Program Assessment for Substance Abuse Treatment in Utah

With more than 41 million people in the U.S. addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, successful and quality substance abuse treatment centers are sorely needed. As a premier substance abuse treatment in Utah, Lion’s Gate Recovery strives to maintain a well-structured, flexible program, whether it is for alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drug recovery. Rehabilitation centers must be flexible enough to adapt to the individual’s needs but structured enough to enable sobriety.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Assessment is the first step for our recovery programs. Because addiction is different for everyone, it is important that treatment plans address individual needs. All of the assessments are conducted by licensed professionals. They include a thorough evaluation of the individual’s drug and alcohol, treatment, and medical history. It also includes helps to determine the level of addiction.

Drug and Alcohol History

It is important to get a thorough history of the types of drugs that were used. At Lion’s Gate Recovery, we also find out if there were multiple drugs that were used and the method of intake. It is also important to gain an understanding about the history of use, including:

• At what age did they start using?
• How old are they now?
• When did they realize that their life became unmanageable?

We also find out how their family feels about their addiction and if they really want help. Evaluating substance abuse history is a crucial part of the assessment. Our goal is to recommend the proper treatment.

Treatment History

In many cases, individuals have gone through past treatment. We evaluate past interventions and treatment and discuss successes.  We also want to know if the 12-step approach was used. In many cases, there have been multiple treatments. It is important to determine successes in past treatment and the length of sobriety achieved. Understanding past treatment helps to know what has worked in the past and determine the next step to achieving long term sobriety.

Medical History

Because individuals have different medical needs it is important to understand what those needs are. If the individual is on any prescription medication, we work to accommodate those needs. We find out if the person has been diagnosed with any psychiatric disorders or is on medication for the disorders. Because nutrition is an important part of our regimen, we make sure there are no food allergies or any other dietary needs. We have a doctor on staff who conducts the medical assessment.

Substance Abuse Treatment Program Qualities

From the administrative perspective, several elements can contribute significantly to building a successful rehabilitation center. Individual Program Assessment is only one of the quality controls at Lion’s Gate Recovery. Here are the other areas we feel are important for creating successful recovery programs for clients.  

Demographic Need

• – Assess the needs of the community so that the center focuses on the addictions that are prevalent in the area. Some areas may have a greater need for alcohol addiction programs, others may have a specific drug that is local, and others may have a greater need for a program that addresses multiple addictions. With the legalization of marijuana in many states, there is an increased need for treatment centers that address marijuana addiction.
• – Determine if there are any programs that the community needs that are not available. This can be one of the greatest contributors to the success of a rehabilitation center.
• – Quality Healthcare Partnerships
• – A rehab facility should partner with healthcare providers that offer services that enhance the quality of recovery programs
• – By choosing to partner with providers that provide these services, rather than offering everything in-house, a substance abuse treatment center saves money. These cost savings can be passed along to clients.  

Hire and Retain Quality Professionals

• – Dedicated and stable professionals are vital to the long-term success of a recovery center. They need to be dedicated to both the success of the center and the success of the patients. Many addicts feel as though they are unloved. Compassionate therapy professionals are vital to an addict who is making a successful transition to sobriety.
• – Make sure that the work environment is conducive to retaining long-term therapy professionals. Employee expectations need to be reasonable and they need to be enforced without preferential treatment.
• – Insist on continuing education programs for therapy professionals and make maximum use of each professional’s specialized skills. This will benefit both the center and the patients.
• – Remain current and compliant on the ever-changing state and federal regulations regarding treatment centers. Ensure that all treatment professionals remain up to date on them as well.
• – Part of the administrative function of a successful rehab facility is to interface with insurance companies. Those who are enrolling in the treatment program are generally unable to cope with the intricacies of their medical provider’s plan coverages, so this should be part of the program.

