About Us

AddictionBlog.org
About AAC

Addiction Blog is a network of bloggers managed by Lee Weber. These contributors are industry leaders who are interested in the field of addiction treatment. Our mission is to inform and connect families and individuals struggling with addiction. We hope that this website and our blogs help reduce the stigma associated with talking about the disease of addiction.

At AddictionBlog.org, we believe that shame and secrecy compound the suffering of the addicted person and their loved ones. We hope to provide a respectful forum where people with personal experience in suffering and recovering from this disease can share their experience in a supportive, open-minded and tolerant environment.

AddictionBlog.org is developed and maintained by Recovery Brands, LLC, a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers, Inc. (“AAC”).

The bloggers on AddictionBlog.org are not employed by AAC, and the views presented in this blog site do not represent the views of AAC or its staff. Information contained in these blogs should not be used to diagnose or treat medical or psychological conditions. If you have a health issue, mental health concern, or substance abuse disorder it is recommended that you consult a licensed health and/or mental health professional who will be able to provide you with a proper health assessment.

The content on Addictionblog.org is provided and owned by American Addiction Centers. Addictionblog.org does not host any user generated content. Users are permitted to share or quote content found on this site as long as proper attribution is given.

How AAC’s Helpline Works

For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the AddictionBlog.org helpline is a private and convenient solution. Caring admissions consultants are standing by 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. These advisors work solely for AAC and will discuss with you whether an AAC facility may be an option for you. To view a list of residential treatment centers operated by AAC, visit americanaddictioncenters.org/treatment-centers.

If AAC cannot provide a treatment option that meets your needs, the admission consultant may suggest that you search for a non-AAC treatment facility. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither AddictionBlog.org nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose. You can connect with hundreds of other facilities by browsing our listings and calling them directly, or by visiting SAMHSA.gov.

How Chat Works

When you use the free chat feature, you will reach an automated assistant representing AAC who will help you navigate your treatment options privately and discreetly. The automated assistant will ask you questions and provide you with basic information to help you start your journey to recovery. If you would like to speak with an AAC representative directly, a phone number is available in the chat window. When you call this phone number, you will reach AAC employees who work solely for AAC and will discuss with you the treatment options available from AAC.

Our chat service is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither AddictionBlog.org nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose.

All chat users are invited to opt in to receive additional communications from AAC. Opting into these communications is entirely voluntary and you may opt out from receiving messages from AAC at any time. Chat users can select their preferred method of contact. Standard messaging and data rates may apply for those who opt in for SMS.

How Self-Service Verification of Benefits Works

By entering your insurance information into our free verification of benefits tool, AAC will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf to determine if your insurance benefits may be accepted by an American Addiction Centers facility. Please note, AAC only provides a <strong>quote</strong> of benefits and/or authorizations. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete, and we cannot verify or guarantee coverage and/or eligibility for treatment services rendered at non-AAC treatment centers. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service.

Your health insurance company will only pay for services that it determines to be “reasonable and necessary.” AAC will make every effort to have all services preauthorized by your health insurance company. If your health insurance company determines that a particular service is not reasonable and necessary, or that a particular service is not covered under your plan, your insurer will deny payment for that service and it will become your responsibility. For more information about the terms and conditions of your individual plan, please contact your health insurance provider.

AddictionBlog.org Content and Contributors

Our blog community consists of dedicated current and former contributors who provide insight into the treatment of addiction. We are not crisis counselors and we do not offer diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental health condition, although many of our contributors have significant experience in addiction treatment and mental healthcare. Our editorial guidelines state that bloggers must only present information that is true and correct in accordance with their knowledge of the subject presented.

We embrace new ideas and alternative therapies for the treatment of all types of addiction. If you are interested in becoming a writer for Addiction Blog contact us.

What Else Does AddictionBlog.org Offer?

  • Free E-Book: Download The Definitive Guide to Rehab to learn more about how addiction treatment can help people live a happy, substance-free lifestyle.
  • Treatment Q&A: Have questions about what happens during addiction treatment? In our Q&A section we tackle questions on everything from finance and insurance to interventions and treatment methods in specific populations.

Ethics

Our goal is to provide ethical and compliant resources on AddictionBlog.org to support our visitors and their on-site experience. We aim to make our site as transparent as possible by marking ads to distinguish them from editorial content, disclosing our sponsors, as well as AAC’s relationship with our website and our helpline. We authenticate our paid sponsors using the same vetting criteria utilized by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to ensure that our partners are licensed and credible.

