Latest news with #Amerigroup
Time Business News
02-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
The Psychology of Relapse: Understanding the Cycle
Relapse is not merely a lapse in willpower; it is a complex psychological event rooted in deep-seated behavioral patterns. It is the unexpected resurgence of old habits after a period of abstinence, often shadowed by shame and frustration. At its core, relapse is a psychological entanglement—a deceptive loop that quietly beckons those in recovery back into the clutches of their addiction. Committed to Accessible Health Solutions Finding the right healthcare coverage is essential for individuals and families seeking quality medical support. For New Jersey residents, Amerigroup NJ offers a comprehensive range of Medicaid-managed care plans that focus on preventive services, mental health resources, and chronic disease management. Their network of providers supports diverse health needs across the state, ensuring accessible and reliable care. From primary doctor visits to specialized treatments, their programs are designed to support underserved populations, including children, seniors, and those with disabilities. With a strong community focus, Amerigroup helps bridge the gap between healthcare access and long-term well-being. Relapse rarely emerges from a vacuum. It unfurls from a silent sequence of psychological triggers, typically commencing with emotional turbulence. A simple feeling—anxiety, sadness, even complacency—can act as the first tremor in this cycle. Emotional discomfort grows, gradually eroding one's defenses. This instability invites the mental obsession, a treacherous phase where the mind crafts elaborate justifications. 'Just once,' whispers the inner saboteur. Old habits, once dormant, resurface with a seductive veneer of comfort. The individual may find themselves magnetized toward these former patterns, almost hypnotically. In the earliest stage, emotional relapse is often disguised beneath a facade of functionality. The individual may not be consciously thinking about using, yet they begin to neglect self-care, suppress emotions, and isolate from supportive networks. Irritability, restlessness, and persistent unease creep in quietly. Soon, mental relapse surfaces with palpable intensity. The mind oscillates between the desire to stay clean and the yearning for relief through substance use. Rationalizations multiply, bargaining ensues, and intrusive thoughts begin to dominate the psyche. This psychological combat becomes exhausting, draining the resolve. Physical relapse is the culmination. It is the tangible act of using again, often following prolonged internal conflict. By this point, the individual's defenses have collapsed under the pressure of emotional upheaval and mental bargaining. What seems like a singular decision is, in fact, the end result of a complex, gradual process. Cognitive distortions often undergird the relapse cycle. Catastrophic thinking, black-and-white judgments, and emotional reasoning distort reality, making relapse seem like an inevitable destiny rather than a preventable detour. These mental fallacies corrode self-efficacy and perpetuate the cycle. Self-sabotage frequently lurks beneath conscious awareness. Deep-seated beliefs of unworthiness or failure can create an unconscious gravitational pull toward relapse, almost as if the individual is fulfilling a prophesied downfall. Subconscious programming, often formed from past traumas, subtly steers behaviors that lead to self-destruction. Stress serves as a powerful ignition source for relapse. Life's relentless demands can overwhelm coping capacities, pushing the individual toward familiar but destructive escapes. Isolation compounds this vulnerability, stripping away protective social scaffolding. Environmental cues—people, places, objects—can resuscitate dormant cravings with astonishing speed. Even nostalgia can betray recovery. The mind may romanticize past substance use, conveniently erasing memories of the devastating consequences and preserving only the illusory euphoria. Mindfulness serves as a formidable antidote to relapse. By anchoring oneself in the present moment, individuals can observe cravings without succumbing to them. Cognitive reframing allows for the dismantling of distorted thoughts, replacing them with balanced, reality-based perspectives. Resilience is not an innate trait but a cultivated skill. Emotional regulation—through practices such as journaling, therapy, and relaxation techniques—fortifies the psyche against impulsive reactions. Proactively addressing emotional discomfort closes the gap where relapse typically infiltrates. Support systems act as psychological anchors. Therapeutic alliances—formed with counselors, sponsors, or mentors—create accountability and foster honest dialogue. These relationships can intercept relapse trajectories by providing timely intervention. Community offers more than just companionship; it delivers a profound sense of belonging. Recovery groups, whether formal or informal, provide collective strength and shared wisdom. Within these circles, individuals rediscover connection, often the very thing addiction had methodically eroded. After a single oral dose, fluconazole, commonly known by the brand name Diflucan, remains in the body for an extended period due to its long half-life. Typically, the half-life in healthy adults ranges from 20 to 50 hours, allowing it to stay active in the system for up to 7 days or more. How long does Diflucan stay in your body can vary depending on factors like liver function, age, and kidney health. While the medication's therapeutic effects may diminish after a few days, trace amounts can still be detected in the body for a week or longer. The psychology of relapse is intricate, layered, and deeply human. Understanding the cycle illuminates the covert pathways through which addiction attempts to reassert its dominance. Yet, relapse is not a terminal failure—it is a call for recalibration. Through self-awareness, psychological fortification, and unwavering support, the cycle can be broken, paving the way toward sustained recovery and genuine transformation. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Philips, Amerigroup, CareSource Georgia, and Peach State Health Plan to Address Maternal Health Deserts in Georgia with Innovative Remote Patient Monitoring Technologies
