Overcoming addiction and substance abuse is not a straight road, and the methods that work for one person may not be as effective for another. In many cases, those seeking recovery may not consider outpatient treatment programs because they do not believe that they will receive the same personalized, guided treatment that they can expect in other options, such as in-patient recovery. However, this could not be further from the truth!
In reality, outpatient treatment programs offer a personalized approach to addressing substance abuse and addictive behaviors, whether these challenges arise from biological, psychological, social, or other causes.
Let’s explore how outpatient programs can be personalized to your unique needs to offer you the greatest chance of success and equip you with the tools you need to succeed.
Is Every Outpatient Treatment Program the Same?
No — In fact, each outpatient treatment program uniquely caters to the needs of the individual receiving care. Because people are unique, the treatment they seek for substance abuse and addiction should be targeted toward them.
While some of the fundamental principles underlying treatment, such as building support networks and reframing self-talk, occur in almost all programs, the way they are implemented differs based on the person.
Methods of Customizing Treatment
Outpatient treatment programs seek to equip a person in recovery with tools, habits, knowledge, and routines that they can utilize both inside and outside of their treatment visits to find greater success on the road to recovery. Some of the methods by which a professional will personalize treatment to a patient’s unique needs include the following:
- Multiple therapy options: One of the main reasons that people often have a difficult time getting started with outpatient treatment programs is that they do not want to participate in something that they believe is automatically included in the program. For instance, they may have heard someone they know and trust talk about going to group therapy, but they feel overwhelmed at the thought of sharing their situation in front of strangers or peers. In reality, group therapy is just one of many potential options for finding success in recovery. Professionals can set participants up for success using a therapy option suited to their personality and comfort, whether one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy, group practice, educational programs, or family counseling.
- Addressing all aspects of the situation: Another way to customize addiction and substance abuse treatment is for the professional to address all aspects of the situation comprehensively. It is wise to establish a support network to help you through addictive behaviors and the potential for relapse — and in most cases, family members can be a key part of this process. However, truly customized programs will adapt to all situations. If a participant has an unhealthy relationship with their family, the professional may recommend alternative support networks, such as friend groups or peers in a similar situation.
- Establishing connected skills: One of the biggest contributors to success in outpatient treatment programs is the professional’s ability to teach coping skills and new habits based on the individual’s unique personality and interests. For example, many people find that when they begin to suffer from cravings or thoughts of relapse, journaling can help to release these thoughts from the mind and externalize them so they are no longer problematic. However, others may find that journaling gives them plenty of time to be alone with their thoughts, making recovery more difficult. Outpatient treatment programs will learn from these cues, help patients identify the coping skills that appeal to them, and work with their personalities and triggers. Journaling may be fine for some, but others might benefit more from having access to a therapist or exercising to release endorphins that fulfill the urge to use.
These are just a few examples of the many ways that outpatient treatment programs can customize their approach to address a patient’s unique way of viewing the world.
Everyone’s triggers are different, including external situations (e.g., visiting a particular place or smelling a certain smell) and internal states (e.g., negative emotions spiraling, boredom causing cravings). As a result, the treatment should be unique as well.
Explore Washington D.C’s Outpatient Treatment Programs for Addiction
If you are struggling with addiction or substance abuse, or if you know someone who is, outpatient treatment programs can be a powerful tool to curb the initial tendency toward relapse and teach life skills that strengthen sobriety over the long term.
The experts at Aquila Recovery Clinic can help you develop the tools you need to succeed based on your unique personality, interests, and triggers. Contact Aquila Recovery Clinic to schedule your outpatient treatment.