What Do We Treat?

ALCOHOL ADDICTION TREATMENT

For alcohol addiction, several treatments apart from detox are required. As detox helps in flushing out alcohol and drugs from the body, it is the essential first step before starting any treatment. Our collaborators assist us with the initial detox followed by treatment.

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At Hope Trust we conduct group therapy, individual counselling sessions and psycho-education on the biological, psychological and social effects of alcohol dependence (bio-psycho-social model). Our specialists are well-equipped to perform a variety of interventions, be it medical interventions or empirically validated psychological interventions for substance abuse, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), supportive and group therapy as per requirement. WHO recommends the 12-step program, followed at Hope Trust for both during and after the treatment program

Remember that overcoming addiction does not happen at once. In fact, recovery is a lifelong process of commitment by the alcoholic and care by loved ones. This is why Hope Trust also provides a Family Support program.

Nicotine addiction treatment

The Nicotine Cessation Treatment Group provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals who want to quit using Nicotine. This is an 8-week program that will be conducted once every week for two months. The sessions will be facilitated by an expert in the field of addiction and a session with a psychiatrist will also be included.

Throughout the sessions a structured treatment protocol will be followed and

appropriate referrals for pharmacological or individualized psychological intervention will be facilitated if needed.

The treatment group aims at creating an environment where individuals can openly share their experiences and challenges in relation to Nicotine use. Ways to address these challenges and triggers and alternate coping strategies will be discussed with the participants. The treatment group will also enable individuals to learn the skills of problem solving and emotional management.

COCAINE ADDICTION TREATMENT

Cocaine addiction is accompanied by smoking crack and may be abused by polydrug (multiple substances) users. It is a complex problem that involves chemical changes in the brain as well as external factors such as social, occupational, interpersonal and environmental related problems.

A comprehensive treatment program is required to assess and effectively treat the bio-psycho-social aspects of drug abuse. There may be co-occurring psychiatric disorders requiring pharmacological and psychological interventions.

Cocaine abuse treatment can be facilitated by using an appropriate contingency management system. CBT is a very effective tool in preventing relapse. It helps cocaine-addicted individuals to abstain from cocaine and other substances. Hope Trust uses the 12-step program and works using a community-based recovery group approach to address the various aspects of addiction.

Our expert specialists are equipped to carry out dual diagnosis management for co-occurring mental disorders that are often part of the addiction and treat them effectively. Hope Trust follows a family counselling program that helps addicts to be understood and supported throughout their recovery, thus facilitating an effective support care system which not only helps maintain sobriety but also prevent relapse

CRACK ADDICTION TREATMENT

Crack is known to be the most addictive form of cocaine. When smoked as crack it takes as little as a few seconds to feel its effects as opposed to the powder form of cocaine that is taken intranasal, which takes up to 10 minutes.

We believe there are three major requirements to treat drug addiction: abstinence, relapse prevention and rehabilitation. Firstly when an addict abstains from drugs, they may face withdrawal symptoms. They require care, medical support and understanding to help manage these effects. In medical terms it is called detox.

Hope Trust supports the addict’s detox program with the help of fully trained medical professionals who can help them overcome withdrawal symptoms. With the treatment imparted with help of Hope Trust, withdrawal symptoms for addicts can be greatly reduced. Post the detox session, clients are made to go on a strong recovery foundation that include personal and group counselling sessions and other recovery centred programs.

Our Family Support Program is aimed at helping the family deal with the situation during and after treatment.

HEROIN ADDICTION TREATMENT

Early detection of heroin ensures effective treatment. There are many pharmacological options but synthetic opiates such as methadone, Burprenorphine, methadone and Subutex are particularly useful in blocking the effects of heroin and can control withdrawal symptoms. Accompanying psychotherapy can also be used to treat this type of addiction effectively. Integrating both treatment methods can result in the desired outcome.

Cognitive Behavioural interventions help the patients develop healthy knowledge and behaviour towards drug use and strengthen their skills to cope with various stress factors which could potentially trigger relapse

Detox in itself is useful in relieving withdrawal symptoms, so that the addict gets used to a drug-free state. Detox also reduces medical complications. It is an essential step leading to Outpatient Program at Hope Trust. Hope Trust is affiliated with many psychiatric centers for detoxification and stabilization.

The programs employed at Hope Trust are drug-free therapeutic community residential programs lasting between 4 to 6 months. This is considered an optimum amount of time and has a better chance against relapse than short-term courses that only focus on detox but not on life- long term recovery. .

KETAMINE ADDICTION TREATMENT

Ketamine is similar to laughing gas or PCP and causes sensory and perceptual impairment such as hallucinations and dream-like states with short-term effects of impaired memory, learning ability and motor functions, near-death experiences (K-hole) and fatal respiratory problems. Known to cause erratic behaviour on consumption, it is largely used to eliminate pain and under its influence the drug user may cause serious physical injury to themselves and others.

