Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Posted on May 24, 2020November 9, 2022 by admin_cnt

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

At first, you start off with raising a toast at celebratory events or enjoying an occasional drink at office parties. Or you hang out with your buddies, besties, or colleagues after school or work, and drinking alcohol or taking the latest party or club drugs seem like the “in thing.” Before you know it, you are sucked into a vortex of substance abuse and your life tumbles down a dark hole. Now alcohol consumes you or drugs take precedence over everything that matters in your life.

You start panicking and realize you need help before it is too late but a nagging feeling at the back of your mind keeps telling you that staying away from substance abuse and turning over a new leaf is easier said than done. Worse still, you cannot take a break from study or work, and family commitments stand in the way of you seeking help. But what if you could explore treatment options without turning your personal/professional schedule upside down? Let us handhold you through the myriad doubts and questions arising in your mind and find doable and practical solutions so you can walk down the road to sobriety.

What Happens at a Detox Center?

You might have heard stories of family members, friends, colleagues, or neighbors who have successfully completed drug rehab and are now leading meaningful lives. You might even be wondering what happens at a detox center and how you can identify the right program for yourself.

The outpatient alcohol rehab process involves four stages — Assessment, Detox, Therapy, and Aftercare.

Assessment is done to design a treatment plan based on an individual’s type, duration of substance abuse, and severity of drug and/or alcohol abuse, as well as other challenges such as domestic violence or co-occurring mental health issues.

Detox is the second stage and targets managing withdrawal symptoms and eliminating or negating the body’s dependence on drugs and/or alcohol.

Therapy delves into the roots or underlying causes of the addiction and gives a patient the tools to combat it.

Aftercare ensures that a person continues to receive support and embarks on a lifelong journey of recovery.

You should take care to select the right detox program and look for evidence-based treatment approaches offered by a team of trained and certified professionals, including doctors, therapists, counselors, and support staff. Questions you should seek answers must include:

What will my treatment plan look like and who will design it?
How many hours will I need to commit each week to successfully finish it?
What does a typical session include and how will it be implemented?
Are there evidence-based therapies and treatment options?
Can I sign up right away or is there is a waiting list? If yes, how long do I need to wait before I can enroll?
What facilities or support are offered in terms of aftercare? Will I receive the usual follow-up telephone call or have access to programs involving my family members and friends?
Will I be offered help for co-occurring health concerns such as mental health disorders?

A detox center primarily offers inpatient and outpatient programs for those struggling with substance abuse. A substance abuse evaluation is conducted to recognize the intensity of the problem, analyze it, and customize a treatment plan best suited to your needs.

Understanding Substance Abuse Evaluation

People who are coping with addiction or substance abuse experience a range of feelings and emotions. They may feel scared or overwhelmed; at other times, they may feel hopeful and have a strong urge to change and go clean. Recognizing one’s addiction and the desire to seek help is the first and foremost step toward a successful recovery.

A substance abuse evaluation is a clinical tool used by doctors and healthcare providers to identify and analyze the extent of a person’s alcohol or drug addiction, determine co-occurring concerns like a mental health disorder, evaluate the magnitude or impact of the addiction on the person’s life and everyday activities, and obtain and assess the medical and social history relating to general health concerns and drug use.

Substance abuse evaluations are comprised of two parts — an initial screening and a more holistic assessment. Both these parts are used to determine a treatment plan, as screening helps to understand whether or not a person has a substance abuse disorder, and the subsequent assessment identifies the type of problem, determines possible options for diagnosis, and helps in recommending a tailored treatment strategy. Entry-level professionals can be engaged to carry out screenings, while assessments need to be conducted by certified and/or qualified doctors, nurses, therapists, or social workers.

Some of the more common tools used for screening include the CAGE Questionnaire, and Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI). For instance, the CAGE Questionnaire is an essential tool for assessing the drinking patterns of individuals considering outpatient alcohol rehab or inpatient treatment. The questions give shape to the acronym CAGE as they seek to find answers to four questions — Have you ever felt the need to Cut down on your drinking? Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking? Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

An assessment is done by recording discussions, asking diagnostic interview-style questions (structured and semi-structured), and collating written responses on the history or usage of drugs and alcohol, substance-related behavior, health concerns, and history of possible treatment so that a proactive strategy can be drawn up to arrest the progress of the substance abuse disorder. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule-IV (a fully structured tool) and the Addiction Severity Index (a semi-structured interview) are two of the most commonly used tools for assessment.

