Half of Seth's Office...outside of the
frame is another chair, a desk, and plenty
of room for ten people to sit comfortably.
Professional Memberships:
Dr. Wallace is a current member of the following professional organizations:
1. American Psychological Association (APA) www.apa.org
2. Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) www.connpsych.org
3. Connecticut Association of School Psychologists (CASP) www.caspweb.org
4. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) www.nasponline.org
5. American Counseling Association (ACA) www.counseling.org
Dr. Wallace wrote the following article which was published in the CT Psychological
Association Newsletter (Spring 08). Credentials follow the article.
Opiate Dependence in Secondary Schools:
Current Abuse Trends and a Suggested Treatment Model
Seth W. Wallace, Ph.D., M.S., CAGS, LPC
Wellspring Behavioral Health
Berlin, CT
Drug abuse within secondary schools is reportedly on a ten year decline (NIPH,
2007). Unfortunately, there has been a sharp rise in the number of 11th and 12th
grade students abusing narcotic pain relievers. According to a New York Times
report (Markel, 2005), the number of 12 to 17 year olds abusing the highly
popularized drug, Oxycontin rose 26 percent from 2002 to 2005. A Monitoring of the
Future report, a thirty-three year old ongoing longitudinal study of teenage drug use
conducted by the National Institutes of Drug Abuse in conjunction with the University
of Michigan, indicates that 5.5 percent of all high school seniors have abused
Oxycontin. Opiate dependent clients in My practice have explained that the euphoric
“high” produced by Oxycontin and other opiate based medications is as behaviorally
reinforcing as heroin itself. In fact, a common street name for Oxycontin is “heroin in a
pill.” Locally, this trend has led to increased numbers of opiate dependent students in
need of the professional treatment My office helps provide.
Typical substance abuse treatment is generally conceptualized as a twenty-eight day
stay within a residential treatment center followed by active participation in the twelve-
step process. Unfortunately, this method has proven ineffective for many opiate
dependent individuals. Full physiological recovery from opiate addiction requires the
actual realignment of neuronal pathways and synaptic transmission within the brain, a
process that can take as long as two years. The process of psychological recovery is
also time intensive, usually requiring long-term individual and group counseling.
Consequently agonist therapy has become increasingly more popular. In 2000, the
FDA approved the use of Suboxone (a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone)
in the USA. Suboxone appears to have treatment advantages that the more popular
form of agonist therapy, methadone administration, does not. First, despite being a
partial opioid agonist, Suboxone efficiently fills opiate receptors sites. Thus, when
patients are administered Suboxone the debilitating physiological effects of
withdrawal are avoided. Second, upon filling an opiate receptor, Suboxone effectively
cements the site, thus prohibiting the experience of euphoria if any illicit opiates are
introduced into the system. Third, clients report that Suboxone feels much “lighter”
than methadone, thus enabling clear thinking. Fourth, anecdotal reports indicate that
clients can experience the full range of their feelings. With full access to their
emotional condition, clients can be helped to identify, process, and reconcile any
maladaptive feeling states. Consequently, positive coping, productive problem
solving and enhanced impulse control can be instilled. Fifth, Suboxone can be
prescribed discreetly by numerous physicians within office based practices, negating
the need for daily trips to a methadone clinic, long public waiting lines, and restricted
travel.
Wellspring Behavioral Health (WBH) and the Avon Family Medical Group (AFMG) to
provide comprehensive medical and behavioral treatment for opiate dependence.
After the initial medical induction of Suboxone, AFMG refers Suboxone patients
directly to WBH for assessment and a prudent level of quiet yet productive individual
and group treatment. Clients are not assigned badges, numbers or codes. They are
treated like any other individuals in need of care. Privacy is respected and is a
primary concern. Groups are kept small (8-10 people each) in order to foster
relationships, build trust and encourage emotional intimacy. Although random drug
testing is conducted, results are not punitive. Honesty, relationship, communication,
and a spiritually peaceful environment are prized. In addition, frequent and ongoing
communication with AFMG occurs to ensure that all treatment options; whether
behavioral or medical are considered. This comprehensive treatment model is
proving efficacious. Our patient drop out rate is extremely low and patients are
actively demonstrating productive change within and without of the treatment setting.
Sadly, I am often told that “This treatment just isn’t available elsewhere.” I am hoping
that will change.
In closing, despite its obvious advantages Suboxone is still considered an
inappropriate intervention by many participants involved in twelve step programs.
Suboxone is often criticized for being a “crutch” and some have asserted that those
who take it are not really ‘clean.’ My response is that those taking Suboxone are as
clean as anyone else in Recovery. Suboxone permits the experience of feelings,
doesn’t produce a ‘high,’ and protects patients as they develop the coping skills
necessary for productive living within the real word. Addiction is lethal and kills when
it can. Therefore Suboxone is as appropriate for opiate addicts as is insulin for
diabetics or blood thinners for heart patients. Suboxone is one of the most effective
treatments yet developed in our society’s war with addiction. More professionals and
potential patients should become familiar with this treatment option.
Seth W. Wallace, Ph.D., M.S., LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School
Psychologist with post doctoral training in group therapy for buprenorphine patients. Dr.
Wallace can be reached for questions or commentary by calling WBH at 860-829-8963 or by
visiting www.wellspringbehavioralhealth.com. Readers are also encouraged to visit the National
Association for the Advocacy of Buprenorphine Treatment at www.naabt.org
Wellspring Behavioral Health is a Provider of Professional Counseling
Services and is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health
(DPH). Our designated license number is 001604.
Dr. Wallace's Connecticut State Board of Education Certification Number as
a School Psychologist is 070.
Upon request clients or insurance entities may also review Dr. Wallace's
CAQH number and his National Provider Identification (NPI) number.
Credentials
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