What is the Relationship Between Depression and Addiction?

The connection between addiction and depression has been well-established for some time. But which one comes first? And can they exuberate each other?

In this piece, we’ll delve into the association between addiction and depression and investigate how they impact one another.

What’s Depression?

Before coming to any conclusions, it’s essential to first comprehend the meaning of depression. 

Depression is a mental health disorder that influences one’s emotions, thoughts, and actions. Symptoms often include low moods and a lack of motivation. In severe cases, depression can lead to a loss of desire for living. 

Every individual experiences sadness from time to time, but those with depression experience it more frequently and for longer periods of time.

Depression can stem from a variety of causes, such as life events or brain chemical imbalances resulting from substance abuse.

Common symptoms of depression include:

  • Persistent sad or anxious mood
  • Hopelessness and pessimism
  • Irritability, frustration, and/or restlessness
  • Loss of interest, pleasure, and willfulness
  • Lower energy levels
  • Troubled sleeping patterns
  • Changes in appetite
  • Pains, headaches, and cramps that are not eased with treatment
  • Thoughts and attempts to take one’s own life

Relationship Between Depression and Addiction

Addiction and depression are closely intertwined with each other as It’s not uncommon for addicts to feel depressed. This is often due to the depletion of dopamine in the brain and other neural damage caused by substance use. 

Abusing drugs or alcohol causes a dopamine rush in the brain. Like a tank out of fuel, the brain runs out of good-mood juice, leaving the addict feeling down and depressed after using drugs. As tolerance develops, and dopamine receptors get damaged, the depressive episodes tend to last longer, eventually growing into a serious problem.

It’s also possible for depression to lead to substance abuse, as individuals may use drugs or alcohol to alleviate their sadness and seek the dopamine rush that substances provide.

Data shows that people with depression are more likely to turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication, compared to other substances.

These behaviors can lead to addiction, and it’s a vicious cycle as both addiction and depression can exacerbate each other.

A person may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their emotional pain, but these substances can then worsen their condition, leading to a repeat of the cycle. 

People might choose to self-medicate for a number of reasons including:

  • Lack of trust in conventional medicine
  • Lack of access to medical care
  • Fear of approaching a doctor
  • Misguided beliefs

Data also shows that the most prevalent reason for self-medication tends to be a lack of access to mental healthcare.

Risks of Dual Diagnosis

Treating a dual diagnosis can be difficult, even with professional assistance. 

The symptoms of each condition exacerbate one another. Making it critical that both disorders must be addressed simultaneously to ensure a successful recovery. 

Studies have shown that individuals with a dual diagnosis are more likely to experience certain challenges compared to those who only have one disorder such as:

  • Have severe symptoms of depression
  • Relapse over and over again
  • Have a lower quality of life
  • Attempting to take their own life

A study showed that attempted suicide rates for addicts with depression were:

  • These rates are twice as high as those for addicts who develop alcoholism before depression
  • The rates are three times higher than for people with depression alone
  • Nine times higher than those who only developed alcohol use disorders

The risk of suicide is the most troubling risk of co-occurring disorders and one that must not be ignored.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

It is ineffective to try and address depression and addiction separately, as one condition can trigger the other. 

To achieve recovery, both co-occurring disorders must be treated simultaneously. If you suspect that you or a loved one may need dual-diagnosis treatment, it is crucial to seek professional help. Dual diagnosis can be challenging, and it requires expert care.

Elysium Healthcare provides dual-diagnosis therapy and other holistic approaches to help individuals with co-occurring disorders overcome the root causes of their issues and heal in a holistic way.

Contact us today and ask one of our admission professionals how we can help you or your loved ones overcome co-occurring disorders

What is the Importance of Sober Hobbies in Recovery?

What is the Importance of Sober Hobbies in Recovery?

Idleness could be an unfriendly foe for those who suffer from racing thoughts. Left to their own devices, addicts might find themselves in an endless conversation with themselves that can often turn dark and negative.

This idleness is often the reason why many addicts seek to indulge in their vices. Having hobbies and  fun sober activities in recovery can help addicts keep negative thoughts at bay and avoid a relapse.

Benefits of Sober Hobbies in Recovery

By engaging in sober hobbies, addicts are able to substitute their indulgences for new healthy habits. Be it a craft, sports, or a walk down the beach, hobbies support the development of a balanced lifestyle.

But avoiding the risk of relapse is not the only benefit of keeping yourself entertained with hobbies in recovery. In fact, hobbies for addicts are a great way to gain a greater sense of self-worth and build community.