Ambulatory Outpatient or Outpatient Care

If staying away from your loved ones – particularly children – or taking a break from work or study is not a feasible option for both personal and practical reasons, outpatient detox programs or ambulatory outpatient care could be exactly what you need as your attendance is required only during treatment sessions. You can return home and go about your daily routine without disrupting your normal activities or incurring additional expenses. It is important to note that a majority of people enroll in outpatient alcohol rehab programs at some stage of their treatment plan as even those who initially opt for intensive inpatient or residential treatment programs also need to make the transition to outpatient care as a means of continuing and eventually completing their treatment programs.

You can avail yourself of services for ambulatory outpatient care at health centers, urgent care centers, hospital-based outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, offices of physicians, and a host of other places offering medical assistance. Outpatient alcohol rehab has its own benefits, and it scores big in terms of affordability and greater flexibility as there is little or no need to readjust your daily schedule. It also provides enhanced confidentiality, as you can seek treatment discreetly or anonymously; there is no need to explain your prolonged absence to your employer or family members and friends; and you can immediately apply or use the lessons imparted in everyday situations.

Types of Outpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs

Each outpatient alcohol rehab program is different in terms of schedule and structure as it is customized and based on a person’s needs and goals. Some programs require an individual to attend treatment sessions for several hours a day for 5 days a week, whereas people enrolled in other programs may be required to meet only once or twice each week. The deciding factors are the severity of the addiction and the need for concurrent psychiatric or medical care.

There are three primary types of outpatient programs for drug and alcohol addiction — standard outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs. The programs differ in structure, intensity, and types of services offered.

Standard Outpatient Programs: These programs are the least intense. People enrolled in these programs typically require little medical supervision and meet for 1-2 hours once or twice a week. Sessions may involve one-on-one counseling with a therapist or group therapy.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, an IOP is defined as a program that requires a minimum of 9 hours of intensive treatment per week. People enrolled in these programs can avail themselves of a wide range of services, including individual and group counseling sessions, 12-step meetings, and medication. Participants are required to meet for 9-20 hours each week. Many IOPs require individuals to meet 3-6 hours, 3-5 days a week.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): These are day treatment programs offered at free-standing clinics or hospitals. Treatment sessions are conducted for 3-8 hours a day for up to 7 days a week. The sessions include individual, family and group therapy, on-site medical care, and psychiatric care and help people in making a transition from an inpatient program to outpatient care.

Therapies Used in Outpatient Care

Therapies used in outpatient programs are based on a number of factors and vary depending on an individual’s history of substance abuse, the substance or substances abused, co-occurring mental health disorders, and other underlying health concerns. Some common therapies that are used include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the Matrix Model, Contingency Management, Motivational Enhancement Therapy or Motivational Interviewing, and Family Therapy.

When Not to opt for Outpatient Detox

Before you enroll in an outpatient detox program, you need to weigh your options carefully. Scrutinize your history with drugs and/or alcohol with a fine-toothed comb to make a realistic assessment of your needs. Choosing a drug rehab program in an outpatient setting may not be the ideal choice if a person experiences a constant urge to use drugs and/or alcohol, or fails to regularly attend therapy or group sessions, or requires treatment or medical supervision for multiple disorders.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Psychological Association do not recommend outpatient alcohol rehab for patients if they have complicated withdrawal syndromes such as psychosis and potentially fatal seizures, severe or multiple addictions, co-occurring disorders like chronic medical issues or cardiovascular disease, a history of relapse or several failed or unsuccessful attempts at recovery, poor support systems and exposure to toxic environments such as stressful living conditions, the risk or a history of complicated withdrawal symptoms, or referral requests from therapists or doctors to put a patient in an inpatient treatment facility.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

If you’re still thinking about relapses and visions keep flashing before your eyes of people in your social circle who have successfully battled the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and yet have gone back to outpatient alcohol rehab, you need to understand that it is an uphill task and that only your commitment and dedication – coupled with the right circumstances – can help you achieve long-term sobriety. Rehab can have a substantial positive effect on your life as it is a progressive and ongoing journey.

You need to identify and avoid triggers and/or temptations, build a strong support network of family members and friends, and keep yourself busy and motivated so that your addiction does not end up being an on-again, off-again battle.

