A Specialized
Substance Abuse Program for Executives
March / April 2004
Recovery
at Penn, an intensive outpatient substance abuse
treatment program, is designed to evaluate and treat high
level professionals and executives such as CEOs, physicians
and lawyers who have special needs often overlooked by most
mainstream substance abuse treatment programs.
“Our clients present simultaneously with psychiatric
and substance abuse problems. Addiction is a disease but there
are also psychiatric issues involved,” says Alexandra
McLean, MD, a Penn Behavioral Health psychiatrist and
director of Recovery at Penn.
Patients are triaged and either referred to inpatient or
outpatient detoxification, residential programs, or Penn’s
intensive outpatient program. The outpatient program is
held
nine hours a week for 12 sessions and includes group therapy,
individual therapy, and education that address their illness
and psychological triggers. Patients also have access to
the latest research and pharmacological discoveries through
the
program’s link to the University of Pennsylvania Treatment
Research Center which is world-renowned for its substance
abuse research.
“Our program is very scientific and nurturing. We combine
a thorough evaluation of the individual’s psychiatric
issues as well as the substance abuse education, family therapy
and encouragement that he or she needs,” says Dr. McLean.
Approximately 80 percent of people who start intensive outpatient
programs relapse after 12 sessions. In an ongoing program
that lasts two or three years, remission is 70 percent. At
Penn, the emphasis is on continuity of care and intense follow-up.
After completing the program, patients are seen once a week
for approximately 12 months, allowing them to maintain sobriety
and continue to work on psychotherapeutic and medication
management
issues. Patients are encouraged to become part of a 12-step
program such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
Patients make healthy life changes that are professional,
physical and relaxation related.
“In this population, it is very common to self-medicate
to mask anxieties, relax, or to enhance performance. We believe
they need a specialized program because they often feel different
from the rest of the population and in some ways, even more
ashamed of their substance abuse problem,” explains
Dr. McLean. “What makes our program unique is the length
of treatment, individualized treatment protocols, small group
sizes, and highly confidential atmosphere.”
Signs of Substance Abuse
- Significant stress and self-medication (alcohol or drugs)
- No improvement from medication
- Biological markers such as high cholesterol, high triglycerides,
macrocytic anemia and increased liver enzymes
- Request for inordinate amount of pain killers
- Tremors, facial redness and/or gastric ulcers
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Referring Physicians: To speak with a Penn physician
or refer a patient, contact PennHealth through the secure online
referral form or by calling
1-800-789-PENN
(7366). |
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