What Works in Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Rehab- Continued from 1-16-17
Effectiveness in treatment for drug and alcohol abuse is determined by measuring the positive changes in a person’s life after participating in rehab. Expected changes include continuous sobriety, participation in recovery supportive relationships and fellowships, reduced incidents of legal and medical consequences, improved relationships with family and friends, and improved performance at school and work.
The following factors have been determined through research to enhance treatment outcomes. Effective drug and alcohol treatment provides these essentials features:
- Intensive structure and a duration which extends over three months (setting is less important: inpatient, residential and intensive outpatient appear to produce similar results);
- Supervision and monitoring over the course of early sobriety/ recovery (urinalysis, case-management, tracking participation, behavioral observation and guidance, etc.);
- Replacing the dependence on chemicals with other supports (fellowship, counseling, activities, service, connection to others, inspirational experience, etc.);
- Twelve step and/or other structured mutual support participation;
- Frequent therapeutic interaction with peer group and counselor;
- Relapse prevention counseling and training;
Assessment and instruction with a primary medical physician about the impact of drug and alcohol use has been determined to enhance the probability of effective treatment outcomes. When people become dependent upon opioids, medication assisted treatment enhances their ability to participate in long-term treatment while guarding against lethal relapse.
Ironically, some recovery myths have been disproved:
- There is nothing reliable about twenty-eight (28) days in a residential treatment program;
- It is not recommended that people new to recovery move to a new location, avoid family, work and school responsibilities, or live away from supportive others;
- Each person recovers at their own rate but the longer they are engaged in treatment and professional support, the better are their chances at long-term recovery;
- People don’t have to get sober for “themselves” or be “ready”- mandated treatment is often more successful than voluntary treatment.
“What Can Long-term Follow-up Teach us About Relapse and Prevention of Relapse in Addiction?” British Journal of Addiction, Volume 83, Issue 10, pages 1147–1157, October 1988
“Encouraging Post treatment Self-Help Group Involvement to Reduce Demand for Continuing Care Services: Two-Year Clinical and Utilization Outcomes”; Keith Humphreys11Veterans Affairs and Stanford University Medical Centers, Palo Alto, California. and Rudolf H. Moos11Veterans Affairs and Stanford University Medical Centers, Palo Alto, California.
“Drug treatment and twelve-step program participation: The additive effects of integrated recovery activities”. American J. Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 1997/9; J. Substance Abuse Treatment 1996, 2003
“Efficacy of Outpatient Intensive Treatment for Drug Abuse”, Campbell, Gabrielli, Laster, Liskow, Haworth Press, 1997
“Mechanisms of behavior change in alcoholics anonymous: does Alcoholics Anonymous lead to better alcohol use outcomes by reducing depression symptoms?” John F. Kelly 1 , Robert L. Stout 2 , Molly Magill 3 , J. Scott Tonigan 4 & Maria E. Pagano 5 1 Center for Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, 2 Decision Sciences Institute/PIRE, Pawtucket, RI, USA, 3 Brown University, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Providence, RI, USA, 4 Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addiction (CASAA), Albuquerque, NM, USA and 5 Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child Psychiatry, W.O. Walker Center, Cleveland
Twin Town Treatment Centers is immediately accessible to all Los Angeles and Orange County residents, is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is certified by the California DHCS. All network HMO/PPO/EPO insurance plans and Medi-Cal contract with Twin Town Treatment Centers to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Our phone is answered by real people. We can see people on the same day you call. (866) 594-8844
It is the season where our connection to our loved ones may be contrasted with our need for chemical pleasure or relief. Through alcoholism and addiction, we lose the capacity to relate with our loved ones. Replacing meaningful human interaction with chemical pleasure and relief, we often seek out others who share our predicament. Beneath a defensive shield, we feel empty and alone.
Q. What does gratitude have to do with recovery?