Category Archives: chemical dependency

What Apex Offers!

Alcoholism, chemical dependency, Drug Addiction, State of Michigan, substance abuse, treatment

In addition to behavioral health treatment, Apex offers a variety of things.

We offer:

  • Psychological evaluations courtesy of Dr. Hamid.
  • Driver License Evaluations from Gina Patton and Robert Edwards. DLEs cost $250 and one needs to bring: state driving record, 3-5 letters of recommendation, a 12- panel drug screening, and AA sign-in sheets if attended. The drug screening is not offered at Apex.
  • Alcohol & Substance abuse evaluations, also courtesy of Gina and Robert. These evaluations cost $115 and you will need to fill out a SASSI test. It is also recommended that you bring any relevant information from the courts.
  • Sidenote: all substance abuse & drivers license evaluations are an out-of-pocket expense that is not covered by insurance.
  • Suboxone treatment. Dr. Chung is our Suboxone provider for opioid treatment & withdrawal. When starting on Suboxone, Dr. Chung prescribes a weeks worth of medication at a time.
  • Tricare Providers- we see military families!
  • Low fee costs. For a medication visit, the first visit is $125, followed by $55 for a 15 minute session. For therapy, the first visit is $90 and the following visits are $70. Therapy visits are 45-60 minutes long.

Apex is NOT a walk-in clinic and we do not accept same day appointments for new clients.  So call and schedule your appointment today! 🙂

How Many Americans Experienced Mental Illness in the Past Year?

chemical dependency, depression, Drug Addiction, Dual Diagnosis, Mental Health, substance abuse, suicide, , , , , , , ,

Recent data suggests that 19.9% of adults in the United States have experienced mental illness within the past year. Of the 45 million adults, nearly 9 million (20%) also had a substance use disorder.

SAMHSA’s report, Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use: Mental Health Findings indicates that 11 million, or nearly 5%, of adults had a serious, diagnosable, mental illness that substantially interfered with one or more major life activities in the past year.

In many cases, those experiencing a serious mental disorder also had a co-existing substance use disorder. A substance use disorder is defined as abuse or dependency on alcohol or an illicit drug.

Among those with a serious mental illness in the past year, 25% had a substance use disorder in the past year. This is approximately four times the amount experienced by people who didn’t have a serious mental illness.

Less than 4 in 10 adults with mental illness received mental health services. 

In 2009, an estimated 8 million adults aged 18 or older had serious thoughts of suicide within that year; 3.9% of thoughts occurred among women while 3.5% occurred among men.

Among the adults aged 18-25, 6% had serious thoughts of suicide. Adults aged 26-49 had 4.3% and adults aged 50 or older had 2.3%.

In 2009, 2 million adults made suicide plans in the past year. Among the 1 million adults who attempted suicide last year, 0.8 million reported having made plans for the suicide while 0.2 million hadn’t made suicide plans.

The report concluded that mental illness is more likely among adults who were unemployed (27.7%) vs. adults who were employed full time (17%).  Obviously America’s overall unemployment rate is high, but if you are unemployed and feeling depressed, take the time to volunteer somewhere. Sitting in your house day after day with nothing to do is only going to make you feel worse. Animal shelters, hospitals, senior homes, and zoos are all great places to volunteer. The Humane Society or local shelter can always use volunteers, and giving animals attention who otherwise would have none is a great use of one’s time.

Age and gender may have an effect on mental illness. Young adults (aged 18-25) reported the highest level of mental illness (30%), while participants aged 50 and older had the lowest at 13%. 23% of women and 15% of men reported having a mental illness.

Drug and alcohol use also effects mental health. Out of 10% of adults with a substance use disorder, 2.2 million adults aged 18 and older had serious thoughts of suicide in 2009.  Suicidal thoughts were higher in adults who had abused drugs within the past year over those adults who had not.

Adults with substance abuse dependence or abuse were also more likely to make a suicide plan or actually attempt suicide then adults without substance abuse.

At Apex Behavioral Health, we offer co-existing treatment for substance abuse and mental disorders. Both issues need to be treated in order for a person to get better. Many clinics will focus treatment strictly on substance abuse, but substance abuse and depression or whatever mental disorder it is need to be addressed and treated too. Substance abuse and depression exist simultaneously and need to be treated as such.

Should You Talk to Someone About a Drug, Alcohol, or Mental Health Problem?

Alcoholism, chemical dependency, substance abuse, , ,

Many people struggle with both substance use and a mental disorder. These questions can help you decide whether you need help with substance use, a mental health issue, or both. For people who suffer from both, receiving treatment for both is important for getting better. Recovery starts with understanding that you may have one or both of these problems.

  • Over  the past two weeks, have you felt down, depressed, or hopeless?
  • Over the past two weeks, have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things?
  • In the past year, have you had significant problems with insomnia, bad dreams, or falling asleep during the day?
  • In the past year, have you thought about ending your life or had thoughts of suicide?

-If you have had thoughts of suicide, please call 1-800-SUICIDE. 

  • In the past year, did you have a hard time paying attention at school, work, or home?
  • Have you ever felt you should cut down on your alcohol or drug use?
  • Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use?
  • Have you ever felt bad or guilty about drinking or drug use?
  • Have you ever taken a drink or drug first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

-In the past, have you ever:

  • (for men) Had 5 or more drinks in a day?
  • (for women or anyone over age 65) had 4 or more drinks in a day?
  • used recreational or prescription drugs to get high?

Unless you answered “never” to all of the above questions, talk to your doctor, nurse, or counselor about the details. They can help you decide what do to next. They may also help you find more information and resources.

For more information on treatment for co-occurring mental and substance use disorders, call Apex Behavioral Health to set up treatment. You can also go to www.samhsa.gov/treatment.