Download CD Programs - Hickory Trail Hospital

In the US, according to the 2004 National Survey
on Drug Use and Health, approximately
DAY
HOSPITAL
18.7 milllion people age 12 and older
are classified with dependence on or abuse of alcohol
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005).
2000 N. Old Hickory Trail
DeSoto, Texas 75115
(972) 298-7323
www.hickorytrail.com
INPATIENT
REHABILITATION
Detoxification
Day Hospital
Does Virtual Reality work?
Research shows that overall, subjective craving for alcohol increases
across the VR alcohol related cue environments versus VR neutral
cue environments. Participants report high levels of presence in
VR, indicating that the environments were perceived as realistic and
compelling. These initial findings support the use of VR environments
for use in alcohol cue-based treatment and research (Bordnick, et al.
2008).
How do medications
enhance therapy?
There are several medications commonly used in detoxification
and during recovery to treat recovery-related issues as well as
potential co-occurring psychiatric issues. When medications are
used effectively, the patient can direct more energy toward recovery
and learning effective coping strategies. Studies have shown that
medications such as Suboxone markedly reduce cravings, meaning
preoccupation with drug seeking and obsessive thoughts cease
allowing for beneficial gain from therapy earlier, increased retention in
treatment and longer periods of sobriety (Kakko, et al. 2003).
The full program unfolds across three distinct levels
of care: detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, and day
treatment services.
Detoxification
This stage of treatment is the most medically focused,
insuring patients remain comfortable and medically stable.
During this time patients are introduced to the basic
principles of recovery and our curriculum, participating
in group, family and individual therapy sessions. Studies
have shown that extending treatment beyond detoxification
results in the best chances for long-term recovery, so we
always recommend stepping into our other levels of care
after completing detox.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Is there a problem?
Inpatient rehabilitation can be started after detoxification
or as an entry point for treatment and provides opportunity
for intense therapeutic work. It involves continued medical
supervision, group and individual therapy.
Despite treatment, relapse rates remain high with most patients
having 2 treatment admissions per year (SAMHSA, 2001). Given
the high rates of relapse, increasing prevalence rates, and mortality,
new treatment approaches that address biological, psychosocial, and
environmental factors need to be developed (Bordnick et al. 2008).
At this phase of treatment we can introduce the use of
Virtual Reality Environments, providing exposure therapy
in a safe, controlled setting. While experiencing the
environment, the therapist works with patients on:
Hickory Trail Hospital is the only program in Dallas/Fort Worth
providing such an innovative, comprehensive approach.
If you have questions or
want to schedule an assessment call:
(972) 298-7323
24 hours a day / 7 days a week
Day Hospital and Intensive Outpatient Programming
extends treatment in our least restrictive setting. The
curriculum builds off what has already been learned,
incorporating elements that will help support sober
recovery after treatment.
Technologically Advanced
Addiction Treatment
Science behind addiction
Social support & sober activities
Planning for emergencies
Coping with relapse
Anger awareness & management
Effective communication
Coping with cravings & urges
Future planning
Refusal skills
Identifying cravings and visceral responses
Thought-stopping and restructuring
Combining our traditional curriculum with enhanced
systems like VR helps build a successful relapse prevention
plan.
EXCLUSIVELY AT
VIRTUAL
REALITY
Advanced Chemical
Dependency Treatment
What is Virtual Reality?
At Hickory Trail Hospital our focus is on combining
innovative, evidence-based tools to provide specialized
treatment to those suffering from addictive diseases. We
treat adults suffering from dependence on:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Hallucinogens
Opiates – pain pills and heroin
Benzodiazepines – xanax, valium
Stimulants – cocaine, methamphetamines
Chemical Dependency treatment at HTH is a strengthbased program, focused on treating the whole person
from a biopsychosocial perspective. Our curriculum is
custom designed and unites one level of care with the next,
incorporating several evidence-based therapeutic models
and tools including:
The Virtual Reality Experience
Used collectively, the following components create a
powerful experience.
The Patient Experience
Visual Head Mount – allows the patient to fully immerse
into a 360° environment. Patients can visually explore their
space with a simple turn of the head.
At Hickory Trail Hospital, the patient works both
individually with the therapist and collectively as part of
the group therapy experience utilizing VR equipment. The
patient sits with the therapist in a small room adjoining
a larger group room, while the patient’s supportive
cohort can watch the activity on a projection screen.
This provides a broader experience with the benefits of
feedback and alternative perspectives regarding the event.
Noise Reduction Headphones – blocks out any
potential distractions and pipes in sounds consistent with
the VR experience such as dialogue with digital humans,
music, and the pop of a beer can.
Broadly defined, computer simulation allows human users
to interact with digital environments resembling reality.
Many are familiar with Virtual Reality (VR) as a form of
computer simulation from gaming and entertainment.
Beyond gaming, medicine is one of the major application
areas for VR, stimulated initially by the need of medical
staff to visualize complex medical data. Most recently,
psychiatry has focused on employing the use of VR as a
tool to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobias,
and substance abuse.
To begin a session, the patient puts on the visual head
mount and noise reduction headphones, entering the
computer generated environment. The patient initially
experiences a neutral environment such as the view of
an aquarium, with sounds of bubbling water and scent of
fresh baked cookies. At this point, the therapist asseses
for baseline craving response.
Next, the patient enters a stimulating environment like
a party, providing exposure to social pressures and
triggering events. The patient walks through a room,
hearing music and smelling pizza. The sounds of
celebratory chatter and party music float through the
air. Discussions with party goers can occur and offers
of the patient’s drink/drug of choice can be made. There
are many environments that can be offered, providing a
variety of experiences and triggering unique responses.
Clinical Use of Virtual Reality
VR treatment involves exposing the patient to a virtual
environment containing the triggering situation rather than
taking the patient into the actual environment or using
traditional visualization techniques. The virtual environment
is customized by the therapist to best suit the individual’s
drug of choice. While experiencing the simulation, the
therapist assists the patient in trigger identification and
craving management.
Stages of Change
Motivational Interviewing
Orientation to the 12 Steps
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Virtual Reality Exposure Treatment
Because we incorporate a variety of treatment
modalities we are also able to treat
those with co-occurring mental health disorders
such a depression and anxiety.
Platform and Audio Amplifier – responds to the
sounds of the environment and provides for a tactile
experience. When the patient enters a bar scene, the music
is amplified such that the vibrations are felt through the
platform floor.
Enviroscent® System – completes the virtual
experience by emitting smells relevant to the experience.
As the patient passes through a virtual kitchen, the smell
of brewing coffee fills the room. When offered a shot of
tequila, the scent of tequila lingers in the air.
After each experience, a series of questions assess
craving response, helping better identify areas for
therapeutic work.
Computer simulation is an enhancement
to traditional therapies, not a replacement.
The therapist has an integrative role
in treatment – acting as a coach in VR therapy.