For example, by joining a sport an addict might be able to connect with other healthy individuals, develop healthy exercise habits, and build confidence.

Hobbies for addicts are also a great way of improving your mood and your overall well-being. A hobby is an activity that’s meant to be enjoyed and bring out happiness in you. 

They are also a great way to stay entertained which can help addicts stay away from activities that might prompt a relapse—like going out to bars or nightclubs.

Boredom and stress can place an addict at a high risk of relapse, both of which can be solved by engaging in healthy hobbies for recovering addicts.

Furthermore, by gaining mastery of a hobby an addict might gain the confidence needed to master other areas of their life such as work and relationships.

Examples of Sober Hobbies in Recovery

Addicts can take up a wide variety of hobbies that can be as diverse as their personalities.

There are countless hobbies for recovering addicts to explore, but we have broken down some categories that can inspire you to find the hobby that’s right for you.

Exercise

Exercising can help improve your physical health, reduce stress, promote a positive mood, and build confidence. And if you were wondering, no, a runner’s high doesn’t count as a relapse.

These are some of the most fun sober activities that involve exercise:

  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Cycling
  • Weightlifting
  • Taking up a sport like soccer, golf, or gymnastics.

Art

Self-expressing through art can be a higher form of meditation and it’s one of the most popular fun sober activities a recovering addict can take on. 

These are some artistic hobbies for recovering addicts:

  • Painting
  • Sculpting with clay
  • Creating digital art
  • Acting or enrolling in theater
  • Video editing

Music

Music opens the gates of the soul. It can help addicts change their mood in a heartbeat and can also be a form of meditation. 

Music hobbies for addicts include:

  • Playing an instrument
  • Taking piano lessons
  • Singing
  • Simply listening to music

Writing

Writing and journaling are incredibly helpful in recovery. They are a great way to release emotions on paper and help addicts organize their thoughts. It’s also a great way to record and share their experiences in recovery with others.

These are some of the most fun sober activities that involve writing:

  • Writing poems
  • Journaling each morning
  • Making gratitude lists
  • Blogging about recovery
  • Songwriting

Volunteering

One of the principles addicts learn in 12-step recovery programs is the importance of giving back and working with others to be able to stay sober.

Volunteering is a great hobby that can give a recovering addict a sense of purpose and fulfillment. 

Volunteering hobbies for recovering addicts include:

  • Working with other alcoholics to achieve sobriety
  • Helping at a local soup kitchen
  • Helping clean their local beach or other nature locations
  • Assisting at the animal shelter
  • Helping fund money for causes they care for

Outdoor Activities

A different kind of sport, outdoor activities combine exercise with all the benefits of being outside and connecting with nature. They are a great way to improve the mood, get a breath of fresh air, and connect with others.

These are some of the most fun sober activities that can be done outdoors:

  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Skiing
  • Playing volleyball on the beach

Hobbies and Aftercare

Aftercare programs and rehabs that place value on hobbies can help addicts build strong recovery habits from day one.

Elysium Healthcare offers rehab and aftercare programs that place an emphasis on preparing the recovering addict with healthy habits and fun hobbies so they may have a successful recovery.Contact us today and see how we can help you get sober today!

Are There Addiction Support Groups for Families?

Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family, its effects affect every member of the household whether they choose to participate or not. Therefore, it’s critical for recovering families to seek to heal together, rather than seeing it as a process that’s only reserved for the addict.

In fact, data shows that families that recover together, are more likely to stay sober than those who leave recovery only up to the addict.

But what kind of resources are available for families? And are there any family support groups available? Let’s have a look!

Addiction Support Groups for Families

12-Step Groups for Families of Addicts

The 12-step format is not reserved for addicts, in fact, families can benefit from this support group format as well.

These family support groups consist of a group of non-professional peers who are recovering. 

While families can benefit from practicing the 12 steps, there is also a lot to gain from the experience of engaging in the program. By doing so they are able to have a similar experience to that of their addictive family member. 

This can help them gain compassion and a better comprehension of what their loved one is going through and how they can better help him or her.

When it comes to 12-step groups for families, there are a number of resources available to them including

Nar-Anon is one of the best-known family support groups for families of addicts available. In this program, attendees come together to discuss their recovery from a drug user and how it affected them and other family members.

Recovering Couples Anonymous is like AA for couples, although it’s not restricted to couples with alcoholism. The fellowship helps couples sober up together, heal their relationship, and solve their common problems.