The determinants of successful rehab are based on research-based treatment and practice-based evidence. If you want to beat the odds, outpatient alcohol rehab can help you stay strong and offers a solid pillar of support on this lifelong journey of recovery.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is “no cure” for addiction as it is a relapsing and chronic condition. Although there is no magic potion that offers instant relief or cure, the condition can be managed with support from programs for drug rehab and alcohol rehab, proper guidance from doctors and healthcare professionals, and the love and support of family members, and friends. These factors, and most importantly, your belief in yourself, can help you achieve lifelong sobriety.

The Effect of Drugs on Unborn Babies

Posted on May 23, 2020December 12, 2022 by admin_cnt

The Effect of Drugs on Unborn Babies

Whether you’re planning to embrace motherhood or discover that you are pregnant, your world is suddenly filled with a newfound joy and happiness. But at the same time, if you are caught in the web of substance abuse, you know that it’s time to reach out and seek help. If you let the fear of being exposed or engulfed by social stigma take over, you must understand that battling substance abuse and seeking intervention at the right time can make all the difference between having a healthy baby and giving birth to a child with serious birth defects and other complications.

The use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord and placenta (i.e., the layer of tissue and blood vessels lining the uterus) become the lifeline for the developing fetus and filter the essential nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the growing infant. When a woman who is addicted to alcohol and/or drugs becomes pregnant, the harmful chemicals and compounds in these substances can reach the baby via the placenta and affect its growth. It can even affect the placenta itself and hinder the path of nutrients and removal of waste and toxins.

The use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy have long-term implications that do not stop at childbirth. Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) can be seen in babies who are born to mothers addicted to alcohol and drugs, particularly opioids. Complications in babies who have been exposed to alcohol or drugs during the prenatal period can manifest in the form of learning problems, behavioral disorders, developmental delays, a greater risk of premature death due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other forms.

Abstaining from drugs and alcohol can significantly reduce the risk of premature labor, miscarriage, stillbirth, and placental abruption. Proper medical intervention and treatment at drug rehab centers can alleviate the risk of developmental problems and serious birth defects like fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), neurological defects, facial deformities such as cleft palate, and deformities of the skull like an abnormally small head.

Fetal Health and Common Drugs of Abuse

Some common drugs of abuse include heroin, cocaine, marijuana, prescription drugs, and alcohol.

According to The Merck Manual, exposure to alcohol is the primary cause of birth defects, and pregnant women who consume alcohol are almost 50% more likely to suffer a miscarriage and have a baby with low birth weight. Alcohol consumed during any stage of pregnancy can lead to developmental defects and congenital abnormalities as it is a known teratogen; the central nervous system is sensitive to teratogens. Alcohol use during pregnancy could also cause stillbirth, FAS leading to neurological deficits, low fetal birth weight, and a host of other complications. You should seriously consider getting treatment before you plan your pregnancy. While it is difficult to drop all familial responsibilities and go away for treatment, outpatient alcohol rehab and drug rehab in New Jersey provide the option of accessing treatment while living at home.

Pregnant women who “shoot up” heroin intravenously are exposed to the risk of communicable diseases, while the fetus can suffer from fetal growth restriction, birth defects, and opioid dependence resulting in withdrawal syndrome after birth.

The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology states that prescription drugs such as sedatives and opioid pain relievers can have an adverse impact on pregnant women. Babies born to mothers who are addicted to opioids show an increased rate of neural tube defects, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, and defects of the spinal cord and brain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists hydrocephalus, glaucoma, congenital heart defects, spina bifida, and gastroschisis as potential birth defects that can be seen in expectant mothers who take opioid analgesics or drugs containing opioids (like Suboxone).

The Importance of Drug Rehab

Shedding your inhibitions and getting in touch with a detox center in New Jersey is the first positive step in achieving sobriety during pregnancy. A comprehensive evidence-based treatment program at a detox center helps you win the battle against cravings or triggers, manage potential complications and risks, and relieve withdrawal symptoms.

