So what are we dealing with? It is often the mindset of those who have problems with substance abuse that they are a minority and somehow alone. The fact is many people struggle with this same thing and many also overcome to live happy productive lives. You are not alone. Approximately 22.1 million Americans 12 years and older need specialized treatment for a substance abuse problem; that’s roughly 7.5% of the U.S. population. Of these Americans only 2.6 million or 11.2% actually receive treatment in one form or another. That leaves 19.5 million Americans in need of substance abuse treatment; some currently searching.
If we take a closer look at what these Americans are dealing with, it is found that 15 million (68%) are troubled by alcohol alone, 4.2 million (19%) by illicit drugs alone, and 2.9 million (13%) by both alcohol and drugs. This correlates into over 30% of Americans suffering from alcohol abuse. So you are looking for treatment; probably for yourself or someone very close to you. Either way I am sure you want to find something effective while also being logistically reasonable. Data from 2009 showed that only 47% of individuals that started treatment completed while 25% dropped out and 14% transferred to a different treatment median. This author believes that many of these cases are due to the lack of quality and individuality common to many programs.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that ideal treatment should reflect the following ideas; that addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior, that no single treatment is appropriate for everyone, that treatment needs to be readily available, that effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, that remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical, that medications are an important element of treatment for many patients; especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies, that an individual's treatment and services plan must be assessed continually and modified as necessary to ensure that it meets his or her changing needs, that many drug–addicted individuals also have other mental disorders, that medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long–term drug abuse, that treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective, and that drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously, as lapses during treatment do occur.
So what would a quality program look like? A quality treatment program would include medication and behavioral therapy, which when combined, are important elements of an overall therapeutic process that often begins with detoxification, followed by treatment and relapse prevention. The program should include mechanisms to identify and address needed adaptations to treatment throughout the program. It should focus on easing withdrawal symptoms that can be important in the initiation of treatment; preventing relapse is necessary for maintaining its effects. And sometimes, as with other chronic conditions, episodes of relapse may require a return to prior treatment components. A continuum of care that includes an individualized treatment regimen—addressing all aspects of an individual's life, including medical and mental health services—and follow–up options (e.g., community – or family-based recovery support systems) can be crucial to a person's success in achieving and maintaining a lifetime of sobriety
It is this author’s beliefs that while searching for a quality program that will go the "extra distance" in providing effective treatment the ideas discussed here should be addressed. Of these ideas an ability to adapt to client’s needs both initially and throughout a program seems to be lost some of the time. Whether this is due to an organizations size or structure it is vital that this entity be malleable to one’s care. The idea that anyone is doing you a favor by "allowing" you into their program is a misconception; an idea that plagues the substance abuse treatment field. Most programs have an initial consultation; this is your chance to interview your provider. You deserve the best care possible but ultimately it is your responsibility to make the best choice. Ask questions and find out what programs are all about, you will be glad you did.
www.MidwestInstituteforAddiction.org
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