Families Anonymous is similar to Nar-Anon, except it welcomes families that have been affected by all sorts of addictions—not only drug addiction.

Parental Support Groups

Dealing with an addictive child is one of the most difficult addictive family dynamics to cope with. 

As a parent, it could be nerve-racking to know a child is using drugs and exposing themselves to a number of dangers. 

Then there is also the moral dilemma that comes into play when a child might be suffering from withdrawal. One where parents might opt to provide the child with resources to get their hands on drugs and numb their pain.

Whatever the circumstance, having an addictive child is not a situation any parent ever wishes to be in.

Fortunately, there are family support groups available for parents that can help them cope with the trauma of addiction and heal together with their children.

One of these resources is Parents of Addicted Loved Ones. PAL is a Christian-run organization that offers support groups for families of addicts.

With PAL, parents learn how to cope with the pain of loving an addicted child while also adapting their approach to their child’s struggles.

Child and Teen Support Groups

Flipping the script can be as bad, if not worse. When a child has an addicted parent it could cause a life-long painful trauma that can negatively shape the child’s life.

Parents could have a degree of maturity that can help them cope with an addictive child. However, children lack the same resources and usually cope with addiction in the family in destructive ways.

So much so that addiction-related trauma during childhood could turn into addiction later in life.

Fortunately, there are also family support groups for children and teens. Some of them include:

  • NACoA – The National Association for Children of Addiction is one of the family support groups focused on helping children and teenagers. They are on a  mission to eliminate the adverse impact of drug use on children and families. 
  • Narateen – Narateen is the teenager equivalent of Nar-anon and an extension of their program. The association is dedicated only to teens who have been affected by someone else’s drug addiction. The group welcomes teens between the ages of 13 and 18 to the meetings.

Family Therapy

Family therapy  can help the entire family recover from past trauma. This is done by working together as a group to learn how to manage recovery and build healthy coping skills. 

In this form of group therapy, members of the family typically share their experiences together under the supervision of a therapist. 

By providing them with an open safe space to discuss their trauma, families are able to work out their shortcomings and heal their relationships. 

Group therapy for families of addicts is one of the best-known resources for addicted families that wish to heal together.

Getting Help

Family members who suffer from addiction need our help and support. If you want to help a loved one recover from a drug addiction, we can help.

Elysium Healthcare is an expert in addiction treatments and family therapies. We understand that families that recover together remain and heal together. Therefore, we emphasize not just treating the addict, but also healing any underlying causes that might prevent them from attaining sobriety—including family recovery.

Contact Elysium today, to help your loved ones the help they need.

What is the Importance of Individualized Addiction Treatment?

What is the Importance of Individualized Addiction Treatment?

Addiction stretches beyond substance abuse, it’s a disorder of the mind that can be manifested in a variety of obsessions. 

There are over 20 million people suffering from substance abuse in the US alone, and every single one of them has a very different substance abuse experience. The combination of issues in that pool of people is endless, mixing different substances—or a combination of them—with different mental disorders.

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment that can cover such a wide array of personalities, substances, obsessions, and mental health disorders.

Because addiction can be so sparse and different from patient to patient, it’s crucial that an individualized substance abuse treatment program is employed to achieve sobriety.

What Is an Individualized Addiction Treatment? 

Similarly to other health conditions, addiction requires an individualized treatment plan. 

An individualized substance abuse treatment program is a bespoke program that is designed to fit the patient’s individual needs. That means that doctors will analyze a variety of factors that could affect your recovery and ensure they are all receiving the right form of treatment.

For example, an addict with a co-occurring disorder like depression must treat both disorders in parallel. If not, the depression could eventually drive the addict to relapse and back to square one.

Some of the personalized addiction treatments taken into consideration in an individualized substance abuse treatment program include:

  • Medication
  • Therapy 
  • Holistic practices
  • Lifestyle changes
  • 12-Step programs
  • Family therapy

What Makes a Good Individualized Addiction Treatment? 

The best way to ensure an individualized substance abuse treatment program works for the addict is by ensuring comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the symptoms of behavioral change.

Some of the most important considerations that go into crafting a personalized addiction treatment program include:

  • The types of drugs being used
  • Consumption history
  • Any co-occurring disorders
  • The relapse history of the patient
  • Any mental blocks present
  • The degree to which the patient is addicted
  • Other health conditions present

In the end, a tailored approach might find an effective solution, although it might take some trial and error, especially since everyone responds to treatments differently.

Why Choose a Personalized Addiction Treatment Program?

