What Is the Future of Rehabilitative Treatment?

As our understanding of addiction has evolved, so too have our treatment methods. Rehabilitation and recovery have changed considerably over the last 200 years and further changes are expected in the years ahead. What we know for sure is that the most effective rehabilitation centers are those that are committed to staying current with evolving best practices and new discoveries in the field of addiction treatment.

Rehab Past and Present

The first homes for treating addiction and alcoholism were established in the 1850s, when substance use disorders were considered primarily moral problems. Treatment methods at that time were often misguided and at times even dangerous. There was no consensus about the best form of treatment, and individuals in need of help were frequently stigmatized or criminalized. Many people were simply sent to unmonitored hospital wards, asylums, or prison cells, and never received appropriate treatment.

It took until the 1950s for alcoholism to be officially classified as a disease, and another thirty years for drug addiction to follow. Another twenty years passed before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved buprenorphine, one of the primary drugs used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), for clinical use. The process of destigmatizing has always been – and continues to be – slow, but at least we are finally seeing more progress than setbacks. Advances in medical science made it possible to determine definitively that alcoholism and addiction are not choices, but chronic illnesses that literally change how the brain functions and chronic illnesses cannot be overcome by sheer force of will. They can, however, be effectively treated with a combination of clinical and therapeutic methods.

The NERC Approach

Modern rehab facilities have come a long way. At the New England Recovery Center (NERC), we take a comprehensive approach to treating substance use disorders. No one’s struggle with addiction is precisely the same or caused by the same combination of factors. Everyone’s rehabilitation journey, therefore, should be tailored to meet their specific needs. At NERC, we employ an individualized, client-centered approach utilizing a variety of interventions at every stage of the recovery journey:

• Medical Detox Treatment

If needed, we offer safe onsite drug and alcohol detoxification before clients enter our inpatient rehab program. Our licensed physicians will supervise your medical detox, lessening the physical effects of withdrawal.

• Inpatient Rehabilitation

Our inpatient rehab programs utilize individual, group, and family counseling, educational lectures, 12-step groups, recreational activities and more. Our goal for each client is to help guide them on their journey to recovery by determining which treatment options work best for them, providing that care, and crafting a plan to continue treatment after they are ready to leave inpatient rehab.

• Continuing Care

Maintaining recovery can be more challenging when clients return home without the safety and structure of a daily treatment program. That is why we work to ensure a seamless transition from inpatient rehabilitation to home, or sober living. We help clients access continuing care within their communities, from medication-assisted treatment, outpatient counseling to recovery groups and supportive housing.

• Outpatient Treatment
  We also offer extensive outpatient treatment options, which can be as frequent and intensive as needed, through our parent company Spectrum Health Systems. Same-day admission to medication-assisted treatment is available throughout Spectrum’s network of outpatient treatment centers, which allows clients to complete the intake, physical exam, and toxicology requirement on the same day.

The Future of Addiction Treatment

Treatment needs to evolve to stay effective. This doesn’t just mean listening to medical scientists when they reveal new information and discoveries – it also means listening to clients. There is no one-size-fits-all method of rehabilitative treatment. Changing and adapting treatment methods as we learn new information, along with our commitment to helping clients stay on the path to recovery even after they leave our rehab programs, has led to so many positive outcomes for our clients.

Recognizing the complexity of addiction, and having the agility to respond to that complexity, is what separates successful rehabilitation centers from those who will be behind.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, call us today at 1-877-MyRehab and get started on the path to recovery.