Avoiding The Insanity of Standardized Treatment

Albert Einstein famously defined insanity as, “engaging in the same action over and over again while expecting a different result.” While this is not the case for everyone who enters into standardized treatment programs, it is absolutely the case that most addicts who have entered into treatment will return again and again. While this is not entirely the fault of standardized treatment, if it becomes the case that an addict re-enters into the same framework of treatment programs and continues to fail within that framework, it makes sense then to look to another framework that we might be successful in.

Let’s break down the typical sequence of levels of care within the standardized treatment model. The first stage is detoxification and this stage always needs to be done under the supervision of a medical professional as it exists to safely and comfortably relieve the addict of their physical addiction to drugs and alcohol. This stage can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on what the physician determines is appropriate. While detoxification can be achieved outside of a a professional setting, it is strongly recommended that this initial part of treatment always be done in a strictly monitored environment as the potential for relapse is high this early on. The next three phases can be viewed as more treatment-oriented and they are in sequence as follow: Inpatient level of care which last approximately 30 days and the client is generally under 24/7 supervision and care. Next is the phase of Intensive Outpatient, or IOP, and this is typically a program of treatment three times per week. It should also be noted that IOP treatment is generally done at a facility but all hours outside of programming take place in the Sober Living Environment (SLE). The final stage is when the client moves away from IOP programming and remains in the SLE in order to begin their reintegration into society.

While this model is sounds and reasonable from theoretical perspective, it does not always meet the goals it lays out within the actual practice. The point here is that standardized treatment works for some people; the problem occurs when it doesn’t and the sufferers and families are left looking for other options that just don’t exist. Hired Power and their team of Personal Recovery Assistants, continuing care managers, and safe passage drivers are all addiction professionals whose responsibility it is to connect with the addict on a personal and individualized basis so that the concerns that could not be attended to in the standardized setting are able to receive higher quality of care. If we have engaged in the same actions expecting different results while continually failing and feeling frustrated, it is time to move to a different framework, and this is where Hired Power can answer the call.

Hired Power was founded with a deep and personal understanding for addiction and recovery. We are here to support you in your journey, every step of the way. Call us today: (714) 559-3919.