What Are The Key Elements Of A Substance Abuse Treatment Plan
#1- Diagnostic summary: The therapist studies your medical history, substance abuse patterns, and other necessary health conditions to create your treatment plan.
#2- Identifying problem statements: A problem statement is a clinical report on issues the patient needs treatment for, assessed by their behavior. A problem statement can be cannot stop drinking. Your therapist will also need to attach evidence to prove the problem statements. For instance, for uncontrolled alcohol consumption, evidence can be DWI arrests, heavy drinking behavior over the observational week, etc.
#3- Goals: Next step is to come up with an aim to achieve through the treatment. Goals are vague and brief and only define what needs to be done and not how you should do it. For instance, for a problem statement about uncontrolled alcohol consumption, the goals can be abstinence from alcohol consumption and developing healthy habits.
#4- Defining objectives: Objectives are methods and steps that you need to take to achieve your goals in the treatment. Objectives should be SMART-
S- Specific
A- Attainable
R- Relevant
T- Time-limited
#5- Interventions: The doctors, therapists, and other staff members provide interventions to the client to achieve their objectives. They can include participating in a local support group led by a counselor, resolving barriers to attendance, etc.
Dont Let Relapse Keep You Down
Relapse is a common part of the recovery process from drug addiction. While relapse is frustrating and discouraging, it can be an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, identify additional triggers, and correct your treatment course.
What causes relapse?
Different triggers can put you at risk of relapsing into old patterns of substance use. While specific causes of relapse differ from person to person, some common triggers include:
- Negative emotional state
- Positive emotional state
- Physical discomfort
- Trying to test your personal control
- Strong temptation or urge
- Social pressure
The important thing to remember is that relapse doesnt mean drug treatment failure. Dont give up. Call your sponsor, talk to your therapist, go to a meeting, or schedule an appointment with your doctor. When youre sober again and out of danger, look at what triggered the relapse, what went wrong, and what you could have done differently. You can choose to get back on the path to recovery and use the experience to strengthen your commitment.
Substance Abuse Withdrawal Treatment Goals
First, the patient must exhibit an absence or reduction of withdrawal symptoms to the point of no longer needing intensive medical management. Closely related is goal two medical issues should be under control such that medical monitoring is no longer necessary or can be handled somewhere other than an inpatient medical facility. In addition, the patient should obtain a primary care physician, identify any unresolved medical or dental issues that had been neglected during the period of addiction, and develop a plan for maintaining health and wellness going forward.
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Short Term Goals In Addiction Recovery
An ancient Chinese proverb says, the man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. When a person coming out of active addiction looks at the task ahead of him or her it can be very daunting. But finding the small stones, or the immediate or short term goals, makes the journey seem less intimidating. These are 6 examples of immediate and short-term goals to set after drug rehab: Discard all of your drug or alcohol-related items. Maybe you had a few flasks or bottles hidden in your home, your car, or even the desk draw of your office. Perhaps you had needles, spoons, ties, lighters even empty pill bottles littered in coat pockets, purses, or cabinets. All of these serve as reminders of your past preventing you from looking forward and focusing on your goals. No matter how strong you may feel at this moment, these items can be triggers in weaker moments, and will remind you of what you brain may be craving. Delete your dealers contact info. Even though you may be fresh out of drug addiction rehab, people you once smoked or used with are still out there and theyre still using. Theyre in your stored contact numbers and your text messages, just waiting for you to answer. Delete, block and distance yourself even if it means getting a new phone and a new number.
How Are Medications And Devices Used In Drug Addiction Treatment
Medications and devices can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and treat co-occurring conditions.
Withdrawal. Medications and devices can help suppress withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. Detoxification is not in itself “treatment,” but only the first step in the process. Patients who do not receive any further treatment after detoxification usually resume their drug use. One study of treatment facilities found that medications were used in almost 80 percent of detoxifications . In November 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted a new indication to an electronic stimulation device, NSS-2 Bridge, for use in helping reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. This device is placed behind the ear and sends electrical pulses to stimulate certain brain nerves. Also, in May 2018, the FDA approved lofexidine, a non-opioid medicine designed to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Relapse prevention. Patients can use medications to help re-establish normal brain function and decrease cravings. Medications are available for treatment of opioid , tobacco , and alcohol addiction. Scientists are developing other medications to treat stimulant and cannabis addiction. People who use more than one drug, which is very common, need treatment for all of the substances they use.
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Learn How Effective Drug Addiction Treatment Is
John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health .
