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The decision to end an addiction is a life-changing one and, the easier that process is, the sooner patients will be able to move forward with the process of healing. Right Step offers both inpatient and outpatient medically supervised detoxification programs. Our experienced staff specializes in the detoxification of alcohol, benzodiazepine, opiates, prescription medication, and the complexities of poly-substance dependence.

The basic process for our medically supervised detox programs is:

1. Evaluation

Patients are evaluated by our chemical dependency professionals who determine the patients’ needs, such as whether they require inpatient care or whether they can stay at home and go through our outpatient program. Our staff also discovers if a patient suffers from additional co-morbidities such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, chronic pain issues, or other risk factors so that we may treat all simultaneously for the best outcomes.

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An addiction in a friend or family member is difficult no matter what the situation. When that friend or family member is an adolescent, however, the difficulty and sadness may increase many times over. Parents who find themselves in this situation, especially if the kids are college-age or close to it, can be torn between letting the teenagers go and a desire to help and coddle the kids like when they were younger. What they may not realize is that their children are battling the situation, too, and they need all the allies they can get.

Anyone can become addicted at any time in their lives, but the adolescent period is perhaps the most dangerous time in a person’s life. However, it’s teens who are the most vulnerable, not only to social pressure to experiment with addictive substances, but also more vulnerable to the damage those substances can cause. Their minds and bodies are still developing, so teen drug use can progress into addiction faster than in adults. Also because of this development period, addiction can wreak more havoc on the teen brain (which becomes fully developed around 25 years of age), as well as on the adolescent body.

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Tags: Addiction, prescription drug abuse, teen drug addiction // 1 Comment »

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Junior League of Houston, Inc.
11:15 a.m. – Registration
11:45 a.m. – Lunch and Program
$35 per member
$40 per guest

Everyone will at some time in their lives be affected by depression—their own or someone else’s.  Depression and addiction can affect a person’s work, ability to form healthy relationships and quality of life.

Baylor College of Medicine experts are at the forefront for shaping research as well as treatment for people suffering from mental health issues.  Leading the discussion of depression and addiction are

• Stuart Yudofsky, M.D., whose research and clinical practice focuses on psychopharmacology, the use of medicines to treat mental illness, and neuropsychiatry, the assessment and treatment of the psychiatric aspects of people with neurological illnesses.
• Tom Kosten, M.D., whose medication contributions include a cocaine vaccine, immunotherapy for hallucinogens, and combining medications with contingency management for opioid and cocaine dependence.
• Sanjay Mathew, M.D., who specializes in recognizing and treating the physical manifestations of depression.

• Richard De La Garza, Ph.D., who specializes in clinical psychopharmacology.

RSVP Now!

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When dealing with a loved one’s addiction illness, this question is inevitable: why did my loved one become addicted, when I didn’t? What made them become an addict, when their coworkers, spouse, or other family members haven’t succumbed to the same disease?

The answer is complex and multi-layered, as a variety of factors can come into play throughout someone’s life. These factors include genetics, upbringing, age of introduction to their addiction, social pressure, and overall mental state. There are millions of adults affected by the disease of addiction and each person’s situation is different.

The first of these factors, genetics, is the one that is under the least control, wildly unpredictable, and hard to pin down, especially because it usually overlaps with the issue of upbringing; the people from whom you get your genetics usually raise you. The son of an alcoholic may never touch a drop of liquor in his life, while the same alcoholic’s daughter may suffer the same illness as her father. This could stem from a genetic predisposition or the impact of their experiences in that environment (the son rebels against alcoholism, while the daughter incorporates it into her own life). More than likely, it’s both.

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The Neurobiology of Addiction

Presented by John Femino, MD, FASAM

Friday, March 23, 2012

12:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Lunch and CEUs will be available for all participants

Right Step – Woodlands

25319 I-45 North, Suite 102

Spring, TX 77380
______________________________________________

John Femino, MD, FASAM, graduated from Brown University School of Medicine and completed residency in internal medicine and post-doctoral fellowships in clinical psychopharmacology and drug and alcohol abuse. He was the recipient of the Career Teacher in Alcohol and Drug Abuse grant at Brown University and was one of the first faculty members at the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. Dr. Femino has been on the board of directors of the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism and has been the substance abuse consultant to major insurance companies in RI. He is the founder of Meadows Edge Recovery Center, a state licensed substance abuse treatment program and multidisciplinary medical and mental health group practice in North Kingstown, RI. Dr. Femino is board certified in internal medicine, MRO certified and a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Please RSVP to David Hanna at david.hanna@rightstep.com
For questions, please contact Kimberly Mitchell at 619-415-9087

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Right Step is happy to confirm its participation and invite you to the Silver Anniversary Conference of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.

