AMS of Wisconsin

For most who begin recreational use of drugs, including heroin and prescription opiate pain relievers, psychological and physiological dependence often comes as a surprise. Most begin to experience mild discomfort after the drugs begin to “wear off” and get relief from taking more of the drug they are abusing. Once this cycle begins, physical dependence develops into daily drug use and addiction.

Addiction to drugs includes people from all walks of life. While the stereotype may reflect some sort of depraved criminal, the reality is that opioid addicted persons are most frequently people that look like everyday people. Students, mothers, fathers, neighbors, and even doctors and lawyers are represented among addicted persons. Sadly, too many people allow the stigma associated with opiate addiction to keep them from getting the help they need, help that may save their lives.

Anyone can become addicted. Drugs don’t care where you live or what you do. Taken in sufficient quantity, you will become addicted. Opiates are addicting no matter how they might be used. While many people think of opiate addicts as “IV- needle users,” most who have never considered using a needle. Addiction can grow from smoking, sniffing, and swallowing narcotic drugs.

Less than 20% of those needing help ever get it. Far too many persons experience a downward spiral until their lives are destroyed or worse. Sadly, death from overdose, suicide, or other medical complications ends the life of an opiate-addicted person.

Our Services

23.5 million Americans have a substance abuse problem. Eighty-four percent do not have access to the addiction treatment they need. And of the 16% that seek treatment, 87% receive those services on an outpatient basis. AMS Wisconsin is committed to closing this treatment gap. We strive to increase access to quality outpatient addiction and related behavioral health treatment during day and evening hours. To meet this goal we offer the following Programs and Services.

Medication Assisted Treatment

Choice of medication is based on a mutual decision between the patient and physician. At AMS Wisconsin we prescribe methadone or buprenorphine, either in the form of film or tablet.

Medically Managed Detoxification

Individuals early in their addiction who desire to be safely detoxed from addictive substances can do so comfortably under the supervision of trained medical personnel while receiving supportive counseling focused on “staying clean.”

Maintenance

Addiction is a chronic disease process that can, and often does, cause permanent alterations of brain chemistry requiring maintenance medications that AMS Wisconsin provides in addition to cognitive, behavioral, and motivational enhancement counseling. Maintenance medications include methadone and buprenorphine, in the form film or tablet.

Maintenance to Abstinence

Our Maintenance to Abstinence Program’s goal is to facilitate an individual’s passage through medication assisted treatment to abstinence. AMS Wisconsin’s professional staff will work with a patient to initiate medications assisted treatment to stabilize, and then work through Medically Supervised Detoxification with an ultimate goal of total abstinence from all illicit substances and opioid medications. The Maintenance to Abstinence Program is a comprehensive, long-term (approximately two years in length) treatment program, offering a realistic approach within an innovative level of care in the medication assisted treatment continuum of care.

Counseling Services

AMS Wisconsin offers a flexible, multi-level Outpatient Program for patients who are seeking effective abstinence based treatment for addictions. Our state licensed Outpatient Program is designed for patients who do not require (or who have completed) Detoxification, Residential Treatment or Day Treatment. We offer outpatient groups throughout the week, making this level of care an excellent choice for those who work. We also offer weekly family groups, which provide education and support to the loved ones of patients in treatment. We offer three levels of care and use the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s Patient Placement Criteria to determine what level of care is indicated in a particular case. The levels offered at AMS Wisconsin are Intensive Outpatient, Outpatient, and Aftercare.

For a longer history of substance dependence

For individuals with a longer history of substance dependence needing a more intensive treatment experience, AMS Wisconsin offers an Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program. Our Intensive Outpatient Program offers more support and guidance than traditional once-a-week Outpatient Counseling. Sessions are held three times a week and consist of three-hour group therapy and education sessions for a total of nine hours of counseling per week. To accommodate a wide range of schedules, AMS Wisconsin provides day and evening treatment sessions.

Counseling Services and Components:
Intensive Outpatient Services and Components:
Evaluation/assessment
Alcohol and other drug educational groups
Group counseling
Individualized treatment planning
Individual counseling sessions
Family Educational Groups
Discharge/Transition planning
Relapse Prevention
Access to a variety of resources, including multicultural resources
Introduction to 12 Step recovery principles and self-help groups
Drug screens
When required Coordination with physician, therapist, Employee Assistance Program, Managed Care Organization, union and/or employer
Legal system advocacy when needed

Outpatient Treatment gives the individual an opportunity to interact with their environment while benefiting from a peer-oriented, structured therapeutic program. Client progress is assessed by clinical staff, which develops individualized treatment plans. Outpatient services can occur individually, in family/couples sessions, or in a group setting.

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