Treatment Package for Alcoholism or Drug Addiction

Perhaps you, or someone you know, has tried to break an addiction to alcohol or drugs, and failed to do so. Despite the best of intentions, well-meaning people and programs may not have helped, and willpower may not have been enough.

• Medical detoxification when necessary upon first arrival
  Detoxification is the process of monitoring and administering medical care to a person experiencing alcohol or other drug withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms vary from being very uncomfortable to being life threatening.
  
  Schick Shadel Hospital's objective during detoxification treatment is to provide the patient with a safe, comfortable transition through the withdrawal period. Physicians certified in addiction medicine direct Schick's detoxification treatment. Registered Nurses, with many years of training and experience, provide compassionate and supportive care for patients using safe detoxification techniques aimed at diminishing and alleviating the discomfort of withdrawal.
  
  The safe detoxification techniques used at Schick include the administration of medications to counteract the uncomfortable symptoms, attention to nutritional repair, evaluation of any other medical problems, and assessment of ongoing needs following alcohol detoxification.



• Medical treatment for the chemically dependent, including:
  
  • Aversion Therapy (Emetic or Faradic)
    • Emetic aversion is used for alcohol counter conditioning unless not viable due to individual patient medical limitations.
    • Faradic counter conditioning is used for prescription drugs, marijuana, cocaine and nicotine aversions, and for alcohol aversion if an individual patient's medical limitations preclude the use of an emetic.
  • Counseling/Education
  • Rehabilitation Interview (minimal sedation)
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • All pharmacy and laboratory services
  
  Our research found that aversion therapy (retraining the memory against the pleasurable aspects of using alcohol or drugs) produced excellent results. Schick's #1 Success Rated* program for alcohol addiction is the basis for the Schick treatment for other drug dependencies, including cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription drugs and nicotine.
  
  Treatment consists of alternating days of aversion therapy treatment under medical supervision and relaxing minimal sedation and relaxation therapy. The rehabilitation interviews or minimal sedation sessions are the favorite aspect of the treatment program. When alumni return for regular support groups or celebrations, they recall these relaxed state sessions and even want to repeat them. The purpose of the minimal sedation is to monitor the level of conditioning occurring in treatment and to identify potential counseling issues. Also of great benefit to the patient is the use of "permissive affirmations" pre-directed by the patient to potentially help attain their personal goals for recovery.
  
  Intensive educational meetings are held for the patients as well as family members, if requested. Patients receive individual counseling and group counseling.
  
  Schick's professional counselors help plan a recovery program to support healing from the effects of alcohol and drugs. Our counselors help change the patient's lifestyle patterns and guide them toward non-chemical rewards to allow an emergence of personal growth once again.
  
  Medical staff is available 24-hours-a-day.



• Discharge planning
  Counseling for discharge planning helps our patients to stay off the "slippery slope" of potential relapse while the aversion allows the ability to not use drugs or drink. Involvement with support groups is encouraged.
  
  Aversion therapy is not a "silver bullet". You need a plan to change your lifestyle. You need a plan to stay away from people and places where drugs and alcohol are used. You need to be able to solve problems as they arise - and they will arise. You need a plan to respond to those you love and those you work with in open, honest relationships.
  
  Schick Shadel's counselors help each patient devise a program for achieving positive future recovery after discharge. Our patients are helped to focus on true friends, to use people for support when experiencing negative feelings and to avoid people, places and activities that were strongly associated with the addiction.
  
  Schick Shadel also provides two years of continuing care follow-up after discharge from treatment. Our caring staff contacts patients on a regular basis to encourage them in their newly found sobriety. In addition, patients are free to contact their counselor at any time if there is a need after completion of the hospital's treatment.



• Reinforcement sessions at 30-day and 90-day intervals
  At 30 days and 90 days following the 10-day inpatient aversion conditioning, patients return to Schick Shadel Hospital for two-day follow-up aversion conditioning reinforcement. Reinforcement interviews are conducted and updates to the continuing care plan are made. Reinforcement has proven significant to continuing sobriety and a clean and sober lifestyle.



• A safe facility and environment
  Our caring, compassionate medical staff provides the treatment program in a kind, considerate and supportive atmosphere that helps rebuild self-esteem of the alcoholic or addict from the first day of admission. Positive feedback from staff and other patients helps build a positive attitude towards self and life.



• Discretion and confidentiality of medical records - No one has to know you are receiving treatment.



• Dietary services
  All meals and snacks are provided on a daily basis, served in the cafeteria. A registered dietitian is available for consultations and education.



• Amenities
  Semi-private room with telephone, television, Internet hookups and private bathroom (several exceptions); smoking and non-smoking patient lounges with televisions; massage therapist on call; daily newspapers - USA Today and Wall Street Journal free; pool table; patient deck; coffee (regular and decaf), tea and soft drinks available at no charge 24 hours a day; educational and entertaining videos and movies shown daily in the auditorium; housekeeping; sleepwear and robes furnished.
  
  
• Health Insurance often will cover the cost of Schick Shadel's treatment
  Schick Shadel Hospital's treatment program is covered by most insurances. Our Admission Counselors will work with patients to verify their benefits prior to admission, if desired.