Case Planning for Substance Abuse Caseloads: How Understanding the Recovery Process Can Improve Outcomes

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9:15 AM - 10:15 AM

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While substance abuse treatment is the starting point, recovery is where the real work begins. However, the work of recovery is often minimized or worse yet, ignored, to the detriment of the client. A better understanding of what we are asking the client to do is vital to forming a realistic case plan. This workshop addresses why meaningful change is often so difficult. The presentation includes a neurological component on how addiction affects brain function. It then identifies and explores the recovery process, including social and cultural elements, and the relapse process. Recovery itself can be a traumatic experience which often leads to a return to an addiction lifestyle, therefore connecting people to a strong recovery community becomes paramount to success. Gleaned from over 3,000 face to face hours with participants in a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program, the final portion covers practical techniques and strategies that can provide the offender an opportunity to make effective change.