Health Upwardly Mobile Inc., (HUM) | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | Calgary
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Addiction

Drug Addiction Counselling

Addiction Involving Drugs

Drug addiction is a chronic medical condition that requires assessment and treatment. With drug addiction, the ability to make healthy choices becomes no longer possible. The drug(s) begin to start controlling your life, making life more unmanageable. With addiction, drug use is a symptom of what is happening in the brain and the person is seeking escape, relief, and/or reward. Unfortunately, there is no off switch and there is an ever-increasing desire for more.

Every individual that experiences addiction has a chance to recover and create a positive change in the world around us. When we lose ourselves to addiction, the ability to share our gifts with this world is brought to a standstill. It is our goal to make sure that you recover from your addiction so you are able to confidently share yourself with the world around you.

Our addictions counsellors have extensive experience working with patients that have substance abuse issues. At our treatment center, you can feel that you are part of a community that is willing to help you through any issue plaguing your life. Therapy is pivotal for conquering addiction, and we are here to provide that to you.

When you become a patient at HUM, you will be received with open arms and given a list of extensive treatment approaches that fit your life and schedule.

 

You may have a drug addiction if you:

  • Have an overpowering feeling to keep using drugs despite negative consequences
  • Use drugs to escape, numb or cope with stress and uncomfortable feelings
  • Use drugs more often or in larger amounts than intended
  • Use drugs as an eye-opener to get going in the morning
  • Feel you need to control or cut down your drug use
  • Feel annoyed by others criticizing your drug use/li>
  • Feel guilty about your drug use
  • You hide or lie about your drug use
Doctor treating a patient | Health Upwardly Mobile Inc., (HUM) | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | Calgary

How our drug addiction therapy works

HUM provides outpatient, continuing care for Addiction involving drugs recognizing it is a chronic disease that can require long term support. Once a person is a patient at HUM, there is no end point to the services and individuals can access services indefinitely based on their needs. Continuing care/treatment includes a range of services to optimize health and wellbeing of individuals who have Drug addiction. Following the assessment, treatment options will vary but can include individual psychotherapy, group therapy, intensive outpatient program, medical detoxification/withdrawal management, and medication management. Social and peer support is important and participation in 12-step groups such as NA (Narcotics Anonymous) is encouraged. In addition, other recovery actions such as meditation and journaling are recommended as part of a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework of recovery.

Available Services For Drug Addiction

If you are concerned about your drug use, it is recommended to start with the comprehensive assessment. The assessment includes 3 appointments and is designed to get to know you, determine the acuity of your issues and appropriate treatment recommendations that are individualized based on your needs. The 3 appointments include an initial nursing assessment, an assessment with a registered psychologist or social worker and thirdly with a medical doctor.

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At HUM, we use a range of techniques based on experiential relationship building, dialogue, communication and behavior change that are designed to improve the mental health of an individual,and improve relationships with others (eg. family). Our goal is to provide an open, supportive, and confidential environment for you to address the issues that are concerning you. These principles can also be provided through couples/family sessions.

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This provides the opportunity to clarify boundaries, identify what may be individual issues for people to work on, while addressing issues jointly without telling each other what to do.

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The recovery support groups are process oriented therefore the structure of each group is fluid and reflective of the needs and current issues raised by group members. Group members have an opportunity to process their life issues and reflect on their recovery including successes and challenges they are facing. Group therapy allows individuals to discuss issues with the support of others in recovery, provide and offer feedback, build a recovery network and increase accountability.

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The IOP is spread out over 3 Phases and 3 months with a weekend family/friends program included. The IOP is designed for those wanting more intensive treatment who have identified having an issue with Addiction, Mental Health and/or Chronic Pain.

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This is available to individuals who have completed the comprehensive assessment and are patients at HUM. The aim is to provide the appropriate level of support and minimize the risks associated with detoxification and withdrawal. Detoxification will be initiated during the day on an outpatient basis so it is necessary for the individual to have appropriate support overnight during the detoxification period. All patients are monitored by Dr Hajela during the detoxification/withdrawal period. This is important as withdrawal is more tolerable and safer when there is an understanding of the pharmacology and physiology of withdrawal to determine appropriate use of medication to modify the withdrawal process.
All medications that an individual may be including prescribed or over-the-counter are reviewed to determine their efficacy and interactions. Medications may be prescribed during withdrawal management, tapering or maintenance treatment. We consider symptom triggered withdrawal management that is individualized to be more beneficial than protocol driven prescriptions.

Legal Issues

What if you're facing legal charges?

For those who are facing legal charges for offences (e.g., DUI/impaired driving, drug charges, drug trafficking, assault, child custody etc.), it is important to have an assessment to determine if there are underlying Addiction or Mental Health issues that are affecting an individual’s behaviour. Behaviours that are explicable due to mental health problems (impairment in ability to make a choice) are dealt with differently in the justice system than behaviours that are considered wilful (bad choices).

Who can we help with drug charges?

This program is for anyone with past or current legal issues that would benefit from a comprehensive assessment and may need a medical legal report as part of their defense.

How do we help?

If you are in need of a legal report, then you will need to complete a 3 part comprehensive assessment after which a medical legal report can be provided at the request of the lawyer or individual to be used in court. The report will include criminal code requirements as outlined by the lawyer as well as treatment recommendations and objectives. If a legal report is not required, a 1 hour individual counselling appointment can be scheduled with a HUM therapist.

When can someone get help, and are there any prerequisites?

Anyone who is wanting counselling, treatment or requiring a medical legal report due to legal issues can contact the HUM office by phone or e-mail and can get going with services as soon as they are able to. The comprehensive assessment is required if a medical legal report is needed as information for the report will be generated through the assessment process. There is no referral process and no wait list for services at HUM.

What are the costs?

After the comprehensive assessment has been completed, the cost of the legal report will be anywhere from $150-$650. The cost is determined by the time taken to write the report and the length of the report, which is based on the needs presented by the lawyer and individual.

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Health Upwardly Mobile Inc., (HUM) | Addiction and Mental Health Counselling Team | Calgary

Health Upwardly Mobile (HUM) is a counselling and therapy provider based in Calgary. Our team includes a variety of healthcare providers including nurses, physicians, psychologists and social workers.

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