Why Addiction Treatment Should Be Different for Executives

Excutive snorting

Anyone who has ever worked in any sort of business environment would readily agree that executives have intense, challenging, and demanding jobs and lifestyles. They are expected to overcome all manner of obstacles on a day-to-day basis and successfully run tight control on employees and projects without fail. Needless to say, this can lead to various executive burnout symptoms, not the least of which is the executive’s turning to drug or alcohol use for comfort or escape.

Executives and Drug Addiction

While it is not the case with all executives, of course, there are those who look to drugs or alcohol as a solution to their hectic and stressful lives. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported in 2012 that executives had much higher rates of substance abuse than the national average, a fact which suggests that many executives suffer from a stress burnout or mental burnout that drives them into drug or alcohol use. According to an article published in the New York Times, twenty-eight percent of attorneys struggle with depression problems, and nineteen percent of attorneys struggle with anxiety issues.

According to an article published in the Journal of American Medicine, over twenty-five percent of female surgeons abuse or are dependent upon alcohol, while nearly fourteen percent of male surgeons abuse or are dependent upon alcohol. Obviously, these individuals would benefit immensely from receiving addiction treatment. However, it is actually important that their addiction treatment be different than typical addiction treatment in order for it to meet with success.

Addiction Treatment for Executives

The primary goal of all addiction treatment is, of course, is to help an individual achieve and maintain lasting sobriety from drug substances. In order to do this successfully, an individual’s addiction treatment program must address their specific needs. In the case of an executive, this often includes their desire for privacy and maintaining their connection to their career.

One of the primary concerns an executive may have when they are considering enrolling in addiction treatment is that their drug problems will become common, public knowledge. They may feel that this can not only reflect poorly on themselves and their company, but it may even threaten their job. Executive rehabs are designed to address this issue by providing privacy and security in a secluded environment.

Another concern an executive may have when they are considering enrolling in addiction treatment is that they have many professional responsibilities that cannot just be set aside. This can drive them into believing that they cannot actually afford the time addiction treatment takes, which is why they fail to get treatment when they need it.

Executive rehabs understand this concern. They also understand that an individual’s best chances at achieving and maintaining sobriety and establishing a strong foundation for a better future occur when they completely disconnect from their normal life environments and routines and focus on rehabilitation. They can, therefore, guide the individual in making the arrangements necessary to secure their job as much as possible—such as is provided through the Family and Medical Leave Act—so that they can participate fully in rehab treatment without worrying about their job.

Some of the basics usually provided by executive rehabs include:

  • Individualized treatment programs
  • Comprehensive services that address the individual’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, nutritional, and other needs
  • Holistic therapies so the individual learns how to cope with challenging life situations without the aid of drug substances
  • Comfortable, secluded, and private location
  • Life skills instruction
  • Aftercare support.

With the proper treatment and support, an executive with substance abuse problems can successfully resolve their addiction and move forward into a healthier, happier future. Understanding what makes up the proper treatment and support for an executive with substance abuse problems is what allows executive drug rehabs to successfully help the individuals they work with.

For more information about executive rehab, contact Narconon Ojai today.


Sources:

AUTHOR

Jessica Bradham

Jessica is a Registered Drug and Alcohol Technician with a desire to help others find real solutions to the ever-growing problems associated with addiction.

NARCONON OJAI

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION