Patient FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does the ExecuCare Addiction Recovery Center offer?
What differentiates ExecuCare ARC from other alcohol and drug treatment programs?
Why is ExecuCare ARC an effective alternative for business professionals?
Who will staff ExecuCare ARC?
What is the process for seeking treatment at ExecuCare ARC?
After treatment, what can clients expect?
What is the Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR) treatment used at ExecuCare ARC?
What are neurotransmitters?
Do the amino acids address multiple addictions?
How long has this treatment been used? How safe and effective is it?
Does this treatment have long-lasting results?
Who is Dr. William Hitt?
Why is an investment firm owner opening an addiction recovery center?
Why did Mike Sanders select this particular treatment?
Why did Mike decide to open ExecuCare ARC in the Atlanta area?
Will this be the only Execucare ARC in the United States?

The Center

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About 97% of all treatment centers today are based on the 12- step approach to addiction and concentrate solely on the psychological and social aspects of the disease. ExecuCare ARC is the first recovery center in the state of Georgia to treat the physical form of the disease of addiction. Our NTR treatment is the process in which the brain’s neurotransmitters are brought back into balance, allowing the brain to function as it did prior to the physical dependency on alcohol or drugs. The NTR treatment speeds up the healing process and eliminates cravings while minimizing withdrawal symptoms.

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ExecuCare ARC understands the challenges faced by busy professionals. Most traditional addiction recovery treatments can be lengthy and disruptive, but ExecuCare ARC’s discreet, outpatient treatment lasts only 10 days and allows clients to return home or to their hotel at night. While receiving the intravenous amino acids, clients can relax in a room equipped with a flat screen television, DVD player, a wide selection of movies, satellite channels, and iPods. The client can also choose to work and utilize wireless internet access, a conference room or a private office. Withdrawal symptoms are minimal and most will experience significant reduction in cravings within a few days. This enables a busy professional to resume personal and business activities almost immediately upon completion of the treatment.

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The clinic director will meet with each client personally and explain the process in detail. In addition, a registered nurse is on staff at the center to administer the amino acids to clients under the direction of an attending physician. ExecuCare ARC also has a certified addiction counselor on staff as well as access to an expansive network of counselors, including family counselors, psychologists, fitness and nutrition consultants, and other allied professionals.

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Clients should contact ExecuCare ARC and schedule a consultation with the center’s director for a complete review of the NTR treatment. Then the client will meet with a registered nurse to provide a complete list of drugs used and all necessary background information. Next, an appointment will be scheduled for a doctor’s screening and lab work. The medical information will be forwarded to the William Hitt Center and a protocol will be formulated for that individual. In the meantime, the client will consult with one of the counselors in the ExecuCare ARC network, and the 10-day outpatient service will be scheduled. Under doctor’s orders, a registered nurse will administer the amino acid formulation daily for the period of time prescribed. During the treatment, the client will consult with counselors and doctors. After the treatment, the client will follow up with a psychologist and ExecuCare ARC’s experts to ensure optimal results.

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Following the 10-day outpatient treatment, clients will no longer be physically addicted and may resume their normal business and personal activities. While this treatment addresses the physical component of addiction, clients still need to address underlying psychological issues that often lead to substance abuse. ExecuCare ARC believes that the physical form of the disease must be treated first, which restores clarity of mind and will better prepare individuals for life changes that promote recovery.

• Individual, group and family psychotherapy
• Affinity and other social groups
• Nutrition and exercise programs
• AA, NA and/or other 12-step programs

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The Treatment

Whether alcohol, prescription or street drugs, they share one thing in common, they over-stimulate certain neurotransmitter receptors (nerves) found in the human brain. This is why they are desirable and addicting, but also why they cause lasting damage and deep dependency. Once the alcohol and/or drugs are withdrawn, amino acids can actually rebuild and repair these areas of the brain.

The NTR treatment is the process in which the brain’s neurotransmitters are brought back into balance, allowing the brain to function as it did prior to the physical dependency on alcohol or drugs. The NTR treatment, which is administered intravenously, relies on a special formulation of amino acids, minerals and vitamins, designed to penetrate blood brain barriers and restore the brain quicker than the body can do so naturally. This treatment speeds up the healing process and eliminates cravings while minimizing withdrawal symptoms.

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Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that mediate mood, emotion, thought, behavior, motivation, and memories. They are manufactured in the brain’s neurons from amino acids.

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Yes. The NTR treatment will simultaneously treat addiction to one or a combination of alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as nicotine. It is essential to complete the full 10 days of outpatient treatment to successfully overcome the physical addictions to these substances. Some addictions might require a few follow-up treatments.

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The NTR treatment was developed by Dr. William Hitt, an award-winning physician and scientist, more than 20 years ago. The formulations used in the NTR process contain only amino acids, the natural building blocks of all the cells in the body, minerals and vitamins. These formulations are administered intravenously over a 10-day, outpatient period by a registered nurse under a doctor’s supervision. There are no drugs used in the treatment that may cause negative side effects. Over 15,000 patients have been treated with a better than 80% success rate.

NTR is effective at breaking the addiction cycle for all drugs, street and prescription, and alcohol. In 10 days, the person is no longer physically addicted and is free from the cravings, which are the biggest obstacle to a successful recovery.

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While this treatment restores the body physically from the damage of alcohol and drugs, long-term success depends on the client and their avoidance of addictive substances. They still have a greater susceptibility and therefore must avoid all substances with potential for addiction. In addition, counseling is a key component as it impacts behavior and the source of the alcohol and drug abuse.

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Dr. William Hitt is an award-winning physician and scientist who developed the process of restoring neurotransmitters after many years of extensive research with amino acids and cell cultures. In the mid-1980s, he completed his research in Mexico and began offering it at the invitation of the Mexican Government and with the support of the World Health Organization. A doctor of medicine and surgery, Dr. Hitt is an international member of the both the American Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Psychiatric Association. He has served as Director of Medical Research at Baltimore Biological Laboratories in Baltimore, Maryland and the Cappell Laboratories in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Since 1982, he has been researching the medical treatment of chemical dependency and more specifically the brain neurotransmitter receptor imbalances.

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The Founder

Mike Sanders, ExecuCare ARC’s founder, has built a successful investment firm during the past 23 years. However, his long-time addiction to alcohol and more recent addiction to OxyContin and Xanax jeopardized his business and personal life. This treatment developed by Dr. William Hitt turned Mike’s life around. More than a year and a half later, Mike’s investment firm continues to thrive; he is alcohol and drug free, and committed to making this unique NTR treatment more broadly available to others. (Click here to read Mike Sanders's bio)

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Mike sought treatment in January 2005, when his addictions were seriously affecting both his business and family life. As a successful business owner and leader in the community, he searched for an alternative treatment to the typical long-term rehabilitation options. In particular, he wanted to avoid the sometimes negative repercussions associated with more traditional treatments. With assistance from his wife, he discovered NTR, an amino acid treatment, offered by a clinic in Louisiana that effectively treated his addictions in the course of 10 days. This treatment, developed by Dr. William Hitt, repaired the damaged areas of his brain and made it possible for Mike to improve almost immediately.

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Hurricane Katrina and almost a year of sobriety brought Mike the opportunity to temporarily relocate to his hometown of Atlanta and open an addiction recovery center. He is committed to making this NTR treatment more broadly available to other business executives. Atlanta doesn’t currently have an addiction recovery facility that offers anything like the NTR treatment used at ExecuCare ARC.

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Mike and his wife, Kevin, are personally financing the Atlanta-based ExecuCare Addiction Recovery Center. It is their hope to open additional centers in the future; however, their immediate focus will be on making their first center a successful one.

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Click Here for more information or to schedule a free and confidential consultation.