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Traumatic Brain Injury Drug Program Promotes Training and Education
Author: | Thursday June 17, 2010
The team at Communicare, Inc. in Clearwater, FL, is working together to help individuals overcome drug addictions and misuse.
TBI Drug Program
Promotes an Emphasis
On Training & Education
Communicare, a program which provides for persons with acquired brain injury and other neurologic impairments, began an innovative teaching program at its Clearwater campus.
Under the direction of Gordon J. Horn, Ph.D., Director of Programs and Clinical Services, the program will provide ongoing training and education for all staff members to make them aware of signs of substance abuse. "We will be educating everyone from the management level down through the line staff," Dr. Horn told the Voice.
Traumatic brain injury and the potential for substance abuse are tied closely together. Studies have shown that as much as 80% of accidents leading to TBI involved drug and/or alcohol abuse. Dr. Horn said that it has also been demonstrated that individuals who used drugs and other substances prior to their injury, were likely to return to their baseline use within two years after their TBI.
Dr. Horn has been working closely with Communicare's in-house Licensed Mental Health Counselor, John Gallagher, M.Ed., LMHC. Dr. Horn stated that Gallagher provides an integrated approach of counseling, substance abuse relapse prevention, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to treat the whole person and the complex problems following TBI and substance abuse.
Gallagher added that he and Dr. Horn work well together and "there is great communication." His approach is also closely linked with the cognitive specialists and behavior services within Communicare.
Gallagher said that problems associated with substance abuse in TBI patients are similar to those found in the general population, but for TBI patients the problems are often more entrenched and specific. "When we have a new patient, we do a complete bio-psycho-social history and then we tailor a treatment plan for each individual," Gallagher said.
The training program for Communicare staff is designed to provide the tools to identify potential "trigger points" and to notice changes in behavior patterns that might lead to substance abuse relapse. The program ties in with the Communicare philosophy which integrates every employee into the social fabric of the facility; helping residents adapt to their surroundings and in their transitions back into the community.
"It is very hard to find mental health counselors who understand and work with the traumatic brain injury population," Dr. Horn pointed out. "John is unique in his drug and alcohol abuse program in that he has modified it to meet the special needs of traumatic brain injury patients with cognitive impairments."
For his part, Gallagher was drawn into his chosen profession for a very clear and simple reason. "We are helping to improve people's lives and while it can be often challenging there is a great personal payoff when we can make a difference."
Ed. Note: More information about Communicare is available by calling 866-802-9191 or visiting www.communicareabi.com. The company has residential, community based and outpatient services, and has opened a home and community-based and outpatient program in Royal Oaks, MI. John Gallagher, M.Ed., LMHC also has an office in Orlando where he sees patients on a full range of mental health topics. He can be reached at 407-579-2070.
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