Florida Alcohol & Drug Rehab Center
We use the definition of addiction medicine as presented in the preface of the second edition of the textbook Principles of Addiction Medicine, and it reads as follows: "Addiction Medicine is an interdisciplinary practice specializing in the identification and treatment of persons whose disorders are caused, or worsened, by their use of addictive substances. These substances have the unique property of promoting continued use in a compulsive manner despite adverse consequences to the user. In our society, the most notable offending substances are nicotine, alcohol, opiates, stimulant drugs and marijuana."
The most common services offered by specialists in Addiction Medicine are:
- Prevention
- Diagnosis
- Detoxification
- Consultation with other physicians concerning identification, intervention and management of patients in hospital or office whose disorders are directly related to the use of these substance
- Facilitation of patient engagement in treatment programs designed to reduce the progression of the patient's substance-related problem
- Development of outcome-based treatment programs for such patients
- Treatment of medical or psychiatric complications and relapse
- Environment modifications that attempt to alter the social, behavioral and psychopharmacological inputs that support the continuation of substance abuse and dependence
- Research into the genetic and neurobiologic aspects of addition with the ultimate goal of developing improved treatments (behavioral and psychopharmacologic) for addictive disorders."
We review incoming patients, particularly those with complex medical or psychiatric diagnoses; we function in a supportive role with referring physicians and psychiatrists when a greater understanding of addiction medicine is needed, and in ongoing patient management; we actively participate in gathering clinical information. This helps to connect the medical and psychiatric community with the Caron Renaissance staff so that coordinated care can be rendered.
The clinical model at Caron Renaissance is led by a primary therapist and family therapist who, in concert, help patients and families find their way into recovery. This is not only helpful to us as a treatment team; it has helped our patients and families make sense of the baffling and painful process of early recovery.
