Substance use disorder (SUD) can interfere with many different aspects of an individual’s life if left untreated. Surrendering to addiction or mental health treatment is critical to gaining a better quality of life, but it can be a stressful process. Establishing the right care plan can be even more overwhelming. Not everyone feels confident moving forward with treatment, and many do not know what to expect as they often fear failure. However, developing an individualized treatment program before beginning care can provide a sense of comfort. Doing so can be highly beneficial to an individual’s path to recovery. It can also provide the right encouragement to confidently navigate care at South Shore Recovery Center.
SUD is a chronic brain disease that impairs an individual’s reward system. Even when one faces rock bottom, they may still choose to abuse harmful substances. The effects of SUD can cause one to misuse drugs and alcohol despite the damaging consequences. This can especially be true for those who are experiencing difficulties coping with one or more conditions. For example, sometimes it takes a team of loved ones, such as family and professionals at South Shore Recovery Center, to help one understand the importance of seeking professional support.
It can be challenging for some individuals with active addiction to slow down and recognize how their addictive behaviors have impacted their lives. Active addiction can negatively impair relationships with loved ones, interfere with one’s work performance, and cause academic challenges. If left untreated, SUD can lead to family problems, divorce, unemployment, homelessness, and potentially damage to an individual’s reputation. Life before treatment can seem as if every day is spinning out of control. Therefore, it can be difficult for the individual with SUD or their family who do not understand their condition to find the best treatment program.
When an individual facing challenges with severe SUD begins to realize they are in dire need of support, they may be quick to choose any treatment service available. Although seeking support is the first best step, carefully planning a treatment plan is critical to achieving lasting sobriety. Research indicates that an individualized treatment plan can be defined as a specialist working one-on-one with a patient to personally plan their goal for proper management.
It is a personalized written document representing a patient’s plan of care for mental health disorders and SUD. A personalized treatment plan evaluates the person as a whole to help the individual focus on their primary objectives. An individual may undergo a thorough evaluation and set achievable goals, strategies, and interventions to receive proper care once they transition into treatment.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a dual diagnosis can be defined as two or more conditions that affect one’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Studies have estimated that approximately 21.5 million adults in the United States face challenges with a co-occurring disorder. Individuals who ignore the warning signs of a dual diagnosis and refuse to seek professional support put themselves at an increased risk of poor self-care, mood instability, poor physical health complications, and suicide.
It is highly common for those with unaddressed SUD to be at an increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis, or one or more primary health conditions. Prevalent diseases or disorders linked with SUD can worsen one’s mental health. South Shore Recovery Center’s mission is to be a patient-centered addiction treatment for individuals with SUD and co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring mental health conditions that their clinical team specializes in treating include but are not limited to:
Individuals diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder are highly more likely to experience SUD than those who do not have a mental health disorder. This is so as such individuals with untreated psychiatric disorders who do not seek professional support commonly attempt to self-medicate with harmful substances. Those with SUD may engage in substance use to attempt to gain relief from the battle in their mind to use again. Masking symptoms with drugs and alcohol is never effective and only worsens one’s condition and overall well-being over time. Some individuals who are being treated for a mental health condition often misuse:
Anyone of any age, race, gender, or condition may benefit greatly from developing an individualized treatment plan at South Shore Recovery Center. Those with mild, moderate, or severe addiction or mental health challenges may find that taking on a personalized approach can improve their overall treatment experience. Individuals with a dual diagnosis may benefit the most from receiving complementary care.
Therefore, a personalized care plan can ensure an individual with both addiction and poor mental health receives the right combination of treatments. For example, a specialist may recommend a holistic care method as a complementary service to a specific psychotherapy. This can help promote relapse prevention and assist one in gaining long-term mental stability for improved overall well-being.
Knowing that severe SUD or a dual diagnosis can be challenging to manage, choosing not to move forward with an individualized treatment program can pose some serious risks. For example, if an individual picks a standard form of care or just any treatment option, they may battle the trial and error phase. Not moving forward with a personalized approach to care can leave an individual feeling strongly discouraged.
It is common for those with SUD and co-occurring mental health conditions to experience problems with low self-esteem, decreased confidence, or a poor sense of self-worth. When an individual does not begin to see progress after just a few weeks of treatment and finds that their treatment plan may not be effective, they may experience worsened depression or anxiety. Navigating through a poor addiction treatment plan may also leave one feeling withdrawn from others. A patient may question whether they should drop out of their treatment program and begin to experience a strong sense of self-doubt. When an individual chooses just any treatment plan, they may:
A relapse does not occur overnight. As an individual struggles to focus, it can be easy to fall off the path to healing. Research indicates that relapse is a gradual process. When one does not gain benefit from their treatment plan, they may be susceptible to enduring the three stages of relapse. Each stage of relapse poses its unique risks. The three stages of relapse include emotional, mental, and physical.
An emotional relapse happens when one remembers the last time they engaged in substance use but has little to no desire to use substances again. However, the individual’s thoughts and behaviors may set them up for an unwanted relapse. A mental relapse occurs when one experiences a war in their mind to use drugs or alcohol. The individual may be indecisive about using harmful substances again. As one dives deeper into their mental relapse, they may find it harder to cope with triggers. At this point, the individual with SUD may find it harder to ward off substance cravings. They may experience a deeper urge to use substances in hopes of escaping from their SUD symptoms.
