Meet
Dr. Lisa Hadley and Leeann Cronbaugh
Dr. Hadley is a medical doctor, specializing in psychiatry and certified to prescribe Suboxone. She has successfully treated over 100 patients in the past year. Dr. Hadley is one of the rare doctors who truly understands addiction. Our patients love her.
Leeann Cronbaugh, B.A. Psychology, moved here from Iowa where she was credentialed in addiction treatment. She conducts new patients intake and education and assists Dr. Hadley in seeing the Suboxone patients. She coaches the patients as well as the families.
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TESTIMONIALS
- From a patient: "Suboxone has given me my life back. A few months ago, all I was concerned about was making sure I had painkillers. My life revolved around them and I would do whatever I had to do to get them. Suboxone therapy has given me a new lease on life. I can be there for my family and work again. I have not used any other drugs since I started suboxone eight months ago, and I have no desire to do so either. The Suboxone does not get me "high" it takes away the severe pain of withdrawal and the cravings to use so that I can rebuild my life. I give thanks to God for the people at the Carol M. Porto Treatment Center and the scientists and researchers who dedicate their lives to helping others". - From a wife of a patient: "Suboxone therapy gave me back my husband and family. My husband started the program over a year ago and is doing great."
- A Soccer Mom Who Lost Her Way: "I am a 43-yr old mother of two children, a devoted wife of 21 years, daughter of great parents and the youngest of three children. I lived a charmed life and really don't know what made me develop the habit of narcotic drug abuse other then I got a taste of the feeling the drugs gave me after surgery and couldn't shake it. My life became unmanageable. I became a very secretive person in an attempt to hide my addiction.
With the help of suboxone therapy, I regained control of my life. I am now the woman I once was three years ago before this terrible addiction overtook my life. My family and friends have welcomed me back with open arms and are so glad that I got the help I needed. I am living proof that the Carol Porto Treatment Center (CPTC) can get your life back for you. I am healthy, happy, confident and drug-free. I owe the CPTC my life. I am the soccer mom that I was before and if I could erase my three years of addiction, I would...but I can't. I can honestly say now that it is all behind me and I have the knowledge I gained from CPTC to keep me from ever returning to that dark part of my life. Thank you CPTC, for giving me my life back!"
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IS PAIN PILL ADDICTION TREATABLE?
Pain pill (opiate) abuse and addiction has become more and more common in the last ten years. Like other addictions, it is treatable. In most cases, pain pill addiction treatment involves medication. There are two medications approved by the FDA and both have shown to be the most effective treatment there is for this type of addiction.
BRAIN CHANGES
Pain pill abuse/addiction causes major changes to the brain chemistry. Stopping use of the pain pills, without the medication, leaves the brain unchanged. Brain receptor sites are accustomed to having these opiate drugs, so when the patient stops use, they will have a lot of craving and difficulty not relapsing into using the drug again.
MEDICATIONS
What are the two medications that treat this type of brain change? Methadone and Suboxone (buprenorphine). Both comfort the brain receptor sites so the patient can be freed of the addiction. Both medications require a long term commitment by the patient. Short term treatment with either of these medications does not work.
Suboxone is the newest drug to be approved for this treatment. It is prescribed by physicians in private offices. Once stabilized on the medication, most doctors have the patient return once a month. While the medication reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, it does not address the behavior that comes with addictions. Thus, counseling is a crucial part of Suboxone treatment to help patients change behaviors and learn skills to cope with stress, relationships and triggers to return to pain pill use or switch addictions.
Few doctors have received the DEA approval to prescribe this drug. Every doctor prescribing is limited to 100 patients. Southern Maryland has seven doctors who prescribe Suboxone.
Methadone is the oldest and longest studied treatment for pain pill addiction. The medication is available in clinics approved by the FDA and certified by the same agencies which certify hospitals. Though methadone is very effective, it has a stigma due to the very addictive nature of the medicine and the required number of weekly visits to the clinic to receive the liquid dose.
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SUBOXONE COSTS
Both methadone and Suboxone require an induction or intake fee of between $200 and $300. For Suboxone, return visits (usually monthly) average $100. This does not include the medication. You get the prescription filled as you would any other medicine. The costs to you depends on the number of pills you need daily. The range is $5.25 to $8.00 a pill.
Click here to see our website for further information: www.portotreatment.com.
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Nobody sets out intending to become addicted.
Once people realize they are addicted, many report feeling shameful. They sometimes try to hide it from family. This, then, makes it difficult for them to get the help they need. If you, or someone you know has become addicted to pain medications, or to heroin, you are very treatable. You can get your life back!
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| Carol Porto MA, MAC, LCADC
Program Director
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