Aaron Johnson is a fact checker and expert on qualitative research design and methodology.
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The primary goal of drug addiction treatment is to help a person with addiction stop using their drug of choice. Once this occurs, treatment transitions into helping these individuals remain drug-free by taking the steps needed to prevent a relapse.
But how effective is drug addiction treatment for achieving these goals? The answer to this question depends, in part, on how effectiveness is measured.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Find Out If Your Insurance Plan Covers Alcohol Or Drug Addiction Treatment
American Addiction Centers can help people recover from alcohol or drug misuse and substance use disorders. To find out if your insurance covers treatment for you or your loved one at an American Addiction Centers facility, , or fill out the form below. Your information is kept 100% confidential. You can also click here to find a rehab near me.
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They Help You To Focus On The Future
No one has the ability to go back in time to change past events, no matter how much they might want to. As you work with your counselor in your addiction treatment, youll learn how to accept and deal with your past.
Setting personal goals during recovery gives you the chance to start focusing on making the changes that will shape the type of future you want. You may not have thought much of your future during the last months or years, but recovery is a time of fresh starts. You get to think about what you would like to do going forward and what you want your life to look like when it doesnt include alcohol and drugs. Once theyre no longer in the picture, you have room for things that you may not have thought of for some time, or that you may not have even considered before!
Relapse Prevention Treatment Goals
One of the most constructive techniques learned during drug rehab is how to deal with potential relapse. Although recovery has been traditionally seen as an all or nothing endeavor, recent research suggests that relapse is simply a sign that it is time for additional treatment, much like when a cancer patients tumor grows back.
For most patients, remaining totally abstinent from drugs will be the desired recovery outcome. During treatment, these patients will learn how triggers, cravings, and relapse relate to one another and will identify their own drug triggers. They will also learn relapse prevention skills that can be practiced outside of the recovery center such as calling a sponsor or going to an AA meeting when under stress. For some patients, it may be necessary to stop high-risk behaviors or end relationships with people who have yet to stop taking drugs.
The most important goal for recovery may relate to improving the patients home environment so that recovery will be supported and coping skills will be successful. Many patients will learn living habits that promote sobriety and develop relationships within the sober community. In addition, many recovering addicts need to re-learn how to establish and maintain friendships or develop socialization skills. Patients should also be encouraged to develop long-term education and/or career goals.
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Get A Few People To Help
While it is commendable to take on recovery efforts to stop using drugs or alcohol, having a support system makes a difference in whether you achieve your goals. It is challenging to stop using drugs or alcohol completely on your own. Having someone available to talk you through tough times helps you stay away from alcohol or drugs when you feel you need them most. Rely on your support system any time you are feeling unsure about your recovery efforts. Give a phone call to someone on your list so they are there to help you through the feelings you are having. A support system allows you to help others struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction as well.
How Does Cbt Work For Addiction
A CBT session is usually a one-on-one treatment program but can also be conducted with family members or in a group setting. During a session, your therapist will start by gathering information about your background, your emotional state, any triggers, and a history of your disorder.
This will help your therapist find the best way to help you. This research-based therapy will also help you understand yourself more clearly.
In the beginning, you might find it hard to open up about your feelings, but over time you will build trust with your therapist. When conducting therapy for beginners, your therapist will take the time to establish a rapport so you feel comfortable. Remember that your therapist is a confidential, judgment-free guide.
Then, a therapist will try to identify the situations in your life that lead to the addiction. This might be an underlying mental disorder, a traumatic event, or life stress. Whatever the cause, it must first be uncovered to treat it.
Once youve established your problems and your goals, your therapist will ask you about your thought processes. This is how they can help you identify negative, unhelpful, and incorrect thinking. Then you can begin to form new patterns of thinking, so you can change your negative beliefs.
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This Means Your Goals Will Take Into Account Factors Like:
- Personal history with substance abuse and dependence
- Family history of addiction
- Extent of substance dependence
- Mental well-being
Many people share the same goal of total independence from substance abuse. However, working towards smaller, more attainable goals may be more beneficial during your recovery program. Many addiction recovery programs will encourage you to take the recovery process one day at a time. Creating a treatment plan for substance abuse is an important first step towards acheiving these goals.
The ultimate goal of an addiction recovery program is to support you as you embark on a healthier way of life. No-one controls the indefinite future. You can only control your personal actions in any given moment.
