Social Model of Treatment Infographic

photo of two men talking in the cafeteria Improving Communication Skills

The Social Model of Addiction Treatment

We wanted to provide a visual representation of why the social model is so effective in the treatment of addiction.

This graphic illustrates some of the important differences between the isolated life of the continuing user compared to the strength that comes from being part of a recovery community.

10-Acre Ranch is well known for creating a setting and process that embodies all of the strengths of the social model. We have been using this model to help men recover for over 25 years.

Consider the fact that our center employs a 4 to 1 ratio of clinical staff to men in treatment, and many in our staff have had their lives touched by addiction themselves. This makes the “family-like” environment an extremely supportive example of the social model.

Support & Accountability in the Recovery Community

Those who seek treatment have inevitably had moments of clarity during which they attempted to quit using on their own (or at least tapering down use), only to relapse and quickly return to the existing pattern of drug use.

One key contrast between the life of an active drug user and someone who is in a social model treatment center is that while using, stress overwhelms & causes “shutdown” (and then relapse). In contrast, during the social model treatment process, the participant will be continually checking in with his recovering peers and facilitators during group counseling sessions and 12-Step meetings.

Not only does the frequent interaction provide the support of the others who are facing similar challenges, there will be numerous people who will act as ‘lifelines’ that the recovering man can call upon in the face of the temptation to relapse. The man’s counselor and sponsor are 2 examples of people whom he can depend upon during and after treatment. The mans’ support team will be aware of his current situation and his state of mind due to the frequent contact, and members of the man’s support team can provide guidance, advice, and suggest alternative actions to relapsing.

Additionally, there will be a sense of accountability the man will feel towards his supporters who have invested themselves in his recovery, and he will not want to disappoint them by failing his next drug test or being conspicuously absent from scheduled activities.

Contact 10 Acre Ranch for “Real Recovery”

10 Acre Ranch has been treating men who thought they had lost all hope for over 25 years. We provide men the tools to achieve recovery that lasts. From the moment the man arrives at our residential treatment center, he will start building the self-esteem that comes from achieving many consecutive days of sobriety and which will allow him to look himself in the eye and like what he sees.  For our clients who are from and remain in the Riverside area, there is a vibrant community of 10 Acre Ranch alumni who take part in regular support groups and activities like weekly softball games.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a chemical dependency then call us today at 1-877-228-4679. We can provide a confidential assessment of the situation and can also verify insurance benefits and start the process of admitting to treatment at 10 Acre Ranch. Tap into the power of the social model of recovery today by calling 10 Acre Ranch.

Prescription Opioids: Reducing Pain Patient Use

Bottles of prescription medicine opioids

As long as doctors continue to prescribe opioids, certain patients will be in need of addiction treatment. That is a fact. Prescription opioids, or opioids of any kind for that matter, are addictive. While not everyone who takes opioids will fall into the cycle of addiction, the odds are extremely high. Millions of Americans have found that out the hard way, just by going to a doctor and complaining of pain.

Scientists and researchers continue to work hard to find opioid alternatives. Or find ways to make opioids less addictive. But, in the meantime opioids will continue to be prescribed to most people experiencing moderate to severe pain. Which is why it is so important that physicians and medical practices do everything in their power to mitigate the risks of patient addiction. Such as:

  • Only prescribing opioids when it is absolutely necessary.
  • Screening patients for a history of addiction and utilizing prescription drug monitoring programs.
  • Prescribing in low doses and mild strengths.
  • Limiting the number of refills.
  • Drug testing patients to ensure the drugs are actually being taken, and not diverted.

Everything listed above may seem like common sense. But, as a matter fact, many doctors have been resistant to being told how to prescribe. Or being instructed on how to care for their patients. This is the case, even though most physicians lack training in addiction, or spotting the signs of it. Hubris, perhaps. With so many patients succumbing to overdose, the aforementioned suggestions can’t be ignored. And fortunately, some doctors have been receptive to prescribing guidelines that could save lives. Managing to reduce the amount of opioids their patients are taking, potentially saving lives.

TOPCARE Model for Opioids

A study conducted by researchers at Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine showed that reducing prescription opioid use among patients significantly was possible. Using the Transforming Opioid Prescribing in Primary Care model, doctors were able to reduce patient opioid use by 40 percent, according to the research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The TOPCARE model involves a nurse care manager who oversees chronic pain patients’ treatment plans. Ensuring that patient monitoring occurs, assisting prescribers and coordinating opioid educational sessions for doctors.

“The TOPCARE model was so effective in lowering opioid use that two of the study sites hired nurse care managers to continue the intervention and expand services to their primary care providers. Future research should look at data from state prescription drug monitoring programs and data on other substance use to get a more comprehensive view of how patients are using opioids,” said Karen E Lasser, MD, MPH, co-principal investigator of the study.

