Case Management in Addiction Treatment: What You Should Know
Substance abuse programs save lives. When you or a loved one begins addiction treatment, a team of dedicated professionals works together to ensure you have the best support for overcoming addiction. This usually includes addiction counselors, doctors, psychologists, social workers, and therapists, among others.
In addition to these roles, each client generally has a dedicated person who handles their addiction case management. Understanding this person’s role in your treatment may not be as easy as understanding a psychiatrist’s role, for instance, but your case manager is the hub of your addiction recovery. In fact, having such a person on your recovery team could be the difference between lasting recovery and returning to old destructive habits.
What is a case manager? How do they help you? Use this guide to understand how addiction case managers play a crucial role in your recovery.
What Is Addiction Case Management?
Think of a time in your life when you started a new experience. Perhaps it was your first job. Initially, you probably weren’t sure what to do. You didn’t know the expectations or social norms of the job. A helpful co-worker probably took you under his wing, showed you the ropes, and taught you how to excel in your job.
For many, entering addiction treatment is an unknown experience. You may not be sure what to expect and you need someone who will guide you through the process. This is the function of an addiction case manager.
What does a case manager do? To answer this question, you need to know that addiction recovery is more than just detoxing from drugs or alcohol. That is often the first step, but for treatment to be effective, you will need a variety of services that treat the psychological, behavioral, and social issues that may contribute to substance abuse.
Case management plans for addiction recovery involve providing and coordinating services based on your specific needs. An effective case worker juggles several roles to ensure you’re getting the treatment you need. These include:
- Being your main point of contact with health and social services systems. Your case manager works directly with you to determine the services you need and addresses your concerns. While in treatment and beyond, he or she is a valuable resource you can turn to as your needs change.
- Assessing your situation. One of the first tasks consists of starting a therapeutic relationship with each client. He or she gets all the information about your drug, health, and social history, allowing the determination of the most appropriate care for your specific situation.
- Developing a plan for success. Using your input, a treatment plan is created based on your strengths and struggles. The treatment plan outlines clear goals and measurable objectives to help you achieve these goals.
- Monitoring progress. As you receive treatment and work toward your goals and objectives, you will discuss your progress with your case manager. Together, you may brainstorm modifications to your treatment plan during your individual sessions. In addition, he or she can also help you stay motivated and engaged with treatment.
- Referring you to appropriate resources. The vast knowledge a case manager has about the available resources for treating addiction serves as a valuable tool for your recovery. A case manager can connect you with services in the drug rehab program itself as well as with resources in the community.
- Providing ongoing support and skills training. Some case managers act as referral sources and others directly teach you important skills to help with your recovery. The type of support provided depends on the theoretical style and the type of facility that is providing the oversight.
Above all, a case manager acts as your advocate. He or she is your ally throughout the treatment and recovery process. These are the professionals you or your loved one can go to when you need to know more about the services that are available to help you battle addiction.
Addiction Case Management Plans for Addiction Recovery
The process usually begins with an assessment which includes your history of substance abuse, any mental health conditions, your personal history, and your relationships with friends and family. The addiction case manager then uses this information to determine the appropriate level of care and what services you need the most. Together, you may collaborate to set goals and objectives specific to your treatment.
Your case manager works with you during your drug addiction treatment to create and modify goals for lasting recovery. For example, if you believe anger issues often trigger your drug or alcohol use, he or she will create a plan with specific objectives to help you manage anger more effectively.
This could include teaching coping skills, referring you to a mindfulness meditation class, or encouraging you to write in a journal when situations make you angry. During regular meetings, you may discuss your progress and modify the initial goals based on your current challenges and successes.
For instance, if you found that meditation helped you become less reactive, together you may create a goal to meditate three times a day for ten minutes.
As you progress through treatment, your case worker might collaborate with others and consistently update your treatment plan to ensure you get the most appropriate and effective services. In addition, a crucial role of case management involves accessing services after you complete treatment.
This includes developing supportive family and social networks, as well as connecting you with community systems available to support your recovery. For example, your case manager could schedule an appointment with an outpatient drug rehab near you, refer you to a psychiatrist within your insurance network, and provide you with a list of community recovery resources such as 12-step programs.
A Case Manager’s Role in Lasting Sobriety
While overcoming addiction, you will inevitably have some setbacks and obstacles along the way. In the past, you probably dealt with adversity by reaching for your drug of choice. This is a normal reaction for someone struggling with substance abuse. In order for you to enjoy lasting sobriety, you need resources to help you change your behavior patterns.
