Get a free mental health assessment and find out what treatment options are most suitable for you. Depending on the extent of secondary behavioral disorders such as addiction we can first help assess your condition and thereafter guide you to suitable treatment options.
Mature track addiction
We believe one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to addiction treatment. The mature track addiction program is a substance abuse treatment program designed for older adults. Addiction treatment for older adults differs from treatment for young adults because it targets age-specific topics.
Some addicts or alcoholics are in a different stage of life and grew up in a period when having an addiction or mental illness has a great deal of stigma. Many have medical problems that impact their quality of life. As a result, they often use substances to escape the pain and suffering.
We Level Up Florida offers a small group of elder-specific sessions that provide a comfortable space for attendees to discuss age-related or generational issues with peers the Mature track addiction. Professionals with expertise in geriatric substance use disorders lead the sessions.
Our facility is accessible for those using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Program materials are in bigger letters to help those with vision impairments. In addition, employees are trained to talk more loudly and slowly. We also design group sessions to accommodate older adults’ needs.
According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, in 2000/2001, an estimated 1.7 million older adults needed substance abuse treatment. Projections suggest that this number tripled to 4.4 million in 2020.
Addiction Treatment Process for Older Adults
Generally speaking, it may be better for an individual to be in a treatment program with peers and other individuals in similar life circumstances. However, since older adults may use drugs or alcohol for different reasons than younger ones, it may be beneficial to separate treatment programs for different peer groups.
According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health [2], some adults may gain greater benefits in age-specific settings and feel more comfortable disclosing and discussing problems with same-age peers than participating in mixed-age groups in either outpatient or inpatient care.
Levels of Care
Mature track addiction treatment programs may vary depending on the level of care required and it may include the following:
- Intervention
- family support
- medical detox
- inpatient treatment
- outpatient treatment
- addiction aftercare
Intervention
Intervening for a person’s health and safety begins with understanding the situation. Some symptoms of addiction can be similar to the symptoms associated with advancing age or increasing illness. Although it can be hard to spot substance use disorders in older people, there are still signs and symptoms families can look for. These include:
- Seeming preoccupied with a substance, discussing it often or checking for its presence on a regular basis
- Taking prescription medications at dosage levels that aren’t recommended by the doctor
- Behavioral changes, including sudden shifts in mood
- Increased need for privacy
- Withdrawing from the things the person once loved
An addiction professional, primary care doctor or mental health professional can help you assess the situation and determine the next best steps to take.
Family Support
In conjunction with individual and group therapy, family therapy help form a solid foundation for addiction treatment for older people. Addiction affects the whole family, not just the person engaging in substance abuse. Therefore, when seeking treatment, the entire family also needs healing to learn how to support the individual towards the journey to recovery.
Our dedicated family counselors use e-therapy sessions, online information, and advice via text or phone calls providing the support you deserve to succeed. In addition, we offer intense family weekends teaching how to engage without enabling or triggering your loved ones.
Our family program at We kevel Up FL provides the support and care that you and your family both need. This program will also help your loved ones know how to help you achieve your goals in recovery.
Medical Detox for Older Adults
Substance abuse among older adults is generally different from that of younger adults. As people age, their bodies metabolize alcohol more slowly. Therefore, older adults have increased sensitivity to and decreased tolerance for alcohol.
Medical detox for addiction in the elder population may need to be specialized, as adults over the age of 65 are likely to have unique circumstances and specific needs different from those experienced by younger generations. Depending on the severity of the addiction, Mature track addiction treatment may start with medical detox before moving to the next level of care.
Benefits of a medical detox include:
- Receive 24/7 medical care and support.
- Recovery away from access to drugs and alcohol.
- Receive medications that eliminate or reduce withdrawal symptoms.
- Reduced risk for relapse, overdose, and death.
- Recovery without having to juggle responsibilities related to work, school, and family.
- Improve your physical and mental health.
Alcohol Detox & Withdrawal
If you have an alcohol use disorder and you cease drinking after an extended period of heavy consumption, the likelihood of experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms is high. Symptoms can range from аnxіеtу, insomnia, and nаuѕеа to ѕеіzurеѕ, hallucinations, and tremors. One of the main functions of an alcohol detox program is to create a safe space where these symptoms are best managed. Alcohol detox is one of the most dangerous substances to detox from and subsequently it is important that a range of evidence-based treatments are available to those who need it.
