Because good outcomes frequently depend on a person remaining in therapy long enough to enjoy all of its advantages, developing techniques to keep people engaged in treatment is an extremely important part of the treatment process. The length of time a patient spends in treatment is determined by several factors related not just to the individual but also to the program. The individual factors that are related to engagement and retention typically include the motivation to change harmful drug-using behaviors; the degree of support from family and friends; and, frequently, pressure from the criminal justice system, child protection services, employers, or family members.
Successful clinicians can cultivate a constructive and therapeutic relationship with their patients by working within the context of a treatment program. It is the responsibility of the clinician to ensure that a treatment plan is formed in conjunction with the individual seeking therapy, that the plan is adhered to, and that the individual’s expectations regarding treatment are crystal clear. In addition to this, there should be access to psychiatric, social, and medical services.
It is possible that to keep patients in therapy, intensive intervention will be required. This is because some difficulties, such as major physical or mental illness or engagement in criminal activity, increase the likelihood of patients dropping out of treatment. Following completion of an intense treatment program, the provider is responsible for facilitating the transition to less strenuous ongoing care to assist and keep track of the individual’s progress toward full recovery.
What Is The Typical Length Of Time That Treatment For Drug Addiction Takes?
Since people make their way through rehab drug addiction therapy at different paces, there is no set amount of time that they are required to be in treatment. However, numerous studies have demonstrated without a reasonable doubt that appropriate treatment duration is necessary for achieving positive results. Participation in a residential or outpatient treatment program for less than ninety days has been shown to have minimal efficacy; hence, treatment programs that are much longer in duration are suggested to maintain beneficial outcomes. Methadone maintenance typically lasts for a minimum of one year, while some opioid-dependent patients continue to experience positive outcomes even after several years of treatment with methadone maintenance.
Because treatment dropout is one of the most significant challenges faced by treatment programs, employing motivational strategies that help keep patients interested in their care is critical to achieving positive outcomes. Programs can be successful if they recognize addiction as a chronic condition and provide ongoing care and monitoring. However, in most cases, this will need repeated sessions of treatment and openness to readmit patients who have previously experienced periods of abstinence.
How Can We Increase The Number Of Persons Who Abuse Substances Who Get Treatment?
It has been known for several years that there is a significant “treatment gap,” which means that very few people who require treatment for a substance use problem obtain such therapy. In 2011, 21.6 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for an issue related to their use of illegal drugs or alcohol, but only 2.3 million people received treatment at a facility that specialized in the treatment of substance misuse.
To close this gap, a multi-pronged strategy is required. Strategies include lowering the stigma associated with addiction treatment, increasing access to effective treatment, achieving insurance parity (which is currently in its earliest phase of implementation), and raising awareness of the value of addiction treatment among patients as well as healthcare professionals. This will assist physicians in determining whether or not their patients need treatment and in making appropriate referrals. Not only does SBIRT have the potential to catch people before they develop serious drug problems, but it also has the potential to identify people who need treatment and connect them with appropriate treatment providers. The evidence shows that SBIRT is effective against the use of tobacco and alcohol, and increasingly, against the abuse of illicit and prescription drugs.