Author: New Day Recovery

Heroin Facts You Should Know

Written by New Day Recovery on October 17, 2019. Posted in Blog, Drug Addiction.

Treating heroin addiction requires a multifaceted approach. Heroin treatment may require therapy, medication, lifestyle changes and help from support groups. At New Day Recovery, we want to help you reach your goal of sobriety and know that you do have substance abuse treatment options, even if that seems impossible now. If you’re addicted to heroin and want help, reach out to us at 330-953-3300. We’re here to help at any time.

Is Heroin an Opioid Drug and Other Questions

Yes, heroin is a highly addictive opioid. It’s a processed drug and a derivative of morphine. Normally, people see it in the form of a white or brown powder. It can be inhaled, ingested or injected. Of all opiates, heroin is among the most abused.

What makes heroin so dangerous?

One thing that makes this addiction so dangerous is that heroin is normally cut with other drugs or substances. This changes the purity of the drug, which means that it may be difficult to know what you’re even ingesting. The impurities in this drug are part of the reason that so many people have heroin overdoses. They believe taking the same dosage of heroin won’t be a problem, but the opioid could be cut with a more dangerous drug, like fentanyl, and the same amount used previously could now result in an overdose death. Heroin on the street has a staggering range of 3% to 99% pure.

Why is heroin such an addictive drug?

Heroin is addictive because of how it interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain. Once you use it, it enters the blood and passes through the blood-brain barrier. It accesses the part of the brain that creates the reward sensation and can eventually change the brain’s ability to produce a rewarding feeling naturally without the use of heroin.

With a natural feeling of euphoria impossible due to the changes in the brain, many people turn to the drug to get the feeling artificially.

As they repeatedly use the drug, the body becomes conditioned to it. Quitting doesn’t just remove the euphoric high; it can also lead to health problems with long-term effects and even scary heroin withdrawal symptoms. Those symptoms often play a role in driving drug-free people back to heroin use.

What Are the Signs of Heroin Addiction?

No two patients are exactly alike, but there are some common signs and effects of heroin, including:

Disorientation
A tired appearance
Weight loss
Cuts or bruises from skin picking
A runny nose
Hyper-alertness and sudden nodding off
Constricted pupils
Sudden changes in behavior
Cold flashes
Dry mouth
A warm flushing of the skin
Shortness of breath

Some items you may discover that could be signs of drug use include:

Water pipes
Missing shoelaces
Burned silver spoons
Gum wrappers or foil with burn marks
Straws with burn marks
Small plastic bags of a white powdery substance

Some changes in a person’s behavior that you may notice include:

Sudden decreases in performance at school or work
Lying
Avoiding eye contact
A loss of motivation
Slurred, garbled speech
A lack of interest in favorite activities
Stealing or borrowing money
Declining self-esteem
Wearing long sleeves or pants to hide needle marks

These are not all-inclusive lists. Many of these symptoms can overlap with other kinds of addiction as well as medical conditions and mental health disorders. If you believe that someone you know is a heroin user, it may be time to reach out for professional substance use assistance with an intervention.

What Are Some Heroin Street Names?

Heroin has a long list of street names. Some common slang terms include:

Big H
Beast
Hero
China white
Brown
Horse
Snow
Junk
Skag
Dope
Smack

You may wonder why there are so many different names, but the answer is simple. Drug dealers often come up with new names to avoid detection by the authorities.

On top of “pure” heroin’s nicknames and slang terms, there are terms for heroin mixtures. Common combinations and their names include:

Chocolate bars: A combination of Xanax and heroin
Screwball: Methamphetamine and heroin
H-bomb: Ecstasy and heroin
Atom bomb/A-bomb: Marijuana and heroin
Dragon rock: Crack and heroin
El Diablo: Cocaine, marijuana and heroin
LBJ: LSD, PCP and heroin

How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?

The effects of heroin begin almost immediately. The intense euphoria that comes with opium drug use may last between 45 seconds and a few minutes, but some of the other effects usually peak within two to five minutes. Sedation, which is a common side effect, may last longer.

Heroin is a strong opium drug but has a short half-life. It will take between two and four days for the drug to leave your body and not show up on a urine test.

