Questions To Consider When Seeking Drug And Alcohol Treatment
One of the primary goals of drug and alcohol treatment is to assist individuals to
attain long-term physical and emotional sobriety and maintain healthy family, social and work relationships. Unfortunately, "one size" does not fit all and those seeking drug and alcohol treatment should seek a treatment center that provides individualized care for the drug and alcohol addict.Treatment outcomes are dependent on several factors and this article seeks to address core concerns that an individual seeking drug and alcohol treatment should consider. From a broad perspective, the following are some factors that determine drug and alcohol treatment outcomes:
How severe is the drug addict or alcoholics problem, is dual-diagnosis an issue;
Is the individual appropriate for treatment as defined by ASAM;
Are additional services, such as psychiatric services, available for concurrent management by the drug and alcohol treatment team;
Does a family component exist during treatment?
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center
An important question to ask when determining the appropriateness of drug and alcohol treatment is whether or not the center utilizes evidence-based modalities of treatment. Some of the treatments are as follows:
Behavioral therapies vary in focus and may involve:
Evaluating whether the individual is motivated to change;
Incentive based systems to stop using drugs and alcohol;
Developing skills to reduce drug and alcohol usage;
Replacement of drug and alcohol type behavior and activities with more productive and rewarding activities;
Improving the ability to handle stress and solve problems; and
Increased ability to communicate and develop personal relationships.
Behavioral Therapies often used in Drug and alcohol Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBTassists individuals with avoidance and coping mechanisms for dealing with drug usage situations. Additionally, the technique attempts to reframe distorted messages that the addict or alcoholic may have and that are reducing their chances of success.
Motivational Incentives in Drug and alcohol Treatment Uses positive reinforcement such as providing rewards or privileges for remaining drug free, for participating in counseling sessions, or for taking treatment medications as prescribed.
Motivational Interviewing During drug and alcohol treatment Uses strategies to encourage rapid and self-driven behavior change to stop drug use and help a patient enter treatment.
Group Therapy Helps patients face their drug abuse realistically, come to terms with its harmful consequences, and boost their motivation to stay drug free. Patients learn how to resolve their emotional and personal problems without abusing drugs.
Is the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program Individualized?
Drug and alcohol Treatment should address individual needs of the patient. No two individuals are exactly alike and one-size does NOT fit every patient.
Individuals or family members that are seeking treatment or drug and alcohol treatment for them or a family member should attempt to match the treatment center facility to the individual. It is critical that the drug or alcohol center offer individualized care that meets the needs of differing individuals.
The best programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet a patient's needs. In addition to drug abuse treatment, a patient may require other medical services, family therapy, parenting support, job training, and social and legal services.
Finally, because addictive disorders and other mental disorders often occur together, a person with one of these conditions should be assessed for the other. And when these problems co-occur, treatment should address both (or all conditions).
Below is a chart, adapted from the National Institute on Drug Abuse that summarizes some of the favorable components of drug and alcohol treatment. It is important that individuals seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and need treatment; evaluate some of the following components of the treatment program they are researching:
Components of Comprehensive Drug Abuse Treatment
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The best programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet a patient's needs.
by: David Kolker