This is a frequently asked question from clients on their first encounter with staff. When you first meet with a counselor, they will do a complete assessment that covers every aspect of your life, including medical needs, mental health needs, your substance use history, your living situation, and your overall satisfaction with your life and the direction in which you would like to see your life go. Based on this and other pieces of information, you and your counselor will come up with a plan that works best for you and addresses your needs. Sometimes, this means going into a residential program. Other times, and more often than not, it means that you would complete an outpatient program. The time that you are in treatment services is entirely clinically indicated. This means the decision is continually based on your needs and the progress you are making in treatment.

In our experience we have seen that seldom is there ever a good time to go to treatment. It isn't easy to carve out the needed time to take care of yourself. However, it is one of the most important things you will do in your life. If you wait for a "good time," you may never find one, and in the meantime, the challenges in your life related to substance use only get worse. Prioritizing your mental health and treatment is an investment in your life, your future, and the lives of those you love. Our staff can help schedule you for services at the best possible time with your schedule. You will never regret a decision to prioritize your well-being.

During the assessment process, you will work with your counselor to complete an assessment/evaluation that covers each and every aspect of your life, including medical needs, mental health needs, your substance use history, your living situation, and your overall satisfaction with your life and the direction in which you would like to see your life go. Based on this information, you and your counselor will develop a plan that may involve a greater emphasis on mental health, substance use disorder, or perhaps both. You will leave the assessment with a working plan and a blueprint for your time in treatment. Our goal is to help you achieve your goals, all the while doing so without the use of substances and prioritizing your mental health and well-being.

Treatment services are individualized and clinically indicated. If you broke your arm, your healthcare professional would craft a plan (potentially) involving surgery, setting the broken bone, aftercare and follow-up visits, a cast, physical therapy, lifting restrictions, and a lot of rest. This plan would be based on the healthcare professionals experience in dealing with similar injuries in addition to best practices in the field of medicine with similar broken bones. Ultimately, however, your body and the care you take of your injury determines much of what happens and the speed in which it happens. Similarly, our clinical assessment, our experience working with others with addiction challenges, and national best practices help to create a time frame for treatment services. However, the work that you do, the progress you make, and your determination to live a better life and work toward your goals are huge contributors to the length of time you spend in treatment. Conversely, if you are struggling, need extra help, and are having a difficult time applying your new knowledge and skills, we will work together on a plan designed to keep you engaged in treatment services for as long as you need the support. Our best advice to you is to work with your counselor, develop a plan, and work diligently to reach your goals.

Congratulations on making the decision to go to 12-step meetings. 12-step meetings are a great way to build community, stay active in your recovery, be with like-minded people, and be of service to others. Many people at 12-step meetings got their start in treatment services and found their way to 12-step meetings upon the recommendation from their treatment team. 12-step meetings are an incredible adjunct to treatment services. It is almost like the glue/protection that holds it all together. Some people find this in church, and others find it in volunteering in their community; however, by large, most people in recovery have built their foundation with treatment services and 12-step meetings together. 12-step meetings are self-help groups. Treatment services are facilitated by experts in the field of addiction and mental health. Many topics should be addressed in a professional setting versus a 12-step meeting. You will find that your treatment team makes your treatment individualized to you and your needs. 12-step meetings are designed to address the needs of the entire group and/or addiction in general. Both are incredible resources and long after you complete treatment, 12-step meetings will be there for your continued needs and to continue building community.