The road to overcoming addiction is rife with struggles, but a personalized treatment approach could increase positive outcomes. A 2021 NIH study reveals that considering individual baseline characteristics in treatment guidance has a 33% higher likelihood of abstinence after one year. Tailored plans consider patients’ addictions, environments, and personalities, and can be flexible to suit evolving needs.
This article reviews how personalized treatment plans improve long-term sobriety, ensuring you or your loved ones get the best care.
What is Considered in Personalized Treatment?
Professionals should conduct a thorough assessment before determining the ideal treatment plan for long-term sobriety, considering the following factors:
Type of Addiction
Various drug types require individualized care, as follows:
Opioids
- Initial detox should address severe physical symptoms like muscle aches, tremors, anxiety, and pain. FDA-approved medications are typically integrated to reduce symptoms. Timelines can vary, with short-acting opioid withdrawal symptoms manifesting immediately, while longer-acting drugs will produce withdrawal after 2-4 days.
- Long-term sobriety can be achieved with continuous MAT (medically assisted treatment) and therapies so that patients can learn coping strategies.
Alcohol
- Initial detox requires a specialized approach as delirium tremens, a potentially fatal condition, can occur. It is typically addressed with medications that lower central nervous system activity. MAT can also reduce drug cravings.
- Long-term sobriety can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-step programs, and other group therapy techniques.
Stimulants
- Initial detox typically focuses on managing psychological symptoms that are common to stimulant withdrawal, including depression, fatigue, and severe cravings. There are no FDA-approved drugs that treat stimulant addiction, but the process may involve using high-strength painkillers, sleep aids, and comfort-promoting techniques.
- Long-term sobriety often involves behavioral therapies such as contingency management and CBT.
Central Nervous System Depressants
- Initial detox requires a tapering approach as abrupt cessation is dangerous, potentially causing seizures. Patients will typically undergo tapering with medically supervised doses.
- Long-term sobriety is often achieved through behavioral therapies.
Mental Health Needs
Mental health is typically an underlying cause of addiction. Many people use drugs to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression that accompany emotional disorders. A dual diagnosis approach is often integrated to address addiction at its root to break the cycle.
Addiction specialists use the following approaches to treat mental health issues that contribute to addictive behaviors.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that can lead to dangerous behaviors; it can help treat chronic pain, sleep problems, post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), relationship issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder (BPD), and phobias.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps individuals develop skills to manage intense emotions; it can treat borderline personality disorder, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy assists people in accepting difficult emotions and thoughts rather than fighting them; it can help treat anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, self-esteem, and identity issues.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy aims to increase motivation to promote behavior change; it can be effective for all patients fighting substance abuse, as it gives them a reason to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
- Contingency Management rewards patients for maintaining sobriety with vouchers, gift cards, essentials, food, and other prize-based systems.
- 12 Step Programs are a type of group therapy that encourages patients to achieve long-term sobriety one step at a time, outlining 12 recommended steps. These programs are typically religious in nature, but secular alternatives are available.
- Family Therapy includes the family in the therapy process, allowing them to identify factors that may have contributed to addiction and ensuring they help their loved one transition to a sober lifestyle.
Environment
A person’s environment also contributes to recovery needs. Here are some factors addiction specialists consider when determining an individualized treatment plan:
Family
A strong sense of family and community can significantly increase recovery outcomes. A Recovery Answers study reveals people who are married, in relationships, or live with children have more strengths and fewer barriers towards addiction recovery. Another study shows that children whose parents support them are less likely to use substances and more likely to recover from addiction.
However, family support isn’t always ideal, as some people live with abusive partners or relatives who feed addiction. In these instances, a medical professional may assist the patient in finding a better living situation.
Work
Work-related stress can also fuel addiction. A National Safety Council Survey reveals that 75% of employers report that opioid use has impacted their workplace. While getting another job isn’t always a feasible solution, an addiction expert may recommend that a patient integrate coping mechanisms to deal with workplace stress without turning to drugs and alcohol.
Social Circles
The people you surround yourself with can lead to addictive behavior. For example, a 2015 study found that people who have friends who do drugs are more likely to do drugs themselves. Another study revealed that teenagers who see people using drugs on social media are 75% more likely to experiment in the same way.
Social circles can also heavily contribute to relapse. Many people get out of rehab with every intention of adapting to sober living, but they soon meet up with old friend groups who used drugs, tempting them back to old habits.
Rehab professionals often recommend that patients attend 12-step programs and other group therapy meetings to develop new social circles that support sobriety. They may also discourage them from reconnecting with friends who don’t support their sobriety. Therapies that encourage healthy behaviors can also reduce cravings that make people want to drink when they socialize.
Lifestyle and Personality
Recovery can shock the system, and attempting to overhaul one’s lifestyle can make things even more difficult. Therefore, therapists should develop a plan that matches the patient’s lifestyle and personality. Here are some recommended updates:
- Finding a Hobby or Activity to Enjoy: Hobbies and fulfilling activities support sobriety by giving the individual something to do while promoting self-esteem. The patient should be encouraged to engage in an activity they enjoy, whether music, art, scrapbooking, or enjoying time in nature.
- Eating Right: Healthy foods are essential in recovery, as they boost mood and energy levels. They can also support fitness, so the individual feels better about themselves and is less likely to use drugs. Radical dietary changes can be challenging, but even minor improvements help.
- Exercise: Exercise produces many of the benefits of a healthy diet, including improved mood and higher levels of self-esteem. It also reduces stress and serves as a healthy activity that can replace substance abuse.
- Stress Relieving Activities: An addiction expert may encourage their patient to engage in meditation and mindful thinking to regulate emotions and reduce stress that fuels addiction.
- Establishing a Support Group: While in recovery, an individual should aim to surround themselves with supportive friends through 12-step groups and group therapy and avoid those that promote toxic behavior.
BlueCrest Recovery Center Offers Personalized Treatment Plans and Recovery Strategies
BlueCrest Recovery supports personalized treatment with various therapies and approaches. We address different addiction types and utilize multiple techniques, ensuring we offer one ideally suited to your lifestyle, personality, environment, and mental health needs. Our holistic approach considers spiritual and clinical factors, ensuring long-term sobriety.
Contact us when you’re ready to start your journey to sober living.
FAQs
Why are personalized treatment plans important?
Personalized treatment plans are essential because they give you a say in your care. Your lifestyles, goals, and values are considered so providers can tailor a plan suited to your needs, one that feels right to you.
How does the length of treatment correlate to the success of addiction treatment?
Research shows that programs that last less than 90 days are limited in effectiveness. A JAMA study found better outcomes in patients treated for 90 days or longer.
Which treatment approach is most effective for addiction recovery?
Although treatment approaches vary depending on patient needs, CBT is often integrated because it teaches coping mechanisms that prevent relapse and help people overcome trauma.