While the opium poppy plant drug shows up on a drug urine test for several days, it is actually processed by the body quickly. The half-life is only two to six minutes. It’s then broken down into 6-acetylmorphine and morphine. Morphine has a half-life of 1.5 to seven hours, and 6-acetylmorphine has a half-life of six to 25 minutes. It takes approximately four to five half-lives before the drug will be eliminated from the body completely, though this varies depending on the user.

When patients and their families ask how long heroin stays in the body, the real question is usually how long the withdrawal symptoms will last. Withdrawal symptoms start between six and 12 hours after the last dose. These symptoms can last up to 12 days.

Reach Out to Our Drug Rehab in Ohio for Addiction Help

It’s always a good day to start sooner rather than later on the path to recovery. Successful heroin treatment is possible, and we are here to help you every step of the way at our drug and alcohol rehab in Ohio. Please reach out to us through our contact form to learn more about our substance abuse treatment services and how we can help you on the road to sobriety.

wood sign spelling out opioid epidemic with spilled drugs on surface wood sign spelling out opioid epidemic with spilled drugs on surface

What are the Most Commonly Abused Opiates?

Written by New Day Recovery on October 7, 2019. Posted in Blog, Drug Addiction.

Abuse of and addiction to opioids and opiates is a rising concern across the nation — so much so that the term opioid crisis has been coined to describe the rising trends. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 130 individuals die every day in the U.S. due to overdosing on these drugs. But what are they, and which opiates are most commonly abused? Find out more about these dangerous substances. If you’re struggling with an addiction to one of them, contact New Day Recovery today to discover more about opioid treatment options.

What Are Opiates?

Opiates are drugs naturally derived from the poppy plant that bind to receptors in your brain and body. They are also part of the opioid drug class, which encompasses both the natural and synthetic forms. Through the binding process, the substances alter how your brain and body react to various stimuli, changing the way you experience and deal with pain or stress. This is what causes the euphoria associated with an opiate high, but this interaction can be dangerous. It can impact your mood, your body’s ability to regulate its temperature and even your breathing capacity.

Opiates are also highly addicting for a number of reasons. One of the most powerful drivers is that the euphoric high is so pleasing and strong that people soon feel compelled to experience it again. The more drugs they use, the harder it is to get to this high, so someone may chase increasing amounts of opiates. Another reason they’re so addictive is that the physical changes they make in the body become status quo after a while. That means that if the drug isn’t in a user’s system, their body reacts as if something is wrong, which can lead to uncomfortable or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Most Commonly Abused Opioids

Opiates are available in various forms, ranging from illegal street drugs to prescription medications. Here are some of the most abused forms of these drugs.

Popular Opiates:

Morphine. Morphine is a naturally occurring pain reliever. While it’s used in medical applications to treat moderate or severe pain, it’s also a Schedule 2 drug because of its addictive properties. When used in pharmacological situations, morphine is strictly regulated and closely monitored to help reduce the risk that someone becomes addicted, though this can still happen.
Heroin. Heroin is another common opioid that’s based on natural substances. This Schedule 1 street drug is actually a form of processed morphine. It typically takes the form of a brown or white powder that can be snorted, smoked or, in some formats, injected. Heroin itself is very addictive and dangerous, but the fact that people cut it with other substances makes it even more of a gamble.
Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate, which means that it’s man-made. Some versions of the drug can be up to 100 times more effective in treating pain than morphine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the drug is also extremely addictive, and illicit forms — those made outside of the regulations of the pharmaceutical industry — can be extremely dangerous to take.
OxyContinⓇ. This is a brand name for a generic drug known as oxycodone. It’s an opiate-based pain reliever that is commonly prescribed and can be addictive. Like the other drugs on this list, it’s a controlled substance.
Vicodin. This prescription pain reliever combines hydrocodone — another opiate-based pain reliever — with acetaminophen. Vicodin, like OxyContin, is considered a Schedule 3 drug because of its addictive properties.

Getting Treatment for Opiate Addiction

No matter what opiate you may have started with or what drugs you’re abusing now, if you’re ready to quit and break free from the cycle of addiction, the New Day Recovery Addiction Center can help. Call us today at 330-953-3300 to find out about our residential drug programs, which include medically assisted detox to help with withdrawal symptoms as needed.

How Can My Family Be Involved in My Recovery?

Written by New Day Recovery on September 22, 2019. Posted in Blog, Recovery Support.