Our content is impartial and unbiased. We do not endorse or subscribe to any particular recovery method, and we believe that the personal decision to seek treatment is one that should be done autonomously and with the support of all possible information.

We hold ourselves to the highest level of financial integrity, and we do not sell or broker admissions, or engage in unethical “consultant contracts.” If you encounter any marketing practices based on calls made to centers or helplines listed on this site that you feel are deceptive, unethical, or misleading, contact us and we will do our best to correct the situation and help you find a trustworthy provider.

Identifying an Appropriate Treatment Provider

The process of finding a treatment provider can feel overwhelming. Resources, like facility websites or AddictionBlog.org and the following guide, can help you determine which options are best for you or your loved one.

  • Identify proper accreditation and licensure. Appropriate state licensure is important in determining what services and levels of care are permissible to be rendered at a treatment center. Some facilities voluntarily obtain accreditation from the Joint Commission or CARF, indicating that they have met quality and safety standards that go beyond those required by the state.
  • Determine if the program is a clinical match. Successful outcomes rely on appropriate clinical care. There is no one-size-fits-all method to treatment. When searching for treatment, ask an admissions counselor for details on the clinical program. Are the methodologies utilized evidence-based (meaning scientifically proven to produce better outcomes)? Does the treatment center employ medically licensed healthcare providers? Will the center provide the name and credentials of its providers? Has the treatment center published any outcome studies? Make note of the questions you are asked by the admissions team, and if they ask you for your medical history. This will help you and the facility’s staff determine if your needs match with the clinical program offered.
  • Assess your financial options. Discuss with your insurance provider or an admissions counselor if treatment is “in-network.” If your insurance provider will not cover treatment or a portion of treatment, determine what additional expenses you may have to cover ahead of time, and ask if payment plans are available.
  • Get as much information as possible. Read about the staff’s experiences, skills, and licenses online, and view videos and photos and read reviews to “see” what the treatment experience will be like. Ask an admissions counselor about how the intake, treatment, and discharge process work, and about what happens after treatment.
  • Look for red flags and possible warning signs. Some treatment centers advertise a “cure” or an unrealistic success rate. Others may only ask you about your ability to pay, and then determine a “fit” without getting any medical or clinical information about you. Some bad actors will even offer you gifts, cash incentives, help with obtaining insurance, or free travel. These are possible signs of illegal or unethical behaviors that can possibly harm you or your loved one.

HIRE Vets Medallion Program

HIRE Vets Medallion Program

hirevets.gov

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program was established by the Department of Labor to recognize an employer’s effort to recruit, employ, and retain veterans. American Addiction Centers has received the 2021 Gold award for a medium-sized employer.

Contact Us

American Addiction Centers
444 W Beech St., San Diego, CA 92101
1 (877) 849-6581
Contact us via email | Treatment Providers: How to Get Involved

Medical Reviewers
  • Dr. Manish Mishra, MBBS

    Dr. Manish Mishra, MBBS serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the Texas Healthcare and Diagnostic Center.

  • Dr. Juan Goecke, M.D.

    Dr. Goecke is a medical doctor and general surgeon with personal experience of substance use disorder.

  • Dr. Dili Gonzalez, M.D.

    Dr. Dili Gonzalez, M.D. is a general surgeon practicing women's focused medicine for the past several years.

Contributors
  • Addiction Blog Network

    Please contact us if you are interested in joining the Addiction Blog Network.

  • Lee Weber

    Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.

  • Alana Redmond

    Alana Redmond is a legal content writer who works with David Breston in Houston. Alana focuses her writing on drinking and driving laws, technology and consumer safety across Texas. She is a graduate from the University of California San Diego. You can learn more about Alana on her Linkedin or reach her by email at aredmond1point21@gmail.com.

  • Alexandra Katehakis, MFT

    Alexandra Katehakis, MFT is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist/Supervisor, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor, and Clinical Director of the Center for Healthy Sex in Los Angeles, CA. She is the author of Erotic Intelligence: Igniting Hot Healthy Sex After Recovery From Sex Addiction. Please visit our website or contact (310) 843-9902 for more.

  • Amanda Andruzzi

    Amanda Andruzzi, MPH, AADP, CHES, is a Certified Health Coach, founder of Symptom-Free Wellness, and the author of Hope Street. Her first book, Hope Street memoir is an inspirational story of one woman's frightening journey of co-addiction that led her to uncover courage, unbelievable strength and overcome great adversity. She resides with her daughter, husband, and two sons in Florida.

