A treatment plan is a document that outlines all of the services and therapies you will need to complete to stop drinking. It is a way to document your progress and keep track of your treatment. In addition, it’s a way for you, your counselor, and other professionals involved in your treatment to see how you are regularly doing. The treatment plan should include the following:
- What services or therapies will you receive, such as individual counseling, group counseling, or 12-step meetings?
- What services or therapies do you not need, such as outpatient therapy or medication?
- How long will it take before the alcohol is out of your system?
- How long do you expect the process to last?
- Will the medications have any side effects that may affect other areas of your life?
- How can your support systems (family and friends) help you with this process during and after therapy?
- Will any costs be associated with this process, such as insurance payments or financial aid?
How to Write a Treatment Plan
The treatment plan should be written in a way that is easy to understand. It is good practice to include the following:
- What is the reason for starting treatment?
- What are your goals with treatment?
- How long have you been drinking?
- When did drinking start?
- How much do you drink on a regular basis?
- How many drinks do you have on average each day?
- Do you drink alone or with others?
- Which alcohol problems are causing the most problems for you, and how does this affect your life now and in the future (e.g., family, career, driving)?
- Are there other co-occurring issues that may affect your life, like depression, anxiety, or relationship problems?
- What type of support do people in recovery offer?
- Who can help you when needed to get sober (e.g., family, friends, employer, God)?
- Have you ever been arrested for a DUI?
- Do you have substance abuse problems other than alcohol?
- How does your problem with alcohol affect your relationships with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers)?
- What are your thoughts about yourself, and how do they affect your relationships with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers)?
- Are there any triggers that might cause you to drink?
The treatment plan should also outline the following:
- How will the program be delivered, and by whom?
- What methods of treatment will be used?
- Will treatment take place in a hospital or outpatient facility?
- Who is responsible for monitoring progress, and when should they contact you or your therapist
Treatment Goals
The goal of the treatment plan is to find out all the reasons why you drink and how this affects your life. The following questions can be used to help you understand what you have been doing to cope with your addiction:
- How does alcohol help you cope?
- How does alcohol make it easier to deal with problems in your life?
- What is the first thing that happens when you drink?
- What do you like or dislike about drinking?
- Why do you drink every day or every other day?
- Do people encourage or discourage drinking?
- Have there been times when people have tried to stop drinking for them (e.g., family, friends, partner)?
- Why did they try to stop drinking for them (e.g., because of health problems)?
How to Plan Your First Session
The initial session should be devoted primarily to establishing a relationship with the therapist and getting acquainted with each other’s expectations for therapy and goals for treatment. During this initial session, the patient will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the therapist and the therapeutic process, receive information about how to prepare for the next session and have time to process the experience of meeting their new mental health provider. Many people find that the first visit to a therapist is somewhat unnerving.
The first session is generally recommended to last at least one hour to allow enough time to create a comfortable environment for both the patient and therapist. If you or a loved one is battling alcoholism, there is a need to enroll them in a rehab facility so that they get the care they deserve. Ready to start the journey? Contact us at 833-846-5669.