Whether an individual is addicted to alcohol, drugs or a combination of both, addiction recovery is often a long and arduous process. In fact, recovery is a lifelong endeavor where the addict may experience many ups and downs and ride a figurative “roller coaster” of emotions and cravings until they have achieved abstinence and settled into healthier patterns.

In many instances, some type of intervention by friends, family or other sources is the first step toward encouraging an addict to enter into a recovery program. Then, the addiction treatment and recovery process begins, which generally consists of detoxification, intensive counseling and sometimes a stay at a rehabilitation facility.

Continuing Care is Crucial

Though many addicts eventually go into “remission,” and reach a point where they are able to manage their desire to use, the tendency to relapse is always a concern. Many addicts are able to eventually completely cease their addictive behaviors and move forward with their lives. However, others may fall back into destructive patterns at some point, even if their former behaviors lay dormant for years.

This is why aftercare plays such a vital role in the recovery process. After successful completion of a treatment program, counselors or clinicians will tailor an aftercare or “continuing care” plan to fit the individual needs of a recovering addict.

Aftercare programs are usually administered for at least six months after initial treatment. They may include admission into a transitional facility for a period of time, and in most cases are ongoing at least on some level. Continuing care can consist of a variety of activities including regular meetings, counseling sessions and the joining of a 12-step or group support program.

Developing relationships with other recovering addicts who have achieved sobriety is often very helpful. Avoiding unhealthy environments where temptations may exist is strongly encouraged. With attentive support, ongoing education and periodic counseling, the recovering addict can change their course and develop the skills necessary to live a good, productive and sober life.

***

This blog is written and published by Lindner Center of HOPE.

 

Millions of Americans struggle with eating disorders in various forms. Although eating disorders overwhelmingly affect girls and women, males are certainly not immune to these potentially deadly mental health conditions.

The three major types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Anorexia is basically an obsession with thinness where the sufferer will severely limit their food intake. Bulimia is characterized by eating large quantities of food, then afterwards attempting to offset the effects of mass caloric consumption through actions such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise and the taking of laxatives. Binge eating is compulsive overeating with an inability to gain control during periods of consumption, which vary in duration.

What’s Beneath the Surface?

A variety of circumstances can contribute to the development of an eating disorder. Studies have indicated that genetics may play a role in many cases. But aside from pre-existing anxiety or mood disorders, cultural and other psychological factors are often at the heart of abnormal eating habits and full-blown eating disorders.

In a society that conveys a thin-is-attractive message, many girls and women feel pressured to lose weight or remain slim. In order to accomplish this, they will often cultivate unhealthy eating habits that can eventually lead to serious health problems, or worse.

A distorted body image is one major psychological issue that many who develop eating disorders struggle with. This is a situation where an individual — despite their actual physique — will see themselves as much larger than they truly are.

Efforts to Heal

The first order of business in anorexia cases is to restore the patient’s weight to a healthy level. But in all eating disorders cases, the chief goals of therapy are to help patients adjust their habits and belief systems as well as establish a healthier view of themselves and a more realistic overall outlook.

Anorexia treatment, bulimia treatment and the treatment of binge eating disorders usually begins with some form of psychotherapy or “talk” therapy. This is often done in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapies. For more severe cases, eating disorders treatment centers are located throughout the country where a patient can be monitored, receive proper nutrition and nutritional counseling as well as have medications administered to them, if deemed necessary.

***

This blog is written and published by Lindner Center of HOPE.

Heather A. Dlugosz, MD

November 5, 2012 – Mason, Oh – The Frances and Craig Lindner Center of HOPE is pleased to announce the hiring of Heather A. Dlugosz, MD, as a staff psychiatrist for Lindner Center of HOPE, working as part of the Harold C. Schott Eating Disorders Program team primarily in the Adult Partial Hospitalization Program, working with patients on the Cincinnati Children’s unit at Lindner Center of HOPE and in the outpatient practice. She embraces a collaborative, family centered approach to the assessment and treatment of children through emerging adulthood.

Prior to joining Lindner Center of HOPE, Dr. Dlugosz was an inpatient/outpatient attending child and adolescent psychiatrist and Medical Director of the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine. Dr. Dlugosz, additionally, has gained experience working as a contract psychiatrist for Children’s Diagnostic Center in Hamilton, Ohio and the Psychiatric Emergency Department at University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. A published clinician, Dr. Dlugosz co-authored Paliperidone: A new extended-release oral atypical antipsychotic and authored The Long-Term Effects of Hospitalization on the Development and Well-Being of Premature Infants.

Dr. Dlugosz began her residency training in general psychiatry at University Hospital in Cincinnati, completing her Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati and then became Chief Resident in the Child and Adolescent Fellowship Program at Cincinnati Children’s.

She also values the importance of teaching including having served previously as a clinical preceptor for the first year medical student interviewing course and most recently as a preceptor for the University of New England osteopathic 3rd year clerkship students interested in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Dlugosz is also an experienced presenter and has served in a variety of committees to enhance the programs she has served. She is also a current member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and Phi Beta Kappa.


About Lindner Center of HOPE: A state-of-the-science, free-standing mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, research, comprehensive assessment and residential services. The Center’s clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally.

Contact: Jennifer Pierson
(513) 536-0316
[email protected]