In the ever-evolving field of mental health and substance abuse therapy, utilizing real-time data to tailor patient treatment is becoming increasingly crucial. Real-time data allows healthcare providers to monitor and adjust treatment plans promptly based on the latest information, leading to more effective and personalized care. The data often tells a treatment center where they are succeeding in patient care and where to focus their efforts, so it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of patients and their needs at every stage of recovery. As less than 42 percent of individuals who enter drug or alcohol use treatment complete programs, an integrative approach may be the difference between recovery and relapse.
A notable and key tool in this realm is the Global Recovery Score (GRS), derived from the TRAC9 assessment system. The GRS provides a comprehensive view of a patient’s progress by averaging resilience factors (gratitude, hope, optimism, and life satisfaction) and pathology factors (depression, anxiety, stress, and primary diagnosis-related measures), known as the Resilience aggregate. Higher GRS scores indicate better overall improvement.
Integrating data-driven approaches in treatment only improves patient outcomes. By consistently analyzing data, treatment centers can identify trends, measure outcomes, and make informed decisions to enhance patient care. This method ensures that each patient’s unique needs are addressed, and treatment is adjusted based on their progress, leading to better outcomes and overall well-being.
Why Customized Care Works
Although treatment centers have historically leaned more toward strictly clinical patient treatment, studies show that the medical field is shifting toward more integrative wellness approaches. In modern substance abuse therapy, it is increasingly recognized that many patients have co-occurring mental health disorders. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders often accompany substance use disorders. Traditional wellness practices can play a vital role in addressing these co-occurring disorders, offering therapeutic benefits that complement clinical treatments.
A customized treatment and wellness plan takes into account the entire person, considering factors such as age, weight, family history, and trauma history. Holistic care ensures patients are given the dignity and honor to take responsibility for their own lives, leading to a more empowered and hopeful recovery process.
An effective treatment facility offers wellness programs in addition to, not in replacement of, traditional clinical methods. They may offer CBT, EMDR, DBT, and other modalities of treatment. Teams are usually overseen by a clinical psychologist who consults on cases, provides training, and offers input on treatment recommendations; in-depth evaluations ensure diagnoses are updated. Quarterly reviews offer insights into client perceptions as well as clinician reviews of programming, intervention styles, therapeutic options, and a cohesive approach with medical providers. Ongoing analysis, bolstered by real-time data, will continue to improve services, meet client needs, and ensure best approach efforts and evidence-based practices are maintained.
Integrating Traditional Wellness Practices
It is important to note generational differences and evolving needs of patients as today’s patients are accustomed to instant gratification and may struggle with impulse control, meaning strictly clinical approaches yield increasingly lackluster results. Adapting treatment methods to client needs will make treatment more appealing and effective, reducing the likelihood of patients disengaging from the process.
A spa- or retreat-like environment helps clients to relax and focus on their recovery, free from the daily stressors that might otherwise hinder their progress. Practices such as massage therapy, acupuncture, and sound bath meditation can complement clinical treatments, offering patients a more rounded and supportive healing experience. Practices such as hormone balancing, dietary attention, and stress management may be implemented, which have been shown to improve mental health and wellbeing significantly. By utilizing these tools, treatment centers approach mental health issues from many different angles, improving a patient’s overall approach to healing and enhancing long-term results.
Additionally, engagement in ancillary offerings such as IV infusions and massage therapy provides clients with necessary breaks from the intense work required in treatment. Regular massages, for instance, can reduce stress and anxiety, improving a client’s overall mental health outlook. These wellness practices offer physical relaxation and contribute to emotional and mental well-being.
Ultimately, a comprehensive, multifaceted approach recognizes that addressing mental health and substance abuse issues requires more targeted interventions. A unique blend of clinical and wellness approaches at treatment centers has shown significant improvements in clients’ overall functioning and sense of well-being. By incorporating real-time data and listening to patients’ experiences with treatment, treatment centers offer a powerful and holistic approach to care and set a new standard in the field of mental health and substance abuse therapy.
Marsha Stone, JD, LCDC, is the Founder and CEO of Foundation Stone, offering innovative programs for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. With a law degree from North Carolina Central University and licensure as a chemical dependency counselor in Texas, Marsha leverages her legal expertise and personal recovery journey to advance effective, integrative treatment solutions.
Sources
americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/success-rates-and-statistics
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6173273/
www.therecoveryvillage.com/treatment-program/why-accommodations-matter/
www.nytimes.com/2006/04/04/health/psychology/living-on-impulse.html
