NRRN


	NRRN Mission Statement: To provide at no cost to the consumer, a responsible, reliable, value-added referral service to a nationwide network of addiction treatment providers.
	Who is the NRRN? We are a consumer referral service; we do not own any treatment facilities. We work with a nation-wide network of established, licensed and compassionate addiction treatment providers. We refer consumers to the provider representatives so that the providers can determine what course of action would be best for the consumer.
	What happens when I call the NRRN? Our trained staff will go through a series of qualifying questions with you. The objective is to identify if you or a loved one needs help; this process will take just a few minutes.
	What is a personal assessment? It is a detailed medical screening of his/her physical condition, medical history, review of present medication, psychological assessment and past involvement in any previous obsessive/compulsive disorder treatments.
	What happens during the assessment? Special emphasis in this assessment process is placed on whatever problems might have led to Alcohol/Drug abuse in the first place. After evaluation, recommendations are made to the client and staff how best to work on these issues.
	What is the cost of treatment and will my insurance pay? The cost of a rehabilitation program (usually 21-30 days) in a residential program will usually be in the $15,000-$25,000 range. I f you are able to demonstrate the medical necessity of this, private insurance can support at least part of the cost. If you think you could get things under control without going away, then you may be able to do well in an outpatient program. Although you may have to fight hard to gain coverage, insurance companies will usually support at least part of the cost.
	What is Intervention? Intervention is a trained skill used by professionals that helps people decide to help themselves. Obsessive compulsive disorders are in a disease category of illness, and are so strong that an individual's unaided will cannot overcome it. Family and friends, threats, promises, tears, begging and pleading, makes little difference in the long run. Parents and loved ones of the addict try with all their might to help and the addict continues his behavior on a downward path. Intervention was designed to break this destructive cycle. Skilled interventionists use "contact" techniques, and communication tools and usually orchestrate with the addict's family and significant others that will deliver a potent, powerful message to his/her conscience that more often than not "lifts" his motivation and begins a determination in him to change his lifestyle. Intervention saves lives!
	How do I choose the right treatment provider or facility? If self-management efforts have not worked, it may be time to seek specialty care. Within the category of specialty care programs there are many options. Think about the nature and severity of the problems you are experiencing as you decide which option might be best. Consider the following questions as you make your decisions: Do you need detoxification or stabilization? If your use of various substances has really gotten out of control, or you have used significant amounts of various substances for extended periods of time; or you have used significant amounts of alcohol, opiates (heroin, methadone, OxyContin, etc.) you may need a period of medical care to help you stop use safely. If so, you should call a detoxification center and arrange for an appointment. Sometimes this can be done as an outpatient but most cases require a period of hospitalization for 3-5 days. Following stabilization and evaluation you will have other treatment options described below. If you do not need detoxification, or you have completed detoxification, do you think you have to get away from your living arrangements to get control of your substance use? If yes, then you may want to consider a period of rehabilitation care (usually 21-30 days) in a residential program. If you are able to demonstrate the medical necessity of this, private insurance can support at least part of the cost (about $15,000-$25,000). If you think you could get things under control without going away, then you may be able to do well in an outpatient program. Although you may have to fight hard to gain coverage, insurance companies will usually support at least part of the cost - about $100-$200 per week. Good rehabilitation treatment programs employ qualified and well-trained staff, and offer a range of treatment components (medications, therapies and services) that address the problems of their patients. Better treatment programs have more quantity and better quality of the following components: Therapies and therapists - Does the program have therapists who have been trained and certified in different types of therapy? Do they offer individual therapy as well as group therapy? Medications - Does the program have meaningful involvement by physicians and medical staff trained in addiction medicine? Do they offer anti-addiction medications for nicotine, alcohol and opiate dependence? Do they offer medications for treatment of co-occurring mental and physical problems? Family involvement - Family involvement should continue beyond the rehabilitation to help prepare the family for the post-treatment period. Does the program have therapists trained in a specific form of family therapy? Social services - Ask about assistance in getting help with your social problems related to your addiction, such as housing, employment and transportation. These services may help you develop an improved lifestyle that will support your recovery. Urine drug screening - Does the program have randomized drug testing at least once per week? Testing is likely to help improve your motivation and self-management. Finally, your family, employer or other referral source may want evidence of sustained periods of abstinence. Continuing care - Does the program provide telephone or in-person visits following completion of treatment? Are there provisions to link individuals with trained therapists near your home following completion of care?
	What if the substance abuser doesn’t want treatment? Unfortunately, we cannot make a person participate in treatment, unless ordered through the courts. The best source for ideas and solutions about how to deal with this would be to contact a treatment provider who will be able to offer concrete options including an intervention which is a strategy to encourage this kind of addict to participate in his own treatment. Call the toll free number 1-877-240-3173 to be referred to specialist in this area.
	What are the effects of addiction to my family? In May of 2006 HBO, USA Today and The Gallup Poll asked US adults, who have an immediate family member who has had a drug or alcohol addiction, a variety of questions about addiction in general and the impact of addiction on their own lives. The complete results from this study are provided here. Key findings from the study are listed below: Three-quarters of U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction think addiction is a disease. Three-quarters of U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction think that people who are addicted to drugs can make a complete recovery from their addiction. Eight out of ten U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction think that alcoholics can make a complete recovery from their addiction. Over eight out of ten U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction think that alcoholics must totally abstain from alcohol to recover from their addiction. Only a third of U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction think that there are medications available to treat alcoholism. Emotional and Devastating/Horrible are the words that most often asked to describe the effects of a family member's addition. Almost half of U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction say they have felt a sense of shame about that family member's addiction. Among respondents opinions vary on the cause of drug and alcohol addiction. Seven out of ten U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction say that a family member's addiction has had a major or minor effect on their emotional or mental health. Almost one out ten of those who say a family member's addiction has had a major negative impact on their financial situation say they have had to take out a loan or run up credit card bills as a direct result of this addiction. About a fifth of those who say a family member's addiction have had a major negative impact on their marriage, family relationships, or emotional health. While half of U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction say this addiction has brought their family closer, a third feel it has pushed them apart. One third of U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction say the addiction has caused estrangement among family members. Just over half of the respondents say the addicted family member has admitted their addiction to them, while just under half say they have not. Seven out of ten of the respondents say they have personally confronted the family member about the addiction. Four out of ten of the respondents say that their family member has overcome the addiction. One of out 10 thinks their family member wants to recover but, almost a fifth believes they do not. Almost half of U.S. adults who have a family member suffering from the disease of drug or alcohol addiction say their family member has never sought treatment. Of those whose family member has sought treatment, three out of ten only sought treatment after intervention. Eight out of ten respondents say they have some idea on how to find treatment for their family member’s addiction. Over half of the respondents whose family member sought treatment say the family member had to repeat treatment. Almost four out of ten of the respondents whose family member sought treatment say their family member completely recovered, but about six out of ten say their family member either showed no improvement or got better but did not completely recover. Of those whose family member sought treatment, almost half say the family member relapsed and almost one out of ten say there was no improvement at all. Family support / pressure were most often cited, as the primary reason the family member was able to overcome addiction. Three quarters of the respondents say their family member is/was addicted to alcohol. The remaining quarter are/were addicted to a variety of drugs. Only three out of ten respondents say their addicted family member consulted with a medical doctor or other medical professional specializing in the treatment of addiction. Over half of the respondents say their addicted family member was never evaluated for psychological illness. Slightly less than half of the respondents say their addicted family member currently has health insurance. Just over half of the respondents whose addicted family member does have insurance think their insurance provide benefits for the treatment of drug or alcohol addiction. Seven out of ten of the respondents whose addicted family member does have insurance think their insurance will provide adequate treatment of drug or alcohol addiction. For a complete list of findings click here.