This is why a case management plan for addiction recovery is so important. Addiction case managers serve as a valuable resource when times get tough. They are beacons when everything else around you seem to be falling apart. For instance, if you were recently laid off from your job, a case manager could point you to job referral agencies or teach you about effective interviewing skills.
With a dedicated case worker, you are never alone during your everyday struggles. You have an advocate and ally ready to guide you in the right direction. This can be the difference between working through your issues successfully or returning to destructive behavior patterns.
Remember, these managers have helped others going through similar situations. Their knowledge of the addiction and recovery process, as well as their experience helping others, is a valuable resource for your recovery. By staying engaged with your substance abuse case manager, you always have a wealth of resources available. No matter how big or small, you can find solutions to any of your struggles just by reaching out.
Styles of Addiction Case Management
Most case management programs for addiction recovery use at least one of the four major models. Although these models each have their own set of characteristics, they often overlap based on an individual’s needs. Here are the common styles:
Broker/Generalist
In settings where a case manager has many clients, like at a hospital or in a probation program, they often adopt the broker/generalist model. This involves completing an initial assessment and then determining which services are most appropriate. This type of manager usually has limited contact with you and is most concerned with quickly finding and setting up the services you need the most. This can include outpatient services, housing, transportation, and obtaining health insurance.
Strengths-Based Perspective
This more “hands on” approach involves working with you to determine your personal strengths. Using personal strengths in the treatment process empowers you to utilize the skills you already have to make progress with personal challenges.
For example, if it is determined that you have strong ties to family, one aspect of treatment may be family therapy sessions where you and your family work together to create a strong support network. As you use your strengths to complete treatment goals and gain motivation, he or she will modify your plan to achieve continually greater successes.
Assertive Community Treatment
This model uses a team approach that involves frequent check-ins with you in your home setting. The multidisciplinary team provides a variety of services such as medication management, advocacy, skills training, and family therapy.
In some cases, the team will refer services to other community agencies and monitor your progress. This long-term commitment to a client’s sobriety often means that the case manager changes roles based on your needs and experiences. In some instances, the addiction case manager acts as a therapist who teaches necessary recovery skills.
Other times, it may involve connecting the client with a specific community resource such as safe housing or access to medications. The constant contact allows him or her to be flexible and proactive in helping your sobriety.
Clinical/Rehabilitation
During clinical/rehabilitation for drug and alcohol abuse, the roles of therapist and case worker are often combined. This blending of roles includes providing therapy, counseling, skill building, and monitoring progress.
These managers also teach you about resources that are available after leaving the clinical setting. Many drug and alcohol rehab facilities use the clinical model of case management. One of the benefits of this style is that it allows each client the opportunity to create a successful therapeutic relationship with a single addiction counselor.
This helps you build trust and become more engaged in treatment. It also allows the case manager the time and opportunity to understand the intimate details of your struggles.
These styles vary based on the facilities and services of your particular case management program for addiction recovery. Understanding these styles allows you make informed decisions on the type you feel is right for you.
Treatment Centers Near Me with Case Management
When you begin to realize the crucial impact that case management for substance abuse has on lasting recovery, you may wonder where you can find this service near you.
Zinnia Health offers a wide range of drug and alcohol treatment services across the country. Our dedicated staff, including knowledgeable substance abuse case managers, combine holistic methods with evidence-based treatment options.
If you’re seeking inpatient treatment, our serene campuses offer comfortable rooms with many luxury amenities. Our close proximity to mountains, lakes, and rivers offers an inspiring, rejuvenating atmosphere focused on recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.
Our individualized care includes comprehensive therapy services that help build the sustainable life skills necessary for lasting sobriety. During your stay, expect to get to the roots of your addiction, mend the strained relationships with your family members and other loved ones, and connect with others who are also ready to finally live a drug-free life.
After you complete any of our programs, you still have access to our dedicated addiction case managers, giving you the recovery resources you may need at any given point in your life.
Start Your Recovery at Zinnia Health Now
If you are seeking substance abuse programs for yourself or a loved one, Zinnia Health is ready to help.
You may be scared or apprehensive about finally entering a drug rehab. That’s okay. Many people have felt the same way. It takes a lot of courage to finally ask for help. Take that first brave step by calling (855) 430-9439 right now to begin your treatment with a dedicated team of professionals who will be by your side throughout your recovery.
Don’t waste another day putting your health, family, and career in jeopardy. Calling us today may be the difference between a life wasted and one renewed.