Many people wonder what the role of family is in recovery. Like so many things when it comes to addiction treatment, the answer is: It depends. Discover more about how your family might be involved in recovery, whether you’re seeking addiction treatment at New Day Recovery or another location.

Should Loved Ones be Involved in Recovery Rehab?

One of the factors that can impact someone’s success with long-term recovery is whether or not they have a strong support system. Family often makes up the foundation of that system, but that’s not always the case. It’s a personal decision whether involving family in recovery will be a positive thing, and this may be something you want to talk about with a professional.

Remember that addiction can have harmful effects on more than the person who is struggling with substance abuse. Your relationships and your family may also be hurting as a result of your addiction, which means you might currently be in a place where you and those around you are angry or hurt.

That doesn’t mean they can’t be positive elements of your recovery. However, in cases where family members may be helping to drive your addiction — such as when your spouse is also struggling with substance abuse or you’re living in an abusing environment — you may need to work with professionals to ensure care is taken in incorporating family into drug addiction treatment if that is a choice you want to make.

Family Therapy During Addiction Treatment

Family therapy during addiction treatment typically offers the chance for loved ones to learn more about the cycle of addiction together and begin a journey of healing. During therapy sessions, you might address issues such as family dynamics that play a role in substance abuse, as well as how addiction has been hurtful to other people in your family. Rebuilding relationships and trust can often begin during family therapy.

However, family therapy is not necessarily a time to address every problem faced by each individual in the group. First, there simply isn’t time for that. Second, this treatment is ultimately about your recovery. A good therapist may use these sessions to help family members come to terms with the fact that they are dealing with issues too and offer to make referrals to outside therapists who can help with those.

The Benefits of Family Therapy

Every person — and every family — is unique, so the goals and benefits of rehab and family therapy are different in each case. But some common benefits include:

Getting a head start on holistic healing for the entire family
Ensuring the family has the right skills and knowledge to assist you in ongoing recovery
Addressing specific root causes or concerns for drug or alcohol use to help reduce the chance these triggers will crop up as you exit rehab and begin to integrate into your new normal

New Day Recovery does offer options for family therapy, and our caring counselors can provide advice on how to integrate this element into your overall treatment plan for addiction. For more information about our Ohio rehab center’s services, including family therapy, contact us today.

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Will I Lose My Job if I Seek Help for Addiction?

Written by New Day Recovery on September 15, 2019. Posted in Blog, Recovery Support.

At New Day Recovery, we know a lot of fears and factors can keep people from seeking treatment for their addictions. One common worry many people face is that they may lose their jobs or ruin their careers if they seek help for an addiction.

Check out some of the real truths about jobs, addiction and recovery below, and then contact New Day Recovery to find out what the potential next best steps are for your own rehab.

Can Your Employer Fire You for Getting Addiction Treatment?

If you are covered by the federal Family Medical Leave Act, your employer cannot legally fire you for seeking necessary health treatment, including treatment for behavioral health or addiction issues. You’re usually covered by this law if your employer hires more than 50 people and you’ve worked at the company for more than 12 months.

Under FMLA, your employer must grant you leave for up to 12 weeks to seek necessary care. They must also protect your job status, keeping an equal position open for you to return to.

Will Going to Rehab Ruin Your Career?

Even if FMLA isn’t in play for your situation, going to rehab is often a better decision for your career than not going and continuing with drug or alcohol use.

Rehab is a short time away from your life to work on you. It allows you the time to come to grips with your addiction and learn how to manage this chronic issue long term so you can lead a clean and healthier life.

If instead, you continue to try to fight drugs or alcohol on your own, you could end up using again or using even more. That might mean you don’t live up to obligations at work, put business deals at risk or even put yourself or other employees in danger. That’s not an outcome that’s good for you or your employer.

Many employers offer assistance programs specifically for this reason. Assistance options might include a free consultation with a counselor or referrals to facilities that can offer treatment. Check your employee benefits package for information about any Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that might be available, or ask about options confidentially in human resources.

Reach Out for Help Today

The hard truth about addiction and your career is that if you don’t get help and find a way into long-term recovery, your job is likely going to suffer. And your employer can fire you if they find you using substances on the job or if you fail a random drug test.

