Part two of this four-part series focused on the importance of working with the beliefs, thought patterns and attitudes of alcoholics in recovery. Part three looks at the role that contributing factors and illnesses can play in addiction. It goes on to explore the importance of treatment style, length of treatment and importance of keeping clients engaged.
A recurring theme in this research published by Addiction Today is the importance of tailoring an alcohol rehab program to the specific traits and needs of a client. Long-term recovery is much more likely to be successful in programs that begin with the assumption that every client is different. Furthermore, no program will reach its potential without truly engaging the client.
These are the next five facts about drug and alcohol rehab:
11. Factors Contributing to Addiction Must Be Addressed
Physical dependence is a major part of any drug or alcohol addiction, but there is almost always more to the story. Part of the addiction counselor’s task is to identify other factors in the client’s life that are contributing to the drinking problem. The following is a list of the most common problems that may contribute to an addiction.
- Medical conditions
- Psychological problems
- Social issues
- Problems at work
Problems in any of these areas could potentially complicate or exacerbate a drinking problem. It is important to identify these problem areas as early as possible in the treatment process so that they can be properly dealt with. In some cases, issues like this can be addressed during alcohol rehab. Others may need to be dealt with after the client has been discharged.
12. Psychiatric Disorders Must Be Addressed
As mentioned in the previous item, psychological problems can contribute to a drinking problem and make treatment more challenging. This particular issue deserves its own slot on the list, since it presents particular complications.
Counselors at alcohol rehab clinics have to remain vigilant when it comes to psychological disorders. Many alcoholics suffer from more than mere physical dependence brought on by substance abuse. If one or more psychiatric conditions play into the drinking problem, then rehabilitation will only be effective if it treats the mental health problem as well. In some cases, this may require specialized treatment from outside the clinic. For this reason, alcohol rehabilitation clinics that integrate psychological and substance abuse services are particularly successful.
13. Supportive Approaches Trump Aggression
This item reflects a gradual paradigm shift that has taken place at rehab centers across the world in recent years. In times past, most professionals believed that an aggressive or even confrontational style of treatment was most effective. Over time, this mode of thought has been replaced by a more conscientious approach to rehab, though some clinics still adhere to old-school standards.
For the most part, evidence suggests that a less aggressive treatment style achieves better long-term results. Counselors attempt to develop motivation on behalf of their clients. When motivation is internalized, then real change becomes more probable.
However, it should be mentioned that certain client behaviors warrant more aggressive techniques. Many times, addicts and alcoholics resort to manipulative behavior in order to keep the focus off their problem. In certain cases, defense mechanisms and inappropriate behavior like this can only be corrected through direct, confrontational means.
14. Clients Must Be Engaged and Completion Rates Maximized
Clients who are highly engaged in their treatment tend to enjoy longer-term sobriety. There are several ways to ensure that a client is fully engaged in their treatment. Most involve establishing relationships between clients, other enrollees and their counselors. Here are few proven variables that contribute to an atmosphere of engagement:
- The client’s confidence in the treatment
- Treatment plans that are clearly and explicitly outlined
- Provision of transport for those who have trouble making it to rehab or meetings
- Strong relationships between counselors and clients
- Strong secondary services and support
It is also important to note that partial treatment does not correlate to partial results. A client who completes 50 percent of a rehabilitation treatment plan is not likely to see half the results of someone who completes the entire regimen. Instead, the results they see will probably be much lower. A higher level of engagement encourages higher completion rates, which in turn leads to real, long-term results.
15. Length of Treatment Matters
At this stage in rehab research, it has been well established that longer treatment terms correlate to better recovery results. A general milestone is 90 days. Treatment periods shorter than this are less likely to achieve long-term results.
But this does not mean that alcohol rehab is not worth trying for those with less than three months to spare. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that brief interventions have their place in treatment. Furthermore, remaining in treatment for 90 days does not necessarily mean staying sequestered away in rehab the entire time. After an initial period of intensive treatment, clients may be able to effectively wean themselves off of treatment by enrolling in aftercare services that gradually reduce in intensity.
