Treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) should ultimately support the life you want to live. There are different philosophies out there about what methods are most helpful and effective. Most treatment centers offer some type of counseling, support groups, or both. Some offer medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and care from a licensed clinician.
The first stage of treatment will involve stopping substance use and potentially taking a medication to help you manage withdrawal effects. Your counselor will be there to help you work through challenges that come up during and after this process. You’ll learn healthy ways to manage stress and difficult emotions. You’ll also start to reimagine what the rest of your life will look like without substance use.
The decision to start your recovery will mean making significant changes. With the right support, there is hope that you can achieve your goals and create the fulfilling life you want. Before you choose a treatment center, you should explore your options and make sure you understand the ins and outs of their programs.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what long-term substance use disorder treatment might look like for you.
What does the long-term treatment process look like for substance use disorder?
The treatment process looks slightly different for each individual. It may take place in a variety of settings and last for different lengths of time. Some factors that affect the treatment process are your particular substance use disorder, the level of care you need, the amount of social support you have in your life, and the treatment center you choose. People usually see the best results when they receive personalized treatment that aligns with their lifestyle and beliefs. You can download our Groups playbook for a detailed look at what long-term treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), one common SUD, entails.
Making sure your basic needs are met is critical — for example, food to eat and a place to stay where you feel safe and respected. During treatment, you’ll work on your existing relationships and build some new ones. Having supportive people in your life with the skills to maintain strong, secure relationships will help you reach your recovery goals in the long term.
The following are six major steps that many people take during their recovery from substance use:
- Find a care team you trust — Your care team should be compassionate, supportive, and trustworthy. You should explore recovery goals together and define the specific goals you’ll work toward during your first sessions. Our comprehensive program at Groups is geared toward people with OUD. It combines medication management with individual counseling and peer support.
There are a few different types of long-term substance use treatment centers you can choose from. The following are some of the major differences to consider:
- Treatment philosophies, core values, and beliefs
- Whether they provide medication, and if so, what types
- The types of individual and group treatment they offer
- Program structure and curriculum
- Norms and expectations for staff and people they serve
- Policies for drug use during treatment
- The types of drug testing required and the frequency
- Be prescribed medications for opioid use disorder — Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings during your treatment process. Some people only take them while they’re detoxing, and some take them indefinitely. Some treatment centers have licensed clinicians whom you can work with to find the right medication and dosage. At Groups, we use Suboxone because it has built-in protection from opioid overdose and it’s less likely that people will use it to get “high.”
- Receive social support in a community of peers — Weekly group therapy sessions play a critical role in recovery for most people. Feeling seen and heard by others who are in recovery from substance use disorder is incredibly therapeutic. During support groups, you’ll hear people share inspiring stories about what has helped them through their challenges. Groups are also a safe place to share what you’re going through. You can count on your peers to listen without judging and offer words of encouragement.
- Set new life goals — Having specific life goals will help motivate you and give you something to look forward to in life after treatment. Life-goal assistance is something we work on with every member at Groups. We’ll help you envision what activities, relationships, and life milestones might feel most rewarding to you. We’ll also break them down into steps so you can get started on some achievable goals that will build into long-term success.
- Meet your treatment goals — Stopping substance use is a part of treatment, but it’s not the only important thing. Creating positive anchors will help you connect with a sense of meaning and purpose. This could include working on interpersonal skills, improving your mental health, finding fitness activities you like, exploring spiritual beliefs, or building up other resources. As you make progress and feel less dependent on opioids, your treatment plan should evolve.
- Transition to life after treatment — Your mind and body will go through a lot of changes during treatment. The goal is to become more secure and self-sufficient without relying on substance use. As you learn to deal with your triggers and cravings, the work you’ve done will start to reduce them. Once you’re well on your way to long-term recovery, you’ll create a plan to move into the next phase of your life.
What long-term goals will I work on in treatment?
Dealing with withdrawal symptoms is only a small part of a much longer journey. Treatment marks the beginning of goals you’ll be working on for the rest of your life. For you, these might include maintaining good physical and mental health, creating a strong support system, and learning new life skills.
You may start working on any of these long-term goals during treatment for substance use:
- Managing triggers and withdrawal symptoms
- Coping with cravings
- Managing your mental health
- Healing from trauma
- Learning how opioids affect the brain and body
- Anger management
- Practicing mindfulness
- Creating daily routines
- Caring for your physical health
- Self-care
- Learning about harm reduction and free resources
- Forgiving yourself and others
- Talking to friends and family about opioid use
- Learning conflict resolution
What can I expect from treatment at Groups?
Groups is the national leader in value-based care for opioid use disorder (OUD). Our program is proven to help people overcome opioid addiction and thrive. Our hybrid in-person or virtual treatment model delivers evidence-based medicine, group therapy, and holistic support to communities that have historically been underserved by the healthcare system.
There are a few things we do at Groups that make us different from other treatment centers. First, we take a nonjudgmental approach and base our practice on the principles of harm reduction. We know that people take opioids for complex reasons, and that sometimes people start using again after stopping. People are more successful in treatment goals when they feel supported in these moments rather than shamed or kicked out of treatment.
Treatment at Groups includes the following:
- Care team including a provider and a licensed counselor
- Suboxone prescription (for most)
- Group support meetings
- Custom life-goal assistance
- Access to naloxone
At Groups, treatment is about more than just substance use. You deserve all of the different kinds of support you need to live the life you want and stay well. Your time in treatment builds the foundation for long-term recovery and a fulfilling life. Our program is built for multifaceted people with long, vibrant lives ahead of them. We help you find your confidence and a sense of direction so your next steps will take you closer to your goals.
Are you looking for a treatment center with a real sense of community? A place where you’ll feel accepted and valued, even if you start using again? That’s what you’ll find at Groups.
Let’s talk about your unique recovery goals and what you’ll need to get a strong start. Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your state, you can locate other treatment options here.
