Jul 12, 2013

I DREAMED A DREAM...TO FIND A GREAT STEP DOWN PROGRAM

When your loved one is released from a psychiatric hospital
the next step is to find a psychiatrist that will 
take care of ongoing medication needs.
BUT also,
there will be the question of WHAT NEXT?
Do we just take them home and watch them go back to their struggles?
****
We had never heard of a day program for mental health.
The term used by doctors and staff
is
 INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM
or IOP.
Wikipedia does a good job describing one:

In our case, the profile is a bit different since our son had become addicted to caffeine and panax ginseng extract and other stimulants in teas and energy drinks.
Most IOPs have programs dealing with alcohol or strong substance abuse.
Still, most of the places we visited took ENERGY DRINK ADDICTION very seriously.
IN MY OPINION,
energy drinks and their cocktails of high octane stimulants have the potential to
wreak havoc on people taking medications for
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, anxiety disorders, or depression.
I would also be very cautious about mixing ADHD medications with energy drinks and high levels of caffeine.
Stimulants are STIMULATING! Just check your pulse after drinking a MONSTER and you'll see.
****
Our loved one is depressed beyond measure that he cannot control 
this aspect of his life and will need help.
I'm just glad help is out there.
***
Today's break is from a fabulous violin player.









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