Addictions Resources

Although addiction treatment programs differ, the basic elements are similar. Most treatment programs include some or all of the following:

Assessment – All good substance abuse treatment begins with a clinical assessment of a person’s needs. This assessment helps in the development of an effective treatment plan. Assessment should be ongoing throughout the program and the plan should change as a the patients needs change.

Medical Care – Some drug treatment programs can provide medical care on site. Medical care typically includes screening and treatment of hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other health related concerns. Programs that do not provide care on site should be able to refer the patient to quality care.

Treatment Plan – The treatment team, along with the person in treatment develops a treatment plan based on the assessment. A treatment plan is a written guide to treatment that includes the person’s goals, treatment activities designed to help meet those goals, ways to tell whether a goal has been met, and a timeline for meeting goals. The addiction treatment plan helps both the person in treatment and treatment program staff stay focused. As stated earlier the treatment plan should adjust over time as the patients needs are reassessed.

Group and Individual Counseling – At first individual counseling generally focuses on motivating the person to stop using drugs or alcohol. Treatment then shifts to helping the person stay drug and alcohol free. The counselor attempts to help the person to:

1. See the problem and become motivated to change
2. Change his or her behavior
3. Repair damaged relationships with family and friends
4. Build new friendships with people who don’t use drugs
5. create a recovery lifestyle

Group counseling may be different in each program, but group members usually support and try to help one another cope with live without using drugs or alcohol. They Share their experiences, talk about their problems and feelings, and find out that they are not alone.

Individual Assignments - People in drug abuse treatment may be asked to read certain things, listen to audiotapes, watch videos, complete written assignments, and try new behaviors.

Education About Substance Use Disorders – Patients learn about the symptoms and the effect so of drug use on the brain and body. They also learn what makes addiction a disease and how to manage this illness.

Life Skills Training - The training can include learning and practicing employment skills, communication skills, leisure activities, social skills, communication skills, anger management, goal setting, and money and time management.

Testing for Drug and Alcohol Use – Program staff members regularly take urine or saliva samples from people for drug testing.

Relapse Prevention Training – Relapse prevention training teaches people how to identify their relapse triggers, ho to cope with cravings, how to develop plans for handling stressful situations, and what to do if they relapse.

Orientation to Self-Help Groups – Participants in self-help groups support and encourage one another to become or stay drug and alcohol free. Twelve-step programs are probably the best known of the self-help groups; however, there are others.

Treatment for Emotional Problems – Many people with a substance use disorder also have emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or post traumatic stress disorder. Treating both the substance abuse and mental illness increases the chance that the person will recover.

Family Education and Counseling Services – This education can help family members understand the disease and its causes, effects and treatment. Family members should participate as fully as possible in the family counseling the program offers.

Adapted from: What is Substance Abuse Treatment? Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 04-3955.