  • Dr. Dominique Simon-Levine, Ph.D.

    Dominique Simon-Levine is a Ph.D. substance abuse researcher, who is in long-term recovery. She runs an award-winning program for families called Allies in Recovery. Founded in 2003, Allies in Recovery has helped hundreds of families to climb out of the abyss of addiction. Her work is featured on HBO and on alliesinrecovery.net.

  • Dr. Dili Gonzalez, M.D.

    Dr. Dili Gonzalez, M.D. is a general surgeon practicing women's focused medicine for the past several years. She says, "I enjoy helping people live their best. Addiction is a disease that can be treated. With guidance, support, and proper treatment, people can live successful, productive lives."

  • Dr. Igor Panev, M.D.

    Dr. Igor Panev is a medical doctor with ER experience in treating substance related overdose and accidents. He is currently in his 5th year of residency in otorhinolaryngology, with particular interest in prevention of oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer through cessation of alcohol and tobacco consumption.

  • Dr. Jeff Nalin, Psy.D.

    Dr. Nalin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY17766), a Certified Chemical Dependency Intervention Specialist and a Certified Youth Residential Treatment Administrator. Dr. Nalin is the Founder and Clinical Director of Paradigm Malibu and Paradigm San Francisco Adolescent Treatment Centers. He has been responsible for the direct care of young people at multiple institutions of learning including; The Los Angeles Unified School District, the University of California at San Diego, Santa Monica College, and Pacific University. He was instrumental in the development of the treatment component of Los Angeles County’s first Juvenile Drug Court, which now serves as a national model.

  • Dr. Jeffrey Junig, MD, PhD

    Dr. Jeffrey Junig, MD, PhD is a psychiatrist practicing in northeast Wisconsin, in recovery from opioid dependence. He is Board Certified in both Psychiatry and Anesthesiology and holds a PhD in Neuroscience. He writes about buprenorphine at Suboxone Talk Zone, and manages a forum for patients taking buprenorphine called SuboxForum.

  • Dr. Juan Goecke, M.D.

    Dr. Goecke is a medical doctor and general surgeon with personal experience of substance use disorder. Of addiction, he says, "Not only can you have a new life, but you can improve it 100%. Education is the key to fighting addiction!"

  • Dr. Manish Mishra MBBS

    Dr. Manish Mishra, MBBS serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the Texas Healthcare and Diagnostic Center. He is most interested in the mechanisms of addiction, studying how substance use affects a person's perception and personality, as well as their health.

  • Dr. Douglass Weiss, Ph.D.

    Dr. Douglas Weiss Ph.D. is a prolific writer and an Amazon Best Seller, publishing more than 20 books on addiction recovery as well as many books and DVDs for marriage and youth. As a licensed psychologist and President of the American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT), he has appeared on many national television shows including Oprah, Dr. Phil and Good Morning America. His work and writings have also fueled a Lifetime Network movie and an international documentary depicting his counseling center in Colorado Springs.

  • Dr. Gregory Jantz, Ph.D.

    Dr. Gregory Jantz is the founder of The Center • A Place of HOPE and an author of 30 books. Pioneering whole-person care nearly 30 years ago, Dr. Jantz has dedicated his life’s work to creating possibilities for others, and helping people change their lives for good. The Center • A Place of HOPE, located on the Puget Sound in Edmonds, Washington, creates individualized programs to treat behavioral and mental health issues, including eating disorders, addiction, depression, anxiety and others. To learn more about Dr. Jantz, go to: http://www.drgregoryjantz.com

  • Dr. Harold C. Urschel III, M.D., MMA, Chief Medical Strategist

    Dr. Urschel is Co-Founder and Chief Medical Strategist for Enterhealth, one of the finest residential and outpatient treatment programs in the nation. Known as one of the country's foremost authorities on substance abuse and addiction, Dr. Harold Urschel is the author of the New York Times best seller, “Healing the Addicted Brain.” He is a coveted speaker on substance abuse and the latest treatments of the chronic brain disease of addiction on both the local and national stage.

  • Dr. Janice Walton, Ph.D.

    Dr. Walton has a doctorate in Psychology and is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist. After following traditional counseling approaches for years, she became interested in neurolinguistic programming and how those techniques can be used with individuals whose lives are affected by addiction. To this end, she joined the staff of the iNLP Center and has recently developed a course for professionals entitled "NLP for Addictions". All courses offered by the Center can be viewed at: http://inlpcenter.org/; the link to Dr. Walton's website is: http://www.tlcorner.com/.

