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It’s Rehab, Not A Vacation

July 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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Making the decision to attend rehab is a difficult one and one that can change your life. Once you have selected a facility, all that is left is packing. Determining what to bring to rehab may seem like a difficult chore, but it really isn’t. Follow a few simple guidelines to make this part of your recovery much easier.

  1. Follow The Rules: You will be given a list of items you cannot bring to rehab. This will include anything from over the counter medications to spray deodorant. Remember that all rehab facilities will go through your luggage when you check in, so be sure to follow the list.
  2. Bring Your Comfort: If you have a favorite blanket, pillow, or other comfort item, be sure to back it, along with pictures of family and friends. These items will help make your rehab facility a bit like home.
  3. Comfortable Clothing: You are not at rehab to attend a fashion show, so keep your clothing choices simple and comfortable. Many facilities focus on physical exercise as well, so be sure to bring clothing that is suitable.
  4. Address Book: While you will likely be under some restrictions about telephone calls, letter writing is often encouraged, so be sure to bring along addresses of your friends and family.
  5. Medications: If you are taking prescription medications for a medical condition, be sure to bring it. You can’t keep the medication in your room, but a medical dispenser y will be sure you take your required dosage.
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Grandma’s an Addict!

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Is your Grandma an addict? Before you say “of course not”, you should know that one of the fastest growing addicted age groups is over fifty-five. Most Grandparents are not lurking in an alley looking for a drug dealer. They go to their doctor and buy their drugs at the pharmacy.

Addiction to prescription drugs by seniors has several causes. Pain management may be the most significant cause. Arthritis pain, pain from illness and surgery can lead to an addiction to medications like Vicodin and Oxycontin. Wiley patients can shop for specialists who will provide for pain medications and sleep medications on request. Emotional pain is another cause of senior addiction. The loss of family and friends to death, the loss of your health, physical mobility, and the meaning that your career gave you is often difficult to manage. Drugs and alcohol can deaden the pain of growing older.

Some elders become addicted by accident. Individuals who have memory problems or undiagnosed dementia can accidentally take too many pills and become physically addicted. As we age, we are more likely to develop neurological diseases like dementia, neuropathy, and Parkinson’s disease. The medications used to treat these diseases can have very bad interactions with other commonly prescribed drugs. Senior addicts present special problems for rehabilitation facilities. Very often, they are reluctant to admit they have a problem. Moreover, underlying health problems can make drug withdrawal dangerous. Close monitoring during withdrawal requires special staff and equipment not available at every rehabilitation facility.

Families and friends can be instrumental in a senior’s rehabilitation. What are the signs of addiction for seniors? Some signs are obvious – failing to bathe or a loss of interest in their appearance, unexplained bruising from falls, changes in sleep habits, avoiding friends and family, and a general loss of interest in life can signal an addiction.

Experts predict that the number of addicted seniors will increase dramatically as the baby boomers age. Medicine and rehabilitation facilities will have to play catch-up.

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