How much help do I need?
During the initial stages of any treatment, the substance user with or without outside help, should learn how to self-assess their situation and decide how much help they think they need and what they are willing to commit to in terms of working on their issues.
If there is a discrepancy between what kind of help or the level of intensity the substance user thinks they need and what the helper believes, this should be an opportunity to discuss options and choices—not a source of friction.
If a less intense strategy is tried such as outpatient counseling and it is not making a difference or enough of a difference then a more intensive approach can be the next step.
There is no shame for a user in admitting that they need help, and not all help needs to change everything for the substance user. Interventions, treatment and community support just need to get the substance user to a point where they are able to help themselves.
Using the Self-Assessment Chart / Intervention Bell Curve
The above chart, is to be used to help the substance user and helpers to think about what level of intervention or (treatment) assistance the SU needs to be able to help themself. The important factor is that the SU is an active participant in their recovery. The shaded area represents the hypothetical positive effects of any one program.
Intervention is not treatment
It is not an end to a problem, but the beginning of change. There is never a guarantee of success, but always hope that things will improve. Thus, someone further to the left on the chart, may need significantly more outside assistance (or a number of interventions and treatment programs) to facilitate them getting to a point where they are able to help themselves. Once a person is "over the hump" they have built up enough personal resources to be able to seek out and obtain the assistance or support they need to continue on their road to recovery. An Assessment is a diagnostic tool used to develop a treatment plan.
Learning to Self-Assess your Substance Use or someone else's Substance Use
During the initial stages of any treatment the client (substance user) with or without help should learn how to self-assess their situation and decide how much help they think they need and what they are willing to commit to in terms of working on their issues. If there is a discrepancy between what kind of help or the level of intensity the substance user thinks they need and what the helper believes, this should be an opportunity to discuss options and choices—not a source of friction.
If a less intense strategy is tried such as outpatient counseling and it is not making a difference or enough of a difference then a more intensive approach can be the next step. There is no shame for a user in admitting that they need help, and not all help needs to change everything for the substance user. Interventions, treatment and community support just need to get the substance user to a point where they are able to help themselves.
How do you decide how much help you or your loved one needs?
Unfortunately most people's drug use has gotten fairly severe by the time they are willing to get help. This may be for a lot of reasons, but the important thing is to get the person appropriate help once they are willing.
If you are the addict then have a really good look at the above chart and think about how bad your use has gotten. If you need help in figuring this out have a look at the Stages of Substance Use - Drug Use Continuum page.
Most programs or treatment facilities can only do so much for you in a given period of time. It really is YOUR LIFE so ultimately it is up to you to decide how you want to live your life and what kind of life you want to life.
If you are unhappy with how you have been living your life and are willing to get some help, then the chart will help you think about the amount of help you need. So, if your substance use is really bad or you have been using for a long time, or suffered some serious consequences due to your substance use you might place yourself more to the left side of the chart - say a number two or three. If this is the case, you will probably need some sort of longer term or inpatient treatment program (residential) plus attend some community meetings such as AA - Alcoholics Anonymous and NA - Narcotics Anonymous. If you object to the religious nature of 12 step fellowships there are other alternatives that can also be very supportive.
If your substance use is "not that bad" (you have to be honest here) and you place yourself at a four or five on the above chart, then perhaps going to see a counselor on an outpatient basis (where you still live on your own), might be enough. You may still want to attend some support group meetings as well, but it is up to you to figure out how much outside help you need.
