If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol and have finally reached a point where you need professional help in getting clean, then congratulations on being able to admit you have a problem and wanting to find a way to solve it. The physical and mental effects of addiction are far-reaching and there is no shame in feeling you need outside help! Your next step is deciding on a facility—while they all serve the same core function of helping you overcome your addiction, they can vary greatly in things such as their approach and philosophy. Here are just a few helpful tips.
Where to Start Your Search
There are several sources that can give you the names of treatment centers to consider. Talk to your doctor. Get in touch with your insurance company. Ask local mental health clinics, hospital or community health centers for referrals. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services offers an extensive database on their website; you can also call their referral helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. States also have a Substance Abuse Agency, which provides information on centers in the state, hotlines and information about accreditation.
Carefully Consider Your Needs
While everyone in your boat shares the same distinction of being an addict, the situation is a lot more nuanced than that. There are lots of differences amongst you, from the type of environment in which you live to whether you have been diagnosed with any mental conditions, such as depression, an eating disorder, or PTSD. You must choose a center that can help you deal with all the issues you are facing. For example, if you have been diagnosed with any mental health disorder, it is crucial you choose a treatment center that will address this issue as well, and not just the addiction. Whether the disorder, or the addiction came first, they are strongly linked and both must be addressed.
Based on recent research, men and women are likely to suffer from different sets of disorders, optimal treatment outcomes will be achieved when you are in a single sex facility. Prescott House for example only caters to the needs of men.
You also want to consider the guiding philosophies of the various centers at which you are looking. You need to find one that vibes with you. If you are not particularly religious, for example, a treatment program that relies heavily on developing faith in a higher power may not be optimal. If you don’t want to think of yourself as someone who will be battling this disease forever, and prefer to think of this time as a bad blip in the history of your life, you will find some centers offer this more empowering perspective.
Different Treatment Approaches
The different types of strategies typically fall into five broader categories.
The clinical model of care largely focuses on therapeutic strategies. While there is a group therapy component, this module is largely individual, with a strong emphasis on addressing the problems that may have led to your addiction in the first place.
The behavior modification method is not as therapeutic in nature; much of the work is done in groups, and the environment can get quite aggressive and confrontational. By talking through your issues with fellow addicts, you are supposed to effect change in your behavior. Positive behaviors tend to be rewarded in some way, while negative behaviors result are confronted.
The evidence based model of care operates on the premise a treatment program should solely consist of methods based on research; for the most part, this form of treatment focuses on harm reduction, such as providing methadone for heroin addicts.
The integrated model of care is a more flexible form of treatment, where the individual’s particular circumstances are taken into consideration to devise the most effective treatment plan. The main aim is to develop a tailored approach to meeting your spiritual, behavioral, medical, psychiatric, mental, emotional and social needs. It typically combines unique variations of other care models.
The Minnesota Model of Care is based on the 12-step program. During time in treatment, you will be introduced to the first three steps, which include admitting you are powerless over your addiction, you believe a power greater than yourself can restore you and you will be turning over your will and your life to the care of God.
While these are not the sole considerations, they are certainly some important ones that can set a strong foundation for your search.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.
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