Recovery from addiction is usually best accomplished through a personalized addiction treatment program.

A substance abuse disorder involves many factors that extend beyond the substance and could interfere with the recovery of the patient or cause them to relapse in the future. 

Choosing a personalized addiction treatment program is one of the best ways to ensure the patient finds the right healthy balance that will keep them from using again.

There are many benefits to choosing a personalized addiction treatment program that extends beyond improving the chances of an addict’s recovery. Some of them include:

  • Treating co-occurring disorders that could cause a future relapse
  • Allowing addicts to take an in-depth look into their general health.
  • Taking into consideration emotional, social, physical, spiritual, and mental factors
  • Avoid unnecessary side effects by choosing the right medication
  • Find the correct therapy for the addict
  • Provides the patient with the right relapse prevention tools

How to Get A Personalized Addiction Treatment Program?

When it comes to treating addiction, time is of the essence. The more time you wait to find effective treatment, the more control the addiction has over your life. 

Finding the right addiction treatment can be difficult in it itself, but choosing the right treatment center doesn’t have to be.

If you or someone you know is in need of personalized addiction treatment then you can get in touch with us and one of our admission experts can help.

Elysium Healthcare is an expert in addiction treatments and offers individualized substance abuse treatment programs for patients who seek our help.

Contact Elysium today and see which personalized addiction treatment program is right for you.

How to Get a Loved One Help For Substance Abuse

How to Get a Loved One Help For Substance Abuse

Getting someone we love into rehab might be easier said than done. Unfortunately, addiction is a disease that overcomes self-will and leads those who suffer from it down a path of self-inflicted destruction that they can rarely gain control over.

For this reason, the help of friends and family is critical in guiding the misguided on to the road of recovery.

But what can you actually do to get a loved one into drug rehab? Let’s take a look.

Admission

You might be familiar with the first step of a 12-step program even if you’ve never attended a meeting before.

The media has famously made known the admission of one’s addiction as the first step toward recovery. 

It’s no coincidence that the first step is at the beginning, after all you can’t fix what you don’t know it’s broken.

If addicts can’t come to the mere realization that there is an issue, then it’s likely they will fail to pull the strength needed to stick around when the challenges of recovery become evident.

If you think that your loved one might be suffering from drug or alcohol abuse, then trying to reason with them and showing them the signs and symptoms of their problem could help them recognize the problem.

However, don’t be surprised if they don’t accept their condition right away. More times than not, most addicts will fail to recognize the problem.

Addiction causes stubbornness and difficulties with honesty, particularly being honest with themselves. This is part of how drugs and alcohol affect the way an addict thinks and behaves.

If that’s the case, have patience and don’t give up! This is normal. 

At the very least you will plant a seed that will help them ease into it. 

Education

Part of the reason why an addict might not accept their condition right away is due to the fact that they might just not know enough about it.

They might not fully understand what are the consequences of their actions or the secondary problems that could arise from abusing drugs and alcohol. 

Educating ourselves and in turn, passing that education on to the addict could be a way to open their eyes to the problem and get them to seek professional help.

Many times, there can also be other underlying causes for their addiction. For example, co-occurring disorders or social factors like peer pressure or excessive stress.

Educating the addict about underlying conditions might also help them understand why they are behaving the way they are and what’s actually causing the problem.

Here are some helpful topics to study:

  • How drugs and alcohol affect their body and mind
  • What kind of treatments are available for them
  • Demystifying any misconceptions they may have about recovery or addiction
  • Looking into areas of their life that have been affected or into finances and see how that can be improved with sobriety
  • How substance abuse could lead to irreparable damage or death

You can browse our content library, which covers a variety of useful topics if you are unsure of where to get the best information to educate yourself.

In short, addicts may seek help if they are aware of the risks associated with substance abuse. Giving them the facts can empower them to make the right decisions.

Call a Professional

Stating the obvious here, yet many fail to take the right approach despite it being just a phone call away.

Contacting a rehab center and asking for help could be the quickest route to getting your loved ones in recovery. Rehab centers are equipped with experienced staff that can guide you through the necessary steps to get help for those you love.

A professional might offer to do an intervention that could help your loved one get into rehab.

Many people might shy away from professional help or put it off for fear of costs, unaware that costs are in many instances covered by insurance.

Ultimately a professional is trained to deal with these situations and can offer the best possible help.

How to Get in Contact With a Professional

The best way to get a loved one into drug rehab is by seeking out professional help.