At Hope Trust we can tell you that drug users addicted to Ketamine or other substances can quit and stay clean, provided they are open to treatment and build a solid foundation of recovery.

Hope Trust has an effective detox program, personal counselling, group therapy sessions and an introduction to the 12-step program. The 12-step program is a lifelong path to recovery and rehabilitation from addiction. Further there is a deeper learning and understanding about Ketamine addiction and its ill-effects on the body and mind.Our Family Support Program helps the affected family members cope with the situation during and after the treatment process.

CANNABIS / MARIJUANA (‘WEED’ ‘GRASS’) ADDICTION TREATMENT

Like other substance dependence disorders cannabis or marijuana dependence is very similar.

Hope Trust employs a long-term treatment model to treat drug users effectively while teaching them self-management. Some addicts may be suffering from Co-morbid addictions or several mental disorders simultaneously, soliciting care and treatment. Hope Trust has a very good track record with dual-diagnosis treatment.

Our Family Support Program helps the affected family members in coping with the situation during and after the treatment process.

MDMA (ECSTASY) ADDICTION TREATMENT

Ecstasy or MDMA is a highly addictive drug that causes altering of perception and hallucinations. It is responsible for causing both physical and psychological dependence. The side effects have come to occur in the longer run, preceded by euphoric hallucinogenic effects. But it can cause serious behavioural and health consequences..

Short-term addiction can still be treated with abstinence but the cycle of dependency continues in long-term and cannot be withdrawn immediately. Such withdrawal can cause serious medical complications.

Hope Trust follows the 12-step program, which is a lifelong path to recovery and rehabilitation from addiction. Further there is a deeper learning and understanding about MDMA addiction and its ill-effects on the body and mind.

Our Family Support Program helps the affected family members cope with the situation during and after the treatment process.

METHADONE ADDICTION TREATMENT

Methadone addiction is related to heroin addiction and has become a widespread problem. Methadone is used to treat the withdrawal symptoms of heroin during detox. Some say that withdrawal symptoms of methadone can be harsher than heroin withdrawal symptoms.

Our Family Support Program helps the affected family members in coping with the situation during and after the treatment process.

OXYCONTIN ADDICTION TREATMENT

A lot of drug users who are addicted to OxyContin tend to have a history of alcohol or other drug abuses. It is an opiate analgesic which reduces pain but is highly addictive.

VALIUM ADDICTION TREATMENT

Valium is a benzodiazepine drug that causes physical dependence and benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. The symptoms are similar to alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can be experienced even from prescribed dosage or short-term usage. The longer the usage, the more unpleasant are the withdrawal symptoms.

VICODIN AND CODEINE / COUGH SYRUP ADDICTION TREATMENT

Hydrocodone popularly sold as Vicodin is largely used as a painkiller and is a synthetic opiate form of Codeine. Although branded as a painkiller, there’s no physical reduction of pain. It dopes the brain to ignore the pain being caused in the body. Slowly the body becomes used to and addicted to this painkiller.

Codeine is also ingested via Cough Syrups.

YABA ADDICTION TREATMENT

Yaba means “crazy medicine” in Thai. It is widely produced in Southeast and East Asia. Yaba drug users face risks similar to anyone who uses methamphetamine such as rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and damage to brain blood vessels leading to a stroke. This drug is known to impact mental state adversely causing paranoia, rage and hallucinations. Those who inject the drug intravenously also risk themselves to HIV, Hepatitis B & C etc.

Addicts may consume up to 10 or more tablets and develop a psychosis in the long run, which can be difficult to treat. However, with effective treatment and long-term abstinence, patients can fully recover.

DUAL DIAGNOSIS MEANS THAT AN INDIVIDUAL HAS TWO SEPARATE BUT VERY INTERRELATED DIAGNOSIS:

A psychiatric problem
An addiction problem

It is difficult to say which came first. What is important to note is that the person is currently having both problems and both have to be addressed together. A relapse in one of the two areas can trigger a relapse in the other.

DUAL DIAGNOSIS PROFILES MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Severe/major mental illness and a substance disorder(s)
Substance disorder(s) and a personality disorder(s)
Substance disorder(s), personality disorder(s) and substance induced acute symptoms that may require psychiatric care, i.e., hallucinations, depression, and other symptoms resulting from substance abuse or withdrawal.

HOW COMMON IS DUAL DIAGNOSIS?

Dual diagnosis is more common than you might imagine. According to a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association:

Thirty-seven percent of alcohol abusers and fifty-three percent of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness.
Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse either alcohol or drugs.

