On a daily basis people reach the turning point when they realize that an addiction is harming their lives. In most cases, arriving at this juncture is the end result of a tumultuous and self-destructive cycle of substance abuse or a harmful behavioral addiction. The nature of addiction demands continual, compulsive engagement despite the many negative consequences that begin to pile up. This means that it make take a cluster of these before one finally admits they need professional help.
Regardless of how long it takes to arrive at the point when one is finally ready to get help with an addiction, attention should turn now to following through and finding a solid Utah addiction center that can offer hope for a new, fulfilling future. It helps to have a basic understanding of what constitutes a quality program, and then what to expect during the treatment and recovery process.
Different Types of Utah Addiction Centers
At the outset of the recovery journey it is necessary to first explore the different treatment formats and programming options available. There is a wide range of niche rehabs available, such as couples rehab, luxury rehab, pet friendly rehab, faith-based rehab, LGBT rehab, dual diagnosis rehab, holistic rehab, and more, so it can quickly become overwhelming.
While these specialty rehabs may have a particular area of focus or philosophy that sets them apart, generally an addiction rehabilitation program will fall into one of two formats, outpatient and inpatient services.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
An outpatient rehab provides various levels of intensity to align with the individual’s recovery needs. Programming takes place at an outpatient center, which allows the client to reside at home while in the program. This flexibility also provides freedom to continue to attend school or work, and to continue to fulfill parental obligations. Outpatient rehab programs are suitable for those who have a mild or emerging addiction.
Inpatient Treatment Programs
An inpatient rehab provides a more intensive approach to treatment, with the client residing at the rehab center throughout the length of the program. This allows for round-the-clock support and monitoring, and will include a wider range of therapeutic activities throughout the day. Inpatient programming is appropriate for those with a moderate to severe addiction.
About Dual Diagnosis
A significant number of individuals who struggle with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. When both substance and mental health disorders are present it is called a dual diagnosis. Individuals with a dual diagnosis will have unique challenges and more complex needs during treatment, therefore should seek a program that specializes in dual diagnosis programming.
It is widely accepted that individuals with a dual diagnosis, such as alcohol use disorder and co-occurring depression, or benzodiazepine addiction and co-occurring anxiety disorder for example, should have both disorders treated simultaneously. The logic behind this approach is based on the knowledge that without treating a coexisting mental health disorder a sustained recovery from addiction will not be achieved. The symptoms of the mental health condition will continue to trigger future substance abuse if the disorder is not examined through therapy and, in some instances, managed with medication.
What to Expect in Treatment at a Utah Addiction Center
There are feelings of anxiety around heading off to rehab. Making the decision to address a substance problem is often one of mixed feelings. The individual desires to reclaim a healthy life after an addiction has wreaked havoc, but there is some fear, too. The unknown of the treatment process and the rehab environment provokes these feelings to some extent.
With that in mind, having a general understanding prior to entering treatment can be beneficial. This knowledge can help reduce stress and allow someone to mentally prepare for beginning the recovery process, which involves:
- Intake evaluation and diagnosis. The initial step prior to entering the rehab program is the clinical assessment and diagnosis process. Through a careful evaluation, which includes an interview, a review of mental health, substance use, and medical health, and use of assessment tools, the clinical staff will arrive at a diagnosis. A treatment plan is then devised that will conform to the recovery needs of the client. Together a set of recovery goals is identified.
- Medical detox program. Depending on the severity of the substance use disorder, it may be necessary to undergo a medically monitored detox and withdrawal process. The detox process will take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the acuity of the addiction and the substance itself. Withdrawal symptoms will be carefully monitored, and medications are provided to minimize discomfort. Additionally, psychological support is also provided.
Treatment process for the addiction. The treatment protocol, while customized for each individual client, traditionally follows an industry standard. In outpatient treatment, the therapeutic interventions are less intensive with participation determined by the specific outpatient program. In inpatient treatment, a full schedule of daily activities provides a more intensive level of care.
Treatment elements include:
- Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the core element of addiction treatment. By examining, processing, and healing underlying psychological issues and dysfunctional thought-behavior patterns the individual can make the necessary fundamental changes. The client meets with the therapist to begin the journey of exploring factors that are contributing to the addiction, and the therapist guides them toward making positive changes.
- Group therapy. Peer support in recovery is an essential part of treatment. The small groups of clients will gather to discuss common issues revolving around addiction and, if there is a dual diagnosis, mental health issues. A therapist leads these meetings, providing a topic of discussion and then facilitating the conversation. Group sessions benefit the clients, allowing them to develop bonds with each other and to share their stories, which fosters mutual support.
- Family therapy. For many, the family members have been deeply affected by their loved one’s addiction behaviors. Addiction truly is a family disease, impacting the family unit in profound ways including emotional suffering, financial fallout, and broken trust bonds. Families may have issues of dysfunction as well, which can be explored in family-focused therapy sessions. Family members are taught to define healthy boundaries, how to provide support without codependency and enabling, and more effective communication skills.
