Johnny finally agrees that he has a problem and is willing to go to treatment so you contact all of the treatment facilities that take Johnnies insurance, hopefully you can get him in same day. SAME DAY IS CRITICAL! Johnny will change his mind fast. Also, expect one last very big party, this is normal. DON'T hate Johnny for not being able to quit before he goes to treatment, it's actually normal. Quitting can also be dangerous without some medical help.

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Johnny goes into treatment and starts detox. Johnny decides he doesn't feel good and wants to leave. One of two things may happen...

1. Johnny leaves AMA (against medical advice) 

2. Johnny stays in treatment, attends groups, does the proverbial work and starts his discharge plan right away.

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It's time for Johnny to step down from inpatient to outpatient partial hospitalization (PHP) or intensive outpatient (IOP). At this time Johnny can (should) also start seeing a private therapist.

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The Levels of Care for treatment are:

1. Detox (inpatient, highest level of care/ medical support)

2. Inpatient (about a 28 day stay in a facility): Start the discharge plan NOW!!! Get things in place! 28 days is tomorrow!

3. Partial Hospitalization ~PHP~outpatient daytime treatment, 4 hours a day, 6 days a week for 2 weeks

4. Intensive Outpatient~ IOP~ outpatient treatment 3 hours a day, 3 days a week~ most popular because this is the one insurance wants to pay for.

5. Outpatient Therapy~ Johnny is in therapy- make sure its someone trained in trauma and addiction. A specialist is not necessary, just a well trained therapist. Depeneding on if there is mental health, there might be more than one therapist. Also, not all therapists are rock stars. Make sure it's a good fit. Spilling your guts to someone is a big step, you want to like the person.

6. Sober living~ may start at the PHP stage. 

7. Support Groups & Peer Recovery Organizations.

8. If Johny is feeling REALLY ambitious about his recovery, he can start the process of training to be a peer supporter and even get his license to start becoming a counselor. Look at the licensure page for the step by step process.

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A note on insurance: FIGHT for your insurance benefits. It's frustrating but you have benefits so use them. When you call the facility ask for the sales rep- they know all the facilities in your area and can help get Johnny placed easier than you calling every number on the internet.

 

Don't let a facility talk you into paying out the nose for treatment. It will be costly for sure but you can get it down if you're tenacious and patient. Maybe have the conversation with a facility before Johnny is ready, get the ducks in a row and prepare beforehand.

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After treatment comes maintenance ie, staying sober. Here's where we lose Johnny if we aren't careful. Johnny must work the plan and build his community. THE KEY TO SOBRIETY IS BUILDING CONNECTIONS. The more important a person's life building blocks are, the less likely they are to revert back to using. Staying motivated for sobriety is the hardest part. The brain has to rewire, the body has to find its normal again and its hard. Old habits die hard! listening to motivational videos every morning will help Johnny to stay on task. Videos can be found on Youtube.

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VIDEOS on Youtube can play an important role in your sobriety. Therapists are all over Youtube sharing their expertise and education on all kinds of things that go wrong with humans. Whatever is happening in your head, Youtube it and get instant help. For instance, "I feel like i'm going to relapse"... youtube that exact sentence and boom, instant therapy.

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Follow the steps laid out on this page. If you can do this on your own, awesome. Yay you!

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On Medically treated detox: IF YOU START TO DETOX it's dangerous and you could die so get medical help right away. If you have to use because your going through withdrawal, use. Then plan to go to treatment. But before you do that, make a plan to quit. Don't just quit.