Is Treatment Different For Criminal Justice Populations
Scientific research since the mid-1970s shows that drug abuse treatment can help many drug-using offenders change their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards drug abuse avoid relapse and successfully remove themselves from a life of substance abuse and crime. Many of the principles of treating drug addiction are similar for people within the criminal justice system as for those in the general population. However, many offenders dont have access to the types of services they need. Treatment that is of poor quality or is not well suited to the needs of offenders may not be effective at reducing drug use and criminal behavior.
In addition to the general principles of treatment, some considerations specific to offenders include the following:
- Treatment should include development of specific cognitive skills to help the offender adjust attitudes and beliefs that lead to drug abuse and crime, such as feeling entitled to have things ones own way or not understanding the consequences of ones behavior. This includes skills related to thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering.
- Treatment planning should include tailored services within the correctional facility as well as transition to community-based treatment after release.
- Ongoing coordination between treatment providers and courts or parole and probation officers is important in addressing the complex needs of offenders re-entering society.
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Additional Goals Of Drug Rehab
In addition to the above goals, drug rehab aims to help the addict transition back into society upon completion of the residential drug treatment program. They provide support to addicts, families and loved ones of those who suffer from addiction. Many also provide specialized services such as womens counseling, therapy for sexual addictions or sexual abuse, marriage and relationship counseling and various other services to meet the diverse needs of every patient.
The First Step To Overcoming Drug Abuse And Addiction
Developing an addiction to drugs isnt a character flaw or a sign of weakness, and it takes more than willpower to overcome the problem. Abusing illegal or certain prescription drugs can create changes in the brain, causing powerful cravings and a compulsion to use that makes sobriety seem like an impossible goal. But recovery is never out of reach, no matter how hopeless your situation seems or how many times youve tried and failed before. With the right treatment and support, change is always possible.
For many people struggling with addiction, the toughest step toward recovery is the very first one: recognizing that you have a problem and deciding to make a change. Its normal to feel uncertain about whether youre ready to start recovery, or if you have what it takes to quit. If youre addicted to a prescription drug, you may be concerned about how youre going to find an alternate way to treat a medical condition. Its okay to feel torn. Committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including:
- the way you deal with stress
- who you allow in your life
- what you do in your free time
- how you think about yourself
- the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take
Its also normal to feel conflicted about giving up your drug of choice, even when you know its causing problems in your life. Recovery requires time, motivation, and support, but by making a commitment to change, you can overcome your addiction and regain control of your life.
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What Is A Substance Abuse Treatment Plan And What Is Its Aim
A substance abuse treatment plan is a written document with details regarding a clients goals and objectives they want to achieve through the treatment. It is personalized and fluid so that it can change according to each patients progress over time. The patient and the provider mutually agree on the discussed plans.
Identifying Drug Use And Problem Behavior
One of the hardest goals is also one of the most important, knowing what to look for when you have concerns about someones drug use. Being able to help a friend or loved one identify and overcome their addiction all starts by knowing theres a problem.
Some ways to spot repeated drug use is through changes in their behavior. Users often begin to self-isolate and push everyone away that isnt related to their forming habit. Those suffering from full drug addiction may not be seen outside of settings where drugs are involved as their life becomes centered around them. Were available for free and confidential consultations to discuss any concerns you may have.
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Staying Organized With Icanotes
Besides being a critical and effective way to treat clients, developing and documenting an addiction treatment plan follows strict rules among insurance companies and federal health agencies. Documenting what the problem is and the solutions you have developed is essential for maintaining transparency and good business practices.
Developing treatment plans can be challenging simply because it takes time to document everything. ICANotes provides the tools your practice needs to improve efficiency and stay organized. You’ll spend less time on paperwork and more time spent helping clients.
How Does Family Therapy Work
A healthy family takes work, especially when a household deals with addiction. Family therapy focuses on dynamics that contribute to addictive behavior, helps members overcome resistance to change, destroys barriers to communication, and helps family members interact in a positive way. Therapists also have an obligation to make sure members of a household, especially children and teens, are safe from harm and neglect.3
Family sessions take a variety of forms, including the following:
- Private family sessions involving a therapist and one or more family members
- Group sessions with patients and their loved ones
- Intensive family education sessions
- Individual counseling for spouses and children of recovering addicts
- 12-Step meetings for the families of addicts, such as Al-Anon and Alateen
There are several popular treatment models in family addiction treatment. Some of the most effective use the following widely used therapeutic strategies:
No matter which treatment model a therapist uses, therapy focuses on how the family functions as a system, creating both positive and negative outcomes through interactions. Creating positive interactions is the ultimate goal of family sessions.
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