Welcome
To the April 2010 Issue of Chronic Pain Solutions, our Addiction-Free Pain Management® Newsletter.
Last month we announced the winner of our Subscriber Survey, but her email changed so had to choose again. Congratulations to Kelly Driscoll from Pennsylvania. We spoke to Kelly who told us, “That is exciting news.... The awesome part is I just gave away my book Managing Pain and Coexisting Disorders to a client I thought would benefit from it! Good Karma!”
Thanks again to all of our subscribers for their valuable input.
We continue to field inquiries from people wanting to attend an Addiction-Free Pain Management® Certification Training. We are considering holding one in Sacramento, California in July or August. We would like to gauge our subscriber’s interest in attending one, so please email us at apmsacreg@yahoo.com if you or any of your colleagues would like to attend and be added to our waiting list to receive information in the near future. Here’s is a brief description of the training:
The Addiction Free Pain Management® (APM) Certification School training is designed to teach the skills needed to successfully work with people with chronic pain and potential or actual addictive disorders. Addictive disorders lead to one set of biopsychosocial problems, and pain disorders lead to another set of problems. APM is a strategic and systematic clinical training that successfully addresses these problems.
Participants will be trained to implement the three central elements of APM: (a) Core Clinical Components; (b) Medication Management Planning; and (c) Nonpharmacological Interventions. The above tasks will be accomplished using lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and small group experiential exercises. After this training, you will have the option of earning the APM Competency Certification. To receive this credential, you must complete the training and submit an APM Certification Portfolio Package. Details will be covered at the end of the training.
As always, we will continue to keep you up-to-date on our projects, the latest news stories and research we have on our website as well as upcoming events and trainings. Your input is always appreciated.
On the Contact Us page please email any questions or comments and we will respond as quickly as we can.
Relapse Prevention Coaching
Relapse Prevention Coaching Services are individualized coaching sessions for anyone who is in recovery from any addictive disorder and the use of self-defeating, self-destructive behaviors and wants to learn how to recognize and effectively manage situations that put their recovery at risk. It is especially helpful for individuals who have had relapse episodes, but anyone in recovery will find it useful. We combine the Gorski-CENAPS® relapse prevention methodology with personal empowerment coaching strategies to create a powerful foundation for long-term stable sobriety.
The Relapse Prevention Coaching Programs can assist individuals leaving treatment and support those people who cannot or chose not to go into traditional treatment programs. They are also invaluable for people who have had limited success with outpatient treatment, or for those who want to enhance their current program and learn how to put these powerful relapse prevention tools to work in their lives.
With the assistance of Dr. Grinstead and the support of a Certified Coach, clients will experience the seven clinical processes that help them to quickly identify and manage high-risk situations that cause relapse. They will receive expert guidance in setting powerful recovery goals and implementing specific actions plans to facilitate their continued recovery.
The foundation of our The Relapse Prevention Coaching Program is the evidence-based work and 35 years experience of Terence T. Gorski's Developmental Model of Recovery. As an Advanced Relapse Prevention Specialist and Director of Training and Consultation for the CENAPS® Corporation, Dr. Stephen F. Grinstead's expertise in denial, relapse prevention and co-existing disorders underlie his biopsychosocial, multidisciplinary approach utilizing an ongoing continuum of care that incorporates strategic, cognitive-behavioral skill building exercises in conjunction with powerful solution-focused and strength-based coaching methodologies.
Check out our Coaching
Questionnaire
which is the first step of deciding if you or someone you know is ready for APM Relapse Prevention Coaching,
or call 916-575-9961for a confidential interview.
Gorski-CENAPS® News
CENAPS® is pleased to announce the publication of the
Relapse Prevention Therapy Workbook which has been updated, revised and simplified. It is designed for people in recovery from alcohol or other drug addiction who have a history of relapse, or are currently afraid they might relapse. There continues to be confusion and misunderstanding about what relapse is and how it happens. In this workbook, Terry Gorski and Steve Grinstead clarify their definition of relapse, how it happens, and most importantly how to prevent a person from entering the relapse cycle.
For several years, Gorski and Grinstead have been co-teaching, modifying the process, and field testing all of the exercises contained in this newly revised version of Relapse Prevention Therapy. If a person is willing to be open and honest, as well as actively complete each of the fourteen developmental exercises in this workbook, they may never have to experience the pain of relapse again. You can order the $15 workbook directly from the
publisher, or call the CENAPS® office at (352) 596-8000.
