Buprenorphine has recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid addiction. Psychologists have played a key role in the development of this drug and will provide essential services to patients who are treated with it. When discussing addiction, it is important to be aware of the stigma that can be associated with it. Terms such as “abuser” can increase this stigma, which can act as a barrier to seeking treatment for those suffering from addiction.
To reduce this stigma, it is recommended to use language that reflects a disorder, such as “a person with, or suffering from, addiction or substance use disorder”. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a cognitive-behavioral approach used in the treatment of substance use disorders. This approach is based on the concepts of acceptance, mindfulness, and personal values. For those who require immediate care, short-term care lasting up to 31 days can be administered or supervised.
Most addiction treatment programs involve counseling services provided by qualified professionals such as Substance Abuse Counselors (SAC), Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC), and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC). For more complex cases, a board-certified psychiatrist with specialized training in addiction diagnosis, treatment, and management may be required. In some cases, individuals may need to seek treatment outside their state of permanent residence. This is known as interstate treatment.
Medications that activate receptors to produce a biological response are known as agonists. Mutual aid organizations or peer support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can also be beneficial for those affected by a loved one's alcohol use disorder. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can cause feelings of relaxation and pleasure, reduced inhibitions, motor impairment, memory loss, difficulty speaking, and in high doses can cause respiratory problems, coma or death. It is also linked to an increased risk of accidents and should be consumed responsibly.
International scholarships are available for people with alcohol consumption problems. Recovery Support Services for Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Substance Use Disorder involve them in a community of other adolescents in recovery to capitalize on the same desire for peer acceptance that is known to drive, in part, adolescents' motivations for substance use. Confidentiality is closely related to the concept of addiction because people generally prefer that their name or addiction status not be known due to possible stigma and discrimination. Anonymity can help people seek help more easily as they are more likely to seek help for a stigmatized condition if they know that seeking help will remain private.
Appeals are a statutory right of an insured person, provider or authorized representative to seek relief against a health plan or third party's determination to deny or limit payment for requested medical or behavioral treatments and services. Alternative dispute resolution is an often binding process for resolving disputes outside the courts. Linkage strategies are designed to ensure that a patient or client reaches the next level of clinical care or connects to a recovery support resource. This usually involves an in-person introduction directly to the next level of care or resource (for example, “hot delivery”).
It has been shown in research to be more effective than passive referral in increasing patient participation in continuing care and recovery services. Assessment is an ongoing process used to determine the medical, psychological and social needs of people with substance-related conditions and problems. It may take the form of biological assays (for example, urine tests) or psychological tests (for example, questionnaires). Balance billing is the amount you might be liable for (in addition to any copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance) if you use an out-of-network provider which may represent the charge for a particular service that exceeds what the insurance plan allows as a charge for that service.