“I resolve to get clean and sober in the New Year.” How many times has this been someone’s New Year’s resolution, and how many times has it gone by the wayside by mid-January?
“Many people with alcohol and drug dependency issues pledge they will get their lives under control in the new year,” notes Robert Hails, Vice President, Psychiatric Services, HCA East Florida Division. A New Year’s resolution leads many to a detox center in January, where they can go through a medically-monitored, safe withdrawal process in a private drug-free environment. After withdrawal, thoughts begin to clear, to the point that they are able to benefit from a Rehab program.
“These programs are often crucial in helping people to develop the insight, coping skills, and inner resolve necessary to stay clean and to resist the temptation of abusing drugs and alcohol again,” Hails continues. “Learning about and attending AA/NA self-help groups are usually a part of the Rehab process to support their ongoing recovery. Drug and alcohol addiction is a life-long struggle for many that must always be guarded against and actively managed.”
If you are male, have a family member who abused alcohol, and began to use alcohol at an early age (younger than 14), you have three of the top risk factors that increase your chance of developing alcoholism.
Risk factors for drug addiction are similar, as many drug abusers are young males who come from families with substance abuse problems. Other risk factors include early antisocial behavior, social and peer pressure, easy access and association with people who abuse drugs.
However, alcohol and drug addiction crosses all barriers of gender, race, and age. Among the elderly, for example, the most common form of drug abuse is the misuse of prescribed medications. Here are some of the signs and symptoms that occur, often leading the abuser to seek treatment.
Tell-tale Signs That Alcohol & Drugs Have Become a Problem in Your Life:
Repeated work, school, or home problems due to drinking or drug use
Risking physical safety
Recurring trouble with the law, including impaired driving
Continuing to drink or use drugs despite problems in personal relationships
Alcoholism Symptoms:
Craving a drink
Unable to stop or limit drinking
Needing greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect
Giving up activities in order to drink or recover from alcohol
Drinking that continues even when it causes or worsens health problems
Wanting to stop or reduce drinking, but not being able
Withdrawal symptoms if alcohol is stopped include:
Nausea
Sweating
Shaking
Anxiety
Increased blood pressure
Seizures (delirium tremens [DTs])
Drug Dependence Symptoms:
Craving for the substance
Inability to stop or limit drug use
Tolerance—taking greater amounts to feel the same effect
Withdrawal symptoms that occur when the drug is stopped
Significant amounts of time trying to acquire drugs and recover from their effects
Giving up activities to use drugs or recover from the effects
Drug use continues even when it causes or worsens health and/or psychological problems
To definitively diagnose drug abuse, the symptoms must have lasted for at least 12 months.
Several HCA East Florida hospitals offer treatment to those who are ready to deal with their addiction(s):
Columbia Hospital (West Palm Beach), which operates a short-term inpatient Detox Program – Poinciana at Palm Beach – Luxurious setting with closely guarded privacy/confidentiality to those undergoing treatment. Columbia also offers an intensive outpatient program at its Pavilion facility for dual diagnosis patients. Information: Detox Services 561-308-7515, Outpatient Services 561-881-2671.
University Hospital & Medical Center (Tamarac) has an intensive outpatient program that includes outpatient detox for patients who qualify medically, and a rehab program for the dual diagnosis patient (i.e. chemical dependency coupled with other psychiatric issues). Information: 954-724-6502.
Aventura Hospital & Medical Center’s “Renewed Hope Center” is also available to provide short-term detox services. Information: 877-643-3869Â
Lawnwood Regional Medical Center (Ft. Pierce) offers short-term detox services and psychiatric care to the dual diagnosis patient. Information: 800-433-2673
“If needed services are not offered at one of our facilities, patients are referred to community providers who are the best fit for their needs,” adds Hails. “We offer free assessments to all who are seeking treatment options for their chemical dependency. Our staff can evaluate each individual situation, including insurances, and make a trusted recommendation to ensure he or she will continue on the road to lifelong recovery.”
