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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

How AAC Creates Your Recovery Treatment Plan

We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to alcoholism rehab, so we aim to create customized treatment plans for our patients, ensuring that their entire well-being is taken into account. When it comes to effective alcoholism treatment, there are a number of key principles that may form the basis of successful recovery programming. Treatment may involve:

  • Medically-assisted detox.
  • Medications used to ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
  • Treatment that addresses any co-occurring mental health issues or comorbid disorders.
  • Behavioral therapies to understand what led to addiction and how to alter certain behaviors.
  • Long-term aftercare programming (e.g., sober living, counseling, and support groups).

At AAC, alternative therapies such as yoga, equine, music and art therapies are also available to improve a patient’s overall experience. Depending on location, these programs are open to all patients and are overseen by our licensed therapists.

Treatment planning requires a full assessment of an individual’s substance use history and their patterns of use from the time they first started using to the present. This includes which drug(s) have been used, the reasons for use, and a family history of alcohol and drug abuse. As you progress through treatment, you may also move through various levels of care such as from an intensive inpatient rehabilitation setting into one of our sober living facilities following your completion.

Treatment should accomplish the following goals:

  • Help the individual to be a productive member of society, of their family, and their work.
  • Help the individual stop using drugs and/or alcohol.
  • Help the individual remain sober.

What Does AAC’s Screening Process Involve?

Within 24 hours of arriving at one of our facilities, you’ll will meet with a psychiatrist, case manager, therapist, and nurse for an evaluation to see which level of care will be most suited for you. In order to ensure we are addressing your needs as a whole, we’ll not only look at your addiction, but also any mental health and/or medical issues.

This screening will be done by an internal medicine physician who will discuss your medical history and perform a physical. The physical may consist of a urinalysis to find out which substances are currently in your body. Blood is then drawn to discover any other medical issues that may need to be addressed.

We also utilize an array of unique medical technologies such as pharmacogenetic testing which studies how your genes influence your reaction to a certain drug. This helps us better understand how you’ll respond to different medications based upon how your body distributes, absorbs, eliminates, and metabolizes them. You may be asked to give a simple saliva sample to determine the types of medications and dosage needed.

Customizing Your Treatment Plan

After several assessments, a treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, which may include a psychiatric consultation, MAT, a mental health diagnosis, regular group attendance, individual sessions, and a consultation with a registered dietitian. While in treatment, we’ll pair you with various specialists as you work toward recovery. We also utilize SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step alternatives within our programming.

Our core therapies include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
  • Rationale emotive behavior therapy.
  • Motivational interviewing (MI).
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
  • Medication-assisted therapy (MAT).
  • EMDR.
  • Holistic therapies.

How are Co-Occurring Disorders Treated?

Across our portfolio of facilities, we are equipped to treat co-occurring disorders via an integrated approach to treatment. However, Greenhouse is our only facility that handles serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder on site.

Some co-occurring mental health disorders like bereavement, eating disorders, or victims of trauma, require specialized group settings. If staying within our other facilities, we will coordinate with local hospitals and clinics to get you to and from your appointments during your stay.

Additionally, veterans and first responders within our Desert Hope and Recovery First treatment centers can benefit from our Salute to Recovery programming tailored to their unique life experiences. Each facility offers specialized programming via a 4-week cycle that offers various evidence-based therapeutic modalities.

While there may be no cure for mental illnesses and alcohol use disorders, numerous evidence-based therapies and treatment interventions may be integrated to help effectively manage these co-occurring disorders. Intensive, comprehensive treatment along with long-term aftercare support can help individuals make continual progress in their recovery journeys.

Specialized Groups Offered at AAC Facilities

We understand that a person’s life experiences, cultures and personal preferences shape them into who they are. Because of this, we welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs and gender identities. When speaking with your admissions navigator, be sure to ask about our specialized tracks that may better serve you in your journey toward recovery.

We offer the below specialized groups within our facilities (depending on location):

  • Veterans and first responders.
  • Impaired professionals.
  • LGBTQ.
  • Faith-based groups.

These groups offers a safe space to share struggles, life experiences, and to relate to others in a healthy way. For example, those participating in Greenhouse’s LBGTQ track will cover topics from the history of the LGBTQ community to healthy relationships, family dynamics, coming out stigmas/stereotypes, and transgender issues.

Additionally, our faith-based tracks are designed with Christians in mind. We have developed a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on Biblical principles alongside evidenced-based substance abuse treatment. The program includes individual and group Christian drug counseling, group fellowship activities, educational classes, and outings to church services.

Regardless of which specialized group you prefer, our registered nurses, physicians, dietitians, master’s-level therapists, and providers all specialize in each of these areas to offer you a more comfortable experience.

Does AAC Provide Aftercare Services?

Aftercare planning begins the second you arrive at one of our facilities. We work with you to help identify and change the people, places, and things that may threaten your sobriety. You’ll also learn new skills in order to cope with triggers and cravings when you leave. As you work toward recovery, you’ll work with a therapist and case manager to create a recovery plan unique to you and your needs, goals, and circumstances.

Our aftercare and relapse prevention program includes aftercare planning, providing and following up on referrals to identified services, and ongoing monitoring. This program is available to every patient once a week and sessions may last between 45-60 minutes.

Some of our aftercare recovery groups include:

  • Cravings and how to manage urges
  • Relapse prevention skills
  • Planning your own aftercare
  • Spirituality in recovery
  • Recovery and co-occurring mental health disorders
  • Addiction and brain chemistry
  • Medication management – staying compliant
  • Addiction – a progressive disease
  • Addiction and brain chemistry
  • Incorporating healthy life skills into recovery
  • Recovery on the job – employment concerns
  • 12-steps and recovery
  • Family intervention & education
  • Stages of change

Once you’ve completed treatment, you may transition into one of our sober living houses (available at most of our facilities) to ease the shift back to your everyday life. For people who have recently completed intensive alcoholism treatment, the transition out of an inpatient detoxification or residential rehabilitation can be challenging. Residing in a sober living facility offers a supportive community in a substance-free home.

You’ll also become a part of our alumni network which connects you with a nationwide community of AAC graduates. Depending on location, you may have access to weekly meetings in your area or quarterly alumni events. Through our alumni program, you will build a community of like-minded individuals who can help support your long-term sobriety efforts and celebrate your milestones together.



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