New Treatment Program Designed to Reduce Opiate Dependency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) September 23, 2011 -- Chronic pain can inadvertently lead to abuse of physician-prescribed medication. When as many as 40 percent of chronic pain patients who take opiates regularly misuse or abuse their medications, the effects can significantly impact their health. As part of National Pain Awareness Month this September, Cedar Hills Hospital is raising public mindfulness of opiate dependency and the dangers of its addiction.

Opiate drugs, such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Hydrocodone, are medications designed to help alleviate suffering from those 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.

“Opiate dependency continues to grow at an alarming rate in our country,” said Mike Sherbun, CEO of Cedar Hills Hospital. “That is why we’ve developed the Behavioral Pain Management Program. We are thrilled with the results of the program thus far and are excited to see how we can reduce the pain and dependency of others who rely on pain medications.”

The Behavioral Pain Management Program at Cedar Hills Hospital is designed to address three distinct clinical areas impacting patients with pain, including: Medication overuse and addiction, psychiatric illness with chronic pain, and medical problems that can complicate recovery from addiction.

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

In the 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.

Cedar Hills Hospital has seen dramatic improvement in patients as a result of the program. In early August, a patient turned to the hospital after attempting treatment from a Calif.-based facility. After working with a workman’s comp. case manager to find a treatment program to address his chronic pain, medical diagnosis and addiction/abuse issues, the patient entered Cedar Hills Hospital for a 30-day treatment program.

Having been taking more than 300 milligrams of opiate medication a day, the patient was taking 180 milligrams over the prescribed amount. As a result of the Behavioral Pain Management Program, the patient gained insight into abuse of medications and use of coping skills through cognitive behavioral therapies.

For more information about opiate dependency or the Cedar Hills Hospital Behavior Pain Management Program, please call Larisa Wohlgemuth, business development manager, at 503-260-7809.

About Cedar Hills Hospital

Opened in 2009, Cedar Hills Hospital is a psychiatric hospital that provides mental health and chemical dependency care to adults 18 years of age and older. Cedar Hills Hospital utilizes evidence-based treatment proven to have positive outcomes for patients. Inpatient and outpatient care is provided through a wide range of specialty programs that are individually tailored to meet the needs of patients. As a community service, Cedar Hills Hospital provides free assessments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, please call 503-944-5000 or visit www.cedarhillshospital.com. Cedar Hills Hospital is a facility of Ascend Health Corporation.

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