South Florida Addiction Center Announces Innovations in Technology Enhanced Recovery™

Sept. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Challenges Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Center located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida announces the development of an exciting and innovative technological approach to the problem of relapse from addictive and co-occurring disorders called Technology Enhanced Recovery™.  Dale Redlich, Challenges’ founder, says “the addition of technology to our arsenal of relapse prevention  therapies is a big point of differentiation in the marketplace and we’re excited to put it to work for our patients.”

Challenges, a nationally recognized treatment program center is well-known for its focus on relapse prevention, and has been certified as a “Center of Excellence.”  When it comes to addictions, recovery is important, but relapse prevention is what really matters.  Whether a patient is struggling with addiction to prescription pain killers like Oxycontin or Hydrocodone, or battling things like meth addiction, cocaine addiction, Ambien addiction, Internet addiction or alcohol addiction, treatment is but the first step in a process. After treatment for addiction, it takes the brain awhile to rewire itself and, without proper and continuing care and support on the journey of sobriety, relapse is all too common – and often inevitable.

Challenges’ Clinical Director, Dr. Jeffery Huttman, notes that it is important to recognize that  “the term ‘relapse,’ although usually thought of as the point at which someone starts using drugs or alcohol again after a period of abstinence, is actually a term which denotes the time period (either short or lengthy) which precedes the reuse of drugs or alcohol. In layman’s terms, this means relapse actually begins when a person begins to slip backwards in their recovery efforts, which includes behavior, attitudes and thinking – and not just the moment when they begin using drugs or alcohol again -- all of which get in the way of successful recovery and relapse prevention.”

One of the ways a treatment provider like Challenges can help an individual leaving treatment is by providing and facilitating ongoing support and communication between the patient and the treatment center. These programs are known as “continuing care” or “after care” programs and are something we have found to be very successful.  By adding innovative technology to the process of continuing care for Challenges’ patients, we can help them even more. That’s why we’re so excited about the integration of Technology Enhanced Recovery™ into our program. Recovery is important. Relapse prevention is essential.

Redlich says, “Relapse prevention is critical. Especially today, when Florida has such a significant problem with prescription drug abuse – our focus on adding technology to the mix and better serving our recovering patients is imperative. Prescription drug abuse is literally an epidemic in Florida, and is the number one killer of middle-aged Floridians. The integration of technology into our aftercare programs is intended to provide ongoing support and ensure our patients the best chances of success when it comes to relapse prevention. There is no time to waste!”

Some of the technology Challenges has developed and integrated into its aftercare and support programs include Biometric Monitoring, Virtual Reality, Biometric Monitoring, Computer Assisted Software Support Models and innovative use of SmartPhone technology and programs. Challenges is committed to continuing to lead the field when it comes to relapse prevention – and technology is an integral part of their success.

Links
Challenges Media Overview

Challenges' website: http://www.challenges-program.com

Contact
If you are a member of the media interested in interviewing one of the doctors or experts on the Challenges staff, please contact Michelle Lamar or Shelly Kramer at V3 Integrated Marketing. Contact us at info@v3im.com or call 816-200-2520.

If you are not a member of the media and you are interested in learning more about Challenges addiction recovery program, please contact us via the website online form or by phone at 888-755-3334.

Our Locations:
Challenges Relapse Treatment & Prevention Program   
5100 Coconut Creek Parkway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33063
(888) 755-3334 Toll Free

Challenges Relapse Treatment & Prevention Program
4440 PGA Blvd., Ste. 600
Palm Beach, Florida 33410
(888) 223-2060

Challenges Relapse Treatment & Prevention Program
701 Brickel Avenue, Suite 1550
Miami, FL  33131
(877) 477-6479

# # #

V3 is a full service integrated marketing, digital coms and social media agency. We specialize in strategic planning and thinking, brand development and integration of traditional strategies and tactics with new media for maximum results for clients.