The Continuum of Care for Addiction Treatment

Continuum of Care

The continuum of care is an important consideration in your addiction treatment.

This concept involves using an integrated care system, guiding and tracking patients over time.

Throughout the care process, it provides patients with a comprehensive variety of health services.

The continuum of care for treatment is specific to recovery from drug or alcohol addictions and underlying mental health concerns.

Unlike many others, our programs at Pathfinders are wholly designed to fit each unique patient’s needs. Your addiction is not the same as the next patient’s, so your continuum of care will not be the same either.

What is the Continuum of Care for Addiction Treatment

At Pathfinders, the continuum of care for treatment involves different types of services across one setting or multiple. It includes medical, emotional, physical, and psychological services for a well-rounded treatment plan.

One of the principles of effective treatment is that it must be tailored to address each person’s drug use patterns, as well as their drug-related medical, mental, and social concerns.

Substance abuse disorders, like any other chronic medical condition, should be monitored. At each step, we will make sure that we give you the tools and knowledge you need to make your sobriety last.

We will evaluate your needs and progress so that we can keep you on the right path or modify the treatment program to better suit your needs.

Implementing the continuum of care means monitoring and adjusting as necessary to ensure that you are getting exactly what you need in your treatment.

From your first phone call through aftercare planning, we will work with you to meet your unique addiction and needs right where they are. If you are feeling stuck in your addiction, it is time to let us show you the path.

Levels in the Continuum of Care

Depending on the treatment type, setting, and individual, the levels in the continuum of care may vary a bit. For most, the biggest and most prominent levels or stages of addiction treatment will be treating withdrawals, entering a treatment program, and preventing relapse after your program ends. To help you accomplish each of these goals, we offer a comprehensive and inclusive variety of treatment programs, settings, methods, and continued care options. When you choose to walk with Pathfinders, you will never find yourself walking alone. Many of our patients find that they build support systems here that last a lifetime.

Treating Withdrawals Stage of the Continuum of Care

Effectively treating withdrawals is one of the most crucial steps in the continuum of care. This step is critical in easing physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings, and enforcing early sobriety. For many patients, this detox stage will be medically assisted. Medication-assisted treatment is an evidence-based treatment method that helps relieve withdrawal symptoms and the psychological cravings that lead to chemical imbalances in your body. But this is not just substituting one drug for another. This is safe, controlled, and monitored medical use.

Medication-assisted treatment starts with the detox stage, but it may continue into your treatment program depending on your addiction level and needs. One of the most common substance abuse concerns is an alcohol use disorder. Approximately 18 million adult Americans have an alcohol use disorder. This is one disorder of many that may benefit from medication-assisted treatment. Combining approved medications with effective counseling and behavioral therapies provides a full and well-rounded approach to substance abuse treatments.

Your Treatment Program Stage of the Continuum of Care

After you have safely and effectively detoxed, you will have had the chance to build the strength and confidence you need to enter your treatment program. The treatment program stage of the continuum of care  is where learning, building, and growing happens. It involves attending various therapy and counseling sessions. One of the most common and helpful is cognitive-behavioral therapy. This particular type of therapy helps you recognize, avoid, and cope with difficult or stressful situations. These are the types of situations that may have led you to abuse drugs or alcohol in the past.

We will help you address damaging thought patterns and behaviors and flip them into healthy coping mechanisms, thoughts, and habits. Family therapy is another common method in addiction treatment programs. This will help you and your family address the influence that your drug use patterns have had on your life and the lives of your family members. It will help you open up, improve familial relationships, and build better communication skills. This is a highly beneficial addiction care method. Depending on your addiction, needs, and preferences, you may experience a variety of other therapeutic and holistic treatment methods, as well.

Preventing Relapse After the Continuum of Care

At this stage in the process, you have already accomplished so much. You have safely withdrawn, learned about your addiction and underlying mental health, built healthy habits, repaired relationships, and developed new relationships, too. Through various therapies, support groups, and holistic treatment methods, you have developed to improve your mental and physical health. This is a cause for a sober celebration. But it is not the end of the road. The continuum of care extends beyond your addiction treatment program. Preventing relapse will require a long-term effort. Do not worry; you are more than capable.

If you are participating in residential treatment program, avoiding relapse will be easy enough while you are under our care. You will be surrounded by supportive staff members and other patients who will guide and support you at any hour of the day or night. But what happens when you feel unprepared to continue enforcing your sobriety at home? You choose another program, practice the relapse prevention techniques you learned in your time here, and exchange support with the other members of your program, support group, or family.

Aftercare Planning

After completing an addiction treatment program, some patients will return home to manage their addiction independently, while others will simply move to a less intensive program. The choice depends entirely on your addiction, needs, and preferences. Our intensive outpatient programs and traditional outpatient programs are excellent methods for filling in the gaps between 24-hour residential treatment care and 24-hour freedom at home. You may also choose to attend aftercare recovery groups, like 12-step meetings or support group meetings. We will work with you to determine the best methods for you at every stage.

Pathfinders Recovery Center Colorado

“The continuum of care” sounds more complicated than it is.

This simply means that we will provide you with the right care, at the right times, and through the right methods.

There are stages of addiction recovery, and we have spent many years developing and adjusting them to fit the unique needs of each of our patients.

Let us show you. Call today.