The effect of a particular drug on a fetus is based on the fetus’s stage of development, the purity or strength and dose of the drug taken, and several other factors. A drug rehab program can be customized as doctors and support staff analyze the needs of each individual and draw up the best treatment plan beneficial to the mother and her child. For instance, a woman using heroin can look at a heroin rehab program tailored to suit her requirements and ease the recovery process. Or if a pregnant woman takes methadone, she can get in touch with New Jersey methadone clinics for therapeutic drug monitoring, regular check-ups for maternal withdrawal symptoms, and empiric adjustments of dosage during pregnancy.

Drug Detox

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists cautions that addiction to drugs and alcohol brings in its wake physical dependence, and going ‘cold turkey’ can result in complications and withdrawal symptoms that may be life-threatening. A woman undergoes changes in terms of metabolism and body chemistry. This, in turn, impacts her withdrawal timelines. The duration and intensity of withdrawal symptoms depend on how long a person has been taking drugs, the type and quantity or dose used, the method used (i.e. inhaled, oral or injected), and numerous genetic, environmental, and biological factors. Timelines published by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services state that, typically, it takes 6 to 60 hours for the onset of symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal to manifest in expectant mothers, and 12 to 72 hours for symptoms linked to opioids, as seen in the case of suboxone withdrawal.

If you are looking for specific deaddiction programs in New Jersey like heroin rehab or trying to combat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal or suboxone withdrawal, drug detox or medically assisted detox programs can provide the requisite care and support you need to complete your program successfully. Or, if you are worried about methadone pharmacokinetics, you can contact methadone clinics to work on split-dosing regimens to achieve a more sustained serum concentration of methadone as well as improve your compliance in terms of completing the maintenance program.

Ambulatory Outpatient or Home-Based Detox Programs

If you have small children to look after and staying away from home is not an option, you can explore ambulatory outpatient detox programs in NJ offered by your local hospital or drug treatment center. The objectives of such programs involve helping a person manage withdrawal symptoms in a safe and supportive environment, monitoring the person’s mood swings, providing early intervention in case of adverse consequences, educating patients about the course and timeframe of withdrawal and the possibility of enduring symptoms, maintaining a commitment to withdrawal, drawing up a plan to stay clean, and coordinating with various support networks for effective aftercare. Ambulatory outpatient detox programs such as outpatient alcohol rehab can be successful if a person lives in a drug-free, stable and supportive environment at home, remains committed to withdrawal, and does not have any medical complications that require round-the-clock monitoring or treatment in a hospital setting, among other factors.

Outpatient detox programs in New Jersey offer greater flexibility, particularly for pregnant women who wish to continue working or studying. Women who sign up for outpatient detox programs can choose to attend meetings and counseling sessions at any time of the day and/or evening, and go back to their home at night; however, the recommendation by the National Institute on Drug Abuse clearly states that the duration of treatment must last for a minimum period of 90 days.

Rehab centers walk with you down the road to recovery and support you at every step. Individual counseling sessions with therapists, cognitive behavioral therapy, peer-to-peer support groups, group therapy sessions, workshops giving advice on life skills, classes on parenting and prenatal care, pregnancy education and counseling, assessment and therapy or treatment for co-occurring disorders, 12-step programming, and a host of other supportive measures can offer you and your baby the best chance at a full recovery. Let this be a journey of continued recovery so you can enjoy the newfound joys of motherhood and sobriety.

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What is the Impact of Drugs on Our Brain and Body?

Posted on May 20, 2020December 12, 2022 by admin_cnt

What is the Impact of Drugs on Our Brain and Body?

If you feel like you are walking around in circles and trying to find your way out of a labyrinth of troubles, and that substance abuse will offer you a quick-fix solution, think again. You may be facing a plethora of personal and/or professional issues, and the urge to “feel good” or “stop feeling like a misfit or unwanted’ or succumbing to plain curiosity may trigger the need to just “give it a try.” But the impact of substance abuse on your brain, body, and, most importantly, your life, will throw you into an abyss where getting your life back on track will be a Herculean task. Read on to learn more about the devastating impact of drugs and the many options to help overcome drug addiction.

Understanding the Intricacies of Drug Addiction

You may have heard of or read about people being addicted to drugs or being tagged as drug addicts, but what makes someone addicted to drugs? When you just can’t stay away from drugs and your urge gets the better of you despite knowing that it causes harm, you may already be on the dangerous path to full-blown drug addiction. If prescription medicines or illegal drugs start to take center stage in your life – even taking precedence over food and sleep – and control every moment of your life, cut you off from family and friends, and even lead you to steal, lie and hurt people who matter to you, it may be time to seek intervention.

