Thursday, May 22, 2008
Morningside Academic Institute at soberinstitute.org
Sharing the visions of NAATP, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, "to promote, assist and enhance the delivery of ethical, effective, research-based treatment for alcoholism and other drug addictions" Morningside Recovery's Academic Institute was established. Comparisons of addiction treatment programs coupled with academic programs and addiction treatment programs without academic programs found success rates with academic programs surpassed those without.
Morningside Recovery's Brendan Bickley specifically studied the affects of pairing an academic program with a recovery program. Examining the T.E.A.C.H. Program, a voluntary program placing clients in addiction counselor training classes at a local community college, to discern the success of clients enrolled in an academic program opposed to those not enrolled see "An Evaluation of the T.E.A.C.H. Program: Addiction Treatment Coupled with Higher Education" by Paul Alexander and Brendan Bickley for the Department of Criminology, Law & Society, University of California, Irvine.
Morningside Academic Institute provides the unique opportunity to continue academic studies while in recovery.What does an "Academic Program" entail?Before going into treatment I had dropped out of college and didn't know where I was headed with my life. I had no idea what to do. I was using drugs and drinking all the time. I went into treatment and spent ninety days in Morningside's residential program before transferring into the college program. It was just what I needed. I needed the structure and help the program offered because before when I tried to do college on my own I couldn't do it. The therapists and counselors were all great. The Academic Institute helped me get on track with school and even helped me to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I got a 4.0 my first semester and a 4.0 my second semester and I'm planning on transferring to the University of California, Irvine next year. It truly was a great, life changing experience.
The components of our academic program extend beyond just class time. Morningside Recovery's Academic Institute builds life skills and clients work towards new academic and career goals with direction and focus. Counseling and strategic planning are a continuous and ongoing part of our program. Morningside Academic Institute supports students in not only their journey to sobriety, but supports students in their studies, academic plans and future careers.
Academic Counseling: academic assessment, additional testing, transcript review, academic credit transfer, and the creation of a Strategic Academic Action Plan
Life Skills: Debt management, interpersonal relationships, time management, budget planning
What kind of academic programs are available?
Academic programs can be tailored to fit many circumstances. Whether a client is working towards a GED, rebuilding a college transcript after experiencing an academic crisis or gaining entrance to a graduate program an education counselor will meet with the client and design a program specifically for their recovery goals. Careful consideration is taken to ensure the client's ongoing recovery is balanced with their academic program. Morningside Recovery has experience in helping clients navigate the application and transfer process.
- Vocational Training: Drug & Alcohol Counseling Classes to become a licensed addiction treatment expert, Nursing, Psychiatric Technician, Massage Therapist, Chef or Culinary Arts Graphic Design, Firefighter, Paramedic, Court Reporter
- MAI Students have enrolled in programs at: Orange Coast Community College, The Art Institute, FIDM, Chapman University, and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo among others
- MAI Students have continued their studies at: University of California Irvine, University of California Los Angeles, University of California Berkley, Cal State Fullerton, University of Chicago, Tulane University, New York University, University of Texas Austin, Pepperdine University, Cal State Long Beach, Rutgers University, Chapman University
For immediate assistance to help a loved on in need of a drug or alcohol intervention please call us at (866) 725-8565.
Labels: academic-recovery, Drug-Addiction-Rehab, morningside-academic-institute, naatp, sober-institute
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)
"The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers shall be the organization that enables addiction treatment providers to grow and thrive in a changing healthcare and political environment."--NAATP Vision Statement.
As we look into the 21st century the demand for a coherent unified voice from the addiction health care advocates remain. Addiction is a health issue, sharing more in common with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma, yet the majority of patients remain untreated and undertreated.
NAATP is the organization which draws from the various addiction disciplines to create a single voice in the arena of addiction. With proper research, education, and public policy we can help to change the landscape from one of shame and blame to one of healing, treatment, hope and understanding.
Labels: addiction, addiction-treatment, chronic-disease-model, Drug-Addiction-Rehab, naatp
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bipolar Disorder in Teens
Bipolar Disorder (also know as manic depression) often reveals itself in teens as severe moodiness and unhappiness. Often the first diagnosis is one of depression. Frequently bipolar disorder is initially misdiagnosed. It can take time to properly diagnos bipolar disorder. Treatment includes a combination of carefully monitored medication and professional counseling.
Bipolar disorder manifests differently in teens than in adults. Adolescent cycles are more rapid, adult cylces can be over weeks or months, in children cycles can occur within the same day.
Drug and alcohol use in adolescents with bipolar disorder is common. Dual-Diagnosis is the term used to describe the process of treating a mood disorder along side a substance abuse problem. Symptoms must be analyzed and treated accordingly. Careful and caring counseling, as well a medical attention and proper prescribed medication, are used to treat this combination.
Other conditions which contribute to the risk of adolescents developing a bipolar mood disorder increase with:
- family history of bipolar disorder or other mood disorder
- family history of drug or alcohol abuse
- episodes of severe depression
Factors which can contribute to manic episodes include:
- changes in routine or sleep patterns
- certain antidepressants can trigger manic episodes
- traumatic life event
- abuse or neglect of medication
- using alcohol or drugs
Labels: Bipolar-Disorder, drug rehab, Drug-Addiction-Rehab, Dual-Diagnosis-Treatment, Manic-Depression, mental-illness, teen-drug-abuse
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Newport Beach Drug Rehab from Street View
View Larger Map
Labels: drug rehab, Dual-Diagnosis-Treatment, Newport-Beach
Monday, May 12, 2008
Percocet: Prescription Medication Addiction
Prescription Drug Warning: Percocet
You are a woman, about 35 years old. You are not feeling well and you go to the doctor. He prescribes a medication that will alleviate your pain. You take this medication, just as the doctor ordered, for a few weeks. You feel great. After three weeks, you stop, and start getting nausea, your legs start cramping, and you can't sleep. What is the problem?
The problem is that on top of your original physical condition you are now addicted to a prescription drug: Percocet.
Addiction to prescription medication can begin innocently with a prescription legally obtained from a physician. The strength and addictive qualities of this commonly prescribed medication can trigger addictive behaviors in those using percocet as prescribed.
Use Prescription Drugs Safely
- Always follow medication directions carefully.
- Don't increase or decrease doses without talking with your doctor.
- Don't stop taking medication on your own.
- Don't crush or break pills.
- Be clear about the drug's effects on driving and other daily tasks.
- Learn about the drug's potential interactions with alcohol, other prescription medicines, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Inform your doctor about your past history of substance abuse.
- Don't use other people's prescription medications and don't share yours.
Labels: Drug-Addiction-Rehab, Percocet, prescription-drugs
