Arizona Doctor Offers New Addiction Drug Treatment For Meth Addicts Showing More Than 60% Success Rate

With Arizona facing a critical crisis
of methamphetamine use, Dr. Gregory Ellison, Director of Advanced Medical
Center, has identified a very promising new addiction treatment option that
shows high success rates and is performed on an out-patient (versus
in-patient) basis in 10 hours over five sessions. As the only doctor in the
state of Arizona licensed to administer the new PROMETA(R) treatment
program, Ellison is encouraged with results of clinic trials which show
more than a 60 percent success rate.


In conjunction with the statewide television simulcast of Crystal
Darkness on April 15th to raise awareness about meth, there is a mandate to
raise awareness about addiction treatment. Ellison's PROMETA(R) 30-day
program targets the imbalances in the brain chemistry associated with
substance dependence, cravings, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and relapse
with a three-prong treatment of medicine, nutrition and psychology.
Patients receiving this treatment experience:



-- Relief from cravings and anxiety



-- Restoration of nutritional balance



-- Improvement of mental capacity



Unlike many in-patient therapies, Ellison's PROMETA(R) program is done
on an out-patient basis, allowing individuals to continue their daily lives
and removing the stigma of "going to rehab." With the number of Arizonians
seeking treatment for meth addiction quintupling between 2000 and 2004,
out-patient capabilities not only positively impact individuals and their
families, but the community and its resources as well.



More than 60 percent of patients participating in clinical trials
successfully kicked their addiction, while 97 percent reported a decrease
in frequency of cravings. In a study just published by Community Bridges in
Arizona, the findings showed 86 percent of patients in the PROMETA(R)
program versus less than 10 percent in other intensive outpatient programs
were still actively participating in recovery counseling 16 weeks later.



In 2007, Advanced Medical Center's fully-trained staff became one of
only 60 practices nationwide to offer the PROMETA(R) program for treatment
of alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamine dependence. This
medically-supervised treatment program is designed to address both the
neurochemical imbalances in the brain and some of the nutritional deficits
caused or worsened by chronic substance abuse.



Ellison's PROMETA(R) program begins with a complete physical exam. The
medically-supervised treatment encompasses oral and IV medications
administered on three consecutive daily visits of about two hours each,
plus two additional treatments approximately three weeks after the initial
treatment. At-home prescription medications are also used for approximately
one month. Nutritional supplements and counseling, based on nutritional
guidelines for patients in recovery, are provided to establish healthy
dietary habits designed to support recovery. Initial psychological
counseling is offered immediately, based on a comprehensive assessment by
Ellison, and may include individual, group or any form of 12-step or
faith-based programs.



Ellison is a leading family and addiction medicine practitioner in
Tempe, Arizona, with more than 25 years of experience. A fellow of the
American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Ellison is a recognized leader
in the field and offers a unique integrated approach to health care. Board
Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Ellison has served
on a number of professional organizations including the Maricopa County
Board of Medical Directors and the Maricopa County Medical Grievance
Committee.



Dr. Ellison is currently a member of the Arizona Medical Association,
the American Society of Addictive Medicine and American Academy of Family
Practice. He is also the chairman of the Desert Physicians Association.


Advanced Medical Center

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