Palmetto Opens Its Fifth Intensive Outpatient Program

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Administrator

The next time you’re in a crowd, look around you: four out of ten people you see will abuse alcohol or drugs at some time in their life, and 15% will develop an addiction

Alcohol and drug abuse is the number one public health issue facing our nation. National research indicates more than half of young people high school or college age have abused alcohol or some illicit drug. Alcohol and drugs kill tens of thousands of people each year – many of them innocent victims of another’s addiction.

Perhaps you or someone you love is living these statistics. Addiction is a disease: not a weakness, or a moral failure, but a medical condition that can be successfully treated. The healing process of recovery can begin today.

Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center has been treating chemical dependency for over 18 years. Our inpatient treatment facility near Rayville has served over 8,000 patients since opening in 1993. Continue reading →

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Palmetto is the 2012 LASACT Addiction Service Provider of the Year!

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Administrator

For many years now, Palmetto has been a stalwart supporter of LASACT, our membership organization of Louisiana’s Addiction Professionals and Providers. Palmetto is honored to be named the 2012 LASACT Addiction Service Provider of the Year. This distinction is bestowed upon an Organizational Member of LASACT every year, and is based on contributions in the field and to LASACT’s mission, to promote and enhance addiction professionals and providers in the areas of treatment, education, prevention, and advocacy. “We are most grateful to Palmetto for their unending support of our cause and look forward to partnering in the future with you. We cannot say enough about Providers like Palmetto that do their part in helping to ensure that LASACT can keep its lights on and doors open.” ~ Marolon Mangham, Executive Director, Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors & Trainers.

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Policy Statement: Controlled Medications In a Professional Population

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Administrator

This policy statement responds to concerns from numerous licensing authorities who note an increasing number of requests for professional licensure from applicants who are taking controlled medications. Suboxone and Adderall, in particular, are prescribed for opiate dependence, ADHD, and as alternatives to control a wide range of emotional conditions and behaviors including use of illegal substances. Other controlled medications found in a minority of those who apply for professional licensure include a wide range of Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, and Stimulants.

Palmetto does not recommend use of controlled medications in a professional population. We believe that such medications create side effects and physiological dependence incompatible with the practice of a profession.

Professionals have in common an increased fiduciary responsibility to the public by virtue of special training, special licensure, and possession of a specialized knowledge base. This is true of all professions, to include Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Aviation. There is strong emphasis at every step of education and licensure on protecting the public from carelessness, Continue reading →

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Palmetto Physician Certified by MROCC as Medical Review Officer

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Administrator

Dr. John R. Colaluca, ASAM,  was certified by the Medical Review Office Certification Council (MROCC), an independent physician-based certifying body which conducts an extensive application process and written examination to identify licensed physicians with the highest professional standards of medical expertise and practical skills necessary to evaluate drug and alcohol test results in public and private sectors of the workplaces.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most Fortune 500 corporation and many smaller companies require employee drug and alcohol testing today.  Federal law mandates that a qualified MRO must make the final determination of whether a positive laboratory test represents substance abuse.  The certified MRO may also act as a valuable resource to protect the company, helping with policies and regulatory issues, as well as providing related services, laboratory performance testing, and preparation of summary reports for employers.  MROCC certification indicates that a physician is well-prepared to handle workplace drug and alcohol testing programs and to help manage chemical dependency. Continue reading →

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How to Tell when You Need Help

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Administrator

One of the best ways to tell if you need help for an addiction is if you find yourself wondering about it all the time. If you get the sense that you are slipping into addictive behavior, it could be just the chance that you need to put an end to it before things go too far. For some people, a small amount of drug or alcohol dependency is all that’s needed to want to seek help; for others, it takes a long, drawn-out process of slipping deeper and deeper into addiction. Addiction and recovery are complicated, but Palmetto Treatment Center can help.