Lastly, a physical relapse is when an individual sadly surrenders to drugs or alcohol. If one does not communicate their symptoms to their care team, they may be at an increased risk of falling into a coma, experiencing a serious disability, or even death. Therefore, it is critical for an individual whose goal is to abstain from harmful substances to spend one-on-one time with a chosen specialist and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. This may help them reach the most optimal recovery outcome.
It is common for some individuals with SUD or a dual diagnosis to feel hesitant to move forward with addiction treatment. Not knowing what to expect can feel intimidating. Fortunately, the passionate clinical team at our recovery center kindly gives each patient their undivided attention. Patients at South Shore Recovery Center take comfort in knowing their care team strives to develop an effective care plan to help them become a happier and healthier version of themselves.
A professional may ask questions regarding their medical history, trauma history, strengths, weaknesses, and interests. This way, the specialist can best accommodate their specific needs. A professional at our recovery center may patiently walk the individual through different types of care. Doing so may help the patient gain a better understanding of the services we offer. South Shore Recovery Center offers a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including group therapy, individual therapy, and other services to promote holistic healing.
South Shore Recovery Center’s clinical team may also tailor specific services to the patient’s needs to best meet our patient’s requirements. Depending on the severity of our patient’s condition, a specialist may suggest dual support. For example, a clinical specialist may recommend medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help one effectively overcome a dual diagnosis. This is where one takes their prescribed medications in combination with unique psychotherapies. Evidence-based treatment options at South Shore Recovery Center include:
Starting with an individualized treatment plan before beginning care can be advantageous to one’s level of productivity and focus. Many individuals who decide to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tend to achieve more positive recovery outcomes than those who do not. An individualized treatment plan can provide the support and personalized care needed to stay on track toward ongoing healing.
Rather than taking on a one-size-fits-all approach to care, an individualized treatment plan provides the personalized attention needed for continuous improvement. This may be done to ensure the individual receives the most effective yet comfortable treatment plan for success. Additional benefits that can come from developing an individualized treatment plan before beginning care include:
Sometimes, a specific treatment program may be right for an individual, but the therapist may not. When this occurs, one may easily become demotivated. In this case, individuals with SUD or a dual diagnosis must communicate their concerns with the clinical team at South Shore Recovery Center to make for a more comfortable experience. Our team may recommend a different professional who may be more qualified to treat their condition or sit down to work to resolve the issue. It can be easy for one experiencing problems with their mental health to harbor emotions. Sometimes, communicating new symptoms, concerns, or challenges can take the weight off one’s shoulders and provide relief to move forward in treatment.
Although specialists at South Shore Recovery Center may have taken time to develop a specific roadmap to recovery, this does not necessarily mean a specific program is 100% guaranteed to be effective. Life can take a turn sometimes. For example, some individuals lose their jobs, a relationship may end, a sudden foreclosure happens, a disastrous event occurs, or a loved one passes. Unexpected life events can negatively interfere with one’s treatment progress.
South Shore Recovery Center understands that certain events can impact one’s overall well-being and hinder our patients’ ability to succeed in treatment. Therefore, our compassionate care team is always willing to adjust our patients’ treatment plans. This may be done to accommodate our patients’ needs and help them get back on track from what may have seemed like a major setback. Benefits that can come from modifying an individualized treatment plan include:
Many individuals with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders commonly share a history of trauma. If persistent trauma is left unaddressed, one may gravitate toward substance use in hopes of self-medicating the negative effects of their condition. For some individuals, it can be difficult to move forward and overcome past trauma. Fortunately, South Shore Recovery Center provides a safe and confidential treatment setting to accommodate our patients’ comfort needs. We also provide a respectful and accountable environment to compassionately support our patients’ journey to healing.
Our clinical team may assess and properly diagnose our patients before developing an effective treatment plan. This may consist of a biopsychosocial evaluation and trauma assessment upon intake. However, diagnoses are continuously developed throughout the treatment to provide the best care plan possible as consistent changes and transformations occur.
It is common for some individuals with SUD to relapse within the first year after completing their treatment program. South Shore Recovery Center understands that recovery is a life-long process. A clinical specialist may not only suggest a special treatment program at the beginning of care but later recommend a robust aftercare plan or continuum of care services.
Knowing early recovery can be a vulnerable stage, it is essential to inquire about continuing care services before transitioning into a normal way of living. Early recovery can be especially difficult for those with severe SUD or a co-occurring mental health disorder. A professional may suggest finding a therapist or a prescriber for ongoing medication management, encourage community or family assistance, or recommend support groups for long-term support.
These services help reinforce the strategies and skills once learned during treatment. Aftercare services can also ensure that patients have the support needed to maintain lasting sobriety and mental stability. Additional aftercare services offered at South Shore Recovery Center include:
Co-occurring disorder treatment involves comprehensive care for people with mental health challenges and problems with misusing substances like drugs or alcohol. Our main goal at South Shore Recovery Center is to provide co-occurring disorder treatment to help our patients feel better mentally and tackle substance misuse. When it comes to managing these complex conditions, our clinical team of professionals only uses the most effective evidence-based treatments for results. If you or your loved one are ready to begin healing from substance use disorder or mental health challenges in Plymouth, Massachusetts, South Shore Recovery is here for you. Call South Shore Recovery Center at (774) 515-2878 to develop an individualized treatment program to achieve long-term recovery.
DISCLAIMER: South Shore Recovery Center is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to provide Outpatient Counseling and Day Treatment Services.
