Many treatment centers use a standard treatment plan for all of their clients. In one sense, this makes programming easier. Everyone who walks through the doors will go through the same introductions. They will attend the same classes, using the same materials. The same group therapies will cover the same topics, at the same times throughout the week. This method will work for some people. Unfortunately, it will not work for all. This is why truly individualized treatment is necessary to help everyone who comes through treatment center doors achieve recovery.
Generalized Treatment
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) provides resources for locating a reputable treatment center. There are many great programs available. but most don’t offer individualized care. Some individuals who complete a standard treatment program will have future success, and what a gift that is. They will have heard or seen or felt what they needed in order to have a foundation for long-term sobriety. Others, however, will not have been reached through a generalized approach. They will not have “gotten it.” Most people require a more personalized approach.
Some people may complete the program successfully and thrive in recovery for a short time. Unfortunately, without tools and strategies that uniquely apply to them, recovery may not be sustainable. They may go through repeated treatment efforts, but still struggle to maintain sobriety for any extended length of time.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to general, standardized treatment.
True Individualized Care
What does true-individualized care look like? Individualized treatment starts when a treatment team meets with a client and learns what motivates them, what their background is, and what have they tried that hasn’t been successful. Then, the treatment team creates a program with a schedule and different therapies tailored to them. This ensures the greatest possible success rate for the client.
Not only does individualized care curate more effective and positive results, but it also provides a program that makes the client feel valued and appreciated. When entering treatment, and recovery in general, sometimes it is difficult to feel confident in oneself. Starting with a program based on the client’s specific needs, they can build confidence and feel hopeful about recovery success.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes a principle of recovery as being built on a client’s “strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent values.” By taking all of these factors into account at the time of admission and using them to create a treatment plan, treatment centers participate in and facilitate individualized care.
For example, take someone who is very drawn to nature. They feel connected and centered in the great outdoors. Now consider someone who has only ever lived in a big city. This person feels most connected and centered when there is a lot to do and see.
These two experiences and environments are strikingly different. Neither one is wrong. These two individuals just have vastly different ideas of what “normal” looks like. What is calming for one person may be similar to nails on a chalkboard for the other. In a similar way, experience and preferences must be carefully considered when implementing recovery care.
Individualized Aftercare
Just as individualized care is important within treatment, personalization is crucial in one’s aftercare plan as well. One can be successful within the confines of a structured program where they have constant accountability. However, when they leave and go out to the real world without supervision or daily check-ins, will their care plan be enough to support their sobriety?
Their motivations, their history, and the strategies that worked for them during treatment all need to be considered. Destiny Recovery Center (DRC) is prepared to create a strong safety net for each client as their aftercare plan. We create these plans specifically for each client to best fit their needs. Consider the following questions:
- Where will the person be going after treatment?
- What will their living situation be? What will their support system look like?
- How accessible are meetings for a program they are interested in attending?
- What triggers may they face?
- What strategies have they mastered that they will have on hand ready to use when needed?
The answers to all these questions and more come into play when creating an individualized aftercare plan.
Someone who lives in a rural area might have less access to meetings than someone who lives in a city with public transit, where there are meetings around the clock. For one, online meetings may be a huge part of their after-care program. For another, face-to-face meetings may be their main focus. Similarly, continued counseling services online or in person may or may not be a part of an aftercare plan.
Fitness goals may be incorporated for those who might find that motivating. Attending church services, trying something new like an art class or a cooking class, or signing up to volunteer somewhere are other great aspects of aftercare plans. All of these could be addressed or discussed when trying to create a solid individualized aftercare plan for someone to ensure their greatest chance of success in their recovery journey.
When choosing a treatment center that will be the right fit for you or your loved one, it is important to look for one that can create a plan specifically for each client. The clinical team should get to know their client, their history, their interests, what motivates them, and their belief system. At Destiny Recovery Center, we do just that. We create an individualized care plan for each of our clients to ensure the best care possible and the best possible rate of success for their recovery. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with substance use disorder, reach out today to Destiny Recovery Center at (909) 413-4304.
