ADDICTION AND RECOVERY: 5 STAGES OF TREATMENT

LET’S TALK ABOUT….TOO MUCH, TOO SOON!!! The biggest advantage to individual treatment vs group treatment, is the emphasis on individual client-centered therapy. No two people that suffer from substance disorders are the same. For the most part, the five stages of treatment, as recommended by the National Institute of Health/SAMHSA, is integrated as an outline for success. (read details at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) These guidelines are used to measure where the client is, and, where we go next.

These stages are unique to the individual who maneuvers through each at their own speed. There is not a time limit on each stage. And, while the individual will begin to move forward through the stages, they may also go backwards (referred to as “relapse”), or, jump around from one stage to another (often continues to exhibit signs of remission—not using, but old behaviors are showing up)

The five stages of internal healing from substance disorders:

1.      Denial—tries to convince themselves and others their use is normal and not a problem. Avoids talking about the possibility of a substance disorder.

2.      Acceptance And Letting Go—accepting that they “may have a problem”—usually triggered by a “life happens” event, such as a DUII. Open for treatment discussion.

3.      Seek Treatment—after reflecting on how they “got to this place” they make a decision that they are making the right choice by focusing on the future. They choose a treatment provider.

4.      Mental Clarity—during the first month of recovery, the body detoxes, and the brain begins to improve mental and emotional function.

5.      Commitment to Recovery And Ongoing Counseling—with mental clarity, the process of working toward a healthier lifestyle can begin.

“As clients move through different stages of recovery, treatment must move with them, changing therapeutic strategies and leadership roles with the condition of the clients. These changes are vital since interventions that work well early in treatment may be ineffective, and even harmful, if applied in the same way later in treatment.” (NIH)

Irvin Yalon, M.D., Psychotherapist, defined 11 therapeutic factors that contribute to healing from substance disorders. Among the factors:

• Instilling hope—“Hope is essential for people who are coping with serious and prolonged psychological stress...hope and coping is dynamic and reciprocal; each in turn supports and is supported by the other.” Susan Folkmna, PhD, UCSF.
• Universality—clients need to see that they are not alone, that others have similar problems. Talking with other known substance disorder friends and family members, visiting 12 Step support meetings, listening to TED talks, etc.
• Resolve family issues and develop socializing techniques—correct ineffective social habits that had undermined relationships, including long-standing conflicts with family and friends.
• Existential factors—coming to terms with hard truths, such as : each of us is responsible for the ways in which we live.

Managing the stages and therapeutic factors is easier to track with individual counseling. These are some of the tools used to help identify that they are doing too much, too soon. For instance: 30days after “treatment”, the client is returning to family life, working, and, going to school (=relapse). Doing too much, too soon is not a good thing.

Glad we talked about this. Of course, it is just my opinion.

This column is reprinted from the Springfield Times (SpringfieldTimes.net) weekly column "Ask MAx". The Springfield Times is published weekly for Thursday delivery. Subscribe at 541-741-7368.

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