A Sample Program
Substance Abuse Treatment & Education Series
Program Outline and Flow Sample
This Outline is a sample of how this series might flow. Each person has their own unique characteristics, circumstances, and needs. Therefore, the total number of sessions necessary to complete this series will vary.
A minimum of 6 – 8 sessions can be expected, depending upon the individualized treatment plan goals.
Session 1
- Intake assessment of needs, complete necessary release of information forms, review referral requirements (if applicable), establish a schedule of dates, and confirm payment agreement
- Address the question: What do I want from this series? (to get my driver’s license back, to keep my job, to get back into school, to improve my health, to stop drinking, to cut down on my drinking, etc.)
Homework assignment: “My story”
Session 2
- Review & discuss homework assignment
- Continue intake assessment of needs as necessary, and address other areas in need of services, ie; medical conditions, or other mental health issues, etc. Initiate consultation or referral process
- Introduce stages of change model & begin to determine where the individual is within this framework
- Address the question: “What is the nature of my relationship with alcohol or drug use?”
- Begin discussion regarding developmental stages of human growth and disease concept of addiction
- Explore the physiological effects of alcohol and drug abuse
- Identify costs & benefits analysis & all the above as part of initiating development of action plan
Homework assignment: a reading assignment or use of video resource
Session 3
- Review emotional & physiological symptoms & address current issues
- Review & discuss homework assignment. Continue previous discussions & address the answers to the previous questions
- Introduce developmental stages of addiction and recovery & begin developing written plan
- Introduce coping skills menu appropriate to the individual & begin skills development. Follow up with consultations or referrals as needed
Homework assignment: Continue development of written plan & include social network
Session 4
- Review emotional & physiological symptoms & address current issues
- Review & discuss homework assignment
- Cont. with previous discussions and further develop written action plan
- Examine triggers and severity scale for evaluation of risk & introduce how this is used as part of daily coping and stress management
Homework assignment: Read 12-step material & attend at least one meeting by this point in series. (spouse, friends, relatives, etc.)
Session 5
- Review emotional & physiological symptoms & address current issues
- Review & discuss homework assignment
- Cont. with previous discussions and further develop written action plan
- Review & reinforce skill development for daily coping & stress management
- Address the question: “How much longer will I need to participate in this series?”
Homework assignment: begin preparation for closure if appropriate or continue with treatment plan.
Session 6
- Review emotional & physiological symptoms & address current issues
- Review & discuss homework assignment
- Discuss overall progress and recommendations that appear appropriate at this point. Explore anticipated results of these recommendations and prepare for triggers as necessary
Homework assignment: Continued development of action plan, practicing new skills, following consultation or referral recommendations, cont. with 12-Step or self-help meeting attendance or as assigned specific to individualized treatment plan. If appropriate, confirm completion date and steps necessary to meet that expectation.
Session 7
- Review emotional & physiological symptoms & address current issues
- Review & discuss homework assignment
- Discuss expected completion date and additional requirements if appropriate & anticipated responses to consequences
- Address the question: How do I prepare myself for the possible outcomes of my treatment progress and recommendations?
- Adapt action plan if necessary
Homework assignment: as assigned according to individualized treatment plan, affirm action plan with appropriate support social network, prepare for closure as defined in individualized treatment plan
Session 8
- Review emotional & physiological symptoms & address current issues
- Review & discuss homework assignment
- Address the question: “Am I finished and what next?”