Because specialty relapse prevention programs can lower relapse rates and diminish the duration, severity, and consequences of relapse episodes, relapse prevention will significantly reduce the cost of treating relapse-prone patients. You can learn how to implement the powerful Gorski-CENAPS® relapse prevention model and earn a competency certification credential.
Please join CENAPS® in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on October 18-22, 2010 for
The 44 Hour Relapse Prevention Therapy Certification Training which will give participants an excellent opportunity to learn from the developer of these two powerful models – Terence T. Gorski, world recognized in Relapse Prevention and Dr. Stephen F. Grinstead, developer of the Addiction-Free Pain Management® System.
Together Mr. Gorski and Dr. Grinstead will teach this advanced clinical skills training for professional clinicians who want to learn powerful approaches for supporting clients to identify and manage the core personality and life-style warning signs that lead to someone becoming dysfunctional in recovery and eventually relapsing. The training will use the newly revised eighth edition of the Relapse Prevention Therapy Workbook which has been streamlined to be administered in a limited number of sessions. This training develops a foundation for clients to identify and learn how to manage the repetitive self-defeating thinking, feeling, social and behavioral warning signs that often precedes a relapse.
To register for the October 18-22, 2010 training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, please visit the CENAPS website or call (352) 596-8000.
From Our Readers
Question:
I’m very concerned that my 30 year old son who injured himself last year has been using alcohol and Vicodin for the his pain. His doctor refused to prescribe more medications at his visit two days ago and he found a friend who offered to sell him some of his new pain meds. I’ve never heard of the medication, Exalgo, that my son said was a once a day pain pill. I found my son unconscious last night and barely breathing. By time the paramedics got to our house he woke up and refused to let them treat him. I’m scared that is was this medication his friend sold him that caused this, but my son says I just worry too much and I want him to suffer. What should I do?
A concerned Father
Answer:
First of all, I’m very sorry your son is in a situation where his injury and medication abuse has resulted in such a dangerous situation for him. The medication, Exalgo (Hydromorphone HCL), is a newly FDA approved opioid that is even stronger than OxyContin. I too am very concerned, as this medication is meant for someone with severe pain who has been on strong opioid management for a long time and may be contraindicated for your son. As you will see below, the manufacturer—Covidien—posted the following warning for their product:
The indication for EXALGO is once daily administration for the manage-ment of moderate to severe pain in opioid-tolerant patients requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesia for an extended period of time. It is contraindicated in opioid non-tolerant patients, in management of mild pain or pain not expected to persist, in patients with compromised respiratory function or in patients with narrowed or obstructed gastrointestinal tract or with known hypersensitivity to any components including hydromorphone, hydrochloride and sulfites. Concurrent use of EXALGO with CNS depressants, including alcohol, increases risk of respiratory depression, hypotension, and profound sedation, potentially resulting in coma or death. Not recommended in patients who have received MAO inhibitors within 14 days of starting EXALGO.
You son is at serious risk for an overdose, especially since he uses alcohol along with his pain medication. In addition, both he and his friend could be arrested for the illegal sale of a prescription medication. He is also exhibiting some of the red flags for prescription medication addiction, particularly because of denial about the seriousness of his situation. He needs an intervention and a referral to a treatment center that can address the physical and psychological aspects of his pain condition. You and other family members also need to learn as much as you can about pain and addiction issues. Please look through all the articles and research we have posted on our website. The more you learn, the better you will be able to help your son.
As mentioned last month, Al-Anon has been a life saver for many parents. You, your wife and other family members need help and support just as much as your son.
New Article
Below we've included a brief introduction from the newest article on our
website. For the complete content please visit the
articles page.
Revisiting Suboxone: Maintenance versus Total Detoxification:
In my research and speaking with colleagues, I've come across differing opinions on whether patients should be maintained on Suboxone (buprenorphine) or go through a total detoxification for opiate addiction. A similar debate has been going on for decades about another medication used for opiate addiction treatment—methadone. I would like to propose a third option: using the medications as a transitional treatment intervention with eventual discontinuation . . .
Visit our website
to see the complete postings as well as an archive of past research.
"The April rain, the April rain,
Comes slanting down in fitful showers,
Then from the furrow shoots the grain,
And banks are fledged with nestling flowers;
And in grey shawl and woodland bowers
The cuckoo through the April rain
Calls once again - once again." ~ Mathilde Blind
__________________________
