WellStep Atlanta, an outpatient treatment center in Roswell Georgia, announces the expansion of its alcohol treatment program beyond detox to include long term medical managment of alcoholism and alcohol addiction.
(PRWEB) August 30, 2011
Outpatient detoxification, usually the initial step in alcohol treatment, involves initial screening, a careful physical and history and prescribed medication to allow alcohol to be safely discontinued immediately and the patient safely and comfortably detoxified. Usually 4-5 daily visits to the office after the initial evaluation are necessary so that vital signs can be monitored and the patient assessed. Patients must have a responsible adult staying with them and accompanying them to the office.
After alcohol detox, either outpatient or inpatient, patients may be offered FDA medications to reduce cravings during the first few months of alcohol treatment. These medications include injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol) and acamprosate (Campral). There are several other medications that may be helpful as well, including gabapentin (Neurontin) and topirimate (Topamax). Counseling may be in a group or individual format and Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Celebrate Recovery participation are usually recommended as well.
WellStep Atlanta accepts several insurance health plans for outpatient alcohol treatment, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Health Care, and Coventry insurance.
Mark S. Banov, MD, MPH is Medical Director of the Atlanta Center for Outpatient Alcohol Treatment. He is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine and on the Medical Staff of Gwinnett Hospital System. Dr. Banov received undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He studied addiction medicine at the Harvard University School of Public Health, where he received a Master of Public Health degree. In 2010, Dr. Banov was selected to participate in the Professionals in Residence Program at the Betty Ford Center in Palm Springs, California.
More information can be found at http://www.WellStep.com/alcoholtreatment.php
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Mark Banov, MD
WellStep
770-753-9898
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