Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What To Ask
- Introduction
- 1. Does the program use treatments backed by scientific evidence?
- 2. Does the program tailor treatment to the needs of each patient?
- 3. Does the program adapt treatment as the patient's needs change?
- 4. Is the duration of treatment sufficient?
- 5. How do 12-step or similar recovery programs fit into drug addiction treatment?
- Additional Resources
3. Does the program adapt treatment as the patient's needs change?
Individual treatment and service plans must be assessed and modified as needed to meet changing needs.
A person in treatment may require varying combinations of services during its course, including ongoing assessment. For instance, the program should build in drug monitoring so the treatment plan can be adjusted if relapse occurs. For most people, a continuing care approach provides the best results, with treatment level adapted to a person's changing needs.
A patient's needs for support services, such as day care or transportation, should also be met during treatment.
The best programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet a patient's needs.This page was last updated December 2011.
Looking for Treatment?
Use the SAMHSA Treatment Locator or 1-800-662-HELP.
Featured Publication
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.
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