“Bette I work here and I am only here to help you.”

In a hoarse voice Bette replied, “I don’t need your help anymore in fact I don’t need anything any more except maybe a bottle and a pipe.” She chuckled to her self as the words came out of her mouth.

Tina looked at Bette and her eyes took in the tell tale symptoms of withdrawal more evident in Bette’s body with each passing second. Quickly scanning the paper work that was given to her when Bette arrived she noticed that Bette was over due for her dose of Methadone and Acamprosate to suppress her withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. Moving away from the table she picked up the phone and dialed the charge nurse and ordered both medications to be administered immediately.

“Bette I’ve ordered some medications to stop the withdrawal symptoms. It should make you feel better in a few minutes and then we will continue.”

In walked a nurse with the syringes in her hand walking over to Bette she pulled up her sleeve then stopped and looked up at Tina.

“Dr. Kennard, I don’t think we are going to find a usable vein in her arms to administer the medication.” Tina walked around the table and looked at the horrible needle tracks on Bette’s arm. Reaching for her other arm she was not surprised to find it in the same condition.

“Give her the medication in liquid form until we can get her body more healthy.” Tina said with tightness to her voice.

Moments later the nurse returned and gave Bette the medications from small cups followed by a glass of water.

They sat quietly across the table from each other neither saying a word. Bette’s eye sight never left her hands. Fifteen minutes passed and Tina noticed Bette’s tremors had begun to subside. Knowing she had other patients to see today she pushed forward. “Bette the rules here are simple. While going through treatment you are expected to take all medications and go to all therapy sessions with no resistance. Become violent one time toward the doctors or staff and you will be sent back to jail where you will begin serving a 5 year sentence. While you are here detox medications will be administered to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Our program uses a combination of medication and behavioral therapy as an approach to effective treatment for your addictions. But first I must know what type of drugs and alcohol you are addicted to how much and how often you use them.”