  • Dr. Lisa Fortuna, M.D., MPH

    Lisa R. Fortuna, MD, is board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and in addiction medicine, with over fifteen years of clinical experience with children, adolescents, and families. She is currently faculty at Boston University School of Medicine and medical director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center. She has published highly cited articles in the areas of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adolescent substance abuse, and Latino and immigrant mental health. She is the author of (with Zayda Vallejo M. Litt), Treating Co-Occurring PTSD and Addiction: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Adolescents with Trauma and Substance Use Disorders (New Harbinger, 2015).

  • Enterhealth Drug & Alcohol Addiction Rehabilitation Centers

    Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Enterhealth offers a science-based alcohol and drug addiction treatment program created by a dedicated team of addiction experts determined to dramatically improve treatment outcomes. Based on the latest National Institutes of Health research identifying addiction as a chronic brain disease, this program is implemented by a full-time staff of addiction-trained physicians, psychiatrists, nurses and therapists, beginning with a thorough medical and psychological assessment designed to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Enterhealth Ranch is nestled on 43 scenic acres just 30 minutes north of Dallas/Fort Worth and features 40 beds, private rooms and bathrooms, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping service, a luxurious pool, a gym and more. Enterhealth Outpatient Center of Excellence, an outpatient treatment facility, is located in the Park Cities, just north of downtown Dallas, and provides ongoing addiction management care and support. For more information, visit http://www.enterhealth.com/.

  • Guest Contributor

    Guest Contributors to Addiction Blog offer perspective into topics of interest that we don't usually cover. We invite guest writers, clinicians, professionals, and individuals to share their experience in an article or editorial piece. Please contact us for more information about how to submit guest articles.

  • Kate @ Addiction Blog

    Kate is an experienced English language teacher who believes that the secret to happiness is helping others. A vegetarian and animal right activist, she is also an avid cyclist and loves hiking. With a history of family addiction, Kate is devoted to anyone fighting addiction.

  • Kayla Greenhalge

    Kayla is a freelance writer and entrepreneur with a passion for helping people overcome their addictions. After having been an addict herself, she decided she wanted to give back to those still struggling. Her expertise include: Medical Marijuana, Drug Addiction, Drug Abuse, ACOA, Meditation, DRT, law reform for non-violent drug offenders, overcoming grief, the 12 steps, NA, AA, plus more. She has contributed to many blogs trying to raise awareness to this epidemic.

  • Dr. Louise Stanger, Ed.D, LCSW, CIP, CDWF

    Louise Stanger, Ed.D. is a clinical social worker LCSW and Certified Intervention Professional CIP with over 35 years experience in substance abuse and mental health disorders, grief and loss. She has been a university educator (SDSU & USD) and researcher. She is active in the Network of Independent Interventionist and Association of Intervention Specialists and is also a Motivational Interviewing Trainer of Trainers. More at All About Interventions .

  • Lydia @ Addiction Blog

    Lydia is an English teacher who aims to inspire and update the educational system. Being a realistic optimist, she shows her students that there can always be a better way. Also, she is hooked on gigs, TV shows, and amazing books.

  • Maggie Harmon

    Maggie Harmon is a writer, speaker, leadership coach and business consultant who approaches every engagement through a holistic understanding of the situation. Her consulting practice focuses on deeply understanding who or what you are and what you want to achieve, and from there helping to create a plan, develop tools, and access resources that let you get where it is you want to go, and do what you do, better! You can connect with her here or via Maggie's Blog.

  • Marie Sheva

    Born in New Jersey, author, singer and songwriter Marie Sheva lived abroad in Stuttgart, Germany for eight years. She settled in Rhode Island in 1995 and currently resides in East Greenwich, RI. Her first published memoir, The year of the dogs, is a compelling account of Sheva's quest to find peace and redemption in the wake of her boyfriend’s fatal drug overdose, journeying from the hope of newfound love through the darkness of sudden loss. Tempered with humor, this tender memoir shows the simple pleasures of a starlit sky, a dog’s smile, even a last goodbye.

  • Miriam @ Addiction Blog

    Miriam is a translator with open minded understanding of life, who loves and promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle. She believes that everyone has the ability to change their life for the better.

  • Paul James

    Paul James is a mental health and addiction writer. He's spent the last year and a half spreading awareness and knowledge in hopes of ending the stigmas attached to these topics. You can read more on his blog .