Drug addiction is akin to a chronic ailment, and you can experience a “trigger” at any time. Triggers can arise from troubles at home, hanging out with people who use drugs, mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, difficulty in making new friends or adjusting to a new environment, visiting a particular place or meeting a person, seeing a picture or thing, getting a whiff of a familiar smell, or even a feeling or memory associated with certain events.

Your Body — Different Drugs, Different Effects

Drugs can have psychological as well as physical long- and short-term effects on your brain and body. It doesn’t take long for a “casual user” to become completely addicted to drugs. The effects of a particular drug and the duration before it becomes an addiction depend on several factors, including the type and purity of the drug, the substances used to manufacture the drug, the quantity taken, the physical traits of the user (such as weight, height, age, metabolism, and body fat), the duration and frequency of drug abuse, the manner of ingestion (i.e., injection, oral, or inhalation), the user’s mental health and surrounding environment, and the use of a cocktail of drugs that often includes alcohol.

This begs the question: what does it mean to misuse drugs, particularly prescription medication?

Misusing prescription medicines implies using a drug in a manner contrary to professional medical advice, such as taking more than the prescribed number of pills, crushing tablets to snort or shoot up, procuring drugs using someone else’s prescription, or simply getting high on drugs not intended for you. Gradually, increasingly larger quantities of the drug are needed to experience the same feel-good effect, and your brain and body just can’t do without it because, with time, higher tolerance levels increase a person’s dosage requirements for experiencing the same level of euphoria or whatever effect the drug promises.

The patient usually feels anxious, ill, and irritable without taking the drug. Some of the harmful effects of drug addiction include trouble with decision-making and focusing on things, remembering things, irregular heartbeat, panic attacks, paranoia, and damage to the lungs, heart, and kidneys.

Drugs impact how a person behaves, thinks, and feels, as it affects the body’s central nervous system or CNS. Depressants, hallucinogens, and stimulants are the three primary categories of drugs that have damaging consequences on the CNS.

How it Affects your Brain

The chemicals present in drugs change the manner of sending, receiving, and analyzing information by the nerve cells. Drugs imitate the natural chemical messengers of the brain, over-stimulate the “reward circuit”, send abnormal messages by filling the brain with excessive chemicals, and attach themselves to the brain’s receptors.

Although drug addiction is considered to be a relapsing and chronic brain disease, some substances and drugs also alter the brain’s chemistry and enhance the risk of mood disorders and depression. Other drugs are associated with brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol have the most dangerous impact on the brain’s health. If one keeps ignoring the symptoms of alcohol or substance abuse for a prolonged period, it can result in long-term health issues and may even lead to a higher risk of death. A detox center for addressing symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse helps restore the brain’s balance and reverse or improve the damage caused by substance abuse.

Decoding the Science Behind a Comedown

The after effect or “comedown” refers to how the body reacts to drugs that a user has taken. It describes the feeling that occurs after the initial reaction. A person’s gender, tolerance level, and age determine the duration and severity of the comedown. Some common after-effects are exhaustion, headaches, depression, nausea, fatigue, sweating, dizziness, feeling shaky, not feeling hungry or sleepy, or an inability to sleep.

One can get in touch with a detox center and sign up for drug rehab programs specifically targeted at addressing and managing the effects of a comedown.

Fighting Your Drug Addiction

If you’ve come to terms with your drug addiction and have realized that you need help, you have already taken the first step in the right direction. Whether you are looking to address concerns relating to alcohol withdrawal or suboxone withdrawal symptoms, heroin rehab, or methadone clinics, choosing a drug rehab program that’s tailored to your needs treats the root of the problem. Alcohol and drug rehab centers treat addiction in its entirety by using a range of therapies. For example, if a person is suffering from alcohol withdrawal or suboxone withdrawal symptoms, drug detox is used to treat a user’s physical dependence on alcohol and drugs, while other therapies are used to address the psychological disorders that are triggered or aggravated by the addiction, as well as mental issues behind the craving for drugs. One can consider medication-based therapy (also known as replacement therapy) for opioid drugs by contacting methadone clinics for heroin rehab or addiction issues related to prescription painkillers.