Elysium Healthcare can offer you and your loved ones the support needed to get that special person into recovery.Contact Elysium today and one of our admissions professionals will guide you through the process.

How to Convince Someone to Go to Rehab

How to Convince Someone to Go to Rehab

A rendition of addictive habits and the overcoming of addiction can’t be achieved if the addict is not convinced that they have a problem that needs to be solved.

Convincing someone to go to rehab is not as straightforward as one may think. 

Addiction is a cunning foe, it clouds reasoning and tricks the mind into believing that substance abuse habits are nothing more than a mere good time.

But then how do you convince an addict to get help?

Acceptance

“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” – Big Book of AA

Every 12-step program starts with an acceptance of an addict’s condition, and it’s not by coincidence that 12-step groups chose this to be their foundation.

It’s because addicts rarely believe they have a problem, particularly those who haven’t progressed deep down the scale. 

Unfortunately, the further an addict progresses in their disease, the more difficult it’s to climb out of the depths of the addiction hole.

If an addict can’t accept there is a problem, then they will do little to change it. Without admission, an addict will resume and give up at the first sight of weakness.

Addicts tend to be stubborn, the disease will help them come up with excuses, illusions, and false hopes to justify their behavior – addiction impedes their capacity, to be honest.

If you have been wondering how to convince an addict to get help, then the best step to begin is at helping them accept that they have a problem in the first place.

Educate Them

If stubbornness persists and you can’t seem to find a way to make someone go to drug rehab, then you may want to apply it to their logic.

While logic doesn’t always win the battle, a lack of knowledge in the subject will certainly not help the addict progress.

Understanding the risks of substance abuse may motivate an addict to seek help.

If you want to learn how to convince an addict to get help, then learning these topics and guiding them could be the answer.

  • How drugs and alcohol affect their body and mind
  • What kind of treatments are available for them
  • Demystifying any misconceptions they may have about recovery or addiction
  • Looking into areas of their life that have been affected or into finances and see how that can be improved with sobriety
  • How substance abuse could lead to irreparable damage or death

If you are unsure about where to get the best information to educate yourself first, try browsing our content library which covers many useful topics.

Look For Professional Help

If you’ve tried our first two suggestions and are not having much luck in helping your loved one, then you may still be wondering — if this doesn’t work, then how do you convince an addict to get help?

Despite our best efforts and intentions, it is possible that we will not be able to convince our loved ones to seek help. After all, stubbornness is an addict’s best friend. Even if we do our part to demystify misconceptions, our loved ones may still be fearful. Regardless of the issue, it might be time to seek the help of a professional to resolve it.  

In addition to guiding you through the process, professionals can also help you prepare and execute interventions.

Interventions are meetings between family members and recovery experts where loved ones express their concern and love for the addict. There is usually a strong enough emotional response triggered by the intervention that may motivate the addict to go to rehab.

How to Make Someone Go to Drug Rehab

Understanding how to make someone go to drug rehab can be as challenging as comprehending why wouldn’t someone just go and get the treatment they need to get better.

A drug addict might convince himself that rehab is unnecessary for someone with a drug habit. This is because it’s a treatment better suited to those who have slipped far down the scale. 

Perhaps the addict is using cocaine and believes treatment is just for people who do meth or heroin. Even worse, they may assume that they can sober up whenever they want —”Just not feeling like it today”

It may take that same drug addict many years and failed attempts at sobriety before they hit rock bottom and realize that their problem is no different than those with other addictions.

In such instances, it is especially critical to emphasize to the addict that addiction to drugs is no different from other addictions. Similarly to other substances, it can develop an addiction if left unattended.

In addition, it’s critical to emphasize that drug withdrawals and overdoses are very real and can result in death.

How to Get Professional Help

How do you convince someone to go to rehab if they don’t want to get help? If your loved one is still not convinced to go to rehab after trying the suggestions in this article, then it’s time to seek professional help.

Elysium Healthcare is an expert in addiction treatments and will be able to assist you every step of the way.Contact Elysium today to learn more about what you can do to help your loved ones receive the treatment they need.

How Much Does Luxury Rehab Cost?

Acupuncture, tennis courts, and therapeutic horseback riding are among some of the finest features luxury rehabs offer to their patients.

But these luxuries come at a cost, which may or may not be within reach of everyone. But how much does luxury rehab cost? And are they worth the price?

What Is a Luxury Rehab?

Luxury rehabs offer core recovery treatment options like any other rehab; however, they may also offer additional treatments, upscale facilities, and five-star hotel amenities that are designed to deliver an all-encompassing wellness experience.

