There are many types of treatment and recovery services available, depending on what "stage" you or a loved one have reached. Each person is different, and has a different story. Some may be just beginning to see problems developing in their lives, and some will be having some serious problems.

The Stages of Change, as outlined by Prochaska and DiClemente, are:

1. Precontemplation - denial of the problem and no intention of changing;
2. Contemplation - acknowledgment of a problem, but have only indefinite plans to take action in the next 6 months or so;
3. Preparation - make public a commitment to take action;
4. Action - overt modification of one's addictive behavior;
5. Maintenance - continue to consolidate gains made;
6. Termination - the ultimate goal of permanent change without fear of relapse. You exit the cycle of change.

One may cycle through these stages over and over, or drop out and re-enter at some point. Help is available at any point. 

Listed below are some of the more readily accessed services:

Detoxification (Withdrawal Management) Services: A service which gives assistance with voluntary withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs to clients who are under the influence of those substances and/or in withdrawal or otherwise in crisis directly related to these substances. Care may be with or without medical intervention, depending on the severity of the problem. These services are most often attached to a hospital.

Assessment:  A process involving  a mutual investigation or exploration of the extent of the problem and provides the clinician with more detailed information for the purpose of determining specific client needs, goals, strengths, problems, and the stage of change or readiness. The assessment forms the basis of the treatment plan.

Treatment Plan: A  process of negotiation based on feedback from the assessment results, the client's strengths, prioritized problem areas, clinician judgement, client preferences, and readiness for change, and the identification of potential barriers to treatment entry. It is a "Plan of Action", which includes referrals, if appropriate.

Outpatient Services:  A structured, non-residential scheduled program of treatment activities, typically provided up to 5 days or evenings per week. Activities may include individual and group addiction counseling as well as those skills required to manage their substance abuse problems. The client resides at home or in another supportive setting.

Residential (Inpatient) Services:  A structured, scheduled program of treatment and/or rehabilitation activities are provided while the client resides in-house. This includes individual and group addiction  counseling, as well as 24 hour access to support. It is the residential treatment atmosphere, with others sharing their stories, that makes this type of treatment successful - for those who want to change.

Recovery/Supportive Housing:  Housing or accommodation in an alcohol/drug free setting. This is for clients requiring a stable, supportive environment prior to, during, or following treatment, which is accessed elsewhere. Often, lifeskills and other structured behaviors are learned here, such as meal planning, cooking, job search, etc.

Relapse Prevention:  This is a service provided by some treatment centres for clients after they are discharged, or it may be offered as an add-on for an indefinite or definite period of time (e.g. one evening per week for 3 or 6 months). It is a way of helping clients to adjust to an alcohol or drug-free lifestyle on the "outside" and to help them cope with some of the triggers they may be experiencing.

Self-Help Groups:  These are groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous which are found in almost all communities all through the world. There is no charge to attend; a basket is passed for those who can contribute towards rent and coffee. These are an excellent resource in that members have all "been there" and are more than willing to help the newcomer. Its success is in the sharing between members. There are both "open"(anyone can attend) and "closed" meetings (you must have declared yourself to be an alcoholic/drug addict or in need of help)

Self-help groups for family members are also available almost everywhere; Al-Anon and Alateen. These are an excellent resource and work along the same lines; sharing among those who have been there.

All the above require abstinence from one's drug of choice.

There are some programs that allow certrain drugs, usually prescription drugs, to be used as directed. Other programs offer what is termed a "Harm Reduction" approach. That is, drink or use less, in an effort to reduce the harm to yourself and to others. These programs include needle exchanges and methadone maintenance which, to a certain extent, decrease the spread of diseases and the use of heroin respectively. The latter is, however, a controversial synthetic drug. 

Need help with these choices?

You may contact me for more information on services near you, or for private counseling/coaching by email or phone.