WHAT KIND OF MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARE SEEN IN PEOPLE WITH DUAL DIAGNOSIS?

The following psychiatric problems are common to occur in dual diagnosis – i.e., in tandem with alcohol or drug dependency: Depressive disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias, other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and personality disorders.

WHICH DEVELOPS FIRST – SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR THE EMOTIONAL PROBLEM?

It depends. Often the psychiatric problem develops first. In an attempt to deal with symptoms of an existing psychiatric disorder, a person may drink or use drugs; doctors call this “self-medication.” Frequent self-medication may eventually lead to physical or psychological dependency on alcohol or drugs. If it does, the person then suffers from not just one problem, but two. In adolescents, however, drug or alcohol abuse may merge and continue into adulthood, which may contribute to the development of emotional difficulties or psychiatric disorders.

In other cases, alcohol or drug dependency is the primary condition. A person whose substance abuse problem has become severe may develop symptoms of a psychiatric disorder: perhaps episodes of depression, fits of rage, psychosis or suicide attempts.

HOW CAN A PHYSICIAN TELL WHETHER THE PERSON’S PRIMARY PROBLEM IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR AN EMOTIONAL DISORDER?

At the initial examination, it may be difficult to tell. Since many symptoms of severe substance abuse mimic other psychiatric conditions, the person must go through a withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs before the physician can accurately assess if there is any underlying psychiatric condition present.

IF A PERSON DOES HAVE BOTH AN ALCOHOL/DRUG PROBLEM AND AN EMOTIONAL PROBLEM, WHICH SHOULD BE TREATED FIRST?

Ideally, both problems should be treated simultaneously. When neither illness is treated, one illness can make the other worse. When only one illness is treated, treatment is less likely to be effective. When both illnesses are treated, the chances for a full and lasting recovery are greatly improved, and it is easier to return to a full and productive life.

However, in a controlled therapeutic environment, such as a facility like Hope, the client is first assessed by a psychiatrist and physician. His psychiatric condition has to be relatively stabilized (with medication within a protocol-oriented setting), so that he is open to other inputs such as psycho-therapy and counselling.

DEPRESSION IS A SERIOUS MEDICAL ILLNESS. SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:

Sadness or low mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Change in weight
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Energy loss
Feelings of worthlessness
Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can run in families, and usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder.

There are effective treatments for depression, including antidepressants and talk therapy. A combination of both works best.

BIPOLAR DISORDER (ALSO CALLED: MANIC-DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS)

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. People who have it experience dramatic mood swings. They may go from overly energetic, “high” and/or irritable, to sad and hopeless, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The up feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression.

Bipolar disorder can run in families. It usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood. If you think you may have it, consult your health care provider. A medical checkup can rule out other organic causes that may be causing your mood changes.

Untreated, bipolar disorder can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. The highest risk of suicide in any psychiatric disorder is when a person is in the manic phase. However, there are effective treatments: pharmacotherapy and “talk therapy”. A combination usually works best.

ANXIETY

Fear and anxiety are a part of life. You may feel anxious before you take a test or walk down a dark street. This kind of anxiety is useful – it can make you more alert or careful. It usually ends soon after you are out of the situation that caused it. But for millions of people, the anxiety does not go away, and gets worse over time. They may have chest pains or nightmares. They may even be afraid to leave home. These people have anxiety disorders. Types include

Panic disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Phobias
Generalized anxiety disorder

Treatment can involve medication, therapy or both.

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a severe, lifelong brain disorder. People who have it may hear voices, see things that aren’t there or believe that others are reading or controlling their minds. In symptoms usually start in the late teens and early 20s. Other symptoms include

Unusual thoughts or perceptions
Disorders of movement
Difficulty speaking and expressing emotion
Problems with attention, memory and organization

No one is sure what causes schizophrenia, but research suggests there is a strong genetic component to schizophrenia, with brain chemistry playing an important role. Medicines can relieve many of the symptoms, but it can take several tries before you find the right drug. You can reduce relapses by staying on your medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. With treatment, many people improve enough to lead satisfying lives.

PERSONALITY DISORDERS

Personality disorders are long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause serious problems with relationships and work. People with personality disorders have difficulty dealing with everyday stresses and problems. They often have stormy relationships with other people. The exact cause of personality disorders is unknown. However, genes and childhood experiences may play a role.

Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific type of personality disorder. Treatment usually includes talk therapy and sometimes medication.

GAMBLING ADDICTION

Problem gambling, or ludomania, is an urge to continuously GAMBLE despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler’s behavior. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets certain criteria. Pathological gambling is a common disorder that is associated with both social and family costs. The condition is classified as an impulse control disorder, with sufferers exhibiting many similarities to those who have substance addictions (alcohol and drugs).

