The role of care in treating the problem of drug abuse:
on this page:
- Intensive outpatient programming
Finding the right balance
Next steps
For individuals who complete a residential treatment residency, the idea of tackling the “next step” in sobriety can seem overwhelming. After 30 or even 60 days of immersive therapy, the world of the person in recovery suddenly opens up, full of possibilities — and an avalanche of options.
During inpatient treatment, much of an individual’s experience revolves around a daily schedule of health-related treatments and activities. After completing this process, the individual spent a significant amount of time reconnecting with themselves, as well as recovering physically from the effects of active addiction and substance withdrawal.
Upon graduating from residential therapy, the client should become aware of responsibilities, such as going to school or finding work. When a client does not pursue aftercare services or outpatient programs, this fragile period of sobriety can often lead to a relapse.
The Intensive Outpatient Program (Future) aims to bridge the gap between residential treatment and independent sober living. Oftentimes, an intensive outpatient program will be paired with supervised sober housing, allowing the client to recover in a safe and comfortable environment surrounded by sober support.
Intensive outpatient programming (the role of care in treating substance abuse problems)
Any major life transformation is bound to create doubt within the individual. Leaving a treatment program and moving toward independent living can be more successful when facilitated by a team of professionals in an intensive outpatient program.
A team of primary therapists, case managers and behavioral health technicians work together at Future to reflect the structure of a higher level of care, while introducing renewed commitments and responsibilities into clients’ lives, such as paying rent and getting meaningful work.
With relapse rates of up to 40-60 percent in the first year of sobriety, Future aims to provide the client with abundant therapeutic resources that will enhance their recovery journey, which began with detox and continued with comprehensive treatment.
A client at Future will typically attend four to five days of coding per week. Which will include individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, and special wellness programs, such as equine therapy or yoga. All aspects of this model are designed to support the complexities that individuals face in early recovery on an evolving daily basis – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Follow
Meeting a client’s needs requires a strong commitment, both from the client and from her assigned team of physicians. Physicians in this space are specially trained to understand the unique issues posed by this stage of recovery and will assist the client in the transition towards independence by providing career counseling, facilitating family communication, and continuing progress in treatment.
When a client settles into a regular schedule to attend Future, work, and attend 12-step meetings, a renewed commitment to sobriety emerges. This stage of addiction treatment is critical to the client, however. It redefines the individual with the possibilities he has the ability to create. Without the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The time spent in Future varies from client to client. Although those who attend programming for at least 30-60 days tend to have the most success. The sober living aspect of the program can allow clients to create a community and share responsibilities with others on the same path. Maintaining and upholding responsibility is an essential aspect of a sober life, as it encourages a positive attachment to oneself. Especially the renewed awareness of self in sobriety.
Finding the right balance (the role of care in treating the problem of drug abuse)
Achieving balance in one’s life is not easy. No matter what we face in life, life will always require us to make sacrifices in some aspect. After completing the internal addiction treatment. An individual may struggle to create a balance between newfound responsibilities and the ongoing work involved in staying alert. This conflict is completely normal and is the reason why programs like Future exist.
When you start Future, a client will be assigned a primary therapist, which you will usually meet on a weekly basis. The client’s therapist will tailor the client’s treatment to address specific needs, such as past trauma or family issues.
Next steps
Staying connected with an alumni program can make a huge difference to an individual in her first year of sobriety. Also, creating relationships with peers in recovery can be a tremendous support and encouragement for an individual on the path to long-term wellness.
Graduate programs can introduce existing ICP clients to those who have already completed the program and maintained their success. Alumni events can foster camaraderie and reassure existing clients that recovery is possible and that each person’s journey toward success is different. The goal of sobriety is a unifying force.
