Beginning the Journey. Alcohol & Drug Abuse Recovery in Brown County

Transcription

1 Beginning the Journey Alcohol & Drug Abuse Recovery in Brown County 300 S. Adams, Green Bay, WI February 2014

2 Beginning the Journey 2 I need help. Where do I begin? First, know that you are not alone. There are thousands of people in Brown County who are on successful journeys of recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA). As you start your journey through AODA recovery, there are many different options for getting help. Where you begin your journey depends on your individual situation. This brochure will walk you through the different levels of services that are available to you in Brown County. It will explain when various services might be appropriate, how to access services, and the types of funding and payment options that are available for AODA services. Contents Levels of AODA Services & Treatment Addiction Support Groups... 3 Assessment Individual Therapy... 4 Group Therapy... 5 Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP)... 5 Day Treatment... 6 Residential Treatment... 6 Medically Monitored/Managed Inpatient Treatment... 6 Detoxification Hospitalization (Detox)... 7 Additional AODA Supports Aftercare... 7 Relapse Prevention... 7 Family Involvement... 7 Co-occurring Disorders Treatment... 7 Where is the right place to start?... 8 How will I pay for AODA treatment?... 8 Want someone to talk to about getting help? If you need help right now, call the 24-hour Crisis Center Hotline at A counselor will answer your call and talk with you about your situation and what kind of help you need. The Crisis Center of Family Services provides free, professional, short term counseling for any situation you may be facing, including: Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Depression, Relationship Issues, and Suicide. If you want information about getting help for a problem with alcohol, you can call Alcoholics Anonymous at The person who answers the phone can provide information about AA meetings and how to get started on your recovery journey. If you want information about getting help with a drug addiction, you can call the Narcotics Anonymous Hotline at The person who answers the NA hotline will be a NA member who can provide information about meetings and how to get started on your recovery journey.

3 Beginning the Journey 3 LEVELS OF AODA SERVICES & TREATMENT The AODA services listed below are in order of the least restrictive to the most restrictive options. If you are unsure what level of service is appropriate for your situation, you should consider meeting with an AODA counselor for an assessment. Alcohol and drug abuse counselors have a saying: people change not because they see the light, but because they feel the heat. Next to each of the services listed below, you will find a flame symbol indicating the amount of heat you may be feeling to seek help at that level. Addiction Support Groups (i.e., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) Support groups are a place to meet with others who share similar struggles with AODA issues to give each other support and hope. Support groups are attended voluntarily and are run by group members, not a therapist. Most have a non-religious, spiritual component and follow 12 step guidelines. People who struggle with AODA issues attend support groups at many different stages of recovery. Some people are curious about recovery and go to a support group meeting just to check it out. In the early stages of AODA recovery, some people attend meetings daily. Some people who have been in recovery for many years attend meetings as a way to support their sobriety. Every week, there are several addiction support group meetings in Brown County. There is no referral needed to attend a support group all you need to do is show up. Addiction support groups charge no membership dues or fees. For more information about support groups in Brown County, see The AODA Treatment Providers Network of Brown County, available at the ADRC or on the ADRC website, by clicking on Help Finding Services and then click on Mental Health & AODA. Assessment to An AODA assessment is a meeting with a counselor who will talk with you about your current alcohol and drug use, and what you have tried in the past for help with your alcohol/drug use. Based on your individual situation, the counselor will make recommendations about the type of services that will be the right fit for you.

4 Beginning the Journey 4 If you are unsure what level of AODA service is the right fit for you, an assessment is a great place to start. Some people seek out an AODA assessment because they are concerned about their alcohol/drug use and want to get help. Others are court-ordered to get an assessment, or told by their employer to have an assessment as a condition of employment. What happens after the assessment? Once you ve completed an AODA assessment, your counselor will make recommendations about the type of services that are the best fit for you. You will be referred to services that are appropriate for your situation. You will not automatically be admitted to an inpatient alcohol/drug treatment program. Most people who seek help for alcohol/drug issues are not admitted to a residential or inpatient program. The counselor will recommend the least restrictive (least limiting/intrusive to you) treatment option that can be effective for you. Many people have success recovering from addiction without ever going through a residential or inpatient treatment program. There are many agencies and counselors who provide AODA assessments in Brown County. For a listing of providers who do AODA assessments, refer to The AODA Treatment Providers Network of Brown County, available at the ADRC or on the ADRC website. Individual Therapy Individual therapy is when a client meets individually with a therapist or counselor; some providers refer to individual therapy as one-on-ones. The client and therapist set treatment goals related to the client s individual situation, then meet for therapy sessions to work on these goals. Individual therapy is a useful tool for exploring your own life situation in-depth. It s a chance to set specific, achievable goals to change your life for the better. Individual therapy is often incorporated into other forms of treatment as well, such as residential or inpatient programs. There are many therapists who provide individual therapy for issues related to alcohol/drug use. To schedule an appointment, simply call the provider of your choice. For a listing of treatment providers and the payment options they accept, see The AODA Treatment Providers Network of Brown County, available at the ADRC or on the ADRC website.

5 Beginning the Journey 5 Group Therapy In group therapy, clients meet together in a group context one to three times per week with others who share similar issues. Group therapy is facilitated by a therapist. Group therapy can sometimes be an effective treatment at different stages of AODA recovery. Meeting in a group allows clients the opportunity to share experiences and give each other feedback and hope. Group therapy is also incorporated into other forms of treatment, such as residential or inpatient programs. For a listing of treatment providers who offer group therapy and the payment options they accept, see The AODA Treatment Providers Network of Brown County. Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) IOP programs provide intensive counseling while allowing the client to continue their normal activities (such as work or school) in the community. IOP programs meet up to 12 hours per week (average in most programs is 9 hours, 3 hours/3 x per week) over the course of several weeks and are available during daytime and evening hours. IOP services include group therapy, individual therapy and education; IOPs are facilitated by a therapist. People who need an intensive program to help them begin their recovery journey, but want to be able to continue their normal activities (such as work or school) may see IOP as a good fit. IOP may also be an option for people who, due to financial limitations, cannot afford residential or inpatient treatment. There are many agencies that provide IOP services in Brown County. For a listing of treatment providers who offer IOP services and the payment options they accept, see The AODA Treatment Providers Network of Brown County. This service can be accessed following an assessment (completed by an alcohol and drug abuse counselor) where this level of service is recommended.

