Iris Healing® Retreat, Woodland Hills, CA

What Is an Addiction Treatment Plan?

Read on to learn more about what an addiction treatment plan is and what to expect when getting help.

Addiction Treatment Plan

Article Contents

What Are Drug Addiction Treatment Plans?

Substance abuse is complex and often requires treatment. While getting help will look different for everyone, an effective way of receiving treatment includes an addiction treatment plan. These plans emphasize harm reduction while teaching the skills necessary to live a functional life outside of substance use.

Also, drug addiction treatment plans work to help reduce the risk and severity of relapse. Medication, psychological interventions, and therapy all play a role in addiction treatment.1

Purpose of Addiction Treatment Plans

These plans also address other life problems related to substance use that may include problems with your health, your relationships, employment opportunities, and more. By working to rewire your brain and reframe your mindset, these treatment programs help teach you new skills to stay sober. Treatment programs may even include vocational training, educational programs, and legal help as well.

Are There Other Issues That Addiction Plans Help With?

Addiction often co-occurs with multiple other disorders, as many turn to substances as a way to self-medicate mental disorders. Around 50% of people with a mental health disorder will develop a substance abuse disorder at some point in their life.

Also, anxiety and mood disorders are all common among those suffering from addiction. Because of this, many addiction treatment plans have a dual diagnosis component. Dual diagnosis allows for underlying mental health conditions to be treated alongside addiction.2

Is an Addiction Treatment Plan Tailored to the Individual?

Addiction treatment plans are not one-size-fits-all, and treatment depends on many factors including how long you have been using substances and the severity of your substance abuse. Also, personal goals for growth and recovery are taken into account when creating a plan. It is best to work with a health professional to decide what type of treatment option will be best for you.

Addiction Treatment Plan Examples

An example of an addiction treatment plan is methadone maintenance for opiate addiction. For methadone maintenance, opiates are replaced with a medication known as methadone, which is a medication that helps reduce cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms. While taking methadone, therapy is also utilized to work through any issues pertaining to substance abuse or other co-occurring disorders.3

While the use of medication in addiction treatment is common, not all addiction treatment plans are the same. Working with a rehab center or addiction professional can help ensure that you are making the right choice when it comes to treatment.

How to Start a Treatment Plan

It is best to work with an addiction specialist to come up with a treatment plan, as they are meant to be individualized to you and your needs. The creation of your plan will start with a medical evaluation by a trained professional. They will ask you questions about your health and your history of drug use. Also, they will ask you about any personal goals for treatment to create a plan that meets your needs.

Types of Treatment

Inpatient and outpatient treatment are the two most common types of recovery programs. Working with a health professional can help you find the appropriate level of care. For many people, both forms are used in the treatment of addiction.4

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is generally more intensive than outpatient therapy. Inpatient treatment requires a stay at an addiction treatment center, which allows for constant care and supervision. This is especially important during the beginning stages of getting sober, as withdrawal can be difficult and potentially dangerous to manage on your own.

Inpatient treatment also includes residential treatment, which is usually a longer-term treatment that is a bit more relaxed than inpatient intensive.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is considered a “step down” from inpatient or residential treatment. Usually, outpatient programs follow the completion of an inpatient or residential program. Outpatient treatment is done from home and requires a high level of accountability.

Regular check-ins, therapy, and group therapy all play a role in outpatient treatment. Medication is also used in outpatients to manage withdrawal symptoms or other health concerns.

Services Available in Addiction Treatment Options

While not all addiction treatment plans are the same, there are some common themes in treatment that most patients utilize, including:

Detox

Treatment for drug addiction usually begins with detox. Detox is a natural process that occurs when you stop taking drugs. During detox, your body works hard to clean itself of toxins that have built up from use. The withdrawal symptoms of detox can be difficult to manage on your own, which is why detoxing at a treatment center is a much better idea. Beginning addiction treatment with a supervised detox will keep you both safe and comfortable.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is a key component of addiction treatment plans. One-on-one therapy helps you address your addiction and work through any issues arising from it in a healthy manner. Therapy is also helpful in changing the way you think about certain things by identifying unhelpful thought patterns.

Group Therapy

Addiction treatment plans often include group therapy. Group therapy is helpful because it allows you to form connections with other people who are experiencing a similar struggle. Group therapy provides a sense of community and connection as well. Also, for those who don’t have as much support in their lives, group therapy can be greatly beneficial.

Family Therapy

Addiction often damages family relationships, and including family therapy in your addiction treatment plan can help both you and your family heal. Also, family therapy has an educational component that can help your family better understand what you are going through.

Psychosocial Education

Psychosocial education is an intervention to help you gain a better understanding of your addiction. It can include things like drug education as well as teaching healthy coping strategies. Psychosocial education also helps build assertiveness and help build problem-solving and relationship skills.

Life Skills

Life skills training is another important part of the addiction treatment plan, as these help you once you’ve completed treatment and gone back to your everyday life. Life skills training provides you with the tools needed to manage your life without the use of illicit substances.

Support Groups

Support groups are also used in addiction treatment. Similar to group therapy, support groups allow you to make connections with others and allow for mentorship opportunities. Support groups also help you to see other people who are at various points of recovery.

Relapse Prevention

Relapse is common for those struggling with addiction treatment, and because of this, relapse prevention is a very important part of any addiction treatment plan. Knowing what your risks are, as well as what to do when you come across something or someone that makes you want to use substances again, can help prevent relapse.

Addiction Treatment Plan

Treatment Plans in Addiction Counseling

An addiction counselor is a great resource when it comes to creating a treatment plan. These specialists know the ins and outs of addiction and can help come up with a plan that works for you. Addiction counseling is a type of therapy used to understand the underlying reasons for addiction and help a person make lasting changes that lead to a sober life.

What Therapies Are Used?

Addiction counseling makes use of a few different therapeutic techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used therapies in addiction treatment, which helps you understand the thoughts that lead to your addictive behaviors to then change them. Contingency management and dialectical behavioral therapy are also used in addiction counseling.

Learn More About Addiction Treatment Plans with Iris Healing®

Are you or a loved one looking to get help with substance abuse? Iris Healing® offers comprehensive addiction treatment plans to help you get back on track. We have a few levels of care to meet you where you are in your journey. 

Our facility takes a holistic approach to treatment, which means that in addition to addiction treatment, we are committed to improving your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While we offer cutting-edge treatments such as transcranial membrane stimulation, we also offer some other treatments to improve your well-being. We also offer yoga, sound baths, animal therapy, and more. Get in touch with us and start your journey today.

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