Instead of putting your future on the line because you’re worried that seeking help may hurt your career, reach out to the caring staff at New Day Recovery today. Call us or complete the online form and someone will get back to you ASAP. No matter how you reach out, we hold all your information confidential, and we can help you understand what your options are for treatment and how you can work to better your future and protect your career and relationships via recovery.

Young man comforting sad woman Young man comforting sad woman

How to Get Someone Into Rehab in Ohio When They Don’t Want to Go

Written by New Day Recovery on August 29, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Despite what you might see on television and in movies, committing someone involuntarily to an Ohio rehab center takes more than a midnight call to a judge or an impassioned plea from a worried parent. In fact, some states don’t even have involuntary commitment laws for addiction.

But loved ones in Ohio who are worried about someone who is struggling with addiction do have some options under the law. Discover more below about how to get a loved one into drug and alcohol addiction rehab, even if it’s against their will.

How to Convince a Loved One to Go to Rehab

Because involuntary commitment is a court procedure with numerous requirements, many families may want to attempt a personal support system approach first. Unless your friend or family member is in an emergency or dangerous situation, consider first approaching them in a loving, caring manner about their addiction.

Some tips for talking about substance abuse or alcohol use and persuading another adult to go to a treatment facility include:

Beginning the conversation in a non-confrontational manner and striving to remain as calm as possible throughout. Many times, the person struggling with addiction is already facing guilt over the situation, and piling on your own issues may only push them away.
Choosing an appropriate time and place for the discussion. A private moment in a comfortable and safe space is good — at the holiday dinner table in front of Grandma and everyone, not as ideal.
Doing your own research first. Find out more about addiction and what options might be available for treatment so you can offer ideas and support if the person admits to addiction and seems willing to consider help.
Helping the person make a decision for treatment. In cases where someone is willing to seek help voluntarily, position yourself as a support, not a dictator. Don’t try to decide everything for them or demand they seek treatment the way you think they should. Instead, offer to be with them when they make a phone call or visit a treatment center to find out more.

How to Get Someone into Rehab

Ohio has several laws on the books that create a process for commitment in certain cases of mental illness, which includes addiction. The law allows for court-ordered rehab programs including residential treatment or outpatient treatment, depending on the facts of a case and what the doctors, judge or other authorities deem to be necessary.

Families that have tried to talk to their loved one about seeking addiction treatment options to no avail or those who are worried about the safety of their loved one can seek a commitment through the courts. The court will look for evidence that the person meets one or more of the following criteria before ordering them into drug rehab:

The person is a danger to themselves or to others.
The person is unable to provide for their own needs and the community is also unable to provide for those needs, and because of this, the person is deemed to be in immediate danger of harm.
The person is deemed to be in need of and authorities or experts feel they would benefit from treatment.

Filing an Affidavit to Get Someone Into Rehab

Any person who believes that someone else is a danger to themselves or others and needs court-ordered treatment for a mental illness or addiction can file an affidavit stating so. The document must be:

Comprehensive in nature and include all the information required under the law
Establish probable cause of the need for treatment
Be based on information that comes from reliable sources or your own personal experience

Once you file an affidavit, the court reviews it and any associated documentation, such as a doctor’s statement. If the court finds merit in the information, it can order a temporary detention. Police then take the person into custody and transport them to a hospital or other care facility. Within two days, the county mental health board must make a determination and present it to the court about whether treatment is necessary. The court may also order an evaluation by a health care medical professional.

After all of this, a hearing is conducted during which the court makes a final determination in the matter. If the court orders inpatient or outpatient treatment, the person involved is legally required to comply.

Ohio’s Pink Slip Law

Ohio also has what many people refer to as a pink slip law. This allows certain professional interventionists or authorities to take someone into emergency custody for immediate treatment. Individuals who can pink-slip someone include police officers, sheriffs, parole officers, doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

If someone is admitted to a hospital under these emergency circumstances, they must be examined by a doctor within 24 hours. The doctor makes a determination about whether further treatment is required. If the doctor decides treatment is warranted, the person can be held for treatment involuntarily for three court days before someone must file an affidavit and enter the process detailed above.

Note that if the person who was involuntarily admitted decides during those three days that they do want to seek treatment, they have the option to change their admission to voluntary and the affidavit process is not required.