These luxury facilities tend to offer personalized treatments that are curated individually for each patient.

While luxury rehabs are designed for everyone, they tend to host a list of exclusive guests and A-list celebrities. These guests pay top dollar for their expertise and comfort. 

But it’s not just the top-rated amenities and treatments that draw in the upscale clientele. Top celebrities and exclusive clients are mostly drawn toward the privacy and confidentiality that luxury rehabs offer. 

CEOs and public figures who wish to keep their addiction out of the tabloids may opt for a luxury rehabilitation option. In fact, most facilities require employees to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect the identity and public image of patients.

Other upscale services provided in a luxury rehab may include:

  • Yoga classes
  • Fully equipped gyms with personal trainers
  • Basketball courts, tennis courts, swimming pools, and other fitness spaces
  • Acupuncture
  • Tai Chi
  • Gaming rooms
  • Luxurious facilities
  • Privacy
  • Massages and other spa services
  • Meditation
  • Gourmet meals and in-house chef
  • Saunas
  • Music therapy
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Therapeutic horseback riding.

Is a Luxury Rehab Better for Recovery?

The short answer is yes, but that doesn’t make them better than regular ones. 

Yes, you can certainly benefit from the comforts, facilities, and expertise of a better-qualified staff. But recovery can also be achieved outside of luxury rehabs.

The point of going to rehab is to receive detox and treatment that will prepare the addict to live a sober life. Can this be much easier in a 5-star hotel setting? Certainly. Is it absolutely necessary to achieve recovery? Certainly not.

The most effective treatments address the individual’s multiple needs, so a rehab that incorporates therapies that benefit the physical, mental, and emotional aspects will deliver a greater impact than one that does not.

How Much Does Luxury Rehab Cost 

We’ve looked into the benefits and differences between a luxury and a standard rehab, so now it’s time to answer the question — how much does luxury rehab cost?

The actual price of a luxury rehab is subjective to many factors and prices can range dramatically depending on the location, amenities, and treatment quality.

But that’s not all that there is to be considered, insurance may cover some, most, or all of the costs — depending on the patient’s policy.

The most expensive and luxurious rehab in the world is said to cost over $350,000 per month — yes! That’s six figures per month. 

But that is not the norm. So then, how much does luxury rehab cost? Generally speaking, luxury rehabs tend to range between $30,000 to $100,000 per month. In comparison, the same stay at a standard facility could range between $5,000 and $20,000, with outpatient treatments costing even less.

Is The Juice Worth The Squeeze?

There is no doubt that luxury alcohol rehabs and luxury drug rehabs offer excellent services that help addicts get sober. Nevertheless, do these services really warrant the extra expense?

Some patients might even consider it a necessity. For working professionals and those interested in privacy, luxury rehabs offer the benefit of maintaining their daily responsibilities while undergoing treatment. 

Every person’s journey is unique. The cost of attending rehab multiple times and having to pay for treatment over and over is higher in the end. It is for this reason that choosing the right treatment is so crucial. If that means going for a luxury rehab, then the addict should seriously consider the option.

Is Luxury Rehab For Me?

Luxury rehab may be an option you would like to consider for yourself or a loved one.

Paying for rehab shouldn’t be a concern for those struggling with addiction. Insurance companies are available to provide addicts with financial support to pave their way out of recovery. 

When it comes to determining whether luxury rehab is affordable for you, our admissions team can help.

Elysium Healthcare is an expert in addiction treatments and will be able to assist you every step of the way.

Contact Elysium today, to get your loved ones the help they need.

What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

You’ve probably heard the term co-occurring disorders before when referring to addiction, or dual diagnosis and wondered what it meant. The term does not sound like the news addicts want to hear when they first seek help, they may have attended a rehab to resolve their addiction problems, or perhaps they didn’t even want to be there in the first place, and now they are being told they have a co-occurring disorder as well. 

But what is the best standard definition of co-occurring disorders?

What Is The Best Standard Definition of Co-Occurring Disorders

A co-occurring disorder, also known as a dual-diagnosis, is the coexistence of both a mental disorder and a substance abuse disorder, where both diseases exacerbate each other, making it more difficult for the patient to get better.

Our bodies are in some ways similar to an engine, where if one part is not working well, other parts also become affected. Considering the tremendous role that mental health plays in addiction, and vice-versa, it has become impossible to overlook the need to integrate the treatment of both disorders together into a program of recovery.

