Creating a Personalized Addiction Treatment Plan

When planning for sobriety, having a customized treatment plan for substance use disorder can be the difference between successful long-term recovery and multiple failed relapses. People experience addiction differently, and studies consistently reveal the benefits of a personalized recovery plan as they relate to the individual, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Various factors contribute to the development of substance use disorder treatment plans, including the type of types of substances used, the duration of the addiction, co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, personal life circumstances, and underlying psychological characteristics. Buena Vista’s compassionate, experienced medical and clinical professionals craft treatment plans to meet each person’s unique drug and alcohol recovery needs.

NOTE TO READERS

It is important to note that throughout this blog, we use the word “relapse,” as it remains a commonly used term in the recovery community. We understand that this term can be associated with a stigmatizing view of recovery. However, we want to make it easier for people seeking help for themselves or a loved one to find the information in this blog. Therefore, using the term “relapse” increases the likelihood that those looking for lifesaving resources will find this blog.

Recognizing a substance abuse problem in a loved one can be very difficult. Individuals who abuse substances often hide their behaviors from family members and friends — if asked, they’re likely to deny they have a problem. Relatives of those struggling with substance abuse must sometimes work hard to uncover the addiction. Becoming attune to substance abuse signs and symptoms can help you recognize these problems in the people you care about most.

Addiction and mental health disorders can often affect people in tandem. Support in the form of friends, family, and loved ones is instrumental at each stage of recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders. However, supporting effectively is a skill that takes practice. Knowing how to properly support someone with anxiety, panic, or addiction requires education and compassion. It is necessary to become educated on the signs and effects of anxiety and panic, how they relate to the use of addictive substances, and how to navigate trying times to provide the most effective support possible. 

Alcohol is widely present in society, and for many, drinking is a normal part of life. While having an occasional drink may not be problematic, binge drinking is a concern—especially for men. Binge drinking involves consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period. Over time, it can lead to serious health issues and disrupt various aspects of life. However, through an alcohol detox program and addiction treatment, men can heal physically while learning skills that help them to live healthier and substance-free lives after treatment.

Opioids are a dangerous and highly addictive class of drugs that can affect a person’s body, mind, and life in a variety of ways. There is no single way an individual may be exposed to these drugs, nor will each individual experience their effects the same way. Identifying the signs and symptoms of opioid abuse in oneself or a loved one is the first step in overcoming opioid addiction. Further, recognizing these signs is necessary to begin the journey through professional treatment and healing. 

When you decide to get help for addiction, your first concern might logically be how long it takes to recover. Recovery can be defined in different ways. Some may view it simply as a point of remission when they can start counting sober days. Others may see full recovery as being emotionally free of addiction-related challenges.

What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Often, a person suffering from a substance abuse condition will also suffer from a mental health condition. They are common comorbidities that occur together frequently, enough to say that struggling with addiction will likely increase a person’s risk for developing other mental health conditions and vice versa. Dual Diagnosis Treatment for patients endeavors to address this; when a person has both a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder, their treatment becomes more complicated. 

A lot of people struggle with addiction in one form or another. However, parents with addiction, whether a drug or alcohol addiction, may experience many problems in different aspects of their lives. Their addiction can strain their relationships, negatively affect their performance at work, or ruin their health outright.

Typically, there are many signs your loved one is starting to struggle with an addiction, but they are easily ignored or missed. This failure to identify the warning signs of an addiction can make it feel as if your loved one’s drug/alcohol misuse developed overnight — when in reality, it has been happening for a while.