The Treatment Plan

If an individual enters treatment for a substance-use disorder with a mental health professional, a treatment plan will be developed.  A treatment plan is a tool used by many professionals including doctors and therapists that serves as a guide for positive change.  It is directed, focused, and developed by both the therapist and the individual.  All individuals in treatment for a substance-use disorder should have a treatment plan and the therapist should discuss possible treatment outcomes with you.

The objective of the treatment plan is to manage mental health problems and develop opportunities for change and growth.  In terms of substance-use disorder, a treatment plan should also address triggers and relapse prevention strategies that the individual can use outside of the therapeutic setting.  One can think of a treatment plan as a map to recovery!

Treatment plans can also help with guiding the therapy sessions.  Since each person who is in recovery for substance-use disorder has individual needs, not all treatment plans will be the same.  They are usually developed between the therapist and the individual to focus on the specific issues the individual is experiencing.

When developing the treatment plan, a therapist will review the history of your substance use, what has or has not worked for you in the past, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and what you would like to gain from therapy.  Goals will be addressed and you can develop these goals with the therapist’s help.  The focus should be on what you want to do differently and how you will achieve behavioral and emotional change.  Another goal will be to understand what is going on with you right now; why you decided to enter therapy at this point.  The therapist will also address how the therapy will be conducted meaning what techniques will be used.

If you are a recovering addict, your treatment plan might include attending 12-step meetings once or twice per week, attending individual therapy once per week, and having family members attend Al-Anon or Narc Anon meetings.  The therapist would review this with you and also explain what type of therapeutic intervention they will be using.  For recovering addicts, cognitive-behavioral therapy works well and will help with changing negative thoughts that you might have about yourself and your addiction.  The treatment plan will also include involving family members in your recovery.

Treatment plans are necessary and will provide a way for you to set goals and work together with your therapist to achieve them.

Our family of dynamic recovery professionals works to serve you and your family through every step of the journey to recovery. Help is one phone call away. From intervention to Safe Passage Transportation, all of the service and coordination by Hired Power is designed to help you and your family focus on bringing recovery home. Call 714-559-3919 today for more information.