How to Get Someone Into Rehab Who Is a Minor

While New Day Recovery treats adults ages 18 and up, we do know that families can struggle when a minor child is caught up in drug use. The rules and laws in these cases are slightly different since parents can make some decisions legally on behalf of their minor children. However, forcing your child into rehab simply because “you said so” isn’t always the best route to take for long-term healing. If you’re facing this type of situation, consider reaching out to a professional with experience in teen or child drug abuse for help.

Whatever Step You Take, Consider Taking it Today

Contact us at New Day Recovery to find out more about your treatment program options, whether you’re the one dealing with drug addiction or you’re worried about a loved one. We can help you understand what recovery process steps to take next and offer some advice about which type of addiction recovery treatment might be right for you or your loved one.

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How Long Does it Take to Detox From Drugs?

Written by New Day Recovery on August 15, 2019. Posted in Recovery Support.

Drug detox technically means something different from drug rehab. How long detox takes depends on a variety of factors, including what different drugs are involved, how long you or a loved one has been using them and how much drug use. Even factors such as a person’s age and health can come into play when it comes to how long the detox period takes. Find out more about the drug or alcohol detox time-frame below, and if you’re dealing with substance abuse and ready to take the first step toward a clean and sober future, call our Ohio addiction treatment center to find out about treatment options today at (330) 953-3300.

A Drug Detox Program Versus Drug Rehab

Many people use the terms drug detox and drug rehab interchangeably, often to refer to inpatient treatment for drug addiction or any long-term work toward recovery. For the sake of the discussion on timelines, though, drug detox is being defined as the treatment specific to the first step in rehab: allowing the body to clear itself of the substance and get through the drug withdrawal process so that you can concentrate fully on rehab after that. In short, detox is one part of rehab.

Detoxification Treatment Options

Whether or not you need specific clinical interventions for detoxification depends on what type of addiction you are struggling with and whether withdrawal symptoms are a major challenge in your recovery. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms, which can range from uncomfortable to dangerous, cause people to return to their drug of choice even if they have a deep desire to remain clean.

Medical detox employs a variety of techniques to reduce the impact of withdrawal symptoms, including medicine and treatments for the symptoms themselves. The purpose of this type of detoxification treatment is to help make you more comfortable and safer as you go through the first few weeks or days of rehab.

How Long Does Drug Detox Take?

This first part of rehab can take a few days to a few weeks. Generally, after the first one to two weeks, most people are moving beyond the major withdrawal issues and able to incorporate more fully into other rehab and therapy efforts without the constant intervention of doctors and nurses to manage symptoms.

Again, the length of the detox process depends on the individual situation. Addiction center staff work with you to understand your drug abuse and medical history so they can help you create a plan that works for you. Factors that can impact the timeline include:

What types of substance or substances you have been using
How much of a substance you need to take before experiencing a high
Whether you have underlying mental or physical health conditions
Your age and gender
Your overall health and medical history
How often you were using drugs or alcohol before seeking treatment

Alcohol or Drug Withdrawal Timelines

How long you engage in medically assisted detox depends heavily on the recovery process timeline associated with drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Here’s a look at some average withdrawal symptom timelines for different drugs. Remember that these timelines can be different for each individual.

Alcohol withdrawals typically begin within 24 hours and peak around 72 hours after your last drink, and taper off by the end of the first week.
Withdrawals from sleeping pills peak after a few days or even a week. Certain symptoms of withdrawal, such as insomnia, can get better and then peak again after a week and require medical professional treatment.
Opiate and opioid withdrawals can begin within hours and peak within the first week. While the most severe symptoms begin to taper off by the end of the second week, individuals who have used large quantities of the drug or have been addicted for a long time may experience symptoms on and off for months. This is one reason a continued methadone treatment plan and support from professionals is essential for success in long-term recovery.
Withdrawals related to prescription painkillers like benzos, valium and xanax begin within a day and peak in about three days. By around two weeks, the most severe symptoms have typically tapered off or begun to.
Stimulant drugs such as meth or cocaine typically have withdrawal symptoms related to a crash and then drug cravings. The physical symptoms often taper off within the first week or two, while drug cravings can continue for months.

The Drug Detox Timeline

The timeline on drug detox is typically longer than the time it takes to simply go cold turkey and detox from a substance. This is because detoxing allows your body to rid itself of the drug, but it doesn’t address any of the nervous system issues that may be related to an addiction.