6 Beginning the Journey 6 Day Treatment Day treatment programs provide similar services to IOPs, but are more intensive. They meet during the day for more than 12 hours weekly, allowing participants to return home in the evening. People who need an intensive program to help them begin their recovery journey, but are not interested in a residential or inpatient setting may see day treatment as a good fit. Day treatment may also be an option for people who, due to financial limitations, cannot afford residential or inpatient treatment. This service can be accessed following an assessment (completed by an alcohol and drug abuse counselor) where this level of service is recommended. Residential Treatment Residential programs provide 24/7 treatment in a non-medical home-like unlocked environment. Treatment includes education, group and individual therapy sessions. Residential treatment is appropriate for people who have not been successful in IOP programs, or whose alcohol and/or drug use is severe enough to warrant 24-hour care. You are welcome to call the Jackie Nitschke Center directly at They have limited scholarships available. You can also call the Brown County Human Services AODA Unit to discuss options at Medically Monitored/Managed Inpatient Treatment Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 treatment in a hospital-like setting with medical staff available to administer medications and provide medical evaluations & care. Treatment includes medication management, education, group and individual therapy sessions. Inpatient treatment is appropriate for people who need 24/7 care and medication to aid in their AODA recovery. This service can be accessed following an assessment (completed by an alcohol and drug abuse counselor) where this level of service is recommended.

7 Beginning the Journey 7 Detoxification Hospitalization (Detox) Detox involves 24/7 medical care to medically stabilize and assist a patient through severe and/or life threatening withdrawal symptoms. This level of treatment is appropriate for people who, due to the nature of their alcohol/drug use, are likely to experience severe and/or life threatening physical effects when they stop using alcohol/drugs. If you have any concerns about you or a loved one experiencing withdrawal symptoms, go to any area hospital s emergency room to have a doctor medically assess the need for inpatient detoxification. Based on the assessment, the doctor will recommend appropriate services. ADDITIONAL AODA SUPPORTS Aftercare Aftercare, also known as continuing care, involves therapist-facilitated, once a week group therapy for 16 to 32 weeks. Aftercare is typically recommended following IOP or residential treatment. Relapse Prevention Relapse prevention typically provides group therapy for clients who have attended treatment in the past and have a history of relapse (returning to using alcohol/drugs). This treatment focuses on relapse triggers, warning signs, and assists clients in developing a relapse prevention plan. Family Involvement Many treatment programs encourage family members and significant others to become involved in their loved ones treatment through educational sessions and/or family therapy. Support groups such as AL anon and Alateen are an opportunity for family members to share experiences and support for each other. For more information on family involvement, see the ADRC brochure, I m Concerned about Someone Who Has an Addiction. Co-occurring Disorders Treatment Many people with AODA issues also struggle with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Co-occurring disorders treatment providers recognize that AODA issues and mental health issues are related to each other and work to address these issues at the same time.

8 Beginning the Journey 8 Where is the right place to start? Recovery from alcohol or drug addiction is a personal journey, and it s different for everyone. If you are unsure where to start, consider scheduling an assessment with an AODA counselor. How will I pay for AODA treatment? People considering AODA treatment often wonder how they will pay for services. Fortunately, there are many different ways to pay for AODA treatment services in Brown County. Do not let a lack of funds keep you from seeking treatment! Many AODA treatment providers have payment plans and funding sources to help pay for services. Check with your health insurance provider to see what services may be covered under your plan. Listed below are common payment options for AODA services. Check with any treatment provider you are considering to see which options are available to you. Private pay (also called self-pay). This payment option is exactly what it sounds like. Private pay means that you pay out-of-pocket for treatment services. Most programs have a private pay option, in addition to other forms of payment. Sliding fee scale. Many treatment providers offer a sliding fee scale for payment. This means that the amount you pay is adjusted based on your income. Insurance. Your medical insurance policy may provide coverage for AODA and/or mental health treatment. Policies vary and some insurance companies only cover services offered by preferred providers (certain clinics or agencies), so check with your insurance company before assuming you are covered. Medicaid. If you have health care coverage through the Wisconsin Forward Health Medicaid program, Medicaid will pay for many AODA treatment options. Some AODA treatment providers in Brown County accept Medicaid as payment. Check with any AODA treatment program you are considering to see if they accept Medicaid funding. Medicaid will pay for Detoxification Hospitalization (Detox), but not Residential Treatment, as services must be medical in nature. County Funding. Most AODA services offered through the Brown County Community Treatment Center and Brown County Human Services AODA department are available to Brown County residents who do not have insurance to pay for services.

9 Brown County Human Services The ADRC thanks Mary Miceli-Wink of the Brown County Human Services AODA Department and Tina Baeten of Family Services of Northeastern Wisconsin, Inc. for their valuable input in creating this brochure. Information is provided courtesy of the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County and may be reproduced so long as credit to the agency is retained and distribution is for noncommercial purposes only. For additional information, please contact the ADRC at (920) The ADRC of Brown County is an equal opportunity, access, affirmative action employer and provider. W:communityresources\mentalhealth&aoda\beginning the journey 1/15/2013