An Increasing Need for Your Drug of Choice

Addiction nearly always start out in a seemingly benign way. For example, going out to the bar is fun. To keep the good times rolling, a person might find himself heading out to the bar on a more and more frequent basis. Over time, he may become self-conscious about the amount that he drinks, so he may have a little before he leaves home. Eventually, he’s drinking alone nearly every night. If this describes your behavior, or if you are clearly partaking in your drug of choice with increasing frequency, it could be a warning sign. Continue reading →

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Understanding “Rock Bottom”

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Administrator

If you’ve done any studying about addiction and recovery, you’re probably already familiar with the concept of “rock bottom.” In this instance, “rock bottom” refers to the lowest point at which an addict can go. One popular concept that is often bandied about is that an addict cannot begin to recover until he has reached his own, personal rock bottom. It’s important to realize that each person’s rock bottom is unique. For one person, losing a spouse could be it; for another, ending up on the streets could qualify. To learn more about the concept of rock bottom, check out the following information.

Reaching Rock Bottom

There’s no way to predict what your own person rock bottom will be. Addiction can push a person’s limits in unexpected ways. Someone who once swore that he’d never lie, cheat or steal could find himself doing all of those things without any reservations. Continue reading →

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The First Step is Often the Hardest

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Administrator

When it comes to addiction and recovery, the first step is often the most difficult one to take. When battling an addiction, it sometimes helps to think of the addiction as a small, imaginary person who lives inside you. That little person will do or say whatever it takes to make sure that you keep using. The last thing that your inner addict wants is for you to seek help at a place like Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center. In fact, your inner addict doesn’t want you to even entertain the possibility that a problem exists. The first step in the process is admitting that you have a problem, but it’s a step that intimidates just about everyone.

Admitting You have a Problem

Why is it so difficult to make the first step and admit that you have a problem? There are several reasons, and they can vary depending on the person. For one thing, it bruises the ego. Admitting that you suffer from an addiction is admitting that you lost control. Continue reading →

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Addiction Affects the Whole Family

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Administrator

When you’re in the midst of an addiction, it’s easy to become completely consumed by it. Upon achieving sobriety, many people are surprised to discover just how much their addiction has affected their loved ones. Addiction and recovery may feel like things that you go through alone, but they almost always involve the whole family. Until you admit that you have a problem and seek treatment at a drug addiction recovery center, the full impact of your addiction may not be readily apparent to you. At Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center, we work to include the whole family in an addict’s recovery.

A Shrinking Social Circle

Addictions are isolating. In the beginning, you may use the drug of your choice to be more social. Over time, however, a worsening addiction can alienate you from your closest friends and family members. By seeking help at drug rehab centers in Louisiana, you can begin the process of healing those relationships and strengthening those bonds. Continue reading →

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Is Your Loved One Suffering from an Addiction?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Administrator

Watching a loved one struggle with an addiction is one of the most painful things that a person can experience. Feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness often swirl around during such times. Whether you lash out in anger at the addict or look the other way, your reactions probably won’t have much of an effect. At Palmetto Recovery Center, we understand how frightening it can be for relatives and friends to watch a loved one struggle with addiction. We are one of the top drug rehab centers in Louisiana, and we can give your loved one the help that he needs to get started on a sober and successful life. While your loved one has to make the choice to check into a drug addiction recovery center, that first step can result in long-term sobriety.

The Elephant in the Room

It’s very common for friends and family members to look the other way when a loved one is grappling with an addiction. While it may be fairly obvious that a problem is at hand, the idea of actually confronting the individual is often far too daunting. We all have busy lives, and trying to encourage a loved one to get help at an alcohol rehabilitation center may seem pointless. Continue reading →

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Help is Usually Needed to Overcome an Addiction

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Administrator

When a person finally decides that they need to do something about an addiction, they’re sure to hear a lot of conflicting advice. If you’re ready to embark on the road to recovery, you’ll almost definitely hear from at least one person who says you can do it through sure will power alone. Although it’s technically possible for some people to quit drinking or drugging on their own, the vast majority of people need help. A stay at Palmetto Treatment Center provides high-quality help that will get you off to the best start possible. Needing help to overcome an addiction is not a sign of weakness. In fact, asking for help is one of the bravest and strongest things that you can do. Checking into a drug addiction recovery center is a sign that you’re ready to make real changes.

Asking for Help is Brave

Pride often gets in the way when it comes to seeking help for an addiction. Don’t worry, though – you’re not alone. Many addicts struggle with the decision to ask for help. Admitting that you can’t do it alone can be quite humbling. At the same time, it can be immensely empowering as well. Continue reading →

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