Patient Health Care

The very first step in patient health care is to obtain a comprehensive history at intake. This should include:

1. – Previous attempts at rehabilitation
2. – History of drug and/or alcohol use
3. – Reason(s) for relapse
4. – Medical issues the patient has
5. – Emotional or psychological issues the patient has
6. – Prescription medications the patient uses
7. – Any allergies

Understanding why previous attempts at sobriety were unsuccessful can help direct the treatment program so that this attempt can be successful and long-term sobriety can be achieved. Rehabilitation is extremely personal and each program must be tailored to the specific needs of the patient if the program is to succeed. Knowing as much as possible about the patient’s history with addictive substances can substantially increase the likelihood of success.

Likewise, knowing the patient’s medical and psychological history is critical to the success of the treatment program. A complete medical history can eliminate adverse reactions between medications and will also help deter any allergic reactions to food and medications. A comprehensive overview of any psychological or emotional issues is also vital in planning the most successful treatment program.

The admitting process should be streamlined so that the patient does not feel more overwhelmed than he or she already is. He or she should be apprised of what is required of patients and should receive an accurate estimate of the duration of the program.

Ensure that physicians are kept current on the status of their patients. This is in the best interests of both the center and the patient and will produce the best results. Patients who need additional encouragement in order to successfully transition to sobriety are more likely to be noticed when their progress is closely monitored and shared with their physician.

Maintain clear and positive communication with the patient. Positive reinforcement is a substantial contributor to patient happiness. Often, a patient simply feels unloved and therefore lackadaisical about becoming sober. When he or she realizes that people do care and that others want him or her to become sober and have a good life, that in itself will be a motivator.

Although the treatment program is open to all, it is in the best interests of the facility and all of the patients if all those in the program are truly dedicated to becoming sober. A patient who is not wholly committed to sobriety is more likely to relapse and less likely to be a motivator to others in the group. A non-committal patient is also more likely to be disruptive to others and less likely to complete the program.

Transitioning

Part of a successful rehab program entails teaching the addict how to develop and maintain a new lifestyle. This encompasses every aspect of his or her life from diet to leisure activities. A successful program will teach the addict how to:

• – Learn to say no when old associates resurface. This is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of a transition to sobriety. Old habits die hard. This is especially true of a substance addiction. Many addicts come to know a substance as a comfortable, old friend and so giving up both the substance and those with whom it is shared can seem insurmountable for some.
• – Develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Rather than eating at fast food hangouts, the addict should learn how to make healthy food choices and perhaps learn to cook for the first time in his or her life.
• – Develop an exercise regimen. Not only does exercise improve physical and mental well-being, it can introduce the recovering addict to new friends and hobbies.
• – Interview for a job. The recovering addict, depending on his or her age, may have never held down a job. In order to transition successfully, the recovering addict must become self-supporting. The program should include appropriate etiquette for the work environment as well as appropriate attire and education.
• – Develop a support system. The best way to prevent a relapse is to have a good support system in place before the need arises. This may entail having friends or family who are available 24/7 at the beginning.

The center should also:

• – Develop programs for the loved ones who have been affected by the addict’s behavior.
• – Provide a long-term support plan for addicts who may need to return at a future date or who experience a relapse and need a refresher course.

Attracting Clientele

One way to know if a rehab program is reputable is that they continue to attract clients. Programs that are constantly working to improve offer programs that are most helpful to clients. One of the hallmarks of the most successful treatment centers is that they offer a service that is not readily available elsewhere, or their service, because of a caring and compassionate staff, is considerably above the industry standard. Many people nowadays feel like they are just one among many. By providing caring and compassionate service that translates to superior client service, a recovery center can elevate its status to an industry leader rather than the industry standard.

For more than 25 years, Lion’s Gate Recovery in Utah has provided this type of superior customer service to their patients who live in Utah as well as neighboring states. Using a faith-based treatment regimen, Lion’s Gate provides substance abuse treatment in Utah for recovering addicts, their families and their loved ones.