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Signs You Need to Go to Rehab

Do I Need Rehab?

If you are suffering from a dysfunctional relationship with substances such as drugs, alcohol or prescription medications, there are a few different ways to establish whether or not a stay in a rehab center could be advisable for your condition. If you, or your loved ones, are concerned enough to be even contemplating the idea of getting help from a treatment facility such as NP Addiction Clinic, you can be sure there will be certain telltale signs pointing to the need for professional treatment advice.

Self-assessment for a Substance Abuse Disorder

Personal assessment

The diagnosis and advice of a mental health professional are always beneficial. However, you can start by conducting your own evaluation of your drug and alcohol use patterns and behaviors. If you are relatively self-aware and able to be objective and unbiased with your self-examination, the following questions should help you begin to see your current condition more clearly:

·         Has the getting and using of drugs become a major preoccupation, or maybe even my overriding priority?

·         Am I experiencing financial difficulties due to uncontrolled spending on my habit?

·         Do I frequently, or perhaps almost constantly, crave drugs or alcohol, or regularly experience withdrawal symptoms?

·         Have I noticed a progressive trend, showing that my alcohol consumption is increasing, my drug addiction getting worse, or my substance abuse in general escalating?

·         Has my physical health begun to suffer?

Strong Indicators You Need to Consider Rehab

If you’ve answered yes to the above questions, you would probably be well advised to reach out for professional help and possibly seek treatment, as you may find your mental health is also at risk. Ask yourself:

·         Have I ever hit rock bottom, felt utterly helpless, or completely desperate to quit my using?

·         Have I ever tried my hardest to quit, on my own without support, and failed miserably?

·         Have I reached the stage where I have genuinely suffered enough, and am desperate to be free of my substance addiction or alcohol use disorder?

Consulting Family and Friends

If you are lucky enough to be able to have difficult, open and honest conversations with family members and friends, it could be worth discussing a drug and alcohol rehab as an option with them. They may well have noticed things in you – changes or uncharacteristic behavior – which you had not been aware of. After all, everyone has their blind spots. For example, they may find you have become more irritable or moody, more erratic, more withdrawn and less communicative, less sociable, secretive, preoccupied, or emotionally unstable, to name but a few. They may have become really worried, for example if you suddenly stop answering messages for days on end.

As people who abuse substances in a problematic way, it is easy for us to develop a very distorted image of how people see us. On the one hand, we can become extremely good at hiding our using habits, while on the other we can be totally delusional about how successful we are at concealing our secret self-medicating. In short, if your family and friends have picked up on numerous signs you are in trouble and at risk, you would undoubtedly benefit from taking their opinions seriously.

Step One of the Twelve Steps

If you have heard about, or are acquainted with, the 12-step recovery fellowships, you will probably have come across step one, which states: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (or whatever our drug of choice), and that our lives had become unmanageable.” This step can be a useful yardstick by which to measure how far our dysfunctional relationship to addictive substances has progressed. For many people, this sentence may seem self-explanatory, but if you’re a little confused, consider the following. If you:

·         cannot, or only on rare occasions, resist the urge to pick up a drink or a drug;

·         systematically find that the first drink or drug sets in motion a major binge

·         cannot predict when or how the urge to drink or use may suddenly appear out of the blue (even if you can recognize certain triggers)

If your life has become unmanageable, it simply means that the adverse consequences of your substance use disorder or drug and alcohol addiction, have rendered you unable to function as a normal, responsible person, a reliable employee, a dependable spouse or parent, or a person who holds themselves accountable for their actions and can lead a stable and productive life. If in spite of your best intentions you have lost control of your using, then you may well need rehab to help you fulfill your true potential, in your new life in recovery.

Seeking the Advice of a Certified Addiction Professional

Not everyone using drugs or alcohol will be at the stage where their condition is life threatening, but prevention is better than a cure. Reaching out to a medical provider about your health issues and drug or alcohol use is helpful. Their drug or alcohol abuse experts will be able to assess whether or not your condition is heading in that direction. Also, their mental health services will also be able to offer an opinion whether substance abuse treatment is appropriate for you at this stage, be it in the form of an addiction treatment program, a drug rehab, or a different treatment modality.

Psychiatric Help

The American Psychiatric Association generally refers to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM-5-TR), when establishing diagnoses around substance misuse. Using specific lists of criteria, they determine, from a medical perspective, what condition a person may be suffering from.

Symptoms may point to straightforward drug or alcohol addiction, substance use disorders, chronic disease, mental illness, physical dependence or others. Doctors can then recommend anything from an initial medical detox, to rehab treatment or rehab programs to address the deeper causes of alcohol and drug use. Subsequent and continued support from treatment centers can help overcome addiction in the longer term.

Where Drug Addiction Begins, and Where it Ends

According to Gabor Maté, addiction begins in early childhood, and has its roots in the trauma we experienced as children, which will eventually lead to us starting to self-medicate with addictive substances. In the most tragic cases, alcohol and drug abuse can lead to an untimely death, or permanent damage to health. But there can also be an end to active addiction, the possibility of a sustainable life free from substance abuse.

The prospect of going to a rehab or treatment center can be a daunting one, and the decision a tough one to make. But a treatment program doesn’t have to feel like a punishment – it can, instead, mean being held and supported in a safe space, surrounded by caring professionals. At NP Addiction Clinic, our primary concern is offering the best possible care to its clients, and in some cases, the outpatient option may be deemed less challenging or more workable than a stay as an inpatient.

Contacting a Treatment Provider or a Specific Treatment Center Directly

This is one of the best ways to discuss your alcohol abuse or drug use and discuss how a rehab program might help you. At NP Addiction Clinic, our recovery specialists are available 24/7 and will be delighted to tell you more about what we’re doing and discuss how we might best be able to assist. Our website’s main phone number is on every page of our site, so you can’t miss it!

If you are in another part of the US, you can look for a specific treatment provider that would best suit your needs by Googling addiction or recovery centers in your area.

Drug and alcohol addiction can be among the most serious and soul-destroying afflictions a human being can experience, and they may be incredibly difficult to overcome. But you are not powerless or helpless in the face of this: you can take stock of your life, keep your using patterns under observation, reach out to family, friends, medical professionals, institutions and so on, and detect the early warning signs, or bravely face the plain facts, that tell you you need treatment. We do recover – so let’s do it!

Begin the first day of the rest of your life

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Kim L. Buckner

Facilitator

As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. She says she is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities. I then found my love for counseling when I worked with juveniles who had mental health and substance use issues. I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center. I went on to obtain my therapy credentials and since 2017, I have also been working on my PhD in forensic psychology in which I am currently working on my dissertation. I am inspired by change and how resilient people can be. My favorite inspirational quote is “Some will, Some won’t, So what, NEXT!!!” This quote has inspired me to try, try, and try again no matter how hard life gets, someone will give you a chance eventually. As a therapist at NPAC, I have been given the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as in substance use and mental health and I am known for my work with people on the schizophrenic spectrum as well as with other clients with other severe conditions including personality disorders.

Megan Carmona, LMHC

Lead Therapist

Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

Primary Clinician

As Primary Clinician, Kristen works with all aspects of our clinical team, from case management to primary therapy.  She has broad experience working in the mental health field. Prior to joining our team at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, Kristen was part of the team awarded the Evernorth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence Designation by Cigna. She says her motivation is to help people rediscover who they are and become excited about the future and all the possibilities life offers. Kristen’s favorite quote is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine