Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire Offers New Treatment Program Designed to Reduce Pain and Opiate Dependency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston, Texas, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) November 17, 2011 -- Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire is introducing a new treatment program that helps patients reduce dependency on opiate medication. Opiate dependency is an increasingly dangerous addiction in the nation, yet there are few treatment options that address both pain and dependency reduction.

When as many as 40 percent of chronic pain patients who take opiates regularly misuse or abuse their medication, the effects can significantly impact their physical and mental health. In fact, between 1999 and 2007, there was a 150 percent increase in Texas opiate-related deaths, according to the Drug Policy Alliance.

“Opiate dependency continues to grow at a disturbing rate in Texas and across the nation,” said John Neckic, CEO of Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire. “It is because of this problem that we’ve developed a behavioral pain management program that our community can use as a resource to reduce dependency on addictive pain medications.”

Opiate drugs, such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Hydrocodone, are medications designed to lessen suffering of individuals with serious cases of chronic pain. These medications can be addictive, resulting in a dependency—affecting the physical and mental health of the abusers as well as that of their family and loved ones.

For those who live with chronic pain, medication alone does not provide long-term results. Prescriptions designed to relieve pain are one of the reasons individuals become reliant upon opiates. The new program at Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire is designed to educate patients on the importance of alternative coping options.

The Behavioral Pain Management Program at Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire addresses three distinct clinical areas impacting patients who live with chronic pain, including: Medication overuse and addiction, psychiatric illness with chronic pain, and medical problems that can complicate recovery from addiction.

According to Neckic, an integrated treatment modality must be utilized to produce long-term success in pain reduction.

“Withdrawal has many side-effects, including rapid heart rate, sweating, restlessness, diarrhea, increased bone/joint aches, agitation and much more,” Neckic said. “Under our care, we medically supervise the process and educate patients along the way on alternative methods for relief.”

In the Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire program, patients are introduced to a variety of alternative coping skills, such as acupuncture, massage therapy and psycho-education. Patients work with a professional care manager to assist in planning aftercare appointments. By the time of their discharge from the program, patients will be on a reduced medication load and have better coping skills for management of chronic pain.

The first patient treated under the pain management program was able to reduce their pain and medication levels by 50 percent. Patients currently in the program are showing similar improvement.

In addition, the new program at Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire promotes better mental health as studies from the Drug Policy Alliance show that 40 to 80 percent of chronic pain patients experience depression or anxiety.

For more information about opiate dependency or the Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire Pain Management Program, please call 713-600-9500.

About Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire
Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire is a 70-bed psychiatric hospital that provides mental health and chemical dependency care to adults and seniors. Utilizing evidence-based treatment proven to have positive outcomes for patients, Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire provides inpatient and outpatient care through a wide range of individually tailored specialty programs. As a community service, Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire offers free assessments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, please call 713-600-9500 or visit www.bhbhospital.com.

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