Entering treatment is one of the most difficult and brave things a person can do, anyone would agree with that. Suffering from an SUD can be an alienating and isolating experience which keeps you in a vicious cycle of abuse. Choosing to remove yourself from that cycle is a necessary step to transition into a better, healthier life.
Likewise, those who have been in treatment for a given time and have completed a program such as an Intensive outpatient treatment program ( IOP) or outpatient addiction treatment program (OP) (depending on available time commitment), the next step may seem unclear. This is where addiction consultation and counseling are critical parts of creating a continuing care plan.
What is Discharge Planning?
Discharge planning is exactly as it sounds, making a game plan of what treatment or care will look like after a patient has left a structured program. Encore Recovery always recommends that you keep in touch with the community and stay involved in some form of structured treatment such as group therapy or 12-step meetings even after leaving treatment.
Much like in treatment, there are things that everyone can benefit from and then there are things that are uniquely suited to certain individuals. A discharge plan will account for such things. For example, while group therapy or attending meetings week to week is certainly recommended for anyone, it may specifically benefit people who are particularly responsive to structure and enjoy the social solidarity. On the other hand, there may be people that benefit most from one on one counseling.
A discharge plan isn’t just about telling the patient what they already know—that they should avoid drugs and alcohol and be wary of relapse triggers. At Encore Recovery, a good post-treatment plan involves careful consideration of what the individual needs and seeks to create a picture of what a healthy lifestyle looks like.
The Scope of a Discharge Plan
An aftercare plan can include many different facets of care including but not limited to:
- Medical management for co-occurring disorders
- Continued care in the form of counseling; individual or group.
- Life skills training
- Encouragement to continue holistic wellness services
- Involvement in alumni programs
- Assistance with procuring sober living residency
- Low time-commitment outpatient treatment
A good foundation is the most important part of maintaining any lifestyle. Recovery is a lifestyle, one in which awareness and recognition of patterns is key to promoting a lifestyle of sobriety. So often does addiction accompany mental health disorders that Encore believes it is equally important to focus on keeping healthy mindsets and perspectives on life.
As such, ongoing care is crucial for sustaining healing, growth, and recovery.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment Arlington VA
Encore Recovery in Arlington Virginia provides inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment services as well as a host of supplementary therapies that aid in mental health treatment. We believe that treating addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions is key to fostering healing.
Taking the first step is always the most difficult, but it is always a step worth taking.
If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, contact us today to learn more about our PHP or IOP.
Call now (703) 436-8158