Making Referrals

• Introduce and discuss potential options non-judgementally- remember that you cannot be motivated for them\
• Notify the client that the treatment providers can help find the appropriate type of treatment and level of care for them
• Use affirmations, reflections and lots of encouragement without jumping ahead of them
• Follow up with provider
• Have family sign consent so you can talk with providers
• Problem-solving when a referral fails:
  • Assess motivation (stages of change)
  • Assess access to resources- problem-solve barriers!

Types of treatment depend on the type and severity of the substance use problem. Ways you can tell if substance use is more serious:

• Using often and a lot
• Causing serious consequences
• Others around use or support using

More use, consequences, and support for use, indicate a more severe addiction and more need for intensive treatment. Most treatment centers will do an assessment to determine the level of care that is appropriate.

Getting Help

At-Home Options

• Seeking help on the Internet
• Telephone counseling (Tobacco mostly)

Substance Abuse Treatment programs

• Outpatient (agencies, local health department)
• Intensive outpatient - 3 to 4 hours several times a week
• Medication-assisted treatment (e.g. methadone, suboxone)
  • Can be used in conjunction with the treatment of any intensity
• Partial Hospitalization Program - Intensive day program that runs 3-5 days a week for 4-6 hours a day.
• Hospital-based programs – detoxification and short term to 30 day stays in a hospital setting
• Intensive Residential Treatment – Live in for several months in a therapeutic community
• Mutual Help (AA, NA, CA, Smart Recovery, Women for Sobriety) – not a formal treatment modality but often used in conjunction with formal treatment