Multiple studies, including one published in the International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology, express that acupuncture has been shown to help both psychological and physical symptoms caused by alcohol detox. Two of the symptoms that have been studied and are mentioned in the aforementioned publication include tremors and anxiety. According to this study, acupuncture can help reduce “anxiety-like behavior” and suppress tremors by targeting specific pathways.
Inpatient Treatment
It’s important to consider all the factors involved so you or your older loved one can get the right treatment to meet your specific needs. Older people need to feel comfortable in their surroundings, which is why choosing an addiction treatment facility that specializes in older adults is the best option for most people. We Level Up is located in a tranquil and comfortable community in South Florida. We are serving many local communities like Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Palm Beaches, and other Florida areas.
Inpatient rehab treatment often offers the following:
- 24-hour care and support in a safe environment
- Distance and time away from home ambiance to concentrate on your recovery
- Behavioral therapies (e.g., individual, family, group)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Medically assisted detoxification (detox)
- Services to address any significant social, vocational, and legal issues
- Access to medical and mental health care services, when needed
We Level Up Florida offers Inpatient treatment programs that include holistic treatments for all ages, such as:
- Yoga
- Massage
- Basketball
- Sound Therapy
- Acupuncture Therapy
- Chiropractic Therapy
- Ping pong & Outdoor Chess
- Outdoor Recovery Spaces
- Psychodrama
This is tailored to suit an older population. We design a balanced nutrition plan and help individuals manage medications.
Outpatient Treatment
If you have a mild addiction, then you can access outpatient services after detox. In outpatient, you can receive therapy and counseling on a part-time basis, which allows you the flexibility to attend to the day-to-day responsibilities of your life.
Outpatient treatment may consist of several therapeutic interventions and support services such as:
- group and individual counseling
- family therapy, education sessions
- occupational or recreational therapy
- psychotherapy
- family therapy
- medication-assisted treatment (if needed)
Some of the main reasons to consider outpatient rehab may include:
- It is affordable. This is because clients can live at home during outpatient treatment.
- Flexibility. Outpatient programs can usually work around your schedule. This is crucial for those who feel like they can’t leave their job or family for an extended period.
- Family access. Throughout the outpatient rehab program, family involvement and support is crucial for recovery, as loved ones can help encourage you to stay on the path to sobriety.
Aftercare Plan
Aftercare is as important as any part of levels of care. Once treatment is completed, clients need to keep on working on their sobriety. This means going to therapy, attending support groups, and staying away from triggering situations. Should they need medication, they’ll need closer guidance from licensed professionals.
Elderly recovering users need to be in a secure environment with a proper support system. Loneliness, lack of routine, and limited contact with loved ones can trigger substance abuse in the elderly. Relapse is mental and emotional before it’s physical. Loved ones need to help as well since elderly substance abusers are much more vulnerable.
If they stay home with family, their house should be as free from substances as possible. However, if they stay in a retirement home, it’s also possible to pick a substance-free facility that offers programs for recovering addicts.
According to the National Institute of Health [3], patients who take advantage of aftercare services experience lower relapse rates than those who do not. Also, based on the data from the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health [4], there is convincing evidence that aftercare can be effective in sustaining the positive effects of the initial phase of care.
Find the Help You Need to Overcome Addiction
Addiction is the result of underlying mental health problems. For mature adults who struggle with mental health disorders, our Mature Track Addiction Program also offers an Integrated Dual-Diagnosis Addiction & Mental Health Program for older adults. By addressing both their mental health problems as well as their substance abuse problems together, patients have a greater chance of seeing real success and experiencing lasting sobriety.
Take Control of Your Life Today. Our friendly addiction and mental health specialists won’t give up on you. A Mature Track Addiction program may be the best treatment program that suits you or your loved ones. Call us now at We Level Up FL to talk about it. We a have 24/7 hotline that is ready to assist you.
Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up West Palm Beach Rehab. For some primary behavioral health treatment clients, medical detox and or addiction rehab may be required first. If you have a co-occurring severe substance abuse diagnosis, please contact us prior to beginning inpatient mental health therapy. Treatment services may vary. Please call us to learn which treatment options are most suited for your individual needs.
Sources:
[1] [2] Mature track addiction US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3061824/
[3] National Institute of Health – https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/10-percent-us-adults-have-drug-use-disorder-some-point-their-lives
[4] Mature track addiction US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2670779/