Understanding Your Unique Recovery Journey

Every recovery journey is unique, as there is not a one-size-fits-all solution for reaching sobriety. It may be easy to compare one’s recovery progress with someone else’s progress; however, it is essential to remember that everyone's journey is incredibly different. The main goal of recovery is reaching a life of sobriety, but the roads leading to that goal need to fit individualized needs. West Coast Recovery Centers prioritizes the personal needs of every client when assisting individuals through treatment. 

Recovery Looks Different for Everyone

As everyone’s life journeys are subjective and unique, addictions and recovery journeys are also unique. Some individuals drink or use drugs constantly at the same rate, while others grow a tolerance to substances that result in greater quantities of use over time. The drug in question can also be an important factor in determining what kind of treatment one may need for their recovery. Some factors that help to determine the intensity and uniqueness of one’s addiction and their recovery journey include:

• Demographics of individuals such as age, gender, etc. 
• What drug is being used
• The length of substance use
• The intensity of substance use 
• Relationship status with family or peer groups
• Co-occurring mental health issues
• Living situation when addiction developed
• Living situation during recovery
• Treatment programs used
• Treatment programs not yet used
• Support system during addiction development
• Support system during recovery
• Motivation and dedication levels to reach sobriety

Levels Of Care

An essential step in recovery is to meet oneself where they are at by understanding what level of care they need to move in the direction of sobriety. Levels of care are the five basic levels of conceptualized treatment defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. These five levels are broken down into intensity of care, deemed by the intensity of addictive symptoms experienced by a person. 

Level 0.5: Early Intervention: 

Professional services are encouraged for individuals at risk of developing a substance addiction or those who may present initial addictive symptoms. 

Level 1: Outpatient Treatment: 

Non-residential services are used in a variety of different treatment settings. Addiction and mental health evaluations are taken, and treatment options are provided as scheduled sessions. Services aim to address underlying lifestyle and behavioral issues that may be motivating individual addictive behaviors by teaching healthier coping mechanisms. 

Level II: Intensive Outpatient Treatment/Partial Hospitalization: 

Outpatient services are utilized and provide comprehensive assessments, which also help develop more individualized treatment plans. Level II delivers treatment services at any time and provides education and treatment components while individuals remain in their “real world” environments. 

Level III: Residential/ Inpatient Treatment: 

Individuals reside in a sober environment where staff is available 24/7. Level III programs offer safe and stable living to individuals needing constant support to develop their recovery skills. In residential treatment, a person lives on-site while receiving care for their addiction. 

Level IV: Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Treatment:

These programs include planned, direct 24-hour medical evaluations and treatment of severe mental and substance-related disorders. Treatment is specific to each diagnosis, although professional teams are to address co-occurring conditions as well. Services are delivered under defined policies and procedures at a facility with inpatient beds. 

Understanding Treatments Within Levels of Care

West Coast Recovery Centers offers an extensive amount of traditional and holistic treatment options for outpatient care and each addiction type. Examples include, but are not limited to: 

• Traditional therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Group therapy
• Substance psychoeducation
• Mindfulness and meditation techniques 

Individuals may experience multiple substance addictions or mental health issues at once, which is why West Coast Recovery Centers can help create individualized treatment plans to fit each of these needs.

No Two Journeys Look the Same

While professionals will encourage and suggest treatment options, it is essential to acknowledge that some options work better for others. An individual is their own biggest advocate in their recovery journey, as they will be able to tell what programs and treatments show significant effects on mental functioning or substance cravings. 

Always keep in mind that no two recovery journeys look the same. When supporting others on their journey or comparing progress to someone else, bring awareness to the unique circumstances of everyone’s individual journey. Some may experience temptation from peer groups and family inside the home, while others may live in a sober environment but experience intense arguments and stress from family members. Some individuals may begin their recovery after 40 years of regular substance use, while others may begin their recovery after five years of intense use. All of these situations are incomparable to one another. As one brings awareness to the internal and external factors of their unique addiction experience, it is easier to understand just how unique their recovery journey will be as well. 

Everyone’s recovery journey is unique. It is easy to compare your recovery progress to someone else’s progress, although these are not even comparisons. Various factors influence the severity of one’s addiction, such as how it developed and why, and numerous factors that influence the direction of one’s recovery. Levels of care are used to determine what type of treatment is needed for a specific addiction. Levels of care also help address underlying behavioral and emotional issues that need to be improved as one begins recovery from substance use. West Coast Recovery Centers tailors treatment options to each client’s individual needs, offering various traditional and holistic treatment programs. Our goal is to provide you with a level of care that is not only clinically appropriate but allows you to fulfill your other obligations. If you or someone you know would like help in understanding their unique recovery journey, give us a call at (760) 492-6509.