Addiction to substances represents one of the most insidious diseases known to mankind. Given the serious nature and sensitivity that surrounds addiction, the only viable path to recovery from this disease tends to be through spending time in a reputable drug and alcohol rehab treatment center. Any efforts to try to classify all addicts into one group represents nothing more than an exercise in futility.
Addiction Treatment is an Individual Process
Each individual who suffers from any kind of addiction to a substance is essentially a separate case study when it comes to treatment. They abuse substances under a specific set of circumstances that are unique to their situation. Furthermore, each individual has a unique personality and degree of addiction, which requires a specifically designed addiction treatment plan in order to derive maximum effectiveness.
5 Benefits of Individualized Addiction Recovery Care
Most addiction counselors and clinicians have come to understand that a one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment is going to fail in a majority of the cases. With that in mind, recent trends are showing that rehab facilities are using a larger number of treatment methodologies in order to better customize treatment plans for maximum effectiveness. The five benefits derived from individualized treatment are as follows:
1. In Depth Assessment – In an effort to develop a more effective individualized treatment plan, counselors will usually perform a more in-depth assessment of the patient’s background, which usually results in identifying a larger body of the issues that may be causing the need to abuse substances.
2. Personalized Attention – With an individualized addiction treatment program, more emphasis is placed on individual treatment and counseling as opposed to group sessions that are better suited for people with common problems.
3. Identifying Dual Diagnosis Issues – Surprisingly, an increasing number of individuals who are suffering from addiction are being found to also have emotional and mental issues. Individualized treatment plans are more effective at identifying and treating possible dual diagnosis issues.
4. Development of Individualized Coping Skills – In order to avoid future relapses, each patient needs a unique set of coping skills in order to navigate life outside rehab. Individualized treatment plans are more efficient about helping patients identify their unique triggers along with the unique coping skills to meet those triggers head on.
5. Setting Goals – During the treatment process, each patient should be motivated to set personal goals for recovery. In a custom treatment plan, counselors are able to work more closely with their patients when designing goals that will help meet each patient’s specific life circumstances.
Considering no two addicts have the exact same set of circumstances, it would be naive to think that one type of treatment plan will work for everyone. If the goal is to give every patient the best chance for a lasting recovery, then each patient needs to be treated as an individual.
