Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Detox and Treatment Programs

What all is involved with an effective quality alcohol and drug detox and addiction treatment program conducted in an outpatient setting? Well, I can tell you that there is a multitude of alcohol and drug treatment programs and models out there but the ones that are proven to be most effective for long-term success tend to follow the same design. For purposed here outpatient drug and alcohol detox and addiction treatment programs will be discussed, but what is the difference in design and purpose of residential treatment versus an outpatient alcohol and drug detox and/or addiction treatment program.

The difference between the two is really quite simple; one is conducted in a residential setting while the other is conducted in an outpatient setting. While they both have their purpose, combining the two is quite effective. In fact, residential treatment has a much lower success rate when not followed by an outpatient program. The reason for this is the process by which the pre-frontal cortex and limbic system recognize drug and alcohol use. The situations and stressors that cause a desire to use occur much more in the outpatient setting whereby the client must deal with them in a healthy manner. The idea is similar to learning cold weather survival during the summer in Florida versus learning during the winter in Maine.

So what does the continuum of care for alcohol and drug detox and addiction treatment in the outpatient setting look like? There are a number of aspects to treatment that are essential for effective improvement in quality of life, but one of the most key aspects is an ability for the program to shift along this continuum of care at a moment’s notice. For example, while detox is an initial phase of any addiction treatment program, relapse does occur and multiple detoxifications can be required. An inability to do this in a timely manner can devastate and cease progress.

The detox process for alcohol or drug addiction is similar. Basically the body has adapted to function with the chemical ingested by the client and so the detox process is a gradual change in homeostasis without the abused alcohol or drug. This process is often done using some type of chemical agonist that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms while simultaneously treating those symptoms to help maintain the maximum level of comfort for the patient until homeostasis can be maintained without the abused substance. This process varies in duration based on the programs design and the client’s response to treatment.

Psychiatric evaluations are an important aspect to treatment as well, especially with individuals that have co-occurring mental disorders. But here is an important note to make, while psychiatrists are used for evaluation and assessments, counselors, social workers, and therapists are the individuals that labor each day to benefit the client. Similar to an individual who injures their ankle, the physician diagnosis the problems but the physical therapists are the ones working to improve functioning. This is an important aspect as many cases have co-occurring disorders that need addressed.

Individual counseling is the aspect of the program that works off of what the psychiatrist has diagnosed to improve the clients quality of life. Counselors are often tasked with educating the client on the disease of addiction and providing knowledge, challenging the clients thinking, providing and helping to develop insights to the client about their particular situation, developing coping mechanisms for constant progress in treatment, and helping develop a strong and positive support system for the client within treatment and in all aspects of their lives. Individual counseling can be much more than this as well, such as helping the client improve in all aspects of their life.

Family therapy is an aspect of treatment often overlooked. Since the family system is many times the frontline and one of the most important support systems for the client, it is vital that this system be one that is healthy and strong. Often time families fall too far on either side of healthy support by being too enabling to the client or not supportive enough. This aspect of the program provides knowledge and insight for the family and often time strengthens this support network; but it also provides the family with much needed therapy as they often experience hardships because of their current situation.

Group therapy is an important aspect for alcohol and drug addiction treatment. This provides insight to new clients on situations and obstacles they might encounter, by individuals who have had to deal with them already, while also reminding clients farther along in treatment where they once were. Typically group therapy has an educational component while also allowing interaction and self-expression for the clients.

A quality program will have a tool in place to monitor progress and aid in quickly identifying trouble areas for clients. This tool is used periodically but frequently throughout the program to accomplish this task. While monitoring progress is important it is also vital that toxicology be checked frequently to identify relapse or usage of other substances as this often occurs.

A quality program is going to be one that is comprehensive and uses effective and evidence based protocols shown to produce positive responses and results. It will have the capability to rapidly adapt treatment along its continuum of care as needed. This program will be one that treats each client where they are at in their own recovery, both at the initiation of treatment and throughout the program.

www.MidwestInstituteforAddiction.org