Continuity of Care: Achieving Long Term Sobriety

Have you ever wondered why some people achieve long term sobriety and others do not? Why some people jump from treatment center to treatment center attempting to get sober several times, but never quite make it, and others get it on the first attempt? The answer is simple. Overwhelming evidence has shown that patients who are diagnosed properly and assigned an appropriate continuity of care have a much greater chance of obtaining long term sobriety than patients who are not.

Continuity of care is a process of treatment which is determined by a clinician after a thorough evaluation. The clinician assesses the individual client and determines the most effective steps to take in order to provide the best treatment possible. The process of individual case management is the key component in a good treatment center. Many treatment centers simply have the same treatment plan and continuity of care plan for every client that walks in the door, which will never work. Different clients require different treatment, the process of treatment should never look like an assembly line. One client may require extensive life skills coaching, while another client might require more anger management workshops. There is no “cookie-cutter” diagnosis that will aid every patient in the battle with addiction, which is why treatment centers who focus on individual case management will always provide the best possible results.

The continuity of care generally begins with a detoxification program to start, if necessary. Detoxification is necessary for clients who have been abusing opioids such as Oxycontin or Heroin, or benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Colatapin. In addition, people who have been abusing alcohol for an extended period of time must also seek a medical detox to assist with this process. The process of detoxification without medical supervision is extremely dangerous, and sometime fatal, so it is highly recommended to seek professional help if you are attempting to detox. The process of treatment cannot truly begin until all toxins and byproducts of these toxins have removed from the body, which usually takes between from 4 days up to several months.

Next in the continuity of care comes a residential inpatient rehabilitation program. Generally, these programs provide housing on-site in designated sober residential communities. In addition, all food and transportation is provided for the client. Clients attend anywhere from 7-9 hours of intensive treatment every day on the premises, which includes one-on-one therapy with a clinician, as well as several supervised group therapy sessions and workshops focused on a variety of topics. One of the most important workshops is focused on Relapse Prevention. In addition, several workshops are offered on a variety of topics such as Life Skills Coaching, 12 – Step Coaching, and Holistic Medicine such as Nutritional Workshops, Yoga, Acupuncture and so on.

After graduating an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, many clients feel it would be helpful to continue the treatment process, but in a less supervised manner. Intensive Outpatient is designed to provide the client still early in their recovery the ability to receive intensive one-on-one therapy, as well as group therapy, with the flexibility to pursue schooling or a job. These workshops are generally scheduled in the evenings which allow the client to take classes at one of the many colleges and universities in the area, or work during the day. Intensive Outpatient is also combined with residence at a sober housing community which provides continual support during this transitional phase back into functioning society.

Lastly, many patients new to recovery find it useful to stay in the sober housing community for the support provided by peers. Many people stay in sober housing communities for many moths after graduating the Inpatient Treatment Program. There is no time limit on a person’s stay; everyone goes at their own pace, and leaves when they feel comfortable and confident enough to live on their own. The process of transitioning from an Inpatient Therapy Program all the way to living and working in a sober housing community is a very drastic change, and continual support along the way is what makes the difference between those who succeed in sobriety, and those who fail.