25th Annual “Silver Anniversary” Metamorphosis 2012
Silver Anniversary Conference
Hilton Hotel, Arlington, Texas
March 22, 23, and 24, 2012

Here are some of the great speakers :

	Herschel Walker “Breaking Free”
	Vicki Moody “Conjoint Treatment of Substance Abuse and Trauma Issues”
	Jason Howell “The Recovery Movement: Past, Present, and Future”
	Ben Levenson “The Long Road Home – My Journey Into Our Field”

For more information, visit TAAPfw.org.

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The Neurobiology of Addiction

Presented by John Femino, MD, FASAM

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch will be provided for all participant

Courtyard Dallas DFW Airport South/Irving

2280 Valley View Lane, Irving, Texas 75062
______________________________________________

John Femino, MD, FASAM, graduated from Brown University School of Medicine and completed residency in internal medicine and post-doctoral fellowships in clinical psychopharmacology and drug and alcohol abuse. He was the recipient of the Career Teacher in Alcohol and Drug Abuse grant at Brown University and was one of the first faculty members at the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. Dr. Femino has been on the board of directors of the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism and has been the substance abuse consultant to major insurance companies in RI. He is the founder of Meadows Edge Recovery Center, a state licensed substance abuse treatment program and multidisciplinary medical and mental health group practice in North Kingstown, RI. Dr. Femino is board certified in internal medicine, MRO certified and a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Please RSVP to Kimberly Mitchell, CAS at (619) 415-9087 or kmitchell@dominiondiagnostics.com

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The Institute for Spirituality and Health presents :

Anthony Brown, MD
ISH Lecture Series
Thursday, February 9, 2012
5:00 – 6:30pm

Institute for Spirituality and Health
8100 Greenbriar, # 220
Houston, Texas 77054

“Spiritual Involvement Intervention for Twelve Step Alcohol Recovery.”
Dr. Brown will present the findings of the published research he has done on spirituality and
Twelve Step programs for alcohol and substance abuse. While a variety of treatment
options are available, the spiritual Twelve Step program remains a popular modality for
alcohol and other substance abuse disorders.

[Click here to read more →]

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Right Step Alumni SECOND Annual Super Bowl of Chili Chili Cook-Off!!

Put your best bowl of chili on the table to be judged!

Superbowl Sunday
Feb. 5 2012 12 PM
Alumni Hall

Come watch the game and have some sober fun!

$$$ Prize money determined by number of entrants!! Sign up!

The Right Step Alumni Hall . 902 W Alabama . Houston, TX 77006 281-318-9409 or 713-438-2207 [Click here to read more →]

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Continuum of care now includes nationally recognized “adventure-based” treatment of young adult men who suffer from chemical dependency and co-occurring issues.

We are very happy and proud to announce that TRS Behavioral Care, Inc., parent company of Right Step and Spirit Lodge has acquired San Cristobal Treatment Center of Taos, NM, greatly increasing the company’s geographic reach and leadership position in the chemical dependence treatment field.

TRS, named one of Houston’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies for the past two years, ended 2011 with the highest revenue in the company’s 22-year history. The San Cristobal acquisition extends TRS’ reach beyond Texas and also expands its continuum of care to include adventure-based addiction treatment for young men.

“Despite the economy, TRS continues to grow and improve, both in terms of finances and accomplishments.” said George Joseph, chief executive officer of TRS since 1994.  San Cristobal Treatment Center is a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of young adult men (ages 17 to 26) who suffer from chemical dependency with co-occurring issues such as emotional/behavioral conditions, psychiatric concerns, low self-esteem, legal problems, low motivation, few practical life skills, and little or no sense of a direction in life. Like Right Step and Spirit Lodge, San Cristobal uses highly-effective, Twelve Step and evidence-based methodologies so there is a natural synergy that will benefit both the company and our clients,” Joseph said.

Dave Johnson, CEO of San Cristobal, will continue to manage his team, comprised of addiction clinicians and expert-level adventure and wilderness professionals. “The 90-120 day program takes place on 120 secluded acres where clients discover a “natural high” with a 21-day “wilderness experience,” hiking, mountain biking, skiing & snowboarding, whitewater rafting, backpacking, and other program elements such as a high/low ropes course, woodshop, recording studio, horseback riding, and sports,” Johnson said. “We are excited that, by joining with TRS, we will elevate our nationally-known status even further through accreditation by The Joint Commission.”

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