There is no universal root cause of addiction. Having early exposure to drugs and alcohol, being exposed to trauma, having a family history of addiction, or having a co-occurring mental health condition can play a role. Residing in a neighborhood with high substance use or living down the road from a bar can increase your chance of developing substance use disorder (SUD) as well. Situational factors can trigger you to abruptly relapse. While there are always risks of relapse, finding a tailored treatment plan unique to your background can make a significant difference in how successful you are at achieving sobriety long-term.
What Is an Individualized Treatment Plan?
Just like everyone, you would arrive at a treatment facility with your own story and background. Because of this, an individualized treatment plan is always appropriate. According to Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, only about one in ten people with a substance abuse disorder (SUD) receive treatment. This is unfortunate, because help is available and evidence-based methods are shown to be effective in treating addiction. What’s more, an individualized approach is shown to work best.
Gathering History
When a health practitioner determines your treatment plan, they will gather your history to have a better understanding of your background as a whole. This is done to accurately determine the best-fitting treatment options and ensure a comfortable path to recovery.
When a practitioner conducts a complete history and really listens, this also ensures you will be more engaged, successful, and compliant with the program you’re entering. When you are fully committed to treatment, it typically leads to a more positive outcome. Your information will be reassessed periodically to determine the progression of treatment. Sometimes you will need to adjust your treatment plan.
During your initial evaluation, your provider may gather information such as your:
- Age
- Gender identity
- Sexual Orientation
- Preferred language
- Race and ethnicity
- Culture
- Trauma history
- Co-occurring physical or mental health conditions
The Importance of Making Your Own Decisions
As stated in the Hastings Center Report, responsible adults should be permitted to determine their path of treatment. Healthcare providers can of course encourage you, influence you, and perhaps ask you if you would like to change your treatment track. Nevertheless, you are in charge of your own life choices.
For example, if you are a U.S. citizen, you have the freedom to choose which field of employment to pursue, who you would like to marry, and what type of health regimen you desire. You can also decide what kind of treatment plan to follow.
Special Circumstances
In some circumstances, If you are at risk to yourself or others and placed in a psychiatric ward, you may be held against your own will. In some states, you could be held for up to 24 hours to seven days or more depending on the severity of your condition. This is called a 5150.
If you have an intellectual, mental, or developmental disability, it could be different. If you are often accompanied by legal guardians who are in charge of your decision-making, you may not have as much power to make your own choices. Nevertheless, deciding the trajectory of your life is an important part of your health and wellness plan.
Doing Your Research
It is important to do your research before finding your desired path in treatment or when finding professional help. You can always look elsewhere if you are not happy with the facility and treatment plan you initially chose. Take time to optimistically self-reflect on your goals, research the background of your health condition, and look into a few different treatment facilities.
After deciding on a clinic with a team environment that best suits you, it is important to study the available services and accommodations available to clients. Make a list of questions. Contact the treatment center to get more information. Some places may even offer a tour of their facility so you can get a feel of the atmosphere. Take time to read about the mental health providers’ professional backgrounds too.
Some questions you may ask the facility’s staff members could include:
- How long have they been in practice?
- Which conditions do they specialize in treating?
- What demographics do they target or work with? Adults, children, adolescents?
- Does this facility offer treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health conditions?
- What treatment options do they offer?
- For how many years has the facility been operating?
Moving Forward
An individualized treatment plan can ensure you are placed with the best care possible to suit your recovery needs outside of treatment. This allows you to benefit from your own treatment plan emotionally, cognitively, and socially. Choosing an individualized treatment plan may be a wise choice so the provider you work with can better help you.
Ultimately, it is your choice to share your history. You can choose the treatment options you are most comfortable with. Making your own choices gives your life meaning. As an independent person, you are in charge of which steps you want to take to pursue your path moving forward.
Doing your research can give you access to quality healthcare. This is critical when you are facing challenges with your mental health. Sometimes you want a personal touch in your healthcare and not every facility can provide this. At Sage Recovery, we can confidently say that we can.
Finding your individual path in treatment can make a significant difference in your health and future. No one’s path is linear. An individualized treatment plan can ensure you are provided with treatment options that best suit your unique situation. Here at Sage Recovery, we know that one size doesn’t fit all for treatment. Our core curriculum, created from evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, includes exposure to a variety of holistic and individualized treatment approaches. Our offerings are designed to mirror the unique complexity of each individual’s recovery situation. If you or a loved one are in need of professional support, please call Sage Recovery at (512) 306-1394 to get more information.