jail, letting them stay for rent free, etc. 3. Time your drug abuse intervention. If possible, plan to talk with them when they are sober. Choose a time when everyone is in a calm frame of mind and when you can speak privately. 4. Be specific. Tell them that you are concerned about their drug or alcohol abuse and want to be supportive in getting any help needed. To substantiate your concerns use examples of the ways in which their drug abuse has caused problems for the ones that care the most, including any recent incidents. 5. Establish consequences. Tell them that until he or she gets help, you will carry out a defined course of action. This is not to punish the abuser, but to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the abuse. These may range from refusing to be with the person when they are under the influence, to having them move out of the house. DO NOT make any threats you are not prepared to carry out. The basic intention is to make the abuser’s life more uncomfortable if he continues using drugs than it would be for him to get help. 6. There are strength in numbers, use the help of other family members, relatives and friends to confront the abuser as a group. However, you want to choose one person to be the key spokesperson. It will be much more effective for the others to simply be there nodding their heads, than it would be for everyone to talk at once and “gang up on him.” Remember the goal is to get him or her clean and sober. Not to embarrass or humiliate them. 7. Listen. If during your drug abuse intervention the abuser begins asking questions like; where would I have to go? For how long? This is a sign that he is reaching for help. Do not directly answer these questions. Instead have them call and talk to a professional. Support them, don’t wait. Once you’ve gotten his agreement, get him admitted immediately. Support at this junction is so important, as this is only the first of many steps in recovery.

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Rehabilitation and Therapy

Steve Shaffer

2007-04-01 16:32:00

What are some of the biggest obstacles to overcome when dealing with Chemical Dependency?

ANSWER: THE REALITY The reality is that a person active in their addiction is dying of a disease that is chronic, progressive, fatal, incurable, and, if left untreated, that can result in premature death. This disease is called Chemical Dependence. OVERCOMING DENIAL Without a doubt the greatest obstacle in the treatment process for the chemically dependent person is denial. And one of the strongest and most effective tools to overcome denial is through an intervention process. Most interventions start with family members, friends, employers, or a significant other. Using a specialist, and the tools given, people can learn how to deal with the person and the disease by breaking through the denial. Again this is the largest obstacle to overcome with a person still active in their addiction. Working together, a counselor and the significant others can help the dependent person view his or her illness through the devastating effects it is having on others. It is then that a decision is usually made to seek treatment. The intervention process works. Most chemically dependent people, who undergo intervention, make the decision to enter treatment. That is their first step toward recovery. THE PROCESS Studies show that an intervention process is extremely successful when using love and compassion to confront the alcohol or drug dependent individual on their disease. Family members, or significant others that have an influence on the dependent's life, and a Counselor, gather together and present facts related to the chemically dependent's problem and consequences. The process of intervention is designed to smash through the dependent's rigid denial defense mechanisms and break through to reality. In most cases a person that is active in their addiction is not rational, and in most cases, substance abusers are unaware of the extent to which they have lost control. This process, although the most important can be very demanding. It can be very painful and, at times, exasperating to deal with a loved one who is abusing alcohol or drugs. While we know them to be good people, we sometimes feel shame when considering their actions. This is the disease of addiction. A well planned intervention in the life of a substance abuser carried out by a loving, caring family and facilitated by an experienced counselor can help eliminate some of the suffering for all that are involved. Chemical dependency is extremely difficult to deal with, and can not be ignored. Remember it is a disease that is chronic, progressive, and if left untreated will result in death!

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Rehabilitation and Therapy

Dana Shaw

2006-06-01 10:04:00

Question: What is Parkinson’s disease, and what is the treatment for it?

ANSWER: Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive, degenerative disorder of the nervous system. It affects about one in every  250 people over 40 years old and one in every 100 people over 65.Symptoms• Tremor, usually starting in the hands and   spreading to the arms, legs, and face;• Muscle stiffness and difficulty initiating   movement;• Shuffling, short-stepped gait;• Difficulty turning or stopping;• Difficulty swallowing;• Difficulty speaking.If you or a loved one has any of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, see your doctor.TreatmentParkinson’s disease cannot be cured, but it may be treated with a wide variety of drugs that can make movement easier and prolong functional life for many years.Physical therapy and mechanical aids such as wheeled walkers can help maintain independence. A nutritious diet is important, as well as occupational and speech therapy to maintain quality of life.Rehabilitation staff members at Wesley Medical Center have recently completed a comprehensive training program on therapy for patients who have Parkinson’s disease. They are the only rehab staff in Wichita accredited by the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland, a chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation.The program helps therapists learn to better recognize and respond to the patients’ physical, emotional, nutritional and communications needs. Specific topics include treatments for Parkinson’s disease, fall prevention, exercise, improved speech, better nutrition, and methods to make activities of daily living easier. The 24 staff members who completed the program include physical, occupational and speech therapists.The goal for therapy is to help patients maintain independence and stay as healthy as possible through the management of their chronic illness. Wesley offers a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services for patients who have Parkinson’s disease, as well as other movement disorders.