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Facts about Drug & Alcohol Rehab – Part 4
This is the fourth and final installment in the series examining the 20 research facts about addiction rehabilitation published by Addiction Today, the National Addiction Centre and eATA. This final set of five facts breaks down the fundamentals of a successful rehab clinic. It weighs the comparative benefits of daycare, residential programs and aftercare, and offers insight into determining the role that medication, staff-client rapport and organization play in recovery.
These are the last five research facts about drug and alcohol rehab:
16. Residential and Daytime Programs Both Have Their Place
For those seeking alcohol rehabilitation, a primary consideration is whether to enroll in a daycare program or a full-time residential program. In the most severe cases of alcohol dependence, holding down a job becomes next to impossible. In this case, enrolling in a residential program is an obvious choice. Meanwhile, those with less severe problems may be tempted to enroll in a part-time rehabilitation program to avoid taking a leave from work.
Full-time rehab is especially recommended for those suffering from the following complications:
Admitting to the world that they have a problem can be humiliating, which is another reason problem drinkers prefer to enroll in a program that lets them go on with daily life. Even so, evidence suggests that a residential program brings about more significant results. This is especially true if a previous round of daycare-oriented rehab was unsuccessful.
Opposite this, a daycare program can supply exactly what is needed after a round of intensive full-time alcohol rehab. In this case, part-time support serves to extend the benefits of rehab over a longer period of time.
17. Medication Can Make a Difference
Pharmaceuticals have been shown to accomplish relatively little in the way of recovery when used by themselves. However, medication can be highly beneficial as an adjunct to treatment. For alcoholics, disulfiram is a particularly well-reviewed pharmaceutical. Addiction counselors at alcohol rehabilitation centers may recommend this medication to clients.
Beyond this, clients who are also struggling with psychiatric illness are strongly advised to seek medication in addition to routine dependency counseling. In some cases, the only way that a person can even begin to move toward recovery and sobriety is by first addressing underlying psychiatric problems. Trying to eliminate a drinking problem without getting help with mental illness is next to futile.
18. Aftercare and Self-Help Programs Boost Results
Research suggests that full-time and part-time rehab services are practically worthless without dedicated follow-up. The only way that a client can hope to avoid relapse and continuing implementing strategies developed during rehab is with ongoing professional and family support.
The most successful aftercare programs are offered on a professional basis. It is important for recovering alcoholics to entrust themselves to the care and guidance of trained counselors. Self-help groups, while proven less helpful than professional aftercare, can also play a role. In situations where aftercare is not possible due to logistical or financial reasons, enrollment in a self-help group is highly recommended.
19. Treatment Staff Are Essential
Any well-regarded addiction rehab center will have expert staff on hand. These include professionals in psychiatry and addiction counseling. However, more than this is needed. A high staff:client ratio plays heavily into the favor of recovering alcoholics. It is important that staff members are well trained and closely supervised. They also need to display genuine empathy for their clients.
There is some debate about whether the effectiveness of staff members and attendants depends on their own history with dependence. Some insist that staff-client empathy is only possible where the staff come from a background of addiction, as this is the only way they can truly understand what clients are going through. This aside, some research suggests that the most successful teams are more eclectic than this. Ideally, some staff members will be in recovery; others will have no history of substance abuse.
20. Organizational Standards Make a Difference
Naturally, organization matters. A rehabilitation clinic with poor organizational structure will have a difficult time encouraging their clients to develop and implement long-term sobriety strategies. This may go without saying, but it is corroborated by strong evidence and certainly bears mentioning.
For an idea of what constitutes sound organizational standards, clients can take a look at the Auditing Standards set out by eATA or at QuADS, which was developed jointly by Alcohol Concern and DrugScope.
Conclusion
One of the main points of this study is the importance of comprehensive, flexible treatment that can be tailored to a particular client’s disposition. A program that is sensitive to the client’s background and works to incorporate relevant strategies has a much better chance of producing long-term results.
One of the surest ways to ensure that an alcoholic seeking recovery receives a tailor-made recovery plan is to enroll in an alcohol rehab center that promotes a variety of treatments. Centers that are well-staffed and well-versed in a range of treatment options can achieve better results for their clients.