During and after detox, those in drug rehab typically work with professionals via individual and group therapy sessions, recreational therapy and other treatment programs to identify and address the root causes for substance use. They also work on developing new coping mechanisms and learning more about the addiction cycle and how to approach it through alternative programs like holistic treatment. These steps let you set a strong foundation that can make long-term sobriety more likely.

How long all of this takes depends on each person. Inpatient treatment programs typically range from 28 days to as long as a year.

Why Recovery Is a Lifelong Process

Even after inpatient treatment, most people go on to participate in various step-down treatments. These can range from partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs to weekly or monthly individual therapy sessions. Long-term participation in 12-step programs like AA or NA is also popular.

It’s important to remember that recovery from addiction is a lifelong process. You won’t step out of a detox or rehab program cured because addiction isn’t something that can be cured. Instead, the purpose of these programs is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to manage the chronic condition of addiction with help from others, including friends, family and professionals.

Start Your Recovery Now at Our Ohio Treatment Center

Drug detox and recovery are all very personal journeys. And journeys take different amounts of time for each person. But the truth for everyone is that the opportunity to take the first step is right now. Contact our Ohio addiction recovery center today to find out more about our treatment options.

Does Medicaid Cover Drug Rehab? Find Out More Below

Written by New Day Recovery on July 12, 2019. Posted in Blog, Recovery Support.

The short answer is yes, Medicaid covers drug and alcohol rehab services. In fact, all health insurance companies provided by government entities or via the health care marketplaces are required to provide coverage for behavioral health services. Addiction services are covered under that umbrella. To find out if your policy will help pay for treatment follow the link to get a confidential verification of benefits by our staff.

However, when it comes to whether or not Medicaid will cover rehab in a specific case, the answer is often “It depends.” Find out more about Medicaid and its role in paying for alcohol or drug rehab below.

And if you’re struggling with addiction and want help, don’t be afraid to reach out for assistance regardless of whether you’re covered by insurance or know if your policy will cover the services. Call New Day Recovery today or contact us online; we’ll work with you to help you understand your options for recovery, whether it’s with us or another treatment provider.

What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a program partially sponsored by the federal government and administered by each individual state. The main purpose is to ensure low-income individuals and certain other qualifying individuals have access to health care coverage.

Medicaid is not the same thing as Medicare, although the two insurance programs were created under the same initiative in the 1960s. The qualifications for these programs are slightly different. Medicare is primarily meant to provide coverage for seniors and those with disabilities. Another difference is that Medicare is administered by the federal government. Since the administration falls to the states, there are slight differences in how the coverage works depending on which state you live in or have coverage in.

In every state, though, Medicaid does offer some type of addiction treatment coverage.

What Types of Addiction Services Are Covered Under This Comprehensive Medical Insurance?

Under the Affordable Care Act and other health care legislation in the past few decades, Medicaid must offer coverage for certain services under the addiction treatment banner. Some services that may be covered by your comprehensive medical plan if you are diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder or addiction disorder are listed below.

Health screenings to determine your current health status and how addiction may be impacting that, as well as to diagnose you with a substance use disorder
Alcohol and drug testing in treatment-related cases
Interventions, including emergency hospital stays
Inpatient or outpatient rehab services within an approved treatment facility that accepts this managed care program
Family counseling if it’s deemed necessary to your treatment
Addiction treatment medication to help you get through withdrawal periods safely and more comfortably or to address other needs with regard to substance abuse, including medications to stave off cravings
Medically assisted detox
Other dual diagnosis services that might be relevant to your diagnosis

Ohio Medicaid covers all of these types of treatment services. It also covers group or individual counseling, case management and crisis intervention relevant to drug abuse or alcohol addiction treatment.

Who Is Eligible for Medicaid?

Whether Medicaid will cover drug rehab services for you individually obviously depends in part on whether you qualify for coverage. Even if you don’t have the health plan coverage right now, you may qualify for the services — especially if you recently lost your job or have experienced another reason for a reduction in income.

The specific details of eligibility depend on your state. Generally, you must meet at least one of the following and the state income requirements to be eligible:

Be older than 65
Be younger than 19
Be pregnant or a parent

Some states do provide Medicaid for any adult meeting the income requirements for the state, though.

To qualify for Medicaid in the state of Ohio, you must be a resident of the state and have a “satisfactory immigration status” or be a US citizen. Other eligibility requirements for Ohio Medicaid are outlined below.

