In the United States, about 21 million people are dealing with an addiction of some type — yet only about 10% receive medical treatment to overcome their addiction.
Many people don’t seek treatment because they don’t understand what it involves or because they’re ashamed of their addiction. Some don’t seek treatment because they don’t want to admit that they have a problem.
At Affordable & Restorative Health, Winston Griner, MD, and his team help patients in Nashville, Tennessee, get the patient-centered help they need to overcome their addiction.
If you’re dealing with an addiction, here’s how an outpatient recovery program works — and why it could be the best choice for your needs.
Rehab centers vs. outpatient recovery
Inpatient recovery, or “rehab” centers, get a lot of media attention, thanks to the number of celebrities who frequent them. But although inpatient treatment can be very effective, it’s not an option for everyone, nor is it always the best choice.
Outpatient recovery provides many (or most) of the same support services as inpatient rehab programs, but without requiring a stay in a hospital or another facility.
As an experienced addiction treatment provider, Dr. Griner is skilled in the safest and most effective treatment options, enabling him to customize each recovery program to the needs of the individual patient.
Outpatient recovery: The basics
At Affordable & Restorative Health, every recovery program begins with a phone consultation with Dr. Griner. During the call, he’ll discuss the program and what you can expect as a patient. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions, so you and he can decide if the recovery program is the best fit for your needs.
The next step is a thorough medical exam and health history, as well as a family and personal history detailing your lifestyle and the history of your addiction. During the consultation, it’s important to be completely honest with Dr. Griner, so he can develop a complete picture of your addiction and ensure that your program is tailored to your success.
Multiple treatment options
Addiction is a disease that affects every aspect of your life and your health. To be successful, your recovery program needs to address every aspect of your addiction, so you can emerge healthy, strong, and in control.
Medication-assisted treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) forms the basis of most recovery programs. In MAT, you’ll be given medication to help manage withdrawal symptoms so you can stay on track with your recovery.
The type of medication you receive will depend on the substance at the center of the addiction and other factors. Patients with opioid addiction, for instance, may be prescribed Suboxone® treatment to assist with both withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Counseling
Counseling is another important part of recovery. During your counseling sessions, you’ll learn how to manage stress, how to avoid triggers that cause you to abuse substances, how to build strong relationships, and how to deal with other personal issues that contribute to substance abuse or block your attempts at recovery.
Managing medical issues
As a primary care doctor, Dr. Griner will also provide you with any care or treatment you need to manage other underlying medical issues that could play a role in your recovery. And of course, you’ll receive ongoing support to help you stay on track and feel confident about your progress and your success.
Get the help you need
Addiction is a disease that can take over your life, leaving you struggling to cope and survive. A custom recovery program can help you finally conquer addiction and start living life on your terms.
To learn more about addiction recovery, call our office or use our online form to request a consultation with Dr. Griner.
