LICADD, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence » LICADD Blogs

Finding Detox Options on Long Island Beyond NUMC

LICADD Webmaster — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:36:35 +0000

By Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D, CEAP, SAP

There’s been lots of press lately about the possibility of Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) closing some or all of its detox beds and a substantial portion of its inpatient rehab beds. The timing couldn’t be worse given the level of untreated opiate addiction on Long Island. NUMC, with its 20 detox beds and Long Beach Medical Center with eight beds are the only inpatient detoxes in Nassau and given the lack of beds in Suffolk, folks often travel to NUMC from Riverhead at 5:00AM in an attempt to secure a bed. Too often, the unit is full, the trip is in vain and recovery gets further out of reach.

There are a couple things at work here. NUMC’s reimbursement rates from NYS are being slashed, pushing a public hospital with perennial financial challenges even closer to the brink. Second, there’s a fairly aggressive push nationally and supported here in New York by OASAS to make detox an outpatient, rather than an inpatient service. That’s fine for some patients some of the time, but clearly not for those using benzos or alcohol where the risk of medical consequences is significant. Even among those exclusively using opiates, detoxing on the floor of your bathroom can be difficult to endure, frightening for family members and provides no link to treatment.

NUMC should rethink its proposal – even if it costs a few bucks – because right now there are few alternatives. There should be, though. Addiction is one of Long Island’s most pressing public health problems right now and every Long Island hospital should be going out of their way to accommodate detox patients, not sending them home or to NUMC or Long Beach. We also need to develop alternative service models for patients who don’t need inpatient hospital care, but do need a safe, secure place to get stabilized as they begin their journey of recovery. The potential loss of detox beds at NUMC should accelerate that process and make the rest of Long Island’s hospitals – most of whom abandoned detox years ago – more accountable.

So, Speak Up!

LICADD Webmaster — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:43:49 +0000

By Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D., CEAP, SAP

Drug policy expert Kevin Sabet recently penned a thoughtful New York Times Op-Ed suggesting that we need more “moderate” voices in order to reduce the persistent polarization of drug policy debates. True, but what’s actually missing from the discussions are the politically diverse voices of addiction professionals and those in recovery.

Those of us on frontlines often listen to national debates about prevention strategies, treatment options and criminal justice system responses and wonder how such a complex disease with far-ranging implications and multiple nuances can be reduced to a five-minute shoutfest. It can’t and as long as the discussions are dominated by politicians and pundits with well-rehearsed dogmatic positions, public health will continue to suffer.

It’s new, exciting and always an adventure here at LICADD.

LICADD Webmaster — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:46:43 +0000

Working with clients, learning from peers, it’s new, exciting and always an adventure here at LICADD. It’s hard to believe I’ve only been here a few months. The amount of life experience and alcohol and drug knowledge I’ve absorbed by helping clients and being taught by my field instructor and clinical staff is invaluable and appreciated. The client may struggle from addiction, but the family follows along the sometimes painful journey and I’ve been able to clinically absorb both aspects. LICADD has taught me to always put the client first which requires teamwork and dedication. I’m very pleased with my choice to intern at LICADD and look forward to the remainder of my internship.

Thank You!

Have a HappyHoliday!

Meg Marinello

I found my own niche…

LICADD Webmaster — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:43:35 +0000

Well it’s almost time for the Holidays, and I must say, being at LICADD since September feels like just the right fit for me. I’m learning every day still. Every encounter and experience has been a unique learning experience on how I can better serve the clients and their families. Additionally I have also learned about myself. The LICADD Staff are all very kind, show patience, and always give their time whenever I need them. Initially I felt so inadequate, and questioned my path in becoming a Social Worker, when I saw and compared myself to how the clinicians as well as the other interns manage individual and group cases so uniquely and effectively. I didn’t think I stood a chance. But as I found my own niche, and became comfortable with the staff and other interns, this assurance came back in full force. I’m proud and grateful to be given the opportunity to work with the staff at LICADD and the clients and families they serve. Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Everyone!

Sincerely, Rosalia Lupo

Take Back Prescription Drugs, But Maybe Also Give Out Less.

LICADD Webmaster — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:05:34 +0000

By Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D, CEAP

It looks like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s third National Take-Back Day held on Saturday was once again a success. This coordinated effort to collect potentially dangerous, expired, misused and unwanted prescription drugs for safe destruction is of course, important to our efforts to reign-in pill misuse and diversion. But how about we address the dynamics and practices that fill our medicine cabinets with potentially dangerous medications in the first place? Like aggressive direct-to-consumer marketing that proposes a pill for everything. Like rampant over-prescribing by doctors and dentists. Like prescription plan co-pays that motivate patients to ask for a 90-day supply of meds in a single visit, rather than a 30-day supply.