Be older than 64 years of age
Be disabled or blind or have a dependent in your house who is
Be pregnant or have one or more children who are under the age of 18
Have a household income before taxes that falls below the thresholds below
- One person: $16,612
- Two people: $22,491
- Three people: $28,369
- Four people: $34,248
- Five people: $40,127
- Six people: $46,005
- Seven people: $51,884
- Nine people: $57,762

Ohio Medicaid provides an easy-to-use eligibility checker you can use to better determine if you might be covered under the medical care program.

What Is Parity?

Parity refers to federal laws that forbid insurance companies from charging excessive copays and deductibles associated with specific types of health services when they don’t charge similar amounts for other types of services. One of the purposes of parity laws is to ensure that insurance companies provide equal coverage for behavioral or mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

While parity laws are complex, the short story here is that if you qualify under Medicaid for covered substance abuse services, Medicaid can’t penalize you with large copays that only relate to that type of service. That does not mean you won’t be responsible for copays that are normally passed on by the health care plan. You can learn more about potential copays and how they are managed via your state’s Medicaid program website. For example, Ohio Medicaid’s copays typically run between $1 and $3 per service, and you can find a detailed list of Medicaid copays here.

Do All Providers Accept a Managed Care Program?

Another factor in whether or not your Medicaid coverage pays for drug rehabilitation services is where you opt to receive those services. Not all providers accept assignment on the managed care programs benefits. If you choose a provider that doesn’t accept Medicaid, then you’ll be billed for the services provided (assuming you agreed in writing to be responsible for the cost of your care, knowing that the health care plan wasn’t going to pay for it).

New Day Recovery does accept Ohio Medicaid, so this is not a worry for anyone entering into our programs.

Are There Limits On This Health Plan Coverage of Rehab?

Yes, Medicaid puts limits on the amount of covered services per year in many categories of treatment. Inpatient treatment center programs are typically capped at between 30 and 60 days, although Ohio Medicaid does make some exceptions when necessary. Individual and group therapy, whether it’s in a residential treatment environment or is a form of outpatient treatment, is limited to 30 hours per week. However, this type of health plan coverage doesn’t set limits for participating in an intensive outpatient program with regard to how long you can take part each year.

Understanding benefit limits and the specific details of coverage can be difficult, especially since so many of these answers rely on the specifics of your diagnosis and case. The experienced staff at New Day Recovery is adept at dealing with this health plan coverage, and we understand how to apply for authorizations, provide and document appropriate treatment and bill them for the right services. We work with you to make the entire process as seamless as possible because our belief is that you should concentrate on recovery and not the minutia of insurance policies.

Can I Use This as a Secondary Insurance in Addition to Other Insurance Options?

In some cases, Medicaid may act as secondary insurance. This is primarily the case for seniors who have Medicare and also qualify for this secondary insurance coverage. This type of secondary insurance always acts as the payor of last resort. That means if you have another insurance policy, then it would pay first for any rehab services.

However, if you have copays or deductibles after your first insurance pays, then there is a chance that this health plan coverage may act as the secondary payer. It could cover all or part of those copays, reducing the cost of rehab for you.

What Should I Do if I Need Rehab Services?

Struggling with alcohol or drug addiction on your own is rarely a winning proposition. But fear of the unknown and worries about the financial impact of treatment often keep people from reaching out for help.

No matter what your current insurance situation is or whether you think you can afford treatment, don’t make this mistake. Call us today; our compassionate admissions counselors are always ready to take your call and listen to your story. We work with you to understand your needs so we can make the right referrals and recommendations for next steps.

Our staff is experienced in addiction treatment, and if your insurance won’t pay for rehab at New Day Recovery, we can offer referrals to treatment programs that do accept your policies. If you’re struggling financially and don’t have health coverage, we can help you apply for Medicaid or understand other options for paying to attend a rehab center.

The important thing to know is that you have options. No matter who you are or what your situation is. Ohio Medicaid is only one of the many options that can come into play, so call us even if you are certain you won’t qualify for that coverage. And never assume that you won’t qualify; eligibility information can be confusing, and you might be surprised to discover what type of assistance is available in paying for drug or alcohol addiction treatment.

Call us right now, or complete our online contact form. We’ll reach out and start the process of working with you to take the first steps in the healing process of recovery.