About HCA East Florida
Building a Healthy Community
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In communities across South Florida and the Treasure Coast, more than 12,000 of your neighbors, friends and colleagues are committed to building a Healthy Community – a community with dedicated neighborhood groups, active little leagues, charities helping those in need, firstclass institutions that contribute to the overall well-being of the community, and businesses committed to making the communities they serve a better place.
A National Presence
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HCA’s roots date back to the 1960s when Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. led a group of physicians to build a hospital in Nashville,Tennessee. Close to four decades of hard work and dedication have made HCA – Hospital Corporation of America – the nation’s leading provider of quality healthcare services, with locally managed facilities that include approximately 191 hospitals and 82 outpatient surgery centers in 23 states, England and Switzerland.
In Florida, there are 40 hospitals and 28 surgery centers, three division offices, and multiple other service facilities affiliated with HCA that employ close to 40,000 individuals.
HCA affiliated facilities in East Florida are a part of a quality healthcare network in East Florida and the Treasure Coast with 12 affiliated hospitals, 12 surgery centers, one integrated regional lab and one consolidated service center. Together, the network employs more than 12,500 individuals and has close to 6,000 physicians on staff.
A Commitment to Excellence
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Hospitals have become the front line of healthcare in our country, creating demands never seen before. Technology, a growing and ever-changing part of healthcare, has pushed the boundaries of how care is provided and the expectations of those receiving care. Providing high quality and cost effective healthcare requires a constant upgrade of our facilities and the technology within the facilities.
Whether it is an expanded Emergency Room or the latest imaging technology, our commitment to excellence is unwavering. Excellence is achieved when excellence is expected. HCA affiliated East Florida hospitals expect and are committed to excellence.
A Clear Vision
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HCA’s corporate mission and values statement says it best:
Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. In recognition of this commitment, we strive to deliver high quality, cost effective healthcare in the communities we serve.
HCA East Florida and its 12 affiliate hospitals are proud to be living up to that commitment.
Recognized Leaders
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The benchmark for quality and leadership is found in the men and women who make up HCA East Florida network of hospitals. It is the caring touch of a physician, the friendly smile of a volunteer, the compassion of a nurse, the professionalism of a technician or the willingness to help of an office clerk. It is the excellence of the individual that has made HCA affiliated hospitals in East Florida recognized leaders in the communities they serve.
HCA’s affiliate hospitals consistently appear among the Top 100 Hospitals and receive outstanding ratings from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. They receive 5 star ratings from Healthgrades, Inc. and recognition from the Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety. More importantly, our patient and physician satisfaction surveys consistently prove that the HCA affiliated East Florida hospitals are recognized leaders in the delivery of quality healthcare.
The 12 HCA East Florida affiliate hospitals provided in excess of $ 800 million in care to the neediest without any compensation. In addition, we have implemented a comprehensive charitable care policy that provides financial relief to more of our charity patients and needs-based discounts to uninsured patients.
One of the biggest challenges faced by the healthcare industry is the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, especially Registered Nurses. Recognizing the challenge, we established scholarship programs at Palm Beach Community College, Broward Community College, Miami Dade College and Florida International University.
The active involvement of HCA affiliated hospitals in the community will continue through our support of major initiatives as well as our active leadership and participation in a variety of organizations that promote the social and economic wellbeing of our community and embrace our cultural diversity. If an initiative or organization is looking to build a Healthy Community, you’re likely to find someone from an HCA affiliated East Florida hospital actively involved.
“Healthy Community - A Community Initiative of the East Florida hospitals affiliated with HCA.”
The terms “HCA” or the “Company” as used herein refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context. The terms “facilities,” “hospitals,” “medical centers,” “surgery centers” and “affiliates” refer to entities owned or operated by subsidiaries or affiliates of HCA Inc. References herein to “HCA employees” or to “our employees” refer to employees of affiliates or subsidiaries of HCA Inc.
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