Substance Use Disorder 

A substance abuse disorder (SUD) is, to put simply, a mental disorder that causes a person to abuse alcohol or drugs.

The disorder may be categorized into either substance abuse or substance dependence.

  • Substance abuse: Substance abuse is a form of addiction that is milder than dependence. Usually, an obsession with drugs and alcohol is present and the user has difficulties stopping but has not yet developed a severe physical dependence with withdrawal symptoms.
  • Substance dependence: It’s a severe stage of addiction where physical dependence on substances has developed. The addict will exhibit withdrawal symptoms and difficulties when stopping.

Substances that are often misused and cause SUD may include:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Opioids
  • Cocaine
  • Stimulants
  • Marijuana
  • Hallucinogens
  • Prescription drugs

Mental Health Disorders 

Mental disorders are the second piece to the co-occurring disorder puzzle, one or more may be present when diagnosing the condition, and considering how disorders such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders are so often associated with substance abuse, it’s not uncommon to see more than one disorder in severe cases.

Mental health disorders are very common in the United States, research carried out in 2020 shows that nearly 9% of the US population suffered from a mental health disorder. That’s nearly nine million people who suffer from a mental disease. When we weigh that against nearly seven million people who suffered from both a substance abuse disorder and a mental illness in the same year, the data clearly shows the gravity of the link between substance abuse and mental disease.

Some of the most common mental disorders co-occurring with substance abuse disorders include:

  • Major depression
  • Dysthymia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Integrated Treatment 

Substance abuse and mental disorders were often treated as different disorders; however, with new advances and a better understanding of their relation to each other, most recovery programs are taking an integrated treatment approach to treat both disorders together.

Dual-diagnosis is common among addicts and one condition usually exacerbates the other, making it difficult for addicts to get sober without proper support.

Now that you know what is the best standard definition of co-occurring disorders, you are ready to take the next step!

Elysium Healthcare is a top-rated luxury provider of drug and alcohol rehabs that offers dual-diagnosis treatments.

Once a co-occurring disorder has been diagnosed, the recovery experts at Elysium will craft a personalized treatment plan tailored to the specific needs of the addict, inpatient treatment will be recommended for most dual-diagnosis patients.

No matter which treatment option is best for you, we have an option that can help. Contact Elysium today and speak to one of our admission professionals to find out more about how we can help you get sober today.

Signs You Need Inpatient Rehab

There are numerous treatment options available for addicts who are seeking recovery. Generally, recovery treatments are either provided in an inpatient or outpatient setting. 

Inpatient treatments offer the patient a controlled environment where they may stay under supervision for the duration of their treatment, while outpatient treatments offer them the option to return home after completing their daily program.

Why Choose Inpatient

Outpatient treatment is not for everyone, the freedom that comes with it can also carry a risk of relapse and mortality for the addict. Around-the-clock treatment may not be considered a luxury amenity, but having continuous medical care has unmeasurable value.

The inpatient option is a no-brainer for patients whose cravings are too much to bear, and whose withdrawals are severe. But that shouldn’t shy away patients whose symptoms are milder as they can still benefit from other inpatient perks such as:

  • Connecting with other addicts in recovery
  • Access to convenient amenities
  • Serene supportive space
  • Comprehensive care
  • Greater ability to rest and disconnect
  • Medical attention around-the-clock

5 Signs You Need Inpatient Therapy

If you are struggling with addiction, and are unsure of whether inpatient rehab is the right option for you or not, then you may want to consider if any of these top five signs you need inpatient therapy apply to you.

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

“I can stop whenever I want, just not today” 

But can you? Really?

Can you have only one beer? Can you actually go a full week, month, or year without drugs?

Many addicts may tell themselves they can stop whenever they want, but it’s easier said than done. If an addict is unable to control how much or how often drugs and alcohol are consumed, then that’s as good of a sign as it gets that it’s time to check into rehab.

It Affects Your Health

Maybe your hands shake after a night of heavy drinking, perhaps it’s the panic attacks or the chest pains after a weekend of partying non-stop. Whichever it may be, it’s best not to ignore what your body is trying to tell you.

Substance abuse will slowly but surely unveil its detrimental effects on the body. Don’t wait for the emergency room to decide that enough-is-enough, if your health is affected by drugs and alcohol in the slightest way, then call your doctor and make it to an inpatient facility as soon as possible.

Withdrawals Are a Thing

Remember when you could stop your opioid session without feeling like death? Or the days when drinking didn’t cause your hands to shake? 

