Originally posted on https://thecorecenters.com/treatment-for-substance-use-disorders/

 

In 2017, in the United States alone 20.7 million people seek treatment for alcohol or drug use disorders, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Many of these people, who go into treatment lost and hopeless, come to discover a life they never imagined was possible, a life in recovery beyond their wildest dreams. And it all starts with taking the first step. Treatment.

The first step to achieving long-lasting recovery from addiction is finding a treatment center that’s right for you. A center that sees you and your story as unique and offers customized treatment programs, not cookie cutter approaches. One that can help you to change your story and begin to recover from addiction.

The right treatment center will help you begin to recover from addiction and change your story.

Addiction is a chronic disease but recovery is possible. According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recovery from the disease of addiction is defined as:

• Discontinuing drug or alcohol use
• Remaining drug or alcohol free
• Being productive at work, in the family, and in society

Every day thousands of people find the courage they didn’t think they had, take the first step, and enter treatment for addiction. With so many treatment options, it’s vital to find the one that will work best for you or your loved one. Cookie cutter treatment for alcohol or drug use disorders doesn’t work. Just as every person is different so are their specific addiction issues. Effective treatment must be personalized and unique to each individual. The Core Centers, with its small, intimate environment in Fort Lauderdale, offers this and more.

Effective Treatment Programs

When considering seeking treatment for a substance use disorder, it’s important to find the right treatment facility with qualified, experienced, and caring staff. You’ll also want to be sure there are certain types of programs and treatment offered.

Treatment programs should include:

• Behavioral counseling
• Medical-assisted detox and treatment
• Evaluation and treatment for any co-occurring mental health issues
• Aftercare and follow up programs to help prevent relapse

Understanding Different Types of Treatment

There are several types of treatment programs for addiction. Within each of these types, there are a variety of options which can be tailored to meet the individual needs of each person in treatment. Some people seeking treatment may have damaged family relationships they desperately want to repair, for these individuals family counseling may be part of their treatment; others may have an underlying mental health issue such as anxiety or depression, for these individuals psychiatric counseling and medications may be important.

When you come to The Core Centers, our experienced, caring team will first make a thorough evaluation to gain an understanding of your specific situation and design a unique program to meet your needs and help you achieve long-lasting recovery.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient or residential treatment is a type of treatment option in which the person with the substance use disorder stays at the facility 24 hours a day for a specific period of time. Inpatient treatment provides the highest level of care and often starts with supervised medical detox which is usually the recommended first step for anyone with an alcohol or drug use disorder.

At The Core Centers, we understand that addiction is a disease of the body, mind, and soul. Because of this we use a multidisciplinary team who work together to create a holistic recovery plan for you. These team members may include:

• Nurses
• Psychiatrists
• Physicians
• Psychologists
• Family counselors
• Licensed addiction counselors
• Nutritionists
• Wellness experts

Once you have safely progressed through the detox phase of treatment you’ll begin to start the next part of your treatment program. This will involve meeting your peer group, counselors, doctors, and other staff as well as begin participating in programs specifically for you. Each part of treatment will help you acquire the tools you need to leave the past behind and begin to heal.

One of the benefits of residential treatment at The Core Centers is the small groups. This enables our staff to give individualized attention to everyone with a 2:1 staff to client ratio.

Typical inpatient activities can include:

• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Medical appointments
• Couples/family therapy
• Creative therapy
• Process groups
• Nutritional and wellness programs
• Aftercare planning
• Fun outside activities

It’s important to have fun at every stage of recovery and in life. The Core Centers is perfectly located to help our clients do just that. Situated in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, the water and all it has to offer is just minutes away.

Inpatient addiction treatment is the most intensive treatment program type. And while getting away from not only the temptation of the outside world but also the stress and triggers is important, there are certain people who would benefit from inpatient treatment.

You should consider inpatient treatment for yourself or your loved one if:

• There is a risk of experiencing withdrawal when alcohol or drugs are stopped
• There is a history of one or more relapses
• There have been past attempts at other types of treatment that were unsuccessful

Other factors to consider are the support system at home, responsibilities of family, work, and school, as well as if there are any co-occurring mental health issues. During an evaluation, you can assess these and find the type and length of treatment best for you or your loved one.

Outpatient Treatment

This type of treatment is for individuals who are highly motivated to stay sober, have a strong support system at home, and are unable to leave family or work commitments to go to inpatient treatment.

Just as with inpatient treatment, the type of treatment best for someone depends on a number of factors and can be best determined during an evaluation with an experienced professional. If outpatient treatment is suggested, there are different types of outpatient treatment with different levels of care.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)

This type of treatment is generally offered at various times of the day so that clients can still attend school, go to work, or take care of family obligations while working on their recovery. Many times people who are initially in treatment in an inpatient program transition into an IOP program when they leave treatment. As goals are met, clients attend fewer meetings and they transition back into a daily routine.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

PHP treatment is for those who would benefit from a more intensive outpatient program. In this type of program, clients are generally at the treatment facility most of the day, five days a week. Many people coming out of inpatient rehab transition to PHP as well as those who have recently relapsed. In both of these outpatient programs, IOP and PHP, relapse prevention is emphasized and cognitive behavior therapy techniques are as well.

Dual Diagnosis

Many people who struggle with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health issue such as anxiety or depression. In fact, the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported 7.9 million Americans experienced both a substance abuse issue and mental health problem.

According to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)  those struggling with mental health issues often turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. However, this can worsen mental health symptoms. It is vital if you or your loved one does have a co-occurring mental health issue treatment for both the substance use disorder and the mental health issue are treated together.

The Core Centers is certified by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) to treat major mental health illnesses. From the initial evaluation to the plan of action the medical professionals get to the root cause of the problem so you can be free from substance use issues and stabilize any mental health problems.

Life Skills

It’s essential to not only achieve sobriety in a treatment program but be prepared to get back into life with not only the tools and resources to stay sober but also skills to live a productive life. You or your loved one can earn your GED, fine-tune your resume and acquire interview skills, learn healthy eating and wellness habits, and even apply for college in a life skills program. This is a fundamental part of any effective treatment program.

Aftercare

Many people in treatment become fearful when they face the end of their course of treatment. Having a plan in place for when you are back to your daily life is important for long-lasting recovery. Developing a plan of action for day to day life, lining up a counselor, finding recovery groups, and implementing the skills you’ve learned in treatment are all vital parts of a treatment program that works.

There are different types of treatment options available and one that’s right for you. If you or someone you love is living with a substance use disorder there is help and there is hope. No matter how bad your life has become you can change your story and reclaim your life today. Taking the first step is often the hardest but a life full of happiness, joy, and freedom from addiction is waiting.