FAQs About Addiction and Recovery

Most people have internal warnings in their health system that discourage over-consumption of alcohol and other drugs. A significant number of individuals get no internal warning when they indulge too much. This condition, most often inherited, places people at risk for addiction. 

Consistent overuse by people at risk prompts craving and dependence upon these drugs and the pleasure rewards they deliver to the limbic brain. Phases of addiction include at-risk misuse, early onset addiction, dependence, and end-stage addiction.

The center of addiction illness is in the limbic, or “primitive” brain, that houses systems for safety and security, power and control, esteem and self-worth. Natural chemical reactions in this system bring pleasure with success. Misuse of alcohol and other drugs over stimulates this reward system, triggering cravings and dependence. In addition, these chemicals cause mental and physical deterioration in tissues throughout other organs and the body. Once dependence occurs, specific brain cells are permanently altered. The limbic brain, on its own, is not capable of reversing its need for stimulation.

Relief from the symptoms and damage of chemical misuse begins with ending the supply. This decision and action occurs in the cognitive or “thinking” brain. Some individuals can “think” their way to freedom from substance misuse, letting nature build new pathways in the cognitive brain. Most people, however, benefit from specific treatment that assists change and a return to productive life in a timely manner. Treatment for addiction disease in any stage consists of education, therapy, and medical attention. Education helps build a knowledge base about the actual reality facing the individual experiencing symptoms of dependence and addiction. Therapy addresses and heals mental pathways to develop change to new strategies for living and dealing with old behavior triggers. Medical attention identifies mental and physical barriers to wellness and suggests health strategies that parallel the addiction treatment regimen. Treatments require time. Over time, with the tools and strategies adopted in treatment, clients grow their individual defenses against substance misuse and individual programs for success and happiness, free of alcohol and other drugs.

Treatment at Aquila is specific to each individual and the stage of difficulty or illness being experienced. Bundled regimens of care include education, therapy and medical attention. The price ranges from $6,200 to $10,400, depending on the severity of symptoms and illness. Additionally, continuing Recovery Support services keep Aquila as a partner in building stable recovery.

Yes. Aquila services and rates are eligible for most insurance plans. Co-pay and differences between costs and reimbursements differ with each plan. Aquila works with all insurance plans that provide an "out-of-network" benefit. The exact amount of your out-of-pocket cost will vary with they type of plan you have. Our staff will be happy to verify your insurance coverage and explain your out-of-pocket cost. We will also provide you with the necessary paperwork to get the maximum reimbursement possible. Ultimately, the cost for treatment at Aquila is the responsibility of the patient.

Addiction disease afflicts and affects people of every culture, demographic, and economic level. Aquila Recovery focuses on reaching individuals early in stages of difficulty, while they still have jobs, family supports, and traditional health insurance. A therapy group at Aquila reflects a “neighborhood” of Greater Washington, aged 18 to seniors – a cross section of professions, histories, and hopes. The common purpose of wellness healing makes them “more alike than different.”

Drinking or drugging despite adverse consequences suggests looking at the advantages of changing one’s habits. Aquila’s free consultation helps people determine their risk and choose an appropriate strategy. The choices range from self-learning, to outpatient care at Aquila, to recommendations for residential treatment.

Significant advances in knowledge of brain disease in the last 15 years have led to improved, evidence-based treatment practices. Aquila, as well as many other facilities, provides these educational and therapeutic practices to assist individuals achieve good results. Our unique features include working more closely with primary care physicians and professionals, hoping to reach people early in their difficulty with alcohol and other drug problems. And Aquila provides a long-term affiliation with recovery coaches as individuals work through changes to build more productive and satisfactory lives.

One of the great advantages of outpatient treatment is that people gain tools for change at the same time they face trials or difficulties in everyday life. Our educational and therapeutic sessions are in evenings or other times conducive to maintaining employment. Special appointments for individual therapy or physician care are booked at traditional times – usually in the afternoon. Every effort is made to assure that clients maintain or rebuild their responsibilities at work, family life, worship, and recreation.

Yes. For two important reasons. First, understanding of the science of addiction and recovery builds appropriate support for your recovery. Second, family and close associates of people with addiction illness also develop maladies that need attention. Aquila treatment for family and friends includes a weekly group session and individual counseling as indicated. Most care is included in bundled pricing, but specialized medical and counseling services can be provided or referred as indicated.

Following a clinical assessment and psychiatrist examination at admission, you are assigned a primary counselor who will share the results of these events, help you conduct an inventory of your goals, and assist you in developing an Aquila treatment plan. These plans are client-informed and client driven with choices and suggestions offered as recommended by the assessment and diagnosis. Your treatment plan is the measurable instrument used in all treatment events and is altered and amended as needed by you and your primary counselor. The plan and related records are confidential, available only to your counseling team, the Aquila physician, and those you have specified by a signed release.

Yes. Aquila treatment regimens meet you where you are, with appropriate intensity and content to your situation. Your circumstances and status are determined in clinical assessment. Your commitment to change, of course, must come from within.

Science-based evidence makes clear that success in treatment for addictive disorders depends on simultaneous treatment for other co-occurring disorders – including bipolar, attention deficit and depression. Aquila systems include identification and treatment of these complicating conditions through our on-site psychiatric practice or referral to your standing professional network. We assure that treatment progresses with all issues simultaneously.

Certainly. Appropriate releases, of course, must be signed at admission to Aquila treatment.

The core Aquila treatment regimen lasts 14 to 18 weeks, depending on the assessment. This is followed by a low level engagement that “keeps us in your corner” as you build a lasting and stable recovery. This level continues until you reach your first anniversary of recovery.

Two to four sessions a week, depending on your assessment, personal wellness plan, and stage of treatment. Attendance in the first week is five sessions.

Self-assessments and denial of problems are common issues, but do not replace clinical evaluations based on science and evidence. Aquila treatment begins with a clinical assessment. The results are shared immediately with the client and are the basis for whether or not treatment is recommended or appropriate. The clinical assessment may also lead to recommendations of care elsewhere, other medical or social service procedures, or practical self-directed assistance.

Aquila’s medical team may recommend medicines to assist early recovery when indicated. When it is appropriate, the recommendation is presented to you to accept or reject. Medicines likely to be recommended are Antibuse, Naltraxone, Vivitrol (injectible Naltraxone), or Campril

Failure to achieve any goals of the Individual Treatment Plan will lead to re-examination of the plan, with adjustments indicated by the situation. Just because progress has been interrupted does not mean that progress has not been achieved. When, despite attempts by the client and the clinicians to address barriers and difficulties, no progress can be identified, termination of the treatment may be recommended.

Missed appointments and sessions must be made up. In addition, missed individual appointments will be charged as if you attended, plus rescheduled to meet treatment goals. Consistent absence or tardiness will be addressed in sessions with your Primary Counselor.

Isolation from community is a primary symptom of addiction illness and every effort will be made to encourage clients to acquire and build social connections to a community that shares recovery goals. Twelve step programs will be advised as an efficient and successful way to meet this need. The healing qualities of a community are demonstrated by the sum total of the participants. That means that the people present at any one time provide the message and healing for that community meeting. Therefore, it is recommended that you shop around to find the healing climate that produces results. It is not recommended that you avoid connecting with others sharing your recovery journey.