Addiction is a disease. Like any disease, the only way to fight it is with a medical treatment plan and the support and resources of medical professionals. While all patients are unique, an example of a treatment plan at Crestview Recovery can help explain the typical process of recovery from addiction.
Need to know more about addiction treatment programs? Call us today at 866.262.0531.
5 Key Steps in an Addiction Treatment Plan
Any effective addiction treatment plan will contain the following steps:
1. Commit to Abstinence
An integral part of the recovery process is understanding the nature of addiction and how you can beat it. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as moderate consumption once addiction is a problem in your life. An alcoholic can’t safely have a couple of drinks because it will often lead to a slippery slope of relapse.
That’s why one of the first steps of drug and alcohol addiction treatment has to be a commitment to abstinence. It’s vital that this is one of the first elements of the process because all patients need to understand what it will take today, and in the years to come, to achieve lasting sobriety.
2. Enroll in a Detox Facility
After deciding to commit to sobriety, and preparing for the beginning of treatment, detox is typically the next step. Often, it’s best to enroll in a detox program independent from rehab programs. This way, the detox facility can be exclusively committed to the health and recovery of patients in the short term.
Detox can last different lengths of time depending on the individual as well as his or her addictive substance of choice. On average, however, detox lasts for just a week. After completion, patients can move along in their treatment plan and begin the real work of recovering from addiction.
3. Begin an Addiction Treatment Plan
After detox, patients are able to choose and enroll in an addiction treatment program that best meets their needs. There is a variety of more flexible options that can appeal to patients. Some of these choices include the following:
- Outpatient drug rehab programs
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Extended care addiction treatment
Whatever type of addiction program an individual chooses, the treatment plan will focus on the same elements. These elements include individual behavioral therapy, relapse prevention, holistic approaches, and regaining fulfillment in life.
Treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy and group therapy are evidence-based, tested approaches for the treatment of addiction. They have proven results, and they’re almost always a critical component of a treatment plan. Where plans can vary is with additional modalities that are more experimental or holistic in nature.
The scientific community may not universally accept approaches like art therapy, but there’s no denying their effectiveness in many cases. The highest quality rehab centers include these alternative treatment methods in order to help patients feel fulfilled, happy, and confident in all areas of life.
4. Address any Mental Health Concerns
Since many patients struggle with mental health concerns as well as substance abuse disorders, addiction programs also place an emphasis on mental health. The two are very often linked, so it makes sense to offer dual diagnosis treatment as a part of most plans for addiction recovery.
Common mental health issues related to addiction include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Each of these concerns can be managed with the proper combination of therapy and medication. In some cases, medications can help reduce cravings for drugs or alcohol so that an individual is capable of engaging with his or her treatment plan more effectively.
5. Create a Relapse Prevention Plan
Relapse is an unfortunate and very real part of the recovery process for many patients. While it’s not ideal, addiction specialists can prepare individuals for any relapse events that may occur in the future. This is why relapse prevention plans are a critical element of every treatment plan.
When creating a relapse prevention plan, patients learn to recognize their own triggers and how they can avoid them. They also identify how to address cravings when they occur, build a strong community of support, and practice healthy coping mechanisms.
Building a relapse prevention plan is a crucial part of addiction recovery because it helps individuals prepare for any future challenges that come along in their journey. With a plan, individuals can have confidence in their sobriety and know that they’re not alone.
Get the Help You Need From Crestview Recovery
The best rehab and recovery centers place an emphasis on quality treatment plans. To free yourself from active addiction, consider treatment at Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon. Call 866.262.0531 to explore your treatment options and start living your life free from addiction.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
