New ‘Executive Alcohol/Opiate Detox’ Attracts Celebrities to Palm Beach

New ‘Executive Alcohol/Opiate Detox’ attracts celebrities to Palm Beach

People from various walks of life such as business executives, professional athletes, celebrities, politicians, and even the armed forces and the religious world are flocking to Palm Beach from different parts of the globe, and not necessarily to enjoy the spectacular beaches, but rather to save their lives. They are coming to break harmful dependencies to a variety of addictive substances– medical conditions which until recently were considered taboo to such people.

Recently substance abuse and its treatment have risen in the consciousness of society. With recent television shows such as A&E’s Intervention, a general acceptance of substance abuse as a medical not moral issue is developing. Couple this with the recent liberal trends in dispensing opiate pain medications and anti-anxiety medications results in a trend of sorts. According to the most recent nationwide survey conducted in the United States by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), an estimated 6.3 million persons, or 2.7 percent of the population age 12 and older had used prescription psychotherapeutic medications non-medically in the month prior to being surveyed. This includes 4.7 million using pain relievers, 1.8 million using tranquilizers, 1.2 million using stimulants, and 0.3 million using sedatives. The problem is on the rise. According to this survey carried out in 2003, the increase in rates of addiction to prescription medication is significant when compared to previous survey results.

Substance abuse providers are seeing a new profile of patients; that of apparently normal professionals often successful in all other aspects of their lives. Dr Mark G. Agresti, Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia Hospital explains that most of today’s addicts are hooked on prescription medication—pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives—not illegal drugs purchased on a street corner somewhere.

James Bevell, Director of Admissions for Poinciana, at Palm Beach, a facility that treats patients presenting with this profile, explains that these programs are adapted specifically for high functioning, motivated people who need individual attention and guidance. “Patients can free themselves from chemical addictions and continue with their lives”, he says.

Bevell states that ‘Executive Detox’ is an emerging service being provided to this new patient demographic.

“Many people who have been otherwise successful in their lives yet find themselves addicted had found their choices limited and unacceptable when seeking treatment. In years past the only alternatives were psychiatric hospitals or free standing substance abuse hospitals. They used to find themselves thrown into a system which was often overburdened and understaffed. Some found themselves misunderstood, misdiagnosed and mistreated. These patients could not tolerate the treatment and therefore went largely untreated,” he says.

According to Bevell, the concept includes an important component of luxury and confidentiality.

“Even though Poinciana is a hospital-based program, patients are discretely separated from regular hospital patients and other clinical facilities. At this center, they are offered exclusive concierge services for patients and family members. Upon request, they are even provided a private escort to accompany the patient to the facility”, he says.

The creators of the plan promise that this method allows patients, while under the supervision and care of a medical team of experts in addiction, to withdraw in comfort from substance dependency as they continue to work or study. They add that this method is different from other treatment programs because it is individually modified for each patient, taking into consideration not only their medical history, but also their personal issues as well. It is a holistic, bio-psychosocial approach.

“This is not cookie-cutter medicine. It is a program created to suit the needs of the individual—one patient at a time,” Dr. Agresti clarifies.

Dr. David J. Stern, an internist who practices in West Palm Beach, explains the general procedure as follows: “Patient arrives for assessment and medical examination by a Board Certified physician and substance dependency specialist. Then he/she is diagnosed and treated according to his/her specific needs. Patient receives a regimen of safe and effective medications, such as Buprenorphine, that promptly eliminate symptoms of withdrawal, including anxiety, sleeplessness as well as debilitating aches and pains normally associated with detoxification.”

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