Suboxone Treatment in California: Get the Counselling

Counseling is an important part of an opioid treatment program that follows the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) guidelines.

Research clearly demonstrates that psychosocial intervention is beneficial. However, this leaves one very important question - What specific types of intervention are necessary?

As treatment for opioid dependence evolves, some insist that talk therapy is no longer needed. However, many professionals disagree, stating that individuals who are involved in substance disorder treatment need far more than just medication in order to make a complete recovery.

It's important for individuals to note, therefore, whether the providers they have chosen are able to link them in with the other services that they may require.

In the past, it was believed that individuals who were taking a medication like methadone were automatically being fully treated.

It was assumed that the medication was prescribed by the doctors managing the treatment, and that the therapists were simply responsible for helping the client to learn to take the medication daily. They weren't really attempting to help the patients manage their trauma or learn new coping skills.

Patients in treatment for opioid dependence need treatment that is set up to meet their individual needs, which may include counseling of various types.

Initial Meeting 

When a patient is initially admitted, what happens during the assessment? Each individual patient comes in with multiple problems, as well as addiction.

During the initial interview, the therapist works to determine what these problems may be. Patients in the early stages of treatment are at the biggest risk of underemployment, criminal justice problems, overdosing, and other serious crises. Many are severely depressed or suicidal.

The most dangerous time is during the first several weeks of treatment, so this is the best time to start the patient into holistic treatment. It's important that the interviewers have training in conducting full interviews and are able to learn crucial information about each individual entering treatment. Often, the patient may be in withdrawal and need methadone in order to stabilize before entering a more long-term treatment plan.

Therapy isn't only for handling psychological issues. It's important to realize that each patient that enters a clinic will have multiple levels of issues going on that they will need help coping with.

Case Management 

Case management is another important part of substance abuse treatment, and helps to ensure that an individual's case is followed up on properly from beginning to end. The case manager also works to help the individual gain access to the services and resources that they need in the community.

Up to 30% of substance abuse patients who enter treatment have a history of trauma in their life. Still others have issues with jobs, housing, and more. A case manager may not be able to provide talk therapy, but may be extremely helpful with moving things around so that an individual can obtain housing and other necessary services.

It's important for everyone involved in the treatment process to understand that more than just medication is necessary to thoroughly treat substance abuse disorders.