People who live in the cycle of addiction often live conflicted lives. On one hand, they are living with a terrible disease over which they have no control. On the other hand, they have to take personal responsibility for their actions when they are in the throes of their addiction. It’s a hard thing for people to reconcile. However, the responsibility thing goes even deeper. Truth be told, personal responsibility is an ongoing theme throughout the entire cycle of addiction. That includes when the addiction was given life all the way to the point when the individual walks out of rehab with sobriety.
As responsibility relates to rehab, the client’s ability to recover from their addiction is greatly enhanced when they take responsibility for their actions. They have to take responsibility for all of the following:
- The first time they decided to take drugs or abuse alcohol
- Their actions while under the influence
- Their inability to recognize something was drastically wrong
- Making the decision to stop using
- Making the decision to ask for help
- The effort they put forth in rehab
- What they do after rehab to avoid relapses
That’s a lot of things for which someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol needs to be accountable. Having to be accountable and responsible doesn’t imply that addiction sufferers aren’t deserving of empathy and sympathy. They are deserving because they are in the throes of a serious disease over which they have no control. Before we begin a discussion about how personal responsibility factors into the success of Intensive Outpatient (IOP) treatment, we want to tell you a little bit about the IOP option. The premise behind outpatient treatment options is clients can continue living at home while getting treatment. The treatment takes place in the rehab center at scheduled times.
While there are three primary outpatient options, IOP rates in the middle as far as restrictiveness. What differentiates the three outpatient options is the amount of time clients have to devote to therapy. With the IOP option, clients can expect to report for therapy and least three days a week up to as many as five days a week. Each day they report for therapy, they might spend anywhere between four to six hours a day working with their therapist and in workshops. Therapy is generally handled on the individual level. With this brief description out of the way, let’s now discuss personal responsibility and IOP.
How Does Personal Responsibility Factor into the Success of an IOP Addiction Program?
While working in an IOP treatment program, a client’s success is predicated on the client following four very basic rules. In order to follow these rules properly, they must prove to be honest and trustworthy. Anything less than that will eventually lead to failure. Let’s take a look at the rules for which IOP clients are responsible.
1. Zero Tolerance for Substance Use
Regardless of the source of the client’s addiction, clients are expected to stay completely away from alcohol or controlled substances. The only exception would be prescription medication that a doctor prescribes while having full knowledge of their patient’s addiction issues.
2. Must Submit to Random Drug Testing
While honesty and trust are encouraged, the rehab facility’s staff members have a responsibility to make sure outpatient clients are following the rules. In many cases, clients are drug tested every time they report for therapy.
3. Making All Scheduled Appointments
This is where personal responsibility gets tested. Clients are expected to attend every scheduled appointment. Furthermore, they are expected to so show up on time every time.
4. Progress is Mandatory
The work a client does in therapy will be reflected in the progress they are making. Clients have a responsibility to work hard and keep moving towards recovery. Failure to do so could result in the client being asked to remove themselves from the program or agree to enter the residential treatment center. If you decide to get treatment, it’s your responsibility to come into the rehab facility with the very best of intentions. If you can do that and work hard, you will find that recovery is waiting for you on the other side of the door. We would like to have the honor of working with you on your recovery. To get started with treatment, all we ask of you is to call one of our representatives at 302-842-2390.