Taking back meds is important, but some of them shouldn’t be given out in the first place. As we look for solutions to the current crisis, let’s address that fact

NYSDOH RX Secrecy is a Prescription for Disaster

LICADD Webmaster — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:39:06 +0000

By Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D, CEAP

Kudos to Newsday for a great piece of investigative reporting published yesterday. The cover story detailed how staff at the NYS Department of Health wrote an internal memo to a NYSDOH Deputy Commissioner in July, advising him that up to 1.4 million blank prescription forms had been stolen from New York City hospitals and health care facilities, and are being sold on the street for between $100 and $300 per piece. In many cases, the facilities from which the prescription forms were stolen were never advised, nor were any pharmacies advised to look out for the pirated forms. The questions here are myriad: Why are such thefts still so common? Why aren’t the HHC facilities/staff held accountable for what appears to be lax security? Why weren’t pharmacists warned about the breaches? Why weren’t substance abuse treatment providers and the public notified?

I could go on, but you probably get the point. The system is broken; we’ve know that for some time, yet nothing appears to be changing. LICADD will continue to speak-out and push for reforms that will keep our families safer and our young people alive. I hope you’ll continue to stand with us, speak out in your own way and feel the same sense of urgency we do.

Here’s a link to the article in case you missed it.

“I’m already learning more than I ever could inside a classroom.”

LICADD Webmaster — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:59:50 +0000

The story of my journey to LICADD is a surprisingly short one: while discussing the first year internship with my advisor at Adelphi University I said that I’d like to work with drug dependent individuals, and despite telling me that “We try to give you the opposite of what you want for your first year,” here I am! It’s only been 3 weeks since I started and I’m already learning more than I ever could inside a classroom. The compassion of the entire staff is inspiring to me, and the clinical team works hard to educate the next generation of social workers while providing incredible service to clients. It didn’t take more than sitting in on one session with a client to know I was in the right place. I look forward to a year of great education and, most importantly, to a year of helping our clients.

- Adam Birkenstock, Adelphi University

“Dedicated, professional, yet completely down-to-earth…”

LICADD Webmaster — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:42:51 +0000

I’ve chosen to intern at LICADD because I plan to eventually specialize in substance abuse. I also chose to intern at LICADD, because I’ve heard so many great things about the programs and services that they provide. As far as my experience so far with LICADD, I’m incredibly impressed with how dedicated, professional, yet completely down-to-earth the entire LICADD staff is. I enjoy being a part of the LICADD team, because even though I’m just an intern, I feel very much a part of the agency itself. I’m positive my internship experience will be a positive one, because LICADD truly cares not only about their clients, but about each and every one of their interns. As I continue to work with LICADD, it’s evident how much they truly do care about their interns and their experiences. I think with any learning experience, it’s imperative to offer interns an environment where they can have plenty of opportunities to develop growth both personally and professionally. Through the help of Steve Chassman as my supervisor, I feel confident that through his guidance, support, enthusiasm, and patience, he will certainly pave the way for me to eventually specialize with the substance abuse population.

-Jennifer Clingo, Molloy College

Prevent Overdoses Governor! Sign the 911 Good Samaritan Bill!

LICADD Webmaster — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:06:01 +0000

Governor Cuomo’s Work Isn’t Done
By Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D

Kudos to NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing into law last week legislation banning the sale of “bath salts” and prohibiting the sale of hookahs and other smoking paraphernalia to minors. We’ve written about bath salts here several times – a mislabeled and frequently abused product that produces hallucinogenic effects and medical complications that have sent teens into emergency rooms nationwide. Smoking, of course, has well-documented health consequences and may serve as a pre-cursor to the abuse of other substances. Protecting public health is among the most critical functions for government, which is why Governor Cuomo should sign the 911 Good Samaritan Bill today and save some lives.

There is a Better Way for Long Island’s Nonprofits….

LICADD Webmaster — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:21:47 +0000

There is a Better Way for Long Island’s Nonprofits….

By Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D

As the dust settles on last week’s news that Bin Laden had been killed, attention will once again return to the fiscal crisis facing our local, state and federal governments. It’s a crisis that affects nonprofits in a big way, especially since it is our organizations that are charged with lending a helping to hand to the growing numbers of those in need. An article I wrote for JedMorey.com on Friday details the challenges and choices that lie ahead for Long Island’s nonprofits. In it I opined, “There are lots of nonprofit executive directors laying awake at night these days trying to figure out how to reduce client waiting lists, keep the lights on and make payroll. Business owners do that all the time; it goes with the territory. But there’s got to be a better way.” Indeed, there is! Click here to check out some of my ideas.