Collaboration aims to help improve access to prenatal and postpartum healthcare and improve outcomes for high-risk pregnancies with maternal hypertension and diabetes CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & ATLANTA, February 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, Amerigroup, CareSource Georgia, and Peach State Health Plan have partnered to provide remote monitoring solutions to expand access to quality healthcare for high-risk pregnancies in the state. In support of the Georgia Healthy Babies Act, the program will initially give pregnant and postpartum people with maternal hypertension and diabetes in 50 counties access to remote patient monitoring. Licensed clinical professionals will provide personalized health coaching to participants, monitoring them and intervening to avoid possible complications. "Amerigroup is proud to collaborate on this important initiative, which aims to significantly improve maternal health outcomes in Georgia through innovative remote monitoring solutions," said Dr. Truddie Darden, Chief Medical Director for Amerigroup Georgia. "Together, we strive to make transformative progress and have a life-changing impact on vulnerable mothers and babies across the state." "Peach State Health Plan is dedicated to moving the needle for Georgian moms by working with strong partners and implementing innovative solutions that support and improve their care," said Laquanda Brooks, Senior Vice President, Population Health and Clinical Operations at Peach State Health Plan. "Through remote patient monitoring and by taking a personalized approach to care, we're better positioned to support mothers and their babies and improve maternity outcomes in Georgia." Maternal healthcare in the U.S. is a national priority, with 62% of pregnancies identified as high risk for unexpected complications [1], including an 81.3% increase in hypertension and 50% in diabetes [2]. Additionally, over 35% [2] of US counties are maternity care deserts and by 2030, the supply of OB-GYNs in non-metro U.S. areas is projected to only meet 50% of demand [3]. In Georgia, Medicaid covers close to 50% of all births and the state ranks 31st of 40 in maternal mortality [4], prompting the state's lawmakers to introduce new bills that increase support for Medicaid-eligible families, including new remote technologies that can provide a lifeline in maternal health deserts. "Our members are working moms, moms who face challenges with childcare or transportation, and moms in rural Georgia who have limited access to healthcare," said Lisa Pennington, senior manager of population health, CareSource Georgia. "By bringing care right to their homes through connected devices, we're offering them timely, personalized healthcare that can make a real difference in the health and well-being of moms and babies, no matter where they live in the state." Pregnant women with maternal hypertension or diabetes who are covered by Medicaid can opt into the program and will receive appropriate monitoring devices. A Philips licensed nurse, dietitian, and certified diabetes care and education specialist will then walk them through how to use the devices as well as schedule coaching calls. The clinicians receive an alert if a participant's blood glucose or blood pressure is out of range and reach out to see if they can help provide coaching, identify additional symptoms, and determine if the participant needs to see their provider. The remote monitoring continues for up to 90 days postpartum. "Philips is committed to improving maternal healthcare and ensuring that all expectant women have access to high-quality prenatal and postpartum care," said Jennifer Law, Maternal Health Leader at Philips. "We enable this through partnerships with innovative organizations like Peach State Health Plan, Amerigroup, and CareSource that share our mission of improving lives. It takes an ecosystem of innovators, providers, payers, and policymakers working together to ensure a healthy pregnancy and start for every mom and child." FOR REPORTERS: Patients, providers and payers are available for interviews. [1] [2] Nowhere to Go: March of Dimes 2024 Maternity Care Deserts Report US[3] Why Health Care Is Harder to Access in Rural America [4] 2024 March of Dimes Report Card for Georgia About Amerigroup GeorgiaAmerigroup Community Care of Georgia helps improve healthcare access and quality for more than 500,000 low-income Georgians by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated, and patient centered. Amerigroup Georgia provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle. For more information about Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, visit About CareSource GeorgiaCareSource is a nonprofit, managed care organization making health care accessible to 430,000 Georgians. The organization offers comprehensive health insurance plans including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare to improve its members' health and well-being. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address social determinants of health, health equity, prevention and access to care. For more, visit us at or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. About Peach State Health PlanPeach State Health Plan is a Care Management Organization that serves the needs of Georgians through a range of health insurance solutions. Peach State Health Plan serves the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® population in partnership with Georgia Families. The organization also focuses on under-insured and uninsured individuals through its federal insurance marketplace plan, Ambetter, and its Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) through WellCare. Peach State Health Plan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information visit About Royal PhilipsRoyal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 67,800 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at *The opinions and clinical experiences presented herein are specific to the featured topic(s) and are not linked to any specific patient and are for information purposes only. The medical experience(s) derived from specified topic(s) may not be predictive of all patients. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors. Nothing in this article is intended to provide specific medical advice or to take the place of written law or regulations. View source version on Contacts For further information, please contact:Avi DinesPhilips North AmericaTel: 781-690-3814Email:
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Free school supplies giveaway
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Ready Set Go Back to School and Amerigroup present 'Repack the Backpack' Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Otis Brock Elementary School. From 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., stop by for free school supplies, community resources, hygiene items and more — while supplies last. The school is located at 1804 Stratford Street in Savannah. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