  • Paul J. Wolanin MA, CADC

    Paul J. Wolanin is a professional addictions therapist living and working in Northern Michigan. He is author of Chopping Wood and Carrying Water: One Day at a Time , a 30-day recovery devotional available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble. He also runs a website where he offers tools and tips to keep your recovery on track. Sign up for his newsletter by visiting him at Paul Wolanin's Author Site.

  • Rabbi Shais Taub

    Rabbi Shais Taub is one of today's most respected young scholars of Jewish spirituality and practice. National Public Radio called him "an expert in Jewish mysticism and the Twelve Steps." He is the author of God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction.

  • Richard Farrell

    Richie Farrell won the du-Pont-Columbia for directing the HBO documentary film, High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell. That film inspired the 2010 major motion picture The Fighter that went on to win academy awards for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo. Farrell's memoir What’s Left of Us: A Memoir of Addiction has been optioned for a movie and currently in development. Richie Farrell is one of the top substance abuse and motivational speakers in the United States. More Info @ My Heroin Life.

  • Dr. Robert Wright Jr., Ph.D., COFT

    Dr. Bob, the Stress Relief Doctor, is an Executive Stress Management Wellness Coach who helps individuals and groups get ahead of the stress curve by giving them the tools they need to address and dissolve their habitual stress, anxiety, grief and chronic pain. Dr. Bob is an author, keynote speaker, and the co-host of the popular StressFreeNow podcast series. Let Dr. Bob help you move forward with your life by reducing your stress, anxiety, grief and chronic pain. To learn more or to schedule a Wellness Coaching session, visit his Coaching page or you can email him directly at mailto:Dr.Bob@StressFreeNow.info

  • Scott Novotny, MSW, CATC III

    Scott Novotny is an associate clinical social worker and a certified addictions treatment counselor in San Francisco California. He is currently working as a clinical case manager at an outpatient mental health clinic. Scott is a harm reduction advocate and in involved in harm reduction and syringe access services in San Francisco. He obtained his master’s in social work at California State University East Bay in Hayward California.

  • The Shannon Bybee Working Group

    Authors contributing to this blog on Disordered Gambling are all recipients of the Shannon L. Bybee Award, presented by the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling in recognition of proactive commitment to problem gambling advocacy, education, and research. If you believe that you or a loved one may have a gambling problem, please call the 24-hour national Problem Gamblers Helpline at (800) 522-4700 FREE for confidential assistance.

  • SMART Recovery

    SMART Recovery® offers free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help groups for abstaining from any substance or activity addiction. SMART stands for Self Management And Recovery Training. The SMART Recovery 4-Point Program helps people recover from all types of addictive behaviors, including alcohol, drugs, substance abuse, gambling addiction, and addiction to other substances and activities. SMART Recovery currently offers more than 650 face-to-face meetings around the world, and more than 16 online meetings per week, including a weekly online meeting for Family & Friends. Phone: 866-951-5357 OR 440-951-5357

  • Ted Izydor, LPC, CSAC, ICS, MBA, MINT

    Ted Izydor, LPC, CSAC, ICS, MBA, MINT. is a licensed mental health and addiction counselor who specializes in working with people struggling with substance use/addiction and people active in recovery looking to enhance their recovery and life. Ted's positivity and real life approach helps people leverage their unique strengths and motivations into positive life changes. Ted is currently a lecturer at UW-Whitewater, a consultant for health care organizations and host of the Full Potential Now Addiction Podcast. Ted is a member of the National Board of Counselors and the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and is a true believer of unlimited possibilities.

  • Tyler Jacobson

    Tyler is a freelance writer/journalist, with past experience as the head content writer and outreach coordinator for HelpYourTeenNow. His areas of focus include: parenting, education, social media, addiction, and issues facing teenagers today.

  • Waismann Method Rapid Opiate Detox

    The Waismann Method® treatment provides one of the highest success rates of any opiate detoxification procedure available today. Combining the latest forms of Medical Opiate Detox (including Rapid Detox), with our Exclusive Recovery Center, our multidisciplinary team of highly trained staff members creates personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s individual needs. The Waismann Institute® is backed by 18 years of unparalleled experience, dedication, and exceptional care. www.opiates.com®

  • Warren Rivera

    Warren Rivera is a retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Mr. Rivera is an experienced public speaker, trainer and an expert in the diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances. Mr. Rivera currently owns Training Idea, LLC, a private consulting firm that provides training on DEA matters to the healthcare industry, law enforcement and the community.

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