Opioid Addiction Treatment

While TOPCARE monitoring may help to limit the number of new opioid addicts, it does little to reverse patient addiction. Primary care physicians and nurse care managers must do everything in their power to spot signs of addiction in their patients. By doing so, they can intervene and refer patients to addiction treatment services in their area.

Getting addicted to opioids is easy, breaking the cycle of addiction usually requires help. If you have become addicted to your pain medication, please contact 10 Acre Ranch. We specialize in the treatment of opioid use disorders. The longer one puts off treatment, the worse the condition will get. Along with an increased risk of overdose.

Superfoods for Addiction Recovery

photo of healthy foods

Eating healthy shouldn’t be an afterthought during recovery. In fact, adding the right foods into your diet can help repair your body, boost your mood, and give you more energy to endure the hard work of rehab.

If the idea of healthful eating makes your head (and stomach) whirl a little, don’t worry. You don’t need to overhaul your diet at once. Take it slow, experiment with some new recipes, and work your way up to enjoying these superfoods on a regular basis.

  • Poultry and fish: These foods are great sources of low-fat protein and also contain an amino acid called tyrosine, which is essential in the creation of the feel-good neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
  • Bananas: This fruit contains tryptophan, another amino acid that’s not processed correctly when using drugs and alcohol. It works to promote relaxation and proper sleep.
  • Yogurt: Especially if you’re recovering from an alcohol or opiate addiction, you’ll need nutritional help to repair your gastrointestinal system. This probiotic-friendly food will help eliminate constipation and/or diarrhea and work to get your digestive tract running smoothly.
  • Blueberries: These tiny powerhouses are bursting with antioxidants, which can help boost your immune system and rid the body of toxins.
  • Vegetables: A vegetable-rich diet helps to restore many of those key nutrients lost during active addiction. Broccoli, cabbage and kale, for example, can help support liver detoxification and dark leafy greens (think spinach) can help heal tissue damage.
  • Whole-grain pasta and brown rice. These fiber-rich grains can help jump-start your digestive system, which may have suffered while using.

Nutritional Therapy at 10 Acre Ranch
Proper nutrition is a vital part of healthy rehabilitation, and aids in managing withdrawal symptoms, restoring physical health, and supporting the neurological system. At 10 Acre Ranch, we emphasize the importance of diet as part of a radical lifestyle change. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.

MDMA Now Even More Risky Due to Rising Impurities

MDMA Ecstasy

In the past, we have written about synthetic drugs, including synthetic cannabis or bath salts, perhaps the two most popular types. Such drugs are most commonly used among young people, the impoverished or people looking to beat a drug test. The news has been good about scaring some people away from trying or using these chemical regularly— being both dangerous and addictive. Overdose death rate stats are difficult to determine in the U.S., as people present in emergency departments with various side-effect symptoms.

While individuals will continue to use such drugs, if they are available, hopefully access will begin to decrease. However, even when people think they are doing one type of drug, they may in fact be doing something altogether different. You may have heard reports about the highly potent opioid fentanyl being stamped into pills resembling OxyContin? If so, then you probably know that many overdose deaths have resulted from disguising one drug as something else.

Fentanyl is not the only drug being mislabeled. It turns out that drugs that are popular among “clubbers” and music festival goers are commonly adulterated with other substances, some of which are potentially lethal. We don’t hear much anymore about Ecstasy. It is still used and abused to be sure, but these days people are more interested in 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA). The psychoactive ingredient used to make Ecstasy. Most people prefer to use MDMA because it is purer than Ecstasy, which is usually mixed with fillers like caffeine or other harmful additives. But is it really more pure? Is it even MDMA that people are doing? Sometimes, not always.

MDMA, Or Something Else?

New research suggests that MDMA, commonly called “Molly,” often contains dangerous additives, notably the chemicals used to make bath salts, according to a press release from The Johns Hopkins University. DanceSafe, a nonprofit, tested samples of pills or powder thought to be MDMA by people at music festivals and such. The service was conducted discreetly and free of charge. Of the 529 total samples collected between July 2010 and July 2015, 318 (roughly 60 percent) actually contained MDMA or the closely related drug MDA. The adulterated Molly contained:

  • Methylone and cathinones used to make synthetic drugs.
  • Methamphetamine
  • PMA, a dangerous form of amphetamine associated with overdoses and death.

The results show that the likelihood of taking something even more dangerous than MDMA is high.

“People who take pills and first responders need to know that no matter how the pills are branded or what name they are sold as, they almost always contain a mix of ingredients,” says Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Our results should discourage a false sense of security about the purity and safety of so-called Molly.”

MDMA Addiction

If you are using drugs like MDMA regularly, there is a good chance that you will be exposed to substances that are both addictive and dangerous. “Club drugs” are far from safe. Pure does not mean that a substance is without risk. Please contact 10 Acre Ranch for help.

