The Substance Use Recovery and Treatment Committee is determined to breakdown misconceptions and stigmas surrounding addiction to create a community that helps one another by providing information to better understand others’ situations. (Photo provided)

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — No single solution meets the needs of every individual. It’s important to pick a program that provides the best opportunity to live a life free from the impact of SUD. Without a doubt, the most important step is the first one — getting started.

For help deciding on a treatment option, contact A Bridge to Hope at (855) 807-4673.

Support Groups

The most well-known support groups are 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery. These programs follow a step-by-step approach to recovery that requires the individual to take a look at a variety of aspects — spiritual relationship, removing character defects and letting go of guilt and shame.

Most programs will ask the individual to work with a sponsor through the steps.

Other support and education groups exist, such as Smart Recovery and Moral Reconation Therapy. These networks take a more analytical approach to the mental aspect of SUD to help individuals stay motivated, cope with urges and appropriately manage emotions and behaviors.

New members have the opportunity to share their struggles and hear from others to learn how to manage challenges while remaining clean and sober.

Recovery Coaches

Consider recovery coaches as life coaches.

A recoveree will meet with a coach on a schedule to work through major life challenges that may lead to relapse. At the first meeting, the recoveree will create a recovery wellness plan that focuses on critical areas, such as connectedness to a recovery community, physical and emotional health, living situation and more.

At meetings, the pair will review their goals and action items before finding ways to tackle any challenges that may lead to relapse. A Bridge to Hope offers both male and female recovery coaches for those living in Kosciusko County.

Sober Living

Often referred to as halfway houses, sober living facilities and associated programs provide a safe and sober living environment while allowing the resident to maintain full time employment.

Most programs will require in-house support group meetings and require members to attend multiple outside meetings. Programs range from nine to 18 months and vary in intensity, religious affiliation and program specifics.

Kosciusko County offers several sober living options, including Serenity House for everyone, True Purpose Ministries for men, Rose Garden Recovery Community for women and All Things New for women.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment utilizes a combination of medications, counseling and behavioral therapies to treat SUD. Prescribed medications work to normalize brain chemistry, relieve physiological cravings and normalize body functions without the negative affects of the substance.

MAT has proven clinically affective and may significantly reduce the need for inpatient detoxification programs. The Bowen Center offers MAT while there is a designated support group for those seeking it called Recover Together.

Counseling

Individual and group counseling can be used separately or in combination and focus on reducing or stopping substance abuse. It can also improve areas in life that have been impacted by SUD.

Counseling can provide strategies and tools to abstain from substance abuse. Group counseling utilizes reinforcement of healthy behaviors offered by peer discussion.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment provides 24/7 care in a non-hospital setting. These programs range from 30 days to 12 months in a therapeutic community.

Treatment is highly structured with activities designed to help patients examine damaging beliefs and destructive behaviors while teaching how to adopt new, more harmonious and constructive ways to interact with others.

Treatment also focuses on developing personal accountability and responsibility. It’s critical for patients leaving residential treatment to remain connected to outpatient treatment and aftercare programs and peer support groups.

Outpatient Treatment

This option varies in type, intensity and duration.

One program could be six hours a day, six days a week while another may be twice a week. Outpatient treatment costs significantly less than residential treatment and may be appropriate for patients with jobs or strong social support.

Low-intensity programs may offer more than drug education while high-intensity programs are comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness.

Overview

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4