Outpatient Detox

If being hospitalized puts you off for practical and/or personal reasons, you can consider outpatient detox programs such as an outpatient alcohol rehab program or ambulatory outpatient care to walk down the path of a successful and safe recovery from addiction issues. These programs can be customized based on affordability and offer the flexibility to continue working as well as receive treatment. One can avail of ambulatory outpatient services at a doctor’s chamber or clinic, an emergency room, an outpatient department at a hospital, and other places. Outpatient detox programs focus on counseling sessions, educating a patient, and providing a support system involving family members and close friends. For instance, if a patient needs outpatient alcohol rehab, they can explore options such as Day Programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs, and seek the support of Continuing Care Groups to successfully finish the program.

One can define recovery from addiction as staying clean and relearning or exploring healthy ways to deal with life’s problems. As you start thinking and feeling positive, stay away or avoid people or places that might trigger a relapse, and re-establish family ties and bonds with your friends and colleagues, the journey to discovering a new and better life begins.

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AVOIDING RELAPSE DURING COVID19

Posted on May 7, 2020December 12, 2022 by admin_cnt

AVOIDING RELAPSE DURING COVID19

Nationally Recognized Addiction Expert, Dr. Indra Cidambi, Suggests Ways to Maintain Sobriety

New Jersey, NY – May 5th, 2020 – The myriad restrictions and dislocations caused by COVID19 is challenging to everyone, worldwide. “But for people in recovery, it has created the perfect storm for relapse,” noted Dr. Indra Cidambi, a nationally acclaimed Addiction Expert and Medical Director of New Jersey-based Center for Network Therapy. “The proven triggers for relapse – stress, anxiety, boredom and financial strain – are present concurrently during this crisis, and it is important to cope with them effectively to prevent relapse,” she added.

Restrictions imposed by COVID19 make it difficult to “manage your environment,” a primary relapse prevention technique, to get away from certain triggers. So, Dr. Cidambi offers people afflicted by substance use disorders alternate strategies to stay sober and healthy:

Stay Active

Not having anything to do will feed into the negativity of the situation. Remember the things you always wished you had the time to do – color code your clothes, get your financial documents in order, etc. – get these done. It will keep you distracted, and reduce stress in the future.

Get Moving

Working out is a good way to kill time, reduce stress and stay healthy. Various exercise, yoga, and meditation regimens are available online at no cost. Pick one that is suitable to your living situation and practice daily.

Stock Medications

Line up your doctor appointments in advance as they are more restricted, and pharmacies are not fully stocked – you don’t want to run out of buprenorphine or naltrexone that help you remain abstinent.

Leverage Support System

Attend AA and NA meetings regularly through online platforms and talk to your sponsor by phone to process your triggers and feelings as they arise. This will reduce stress and provide you with tools and strategies to cope with people and situations around you.

Utilize Telehealth

Access your therapist or other health care providers through telehealth platforms, as health insurance providers have eased reimbursement restrictions during COVID19. Call your provider for details.

Quit Smoking

Recent research suggests that smokers who contract COVID19 are 2.4 times more likely than non-smokers to face severe outcomes – ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation or death. It may be time to think seriously about quitting smoking. FDA approved, over-the-counter smoking cessation products are safe and effective and you may want to consider using them.

“Resisting cravings caused by triggers is important because, if you give in to them, it will only make the cravings stronger the next time around,” said Dr. Cidambi.

For more information on substance abuse, chemical dependency, addiction and treatment please go to www.RecoveryCNT.com.

About Dr. Indra Cidambi

Indra Cidambi, M.D., is recognized as America’s leading addiction treatment expert. She started New Jersey’s first licensed Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification program for all substances seven years ago at CNT. Dr. Cidambi is Board Certified in General Psychiatry and double Board Certified in Addiction Medicine (ABAM, ABPN). She is the President of the New Jersey Society of Addiction Medicine. She is fluent in five languages, including Russian.

About Center for Network Therapy

Center for Network Therapy (CNT) was the first facility in New Jersey to be licensed to provide Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification Services for all substances of abuse – alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines and opiates. Led by a Board Certified Addiction Psychiatrist, experienced physicians and nurses closely monitor patient progress. With CNT’s superior client care and high quality treatment, Dr. Cidambi and her clinical team have successfully detoxed roughly over 2000 patients in seven years. CNT also offers Partial Care and IOP programs.

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