ADDICTION TREATMENT PLAN
Addicts usually will not stop using until they have no other choice. A treatment plan is a map specifying where an addict is in recovery, where they need to be, and how they can best use available resources. The treatment plan serves as a basis of shared understanding between the addict and treatment providers where an addict learns what is expected of them in program commitments and attendance.
Treatment plans should address motivation for change. Addicts may have only a vague sense of their own motivation for treatment. However, staying focused on the positive consequences of recovery is an essential aspect of the recovery process. From the first point of intake to the final session, promoting and utilizing motivation should be an upfront aspect of de-addiction treatment.
Assessment of the drug/alcohol use problems
Focus on Personal Strengths
Implementing an Effective Treatment Planning Process
- Evaluation
- Detox
- Counseling and Psychological Support
- Individualized Care
- Group therapy
- Treatment for associated medical and psychiatric illness
- Continuing Care
- Recovery Program
Evaluation:
Addicts are subjected to detailed evaluation through specialists in ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, psychiatry for complete understanding of the addict’s situation. This helps in designing the treatment program.
Detox:
Detox from drugs is done in an assisted format. The patient must be admitted to the detox facility as an inpatient. The purpose is to eliminate the drugs from the body. The sooner this is accomplished, the sooner the cravings will dissipate; however, they will never be completely gone. Many times detox is dangerous, which is why it should always be done in a medically supervised setting.
Most patients do show significant withdrawal symptoms on cessation of addictions at the time of admission. In such cases, appropriate medications are given to control the withdrawal features. Once the withdrawal symptoms are controlled, the patient and relatives have a tendency to leave the treatment programme. Therefore, at this stage the patient and relative have to understand that detoxification is not ‘the’ treatment of addiction and that detoxification does is to prepare the person to begin the recovery process and start the actual treatment for addiction.
Counseling and Psychological Support
Counseling and psychological support must be part of every patient's treatment plan and needs to be done on a regular basis. It is conducted by a trained professional. There needs to be structure, and the counseling has to be formal in order to set plainly clear plans and goals. Cognitive behavior therapy is often used in conjunction with teaching coping skills, motivational interventions, family therapy and coping skills.
Patients need to come for treatment regularly to engage in individual and group counseling. Behavioral treatment is mainly used to change attitudes and behaviors. Healthy life alternatives are taught, as well as the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, to help patients make better choices when they are having the urge to use or are placed in situations that trigger use. It also works with the families of the addicts and teaches them how to trust, forgive and simply how to live with an addict.
Continuing Care is designed to provide additional support and focuses on helping addicts identify and manage relapse warning signs. Emphasis is given for working on issues identified during intensive treatment and develops or improves coping skills to deal with issues that come up in early recovery.
Recovery Program
Addiction is a chronic disease and treatment does not end at the conclusion of the structured treatment. As a task of treatment, each addict is directed to formulate an aftercare plan prior to completion of the initial phase of treatment to improve their potential for lasting recovery.