NICASA NFP
(847) 433-1303
www.nicasa.org
1724 1st Street
Highland Park IL 60035

Rehab Locator

Substance abuse treatment services
Services Provided: Substance abuse treatment
Type of Care: Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups: DUI/DWI offenders

Effective Treatment Approaches

Medication and behavioral therapy, especially when combined, are important elements of an overall therapeutic process that often begins with detoxification, followed by treatment and relapse prevention. Easing withdrawal symptoms can be important in the initiation of treatment. Preventing relapse is necessary for maintaining its effects. However, episodes of relapse may require a return to prior treatment components. A continuum of care that includes a customized treatment regimen addressing all aspects of the life of a patient with addition, including medical and mental health services and follow up options like community or family-based recovery support systems, is crucial to the success of a patient in recovery because it helps the patient achieve and maintain a life free of drugs.

Podiatry

Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. In the United States, two groups of physicians mainly provide medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle: podiatrists and orthopedists. Podiatrists are certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery or certified in Foot Surgery and certified in Reconstructive Rear foot/Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and are specifically trained to diagnose and perform complex surgical treatments of the foot and ankle. They are an integral part of the health care team, and combined with all other podiatric physicians, currently treat the majority of foot-related medical issues in the U.S. Orthopedists are the second largest providers of foot-related medical care. Each board-certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgeon has a professional doctoral degree, which requires the completion of four years of Podiatric Medical School. The Podiatric Medical School curriculum covers basic and clinical sciences, including, but not limited to: general anatomy, pathology, biochemistry, pharmacology, general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, behavioral sciences, and ethics. Unlike MD and DO medical schools, the Podiatric Medical School curriculum also provides intensive foot and ankle “specialty” specific education beginning in the first year. They have completed a post-graduate Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency. While current Podiatric Residency models range from two to three years, the majority of graduates complete three years of podiatric surgical training and some continue on to do fellowships. This training follows a four-year undergraduate college degree. The first year of podiatric medical school is somewhat similar to training that physicians receive, but with a limited scope on foot, ankle, and lower extremity problems. As a second entry degree, for admission an applicant must first complete a minimum of 90 semester hours at the university level and/or complete a bachelor's degree. A residency follows the four-year podiatric medical school, which is hands-on post-doctoral training. There are two standard residencies named Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. These represent the two- or three-year residency training. Podiatric residents rotate through all main areas of medicine such as emergency, pediatric, internal medicine, and general surgery and of course podiatry — both clinic and surgical. During these rotations, attending podiatrists train the resident physicians in medicine and surgery. Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgeons certified have successfully completed an intense board certification process comparable to that undertaken by individual MD and DO specialties. Certification involves written, oral, and computer-based patient simulation questions, in addition to submission of surgical case logs. Prerequisites for board qualification in Foot and Reconstructive Rear foot /Ankle Surgery require successful completion of a three-year podiatric surgical program and passing a written examination. Board certification in Foot Surgery is a prerequisite for board certification in Reconstructive Rear foot / Ankle Surgery. A candidate must pass both the written, oral, and computer-based patient simulation questions in Foot Surgery as well as the written, oral, and computer-based patient simulation questions in Reconstructive Rear foot /Ankle Surgery. Certification requires submission of 65 cases for certification in Foot Surgery and an additional 30 cases for certification in Reconstructive Rear foot/Ankle Surgery, for 95 cases. Certification requires four years of post-degree clinical experience before taking the certification examination. Additionally, must re-certify every 10 years to maintain their board-certified status, although some members who were certified prior to 1991 undergo a "self-test" examination, essentially circumventing taking the written exam all others must take in order to become re-certified. In the United States, the previous titles used for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree were Doctor of Surgical Chiropody (DSC) and Doctor of Podiatry. Podiatry in the U.S. currently encompasses a broader spectrum of practice than it used to. Podiatrists can now perform medical and surgical procedures in all 50 states, though the specific scope of practice varies slightly in each state. History The professional care of feet was in existence in ancient Egypt as evidenced by bas-relief carvings at the entrance to Ankmahor's tomb dating from about 2400 BC with the depiction of work on hands and feet. Hippocrates recognized the need to reduce hard skin, described as corns and calluses. He invented skin scrapers for this purpose and these were the original scalpels. Aulus Cornelius Celsus, a Roman scientist and philosopher, was probably responsible for giving corns their name. Later Paul of Aegina (AD 615-690) defined a corn as "a white circular body like the head of a nail, forming in all parts of the body, but more especially on the soles of the feet and the toes.” Until the turn of the 20th century, chiropodists—now known as podiatrists—were separate from organized medicine. They were independently licensed physicians who treated the feet, ankles, and related leg structures.

Jock Itch

Tinea cruris is the scientific name for a fungal infection in the groin region. An official alternative name is jock itch. As the common name for this condition implies, it causes itching or a burning sensation in the groin area, thigh skin folds or anus. It may involve the inner thighs and genital areas, as well as extending back to the perineum and perianal areas. Affected areas may appear red, tan and brown, with flaking, rippling, peeling, or cracking skin. The acute infection begins at an area in the groin fold measuring about a half-inch across, and usually presents on both sides. The area may enlarge, and other sores may develop in no particular pattern. The rash appears as raised red plaques (plate-like areas) and scaly patches with sharply defined borders that may blister and ooze. If the rash advances, it usually advances down the inner thigh. The advancing edge is redder and more raised than areas affected for longer. The advancing edge is usually scaly, and very easily distinguished or well demarcated. The skin within the border turns a reddish-brown and loses much of its scale. The border may exhibit tiny pimples or even pustules, with central areas that are reddish and dry with small scales. If infected with candidal organisms, the rash tends to be redder and wetter. Opportunistic infections (infections that are caused by a diminished immune system) are frequent. Fungus from other parts of the body (commonly tinea pedis or "athlete's foot") can contribute to jock itch. A warm, damp environment allowing the fungus to cultivate greatly contributes to the infection, especially with sweaty or tight clothing such as a jockstrap.