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The Physician's Challenge

In today's practice of medicine, physicians have the opportunity to provide early identification and referral for clients in need of chemical dependency treatment. Chemical dependency often occurs when other coping mechanisms are overwhelmed and drugs or alcohol are sought to reduce stress. Drug and alcohol dependencies masquerade as gastritis, abdominal pain and other symptoms, and are a causative factor in many injuries and accidents.

Some people drink to relax, attempting to reduce the anxiety of their fast-paced, stressful lives. This group tends to develop problems with dependency gradually over years. The sooner their physician makes the diagnosis, the faster and more effectively the progression of the disease of addiction can be interrupted.

Another group has strong family histories of alcoholism or other drug dependencies. This group drinks or uses to get high right from the start. They can become aggressive, getting into fights when intoxicated and frequently use anything available to get high. By their late teens or early 20s, their problems resulting from chemical dependency are so severe that they need treatment. Often after an arrest, it is the court that gives them the choice between treatment or jail. Government studies have shown that court-ordered treatment is moderately effective. Those who become motivated are the ones who are most successful in treatment.

Chemical dependency is a disease of the brain. Repeated exposure to addicting substances causes compensatory changes in the brain. With sufficient exposure, these changes become irreversible. This is the reason that alcoholics can almost never return to controlled drinking.

Recent research has demonstrated that after a period of sobriety, having one drink triggers intense cravings that are extremely difficult to control. The altered chemistry of the brain responds to one drinking or drugging incident, setting off the cravings from the brain. The person rapidly can become out of control. Before science brought research to this phenomenon, alcoholics had experienced it for a long time. This experience led to the development of the 12-Step program slogan, "sobriety: one day at a time." of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Some addicts, before they develop an obsession with using drugs and loss of control over how much they drink, can reduce the amount they ingest for a while. Many of these individuals struggle for years to maintain control. Most gradually lose control of their drinking or using. Physicians can be helpful in making appropriate referrals to a chemical dependency counselor who can help patients determine what is happeining with their alcohol and drug use and what is the right course of action.

When problems arise with chemical dependency, getting help is essential. eGetgoing can help you help your clients.

The eGetgoing Solution

eGetgoing offers physicians a resource to help patients access excellent chemical dependency treatment utilizing advanced Internet technology. The eGetgoing solution overcomes barriers to treatment by making it available almost immediately for a fraction of the cost of traditional treatment programs. eGetgoing's programs are accessible from a client's home or workplace or anywhere else even when traveling. Imagine, your patient continuing their participation in their online group while on vacation or work-related travel. Groups are offered at conveniently scheduled times that can be fit into a busy schedule. Complete privacy and anonymity can be maintained.

eGetgoing offers seamless integration between online treatment and traditional programs. Should your patient need inpatient residential care, all of their eGetgoing fee can be applied to residential treatment at any CRC facility or partnering treatment program.

eGetgoing's counselors and clients verbally interact online as in any traditional group session with:

95% of group time spent in discussion.
Small groups of 8-10 clients.
Clients viewing their counselor during the group sessions.
Two-way audio conversations in real time.
Videos bring the core issues into focus.
Frequent assessments graphed on the client's personal home page.
Utilization of specialized visual aids such as slides and diagrams.
Each group session focused on specific recovery issues.
Homework assignments individualized to the client's needs.

For many individuals, eGetgoing offers the convenient, private and affordable solution needed. We also offer post-treatment, quality aftercare at no charge for one year that includes extended follow-up tracking and relapse prevention components. This provides clients continued support in recovery. Additional online aftercare programs are available.

eGetgoing is here to help you help your patients. For more information, click on the appropriate links below, or contact us at 1-877-75-SOBER.

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