The Pros of Alumni Support Programs

Group Of Alumni On Walk Through Countryside Together

Alumni support programs in addiction treatment are becoming increasingly popular  — and an integral part of the continuum of care offered to clients. And, why not? After all, being part of a recovery community can only work to strengthen your sobriety.

Especially during early recovery, when relapse rates are the highest, learning from and socializing with others who have been there is crucial for helping you to stay strong and to feel supported in this fight. Addiction can be pretty isolating — and alumni programs remind you that you’re not alone, nor do you ever have to be alone again. Having a built-in network of support can also help you to feel human again.

In general, alumni programs connect you with others who have also completed addiction treatment at the same facility and who have been clean and sober for some time. Alumni participate in educational, social and recreational activities to help individuals find the peer and community supports linked to long-term recovery success.

How Alumni Support Programs Can Help You
Here are a few more ways that an alumni program can strengthen your recovery.

You’ll…

  • Practice life skills and other tools learned to help you stay sober.
  • Refine essential relapse prevention techniques.
  • Make meaningfully connections with like-minded individuals.
  • Stay motivated by meeting others who are winning at lasting sobriety.
  • Share and learn from your collective experiences.
  • Avoid the tendency to self-isolate.
  • Stay in touch with people who you formed friendships with during rehab.
  • Develop a network of people whom you can trust.

About Our Alumni Support at 10 Acre Ranch
Our dedicated alumni coordinators are passionate about helping you stay focused on your recovery while having lots of fun. One way that 10 Acre Ranch alumni stay involved is with weekly softball games. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.

Addiction Stigma In The Language

Prescription painkillers oxycodone spilling from a bottle on a table with other bottles out of focus

Alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. Addict, alcoholic, alcohol and/or substance abuser. Junkie, crackhead, dope fiend, pill head, et al. If you are in recovery, you’re acutely familiar with all of these terms. Many of you have even referred to yourself using such pejorative names. The language we use to describe people who have been touched by the insidious disease of addiction can, and does, have an effect on the afflicted. Even if those suffering from such conditions don’t know it.

Addiction is a complex disease that is centered in the brain. The causes are debatable, but the treatment is not—generally speaking. Despite the fact that use disorders are accepted mental health conditions, the general public remains skeptical about how much choice is involved. To be sure, people suffering from addiction made an initial choice to try a substance. But what followed for those predisposed to the disease had little to do with choice.

When we refer to people as abusers, a word still used among people even in the field of addiction, the condition becomes stigmatized. The word abuse is hardly ever accompanied by something good. Yet, even in modern times when addiction is understood better than ever, it is hard to change the language of addiction. Rest assured, however, that by altering how we talk about the disease, more people can be encouraged to seek help.

Addiction Stigma In The Language

Changing how we label substance use disorders is difficult. Even experts struggle to agree on the correct way to go about the renaming. Even when a label sounds scientific “use disorder,” dis-order still carries a negative connotation. The word “abuse” needs no explanation. Some people have even raised concerns about the word alcoholic, after all, there are centuries of negative undertones associated with the word.

What’s more, there is likely a huge contingent of people in recovery who would not be receptive to identifying as, “My name is John D., and I have an alcohol use disorder.” But changing how people in recovery refer to themselves is not as important, at the end of the day. Changing how society refers to people in the grips of addiction, could have a profitable effect. People who are described as having a form of chronic disease, are far more likely to seek help. Compared to people who are labeled as “X” abusers. And researchers tend to agree on this.

In fact, recent studies have shown that the language we use actually matters. Dr. John F. Kelly, director of the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and associate professor of psychiatry and addiction medicine at Harvard Medical School, conducted a study which supports this idea. His findings showed that medical professionals are more likely to treat people with substance use disorders differently if they are described as “abusers,” according to U.S. News & World Report.

“Dropping the use of stigmatizing language “can save lives,” says Dr. John F. Kelly. Certain language “could suggest willful misconduct, which some people believe should be punished, not treated.”

From Stigma to Treatment

Dr. Kelly’s sentiments are shared by the former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the article reports. Michael Botticelli, the executive director at the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine at Boston Medical Center, says:

“Changing the Language of Addiction,” a 2016 paper he co-wrote for JAMA. “Stigma isolates people, discourages people from coming forward for treatment and leads some clinicians, knowingly or unknowingly, to resist delivering evidence-based treatment services.”

Botticelli co-authored a paper on this very subject that was published in JAMA.

Changing the language of addiction in America could help some of the millions of people who are resistant to seeking help. Fear of reprisals for seeking help is deeply rooted, due to the government’s response to addiction in the past. The stakes are extremely high, people are dying from the disease every day. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please contact 10 Acre Ranch, today.