Addiction research is looking into ways people can focus on ‘lifespan’ recovery versus some of the current strategies. Providing care over the lifespan of a person with addiction is thought to bring more hope for longer periods of stability, less risk of relapse, and rapid interventions that could better support overall recovery.
How it Works
Residential care makes sense for some people in recovery. As a culture, there is a tendency not to recognize a substance use disorder until symptoms are severe. If the disorder is caught early, a lower level of care might be helpful, including outpatient work. Symptoms and risk would dictate the determination. The length of stay at any level of care depends on how quickly or slowly symptoms may be treated. Withdrawal from one drug might take longer than withdrawal from another type of drug. . Lots of things factor into how this works. Lifespan recovery management is about not putting time constraints on a person’s recovery. People who are committed to, and follow, a five-year plan, for instance, are more likely to remain abstinent.
Shifting Focus
Staying motivated to follow a program wanes after a certain period of time. It becomes ‘old hat’ and people may stop being consistent with the work they do. Marriages take work, medical management of diabetes or heart disease all take work, so addiction recovery treatment should also focus on a lifespan model that helps people through ups and downs, career changes, relationship shifts, etc and support a person for life. People who perceive themselves to be in treatment over a lifetime will have an addiction specialist to reach out to, similar to medical conditions, but they will feel they have a safety net, or a place to land, when they need help.
Creating a New Language
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONCDCP) made recommendations about language used on a daily basis regarding substance use disorder treatment and recovery. These recommendations reflect a movement away from language that may seem judgmental and toward one that is consistent with healthcare. Replacing ‘relapse’ with ‘recurrence’ shifts language away from feeling heavy, like baggage, that comes with relapse. Many people outside the recovery community still place shame and blame on a person when they relapse, saying they are ‘weak,’ or not strong enough. Shifting language can help shift the focus away from the person, onto the disease of addiction itself, and help people better seek support for recovery and inform others just how difficult addiction recovery is for those involved. A shifting paradigm can help shift perspectives and ways of thinking about addiction in healthier, more productive ways.
The Springboard Center’s addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each client. By utilizing a set of diverse methods of addiction treatment, we are able to deal with your addiction from all angles and concentrate on every aspect of your healing process. It is important to recognize that many of our services offer a group setting and environment, so that the client spends time with other people affected by the same chronic disease and problems. 432-620-0255
