Professional athletes endure a great deal of physical and emotional stress throughout the course of their careers. Whether it’s the wear and tear on their bodies that guides them toward painkiller abuse or the pressures of performance expectation that leads them to alcohol and drug addiction, the professional athlete remains more vulnerable to chemical dependency than those in many other professions. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches has developed a comprehensive treatment program that addresses the different ways in which professional sports figures fall into substance abuse. Our professional athlete substance abuse treatment program is a multi-phase process in which patients receive the help they need to resume their careers and live rich and rewarding lives on and off the playing field.
Elements of Professional Athlete Substance Abuse Treatment
The program begins with a thorough and confidential physical evaluation and psychological assessment from our experts. Patients are designed a customized care plan based upon clinical recommendations and their unique care needs.
These plans include expert medical detox, as well as treatment for the following conditions:
Chronic Pain and Painkiller Addiction
Our professionals have specialized experience in the treatment of chronic pain and use methods such as acupuncture and massage to help patients manage their pain-related substance abuse disorders. We have specific experience helping athletes deal with the complex variety of issues they face while they’re in treatment.
Hyperalgesia and Pain Management
Hyperalgesia is a condition in which prolonged painkiller use causes increased sensitivity to pain. We offer treatment for hyperalgesia by providing a series of techniques to manage pain immediately after the individual stops using painkillers. Over time, the patient becomes less sensitive to pain and more receptive to the alternative relief methods we use in our pain management program.
The program also includes depression and trauma treatment, anxiety stress management, and anger management.
An Extensive Variety of Treatment Resources
Professional athlete substance abuse treatment incorporates a full menu of specialized therapeutic resources as part of the treatment process, including:
- Pain-specific Patient Education
- Breathing and Mindfulness Training
- Habit-breaking Techniques
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
- Relaxation Therapy
- Coping Skills
- Clinical Hypnosis
- Exercise
- Physical Therapy
- Biofeedback
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Group Therapy
- Family Counseling
- Electro-modalities
- Heat & Ice
- Energy Psychology
- Meditation and Guided Imagery
- Light Sound Neurotherapy
- Schema Therapy
- Individualized Aftercare
Upon completion of the program, our clinicians will offer further treatment recommendations based upon the established long-term needs of the patient. Athletes that complete our program and maintain sobriety will also be eligible to become peer counselors through Professional Counselor Certificate training. Peer counselors will be able to follow up with individuals who complete the program. This fosters a sense of accomplishment and an ongoing support network to keep athletes engaged with their peers and their continued recovery.
Our professional athlete substance abuse treatment program addresses the unique circumstances facing current and former professional athletes and helps them to break their addictions and lead a normal life. To learn more, please call (888) 432-2467.
