Addiction service is a broad term used to describe the range of services provided to address the problems associated with substance abuse, including detoxification, crisis care and residential treatment. It can be delivered in a variety of settings or environments, and each of these treatment approaches has proven to be effective at improving a person's outcomes after completing a treatment program.
Detoxification and Withdrawal (Crisis Services)
Individuals who have developed serious, life-threatening medical conditions resulting from the use of addicting chemicals may require detoxification in a hospital or other setting. These services are typically brief, usually three to five days in duration. They often lead to a referral for continued chemical dependency treatment in a longer-term setting such as a residential facility or intensive outpatient clinic.
The purpose of addiction services is to help people recover from the psychological, social and economic consequences of their drug or alcohol use. They focus on the individual's ability to make positive changes in his or her behavior and relationships and to establish a support network of peers who will help to prevent relapse.
Recovery is a process of achieving and maintaining long-term abstinence from addictive substances and practices, while still functioning in society as a productive member of the community. Achieving abstinence requires a comprehensive approach to treating the substance use disorder and all related issues. The treatment process addresses such areas as physical health, mental health, family, legal, financial, child care, housing, employment, prevocational and work readiness, and social and spiritual issues.
Psychosocial Relapse Prevention Counseling and Intensive Outpatient Therapies
The primary goal of relapse prevention counseling is to teach people how to recognize "triggers" that may lead them to substance use again, to identify the alternative behaviors they will substitute for drug use, and to develop new strategies for handling stressors. These coping skills can be taught in either a group or individual setting.
Behavioral therapy is also an important component of treatment and is particularly effective for helping people develop a repertoire of substitute behaviors, such as increased self-esteem or increased work productivity. Behavioral therapies also are critical in promoting healthy, positive interpersonal relationships and in helping patients improve their problem-solving skills.
Relapse prevention counseling is a key component of most treatment programs, focusing on building a client's own resilience, preventing relapse and fostering social support. Using a biopsychosocial model, relapse prevention counselors help clients identify the emotional or environmental triggers that may result in relapse and provide counseling on how to respond to these triggers in a constructive manner.
In addition, relapse prevention counselors teach clients to interrupt a craving for drugs before the urge is strong enough to cause an adverse outcome. This training is highly successful in reducing relapse rates and helping people become more independent.
This Meridian HealthCare counseling is also often incorporated into the AA 12-Step program in residential facilities and other inpatient treatment settings. Using the AA 12 Steps under the guidance of a sponsor, members of relapse prevention groups reassess their past lives and take more responsibility for their drug or alcohol use.
For more understanding of this article, visit this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_abuse.