- Medication management. Some clients will benefit from medication-assisted treatment, or MAT. Certain drugs, such as Vivitrol and Suboxone, have been found to be helpful in early recovery. The drugs help the body to gradually reduce the desire and cravings for the substance, thereby decreasing the risk of relapse. MAT is strictly monitored and prescribed only in tandem with other recovery efforts, such as ongoing psychotherapy.
- Recovery meetings. Many rehabs include 12-step or similar programming into the treatment plan. Some rehabs select Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step philosophy while others adapt a non 12-step program like SMART Recovery. Other rehabs offer access to both types of recovery programs, providing options for clients.
- Addiction education. Treatment for an addiction includes learning about how addiction occurs in the first place. Rehabs offer class sessions that focus on the neuroscience; how the brain is altered by the substance or behavioral addiction. Clients create their own unique relapse prevention strategy and are taught recovery skills to equip themselves when triggers or stressors threaten sobriety.
- Adjunctive therapies. Increasingly, addiction treatment plans include complementary therapies that enhance the clinical effects of the psychotherapy efforts. For example, someone struggling with a past trauma that has contributed to substance abuse may benefit from eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), which can be used in tandem with exposure therapies and cognitive behavioral therapy to help the client overcome the effect of the trauma.
- Recreational therapies. Treatment programs understand the benefit of adding recreational and holistic activities to the curriculum. These help balance the stress of rehab with enjoyable diversions that also contribute to enhanced wellbeing. Exercise is encouraged, and most rehabs offer some type of sports activities. In addition, holistic therapies such as yoga classes, art therapy, mindfulness meditation, and journaling are also beneficial to the mind-body connection.
- Nutritional counseling. Restoring health following a substance use disorder is a primary goal in recovery. In many cases the addiction has resulted in depleted physical health and nutritional deficiencies. Many rehabs provide nutritional counseling along with healthy menus that offer restorative health solutions during treatment and beyond. As the body and brain repair functioning through a healthy diet and regular exercise, overall mood is elevated, which contributes to a sustained recovery.
Continuing care after rehab. One of the most important aspects of addiction recovery is the aftercare piece. Once a treatment program has been completed, it is a mistake to assume all is good to go. Recovery is a continual process, a lifetime effort requiring constant vigilance. To achieve a sustained, successful recovery, it is imperative that continuing care activities are included in the overall treatment planning. These help to solidify sobriety, especially in the first critical year when recovery is very vulnerable to relapse. Continuing care includes:
- Outpatient services. A month or two of psychotherapy in rehab has helped to identify problematic thought patterns or helped begin the emotional healing of a pain point. But this short amount of time in therapy is insufficient for the ongoing effort to remain sober as challenges to sobriety surface. Incorporating ongoing weekly outpatient individual therapy and group sessions offers a clinical support system to help navigate any events that may threaten recovery.
- Sober living. Not everyone has a supportive home environment to return to after rehab. If this is the case, planning for a few months in a sober living environment is essential. Sober living provides a substance-free space where clients can find mutual support in recovery. Sober living also provides a built-in deterrent to relapse through regular testing and a zero tolerance policy.
- Recovery community. Finding a group or a community for the important social support piece is an additional protective factor against relapse. Participating in the meetings offers opportunities to meet other people who are committed to sobriety, and foster new sober friendships. Recovery communities also offer opportunities to serve others through volunteer activities, which also help to prevent relapse.
Creating a Sober Lifestyle After Treatment
Transitioning to a sober lifestyle is not easy. After a lengthy period of substance abuse, it takes commitment and continued efforts to successfully adopt a new, healthy lifestyle that is supportive of one’s recovery goals. This new lifestyle becomes a continuous work in progress as a new way of living becomes habit. It also means shedding old friends and acquaintances that will be detrimental to sobriety, which can spark feelings of loneliness or sadness at first.
For the best chance of succeeding in recovery, focus on the following areas:
- Expand your social group. There are many sober groups to check out on Meetup.com—sober travel groups, hiking groups, recreation groups, book clubs, and more. Explore socializing with like-minded people while adding some fun new activities to your life. Recovery communities often sponsor social events as well, which also offer opportunities for making new sober friends.
- Get fit. Make a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle by setting some new fitness goals. Take up a new sport, join a gym, start a regular exercise routine with running, walking, hiking, cycling, or swimming. Combine the exercise with a healthy diet for enhanced cognitive functioning, better sleep quality, and a more positive frame of mind.
- Volunteer. Find a local charity you want to support and offer your services. Volunteering is a win-win for improving quality of life—it helps others while creating a sense of purpose.
Next Level Recovery High Quality Utah Addiction Center
Next Level Recovery is a full-spectrum addiction recovery program located in Utah. At Next Level Recovery, our expert team is dedicated to helping individuals overcome a substance use disorder and then go on to enjoy a fulfilling life in recovery. We offer high quality outpatient and inpatient programs with an evidence-based treatment approach. Sober living housing is available as well. In addition, Next Level Recovery offers a program for effectively treating pornography addiction. For more information, please contact the team at (888) 759-5846.