DEFINITION

“Problem gambling is characterized by many difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community.”

“Being unable to resist impulses to gamble which can lead to severe personal or social consequences”

According to DSM-IV, pathological gambling is now defined as separate from a MANIC EPISODE. Only when the gambling is occurring independent of other impulsive, mood, or thought disorders is it considered its own diagnosis. In order to be diagnosed, an individual must have at least five of the following symptoms:

Preoccupation –The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.

Tolerance – As with DRUG TOLERANCE, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same “rush”.

Withdrawal – Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.

Escape – The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.

Chasing – The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.

Lying – The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.

Loss of control – The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.

llegal acts – The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of THEFT, EMBEZZLEMENT,FRAUD, or FORGERY.

Risked significant relationship – The person gambles despite risking or losing a RELATIONSHIP, job, or other significant opportunity.

Bailout – The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling

GAMBLERS FALLACY

The GAMBLER’S FALLACY is the erroneous belief that a win in a game of pure chance is “due” after a string of losses. While it is logically correct to say that more trials of a probabilistic event increase the likelihood of the event occurring at least once, earlier games are independent of and have no influence over subsequent games.

RELATION TO OTHER PROBLEMS

Pathological gambling is similar to many other impulse control disorders such as KLEPTOMANIA, PYROMANIA, and TRICHOTILLOMANIA. Other mental diseases that also exhibit IMPULSE CONTROL DISORDER include such mental disorders as ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER, or SCHIZOPHRENIA.

According to evidence from both community- and clinic-based studies, individuals who have pathological gambling are highly likely to exhibit other psychiatric problems at the same time, including SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MOOD and ANXIETY DISORDERS, or PERSONALITY DISORDERS.

Pathological gambling shows several similarities with substance abuse. There is a partial overlap in diagnostic criteria; pathological gamblers are also likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs. The telescoping phenomenon reflects the rapid development from initial to problematic behavior in women compared with men. This phenomenon was initially described for alcoholism, but it has also been applied to pathological gambling. Also biological data provide a support for a relationship between pathological gambling and substance abuse.

As debts build up people turn to other sources of money such as THEFT, or the sale of DRUGS. Much of this pressure comes from BOOKIES or LOAN SHARKS on whom people rely for gambling capital.

Compulsive gambling can affect personal relationships.

CHILD ABUSE is also common in homes where pathological gambling is present. Growing up in such a situation can lead to improper emotional DEVELOPMENT and increased risk of falling prey to problem gambling behavior.

SUICIDE RATE

A gambler who does not receive treatment for pathological gambling when in his or her desperation phase may contemplate SUICIDE. Problem gambling is often associated with increased SUICIDAL IDEATION and attempts compared to the general population.

Early onset of problem gambling increases the lifetime risk of suicide. However, gambling-related suicide attempts are usually made by older people with problem gambling. Both comorbid substance use and comorbid mental disorders increase the risk of suicide in people with problem gambling.

TREATMENT

Most treatment for problem gambling involves counseling, step-based programs, self-help, peer-support, medication, or a combination of these. However, no one treatment is considered to be most efficacious, and Hope Trust devises individual treatment strategies.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS (GA) is a commonly used treatment for gambling problems. Modeled after ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, GA uses a 12-STEP MODEL that emphasizes a mutual-support approach. Hope Trust bases its treatment broadly on the 12 Steps.

One form of counseling, COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) has been shown to reduce symptoms and gambling-related urges. This type of therapy focuses on the identification of gambling-related thought processes, mood and COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS that increase one’s vulnerability to out-of-control gambling. Additionally, CBT approaches frequently utilize skill-building techniques geared toward relapse prevention, assertiveness and gambling refusal, problem solving and reinforcement of gambling-inconsistent activities and interests. Hope Trust employs CBT to reinforce the gamblers’ recovery.

As to behavioral treatment, some recent research supports the use of both activity scheduling and desensitization in the treatment of gambling problems. At Hope Trust, the person is urged to follow a structured lifestyle with little or no triggers.

STEP-BASED PROGRAMS

One step-based program for gambling issues is Gamblers Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous uses a 12-step program adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous and also places an emphasis on peer support.

Other step-based programs are specific to gambling and generic to healing addiction, creating financial health, and improving mental wellness.

HOPE TRUST’S EXPERIENCE WITH GAMBLING TREATMENT

Hope Trust has significant experience with treatment of gambling. The evidence- based recovery program is structured within the broad peer group (other addictions included) and is based on the 12 Step model which is proven to be effective. The other elements include Hope Trust’s well known model – effective protocols for breaking denial, family support, relapse prevention, family communication, CBT, medical and psychiatric inputs, follow-up, and holistic approach including Yoga, meditation and mindfulness.