Those shakes are called delirium tremens and they’re a serious symptom of withdrawal.

Withdrawals are the confirmation of physical substance dependency in the body. Once withdrawal symptoms show up, the risk of quitting elevates to a life-threatening condition, in which case inpatient detox is the way to go as the addict will need to remain under medical supervision for the remainder of the process.

Your Life Is Out of Control

So much to say here, jail, career, family, pick one or pick them all – if your life is falling apart in front of your eyes, then it’s probably a good time to stop fueling that fire.

Drugs and alcohol tend to strip the life of an addict down to their last breath. The good news is you don’t have to wait until everything is lost, make a decision to get better, and seek inpatient rehab at the first signs of trouble. You’ll be surprised to learn how much of your life can change by changing your consumption habits.

You Keep Failing

Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to get some time under your belt, maybe you’ve got a break here and there and even tried your luck with outpatient rehab or other forms of recovery. Yet, despite your best efforts, you just can’t seem to kick the bucket!

If you’ve tried and failed at recovery before, then an inpatient rehab treatment may be what’s best suited for you next. The ability to have around-the-clock support will greatly improve your chances of success. 

Time to Make a Change

If you or one of your loved ones can identify with any of these five signs you need inpatient therapy in this article, then it’s time to get professional help. 

Elysium Healthcare is a top-rated luxury provider of drug and alcohol rehab that offers inpatient and outpatient programs. No matter which treatment option is best for you, we can help.

Contact Elysium today and speak to one of our admission professionals to find out if inpatient rehab is right for you.

Does Insurance Cover Detox Programs?

Does Insurance Cover Detox Programs

Detox programs are designed to help addicts get over the difficulties of substance dependence by detoxifying the body from drugs and alcohol.

There is a cultural misconception about the pricing of detox and recovery being too high and unaffordable. This mystification has deterred many addicts from seeking the help they need and getting sober. In reality, the costs for detox vary greatly depending on the rehab center, and while some luxurious options may foot a larger bill, there is always the option to secure insurance to pay for the treatment.

Does Health Insurance Cover Detox?

No one should be left out of medical treatment due to their inability to pay for it, particularly addicts who may have fallen out of financial luck due to their disease. So does health insurance cover detox? The short answer is yes, it does.

Gratefully, for those wanting to get better, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted into law in 2010. The act lists addiction services as an essential coverage category for insurance. That means addiction rehabilitation now falls under the same umbrella as other medical and surgical treatments because it’s also considered a medical treatment, and your insurance can pay for it, allowing addicts in recovery to commence their new lives without excessive financial burdens caused by the recovery process.

“But I don’t have insurance, I can’t get help” – Not true.

The Affordable Care Act has you covered on that as well. The act covers pre-existing conditions, which means you can opt for insurance regardless of where you may be in your addiction or recovery process. Opting for this solution may take longer, but it’s possible nonetheless. 

As with all insurance, not all plans are created equal. Premium plans may cover the treatment fully and even extend to luxury rehabs while basic plans may leave part of the bill to be financed by the patient. Basic insurance may be upgraded to a premium plan under the Affordable Care Act.

How many times does health insurance cover detox? Due to the pre-existing condition clause, one may re-apply for detox if needed.

What Other Addiction Treatments Does Insurance Cover?

All marketplace plans cover mental health and substance abuse services. They must include:

  • Behavioral health treatments such as counseling and psychotherapy
  • Mental and behavioral health inpatient services
  • Substance abuse treatment such as detox and outpatient care

The best way to find out what percent of treatment is covered by your insurance is by contacting your insurance provider and asking for it, or seeking guidance from a rehab facility finance team.

Most providers won’t advertise their substance abuse coverage which can make it confusing for the patient to understand if he or she can get coverage. The following companies are known to be health insurance that covers rehab:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Humana
  • Aetna
  • UMR
  • Vela Point
  • Beacon Health
  • United Healthcare
  • Multiplan
  • Geha
  • Cigna
  • CoreSource
  • Gilsbar
  • Anthem
  • Value options

Find Out if You Are Covered

Elysium Healthcare is a top-rated luxury provider of drug and alcohol rehabs. We provide rehab facilities that include both inpatient and outpatient treatment. No matter which treatment option is best for you, we have a rehab that can help.

Our professional team of admissions has extensive experience dealing with insurance coverage for detox programs. Finances should not shy you away from seeking the help you or your loved ones need to get better

Contact Elysium today and speak to one of our admission professionals to find out more about how your insurance can cover detox.