Addiction Treatment for College Students

Most people know that medical school will be tough, but many lack resources for adequately coping with the stresses medical school can bring. Studying medicine is a rigorous and intensely competitive undertaking, and can cause mental health and behavioral health repercussions before your career has even begun. The changes a student goes through at medical school are fundamental. For many students, this change may be accompanied by anxiety, depression and substance abuse.

Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Addiction is a chronic, progressive and potentially fatal disease. It has biological, psychological and social repercussions for the individual and family. Medical students follow general young adult patterns and are not exempt from the consequences of substance use.

Heavy drinking and drug use occur at high rates among college students, typically attributed to stress, social pressure, and other factors.Despite how common drug and alcohol use is among many college students. This can lead to many drawbacks in school performance, mental health, and physical well-being.

The impact of drug and alcohol abuse on school performance can occur as a result of the substance abuse itself, as well as change a person’s behavior. In many instances, drugs and alcohol are turned to as a form of relief, to help college students cope with stress. It can have negative effects on concentration, memory and sleeping patterns which can lead to difficulty in school.

The effects of drug and alcohol abuse can vary from person to person, but should never be ignored.Medical students struggling with addiction are likely to experience:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Drop in grades
  • Social isolation
  • Low self-esteem
  • Being unable to stay in school

The Risk for Medical Student Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Medical students follow general young adult patterns and are not exempt from the consequences of substance use, which may include injuries, work and social impairment, depression/anxiety and isolation. Studies suggest that substance use in medical school may be the root of the ongoing problem of increased addiction in practicing physicians.

There has been an increase in the misuse and overuse of prescription medications for anxiety (benzodiazepines like Xanax), or for improved concentration (stimulants like Adderall). Use of these kinds of medications or recreational drugs, combined with alcohol, greatly increases the risk of developing a substance abuse problem.

For those medical students struggling with issues of depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol problems or other mental health issues, Palmetto is here to help. We offer a full range of resources and solutions that can help give your loved one the support and care they need to succeed.

Addiction Treatment for Medical Students at Palmetto

One of the primary goals of Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center is to provide assistance to medicalstudents before any of these problems become debilitating.

We help medical students deal with and recover from a wide range of issues including, but not limited to:

  • Substance abuse
  • Process Addictions (like food, gambling or sex)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress, burnout, and work life balance
  • Trauma, grief and loss

We serve as advocates for our clients throughout the process of treatment and as they return to school, ensuring a seamless transition back to independent life. Our professionals program has a high success rate and our clients return to school and/or the workforce fully committed to their sobriety with minimal interruptions.

Palmetto specializes in treating medical students in our Professional Program. The program treats professionals and future professionals who arerequired by a licensing and accrediting organization to remain clean and sober to maintain their credentials. We are familiar with and provide the type of treatment necessary to meet high standards of these organizations, and we provide proof of treatment for all successful graduates of our program.

Inpatient vs Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient Addiction Treatment, better known as residential treatment, provides a safe, supportive and sober environment away from the temptations and pressures of daily life. Living at the facility, clients get back on their feet and they benefit from full-time access to expert staff, daily recovery programming and a variety of effective therapeutic modalities.

Under the guidance of counselors, denial is overcome, behavior patterns are challenged, self-disclosure begins, changes in the mindset occur and long-term sobriety skills are taught. Residential treatment allows for fully scheduled days of therapeutic activities, educational sessions and restful recovery. The length of treatment averages between 28 days and 90 days.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment is used either as a primary treatment model or transitional treatment model following a Residential stay. The length of the program is based on the patient’s individual needs and the assessments from the counselor and patient’s physician.

Clients in outpatient treatment typically participate in the treatment program two-three evenings a week, allowing them to maintain their employment or educational status and live at home or transitional living while receiving the vital help they need. Groups can be held in the morning, afternoon, or night to best work with a client’s schedule. These groups focus on education, individual and group counseling, and relapse prevention.

Palmetto has Intensive Outpatient Treatment Centers in:

Monroe, LA                  Shreveport, LA             Alexandria, LA

Lake Charles, LA           Lafayette, LA                Metairie, LA

Treatment for MedicalStudent Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Finding your student help through a professional treatment center is the best option for their recovery. Through a rehab facility like Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center, your loved one will receive the treatment and care they need to achieve recovery. They learn crucial skills to help prevent relapse and keep them on the right track in life.

To learn more about student drug and alcohol abuse treatment, contact Palmetto Recovery Center today by calling 318.728.2970. Let our team help your loved one recover from drug and alcohol abuse and begin living a healthy, substance-free life.

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