What Personalized Addiction Treatment Actually Looks Like

Traditional methods of addiction support have largely centred on a one-size-fits-all approach. However, this can fail to address the complexity of addiction and, more importantly, the person behind it. Indeed, rehabilitation success rates have proven to be significantly higher when a recovery program is tailored to the individual.

This blog explores what personalized addiction treatment looks like, why it’s effective, and why New Dawn Medical is leading the way.

The Rise of Personalized Care for Addiction Treatment

Expanding our concept of addiction treatment into something holistic and person-centred allows care to address the root of addictive behaviours. In contrast, generic treatments can often overlook these subtleties, ultimately addressing symptoms rather than the underlying cause.

Personalized treatment plans tend to reflect higher levels of engagement, treatment retention, as well as increased ownership and commitment to the recovery process. The personal relevance gained within personalized models is significant when we consider that, within the first month of treatment, there is a 50% dropout rate nationwide.

A study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicated that of individuals enrolled in personalized treatment programs, 40%-60% went on to achieve long-term recovery. In comparison to generalized, one-size-fits-all approaches, this illustrates a notable shift in treatment outcomes.

Inside the Personalized Approach

Personalized addiction treatment focuses on you as an individual. It recognizes not just the importance, but also the need for care that is adaptable and specific. At New Dawn Medical, recovery programs are designed to acknowledge the complex variables impacting addiction, not just the substance itself.

A Closer Look: Confidential and Comprehensive Assessments

The first step towards change begins with an in-depth, comprehensive consultation designed to identify potential factors underlying your substance use. Practitioners compassionately explore factors such as:

• Addiction severity and history of use
• Medical history
• Mental health
• Family dynamics
• Trauma
• Lifestyle and social factors

The careful consideration of the individual circumstances contributing to a client’s addiction allows for the creation of treatment plans attuned to individual needs and recovery goals. Moreover, it helps to minimize the loss of pertinent personal information that may be critical to delivering effective care, factors often overlooked in traditional care models.

An additional benefit to conducting a thorough personal history is the education and awareness it can provide to those seeking support. For the first time, individuals may understand their addiction as a complex by-product of trauma, genetic risk, or co-occurring mental health conditions, rather than a moral failing.

Setting the Stage

The initial consultation also allows professional insight into whether medically supervised detox should occur prior to treatment onset. For many, the ability to meaningfully engage in therapy and the treatment process hinges on safe medical detox and the management of withdrawal symptoms.

It is also important to note the significance of completing detox under appropriate medical supervision. The nature of withdrawal symptoms can have considerable safety risks, including discomfort, thus contributing to the risk of relapse and even, in some circumstances, death.

As such, New Dawn Medical ensures that all treatments are medically supervised to both monitor risks related to withdrawal and ensure continued treatment efficacy.

Considering the Landscape

Two important caveats emphasizing the value of specialized recovery programs are for those with a history of trauma and/or experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions. New Dawn Medical is sensitive to these interactions by providing care that is trauma-informed and tailored to those with dual diagnosis.

Individuals who have experienced a history of trauma respond to stress differently. By integrating trauma-informed practices, practitioners take into account how trauma can impact the recovery process.

In addition, treatment plans that integrate care to accommodate co-occurring mental health disorders have been linked to increased remission potential. The inclusion of dual diagnosis treatment is important as the causal relationship between addiction and mental health can be complex.

Customized Tools

Following the initial assessment, individualized treatment plans typically incorporate a combination of medical interventions and psychological support. This offers a highly effective treatment strategy that explores the root causes contributing to addiction, while also managing discomfort and easing the detox process.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is designed to help stabilize the individual by managing cravings and symptoms of withdrawal. Managing discomfort leads to more successful treatment outcomes and long-term sobriety. Medications may include:

• Naltrexone and Acamprosate (Campral)
• Methadone and Suboxone

Some of these medications may also be utilized within maintenance strategies and in the treatment of chronic pain.

Psychological and behavioural support complements medication management by allowing for deeper exploration of the circumstances contributing to addiction. In addition to individual counselling, behavioural health therapies allow individuals to identify triggers, improve coping skills, and uncover any co-occurring conditions. Various services may also include:

• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Peer support groups

At New Dawn Medical, we encourage active participation in peer support networks to foster connections and establish networks of accountability. Alternatively, engaging family networks can improve commitment to individual treatment plans and enhance the chances of long-term recovery.

Care That Grows With You

When you leave one of our treatment facilities, New Dawn Medical is committed to walking alongside you for whatever is next. Our experienced addiction specialists and physicians provide continuous monitoring and follow-up appointments to both encourage recovery maintenance and adapt plans as necessary based on individual progress and needs.

Addiction is chronic, and as such, it requires care that is flexible and there when you need it. At New Dawn Medical, we believe the best chance for long-term success relies on care that goes beyond treatment and follows you into daily life.

New Dawn Medical’s Personalized Commitment

With over 50 locations across Ontario, New Dawn Medical offers same-day assessment and treatment options. Several of our programs are also covered under OHIP, thus promoting further accessibility for those seeking support.

New Dawn Medical prides itself on delivering professional treatment strategies that are confidential, holistic, and accessible. Our emphasis on treating the whole individual enables personalized care that evolves with you.

Reaching Out Is the First Step Towards a New Dawn

The definition of what it means to successfully and meaningfully treat addiction has begun to shift within medical and academic communities. In lieu of rigid traditional models, the benefit of personalized and person-centred care is gathering recognition as a compassionate, effective alternative. New Dawn Medical is proud to have clinics at the forefront of providing tailored and holistic care.

Successful recovery does not end with sobriety alone; it’s about rebuilding a life of meaning. If you’re ready to explore addiction treatment, reach out to New Dawn Medical by calling 1-833-456 DAWN, emailing us at info@newdawnmed.com, or contacting us online.