Coping with the daily struggles of life can be difficult at best. Often, alcohol, prescription medications and other drugs become the easiest means of dealing with the stress and strains of the daily grind. Once chemical use begins as a coping method it becomes easier and easier to rely on drugs or alcohol to deal with daily issues. Typically even the smallest of issues becomes magnified and results in using a chemical to help deal with fairly quickly. An individual becomes entangled in the use without knowing exactly how far down they have gone and then find themselves frantically searching for answers and the means to stop the descent. If this sounds familiar or if someone you know is really to find help or more information then here is step by step guide for you to follow.

Step 1. The individual seekign treatment will need to have a Psycho-Social assessment done. This is necessary before any treatment can begin. The assessment is used to hle determine the level of abuse or dependence and subsequently the level of treatment that is appropriate. Your insurance will usually cover the cost of part or all of this assessment after the co-pay. Local agencies offering the psycho-social assessment are listed below.

•   Mountain Lakes Behavioral Healthcare -- 256 - 582 - 4465 (Cedar Lodge)
•   Family Life Center -- 256 - 582 - 1471
•   Bradford Health Services -- 256 - 593 - 9152
•   Marshall County Court Referral Services, Inc. -- 256 - 517 - 9130
•   Mountain Crest Counseling Service -- 256 - 878 - 3809
•   Day Spring Counseling Service -- 256 - 878 - 3809
•   Mountain View Hospital -- 1 - 800 - 245 - 3645

Individuals with no insurance are advised to contact Mental Health Services. Sliding scale payment options are often available.

Contact with agencies above is confidential and complian with HIPPA regulations.

Step 2. Once you have made the appointment for an assessment then make a commitment to yourself to keep it. Often fear or minimization of the situation causes an individual to cancel or not show up.

Step 3. Attend 12 step recovery programs. Personal involvement in an AA or NA or CA program is strongly recommended. The agencies listed in step 1 will be able to refer you or cities for individuals who would prefer not to attend locally.

Step 4. Accountability. Random or scheduled drug testing may increase a person's ability to sustain recovery / abstinence. Regular drug testing can provide not only accountability but can help provide information to employers who are assissting their employees with alcohol or drug related issues. Drug screening and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are available through the professional services listed below.

Marshall County Referral Services, Inc Drug Testing Division ( a non-profi organization )
2209 Ringold Street
Guntersville, Alabama 35976
256 - 571 - 9130
256 - 571 - 9654

•   Supervisor and Manager training
•   On-Site specimen collection
•   Assistance with policy development
•   Fast & Accurate results
•   Specialized DOT collections upon request
•   Sixteen years of drug testing experience
•   State of the Art results reporting
•   On-Site laboratory results
•   GC/MS confirmation testing
•   Computerized reandom sampling
•   Employee assistance & referral
•   SYVA Center for Excellence
•   Quality testing at minimal cost.