Treatment is a challenge for people because there are so many barriers. The biggest one is letting go of the mental concept of giving up control in addiction to someone else. The feeling that recovery is about losing control is false because the person actually regains control over their lives. Alcoholism and drug dependence are chronic diseases that require long-term care for their lifespan. There is no cure and focusing on short-term solutions is detrimental to people’s health. A good long-term care model starts with detox and cultivates a plan that takes the person years into recovery to set them up for success.
Five Year Planning
One concept treatment centers may follow is the idea that a continuum of care for people with addiction should last five years. Long-term recovery rates skyrocket when people have intentional, well-thought-out support. It may be easy to say professionals are motivated to stay sober but it is not just about that. Creating space for people in a five-year plan leaves room for things to shift and grow but also provides space for the work of recovery.
Continuum of Care Model
The 5-year Continuum of Care model focuses on different elements that may be present to help someone navigate recovery. Some of the work includes monitoring, coaching, client-based services, and outpatient care. Clinical and medical services are typically needed long term to ensure the person is able to function appropriately without risk of relapse. Outpatient care includes knowing the person has safe, supportive housing.
Supportive Incentives
Recovery coaching is one area people can gain some insight and wisdom from others who have been there. For professionals who struggle with addiction, they have to report to a licensing board on a regular basis. The licensing board may revoke their licenses at any time. For those who receive supportive services, they are incentivized to stick with programmatic support so they can find help and healing in recovery. For non-professionals, not complying with this may be motivating but they are not at risk of losing their careers over their recovery challenges.
Standardizing Care
One of the ways a continuum of care model helps people in recovery is to standardize care across the board. Rather than say that people who receive help only need it short-term, it helps create quantifiable data that people can get their heads around and see how beneficial the services are for recovery. Some added benefits of creating a long-term continuum of care include:
- Providing services that fully support recovery
- Developing therapeutic relationships to help people navigate their healing journey
- Staying connected to recovery communities
- Finding mentoring and coaching to keep them growing in recovery
- Provides encouragement
Coping with Recovery
The long-range goals for people in recovery are going to vary. Most people want some variation of vocational and personal support. Finding meaningful work is hard for people who have mental health challenges and addiction. It may be a struggle to find work if they have chronic pain that is not manageable without opioids (and is not an option is recovery). To find meaning and purpose in recovery is key so people can find hope for the future. Being under the weight of addiction can feel hopeless and meaningless. To get out from under it can bring a new sense of vitality and hope. With the right services and support, a person can thrive in recovery. Finding support from loved ones is also important. This means asking friends and family to come alongside for the journey. Most people who travel by someone down the road of recovery have been there, but loved ones may be trying to rebuild the connection that was lost while the person was addicted. This can lead to tension, pain, and difficulty moving forward. To combat this, a person should find the best way for them to build a continuum of care with their team of people that works for their lifestyle. Everyone’s recovery is unique, so it is important to treat it with the utmost care.
Ashley Addiction Treatment is an innovative treatment program located on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. Ashley provides support for professionals seeking help with addiction. We are able to help people with co-occurring disorders and offer confidential treatment programs to meet your needs. Please reach out to us today at (800) 799-4673.