What Is the Addiction Severity Index? – The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was developed in the 1980s and is now used internationally as a baseline measurement of the severity of problems associated with substance abuse. The index assesses medical conditions, employment status, substance use frequency, legal troubles, family or social struggles, and the presence or absence of mental health conditions.

This “big picture” assessment can be instrumental for the development of a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses problems related to the six primary categories assessed by the ASI. The Addiction Severity Index was developed by A. Thomas McLellan, who was known for his pioneering work in the field of substance abuse treatment and the development of two interview-based approaches to measure addiction severity and treatment needs—the ASI and the Treatment Services Review (TSR).

What Does the Addiction Severity Index Measure?

As noted, the ASI measures the following:

Each category is given a rating based on patient responses in order to determine its importance relative to substance abuse. For example, questions regarding health issues measure the significance of these issues and their duration, as well as the identification of medications used to treat these issues.

These ratings also determine whether continued care for these particular issues may be needed during substance abuse treatment. Other important factors, such as socioeconomic status and religious preferences, will be also be reported.

What Happens During an Addiction Severity Index Interview?

During the course of an ASI interview, a patient is asked to assess his or her own perception of the intensity of the issues described, as well as his or her unique treatment needs relative to those issues. Someone who has struggled with sustaining gainful employment for a long time, for example, might benefit from employment counseling or professional training.

The typical ASI interview can be completed in about an hour, and usually occurs at the time of admission to an addiction treatment facility. These interviews have shown that examination of the underlying issues related to addictive behaviors (as opposed to the addiction specifically) help treatment providers develop more integrated and successful treatment plans.

Instead of comparing differences among substances of abuse, experts compare individuals with similar risk factors among specific demographics. Follow up interviews often occur at 30-day intervals and can provide researchers with additional valuable data.

The ASI As a Measure of Treatment Outcomes

Information collected during an ASI interview is often reviewed at a later date and examined to ascertain whether certain treatments have proven to be more or less effective. Evaluating treatment outcomes is one method addiction professionals use to improve treatment options for persons from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds suffering from specific addiction types at various levels of severity.

The ASI can also be used as a means to evaluate the success of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapies often used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. These measurements can be invaluable in improving patient care and increasing the likelihood of successful treatment outcomes.

Similarly, individual treatment facilities can compare data from the baseline interview to interviews performed throughout the stay. These comparisons help treatment providers identify areas of strengths and weaknesses within their programs.

The ASI and Customized Treatment Plans

Addiction Severity Index data is one tool that addiction treatment providers have to evaluate the individual needs of those who seek recovery. Today, more than ever before, a person entering treatment is not only assessed for their addiction-related needs but also deeper, underlying issues. These issues contribute to the development of addiction and dramatically increase the likelihood of relapse if left unaddressed.

The development of a customized treatment plan ensures that the person in recovery will receive a full spectrum of care. Proper treatment should improve the client’s overall health, as well as provide them with the resources they need to prevent relapse and mend broken or strained relationships with family and friends.

You can find a copy of the Addiction Severity Index here.

Getting Help for Addiction

If you are suffering from a substance use disorder, you are not alone. Unfortunately, these conditions are remarkably prevalent. For this reason, thousands of treatment centers across the U.S. have been established to lend a helping hand to individuals like you.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness employs highly-skilled addiction professionals who provide services clinically-proven to be beneficial for the recovery process, including behavioral therapy, counseling, group support, and more.

Our team of caring specialists is dedicated to helping each client achieve recovery by providing them with the tools and support they need to prevent relapse and sustain long-term sobriety and wellness.

You don’t have to suffer alone! Call us today to discuss treatment options and learn how we can help you break the cycle of addiction for the rest of your life!

Health and Wellness in Recovery – Health is a vital part of life that many people take for granted. For those going through recovery, health and wellness become tools that needs to be used in the struggle to stay clean. Fortunately, understandings in psychology and the health sciences have increased and diversified what can be done to heal both mind and body in the aftermath of addiction. Health and wellness in recovery do not have to be employed as a means to simply reach a goal – they can provide a person with a new meaning and perspective on life.

Nutrition and Healing

Close attention to health starts with nutrition. A person who completes medical detox may be severely weakened as a result of vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, or insomnia. For those with severe addictions, these acute effects are also often accompanied by a history of nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, and possibly impairments in liver or kidney functioning.

The staff at a specialized treatment center should ensure that the patient remains hydrated and fed with the right foods in appropriate amounts to increase the person’s strength and get the body working normally again after the arduous process of detox.

An ideal balanced diet includes fruits and vegetables, as well as lean protein such as poultry, whole grain foods, and low-fat dairy. Foods that are processed or too sugary could delay physical recovery and hinder long-term rehabilitation.

Eggs and cereals contain vitamin B-12, which is required for the production of new cells in the body. Fish, milk, and carrots are good sources of vitamin A, which supports the immune system, and vitamin D, which promotes the health and strength of bones. Dairy foods and greens increase calcium, which also helps with bone density, and meat boosts iron levels, which are essential for the transportation of oxygen throughout the body.

Keep in mind, every health and wellness benefit provided by these foods aimed at undoing the damage wrought by addictive drugs or alcohol and healing the body after detox. For example, in the same way that long-term, excessive alcohol use can cause mineral deficiencies in the body, proper combinations and amounts of food can restore balance.

Exercise and Recovery

As noted, nutrition is a vitally important part of the treatment process, but it must be combined with other forms of physical restoration. Many treatment programs have now implemented holistic approaches to mind and body healing that consider the psychological and physical aspects of wellness to be inseparable, and as such need to be addressed simultaneously.

While science has long supported the mental/emotional perks of exercise in addition to its physical benefits, other disciplines which seek to bring the two dynamics even closer together are now being employed to improve the relationship between mental and physical wellness.

Yoga

Yoga was originally developed as a physical discipline to bring the body and soul together in harmony. While this element still exists, some styles of yoga in the practice’s adoption in the Western world have focused on mental health benefits. Moreover, yoga is sometimes used as a complementary component of treatment to encourage clients to engage in a physical expression of their healing and recovery.

Yoga works by drawing the practitioner’s attention inward, putting aside the struggles and troubles of the external world. Simple practices, such as counting breaths and purging negative thoughts and emotions through well-regulated exhalations provide practitioners with a blank canvas to begin their day or even the rest of their lives.

Yoga during recovery can also provide a sense of community. While almost no one gets it right the first time, reaching the destination together, and offering help along the way gives participants a sense of accomplishment as a group member, taking their first steps towards recovery together.

Physical Exercise and Emotional Healing

But yoga is only one form of exercise available to clients during recovery. Treatment centers usually have gyms and sometimes personal trainers who work with individuals on specific fitness goals.

There is a surplus of evidence that reveals how much physical exercise promotes mental health, and these advantages are not lost on the treatment community. Working out can be fun, engaging, and inspiring, as well as a vital ingredient for improving mental health while facing depression, anxiety, or the temptation to relapse.

Exercise also offers personal milestones to achieve, with the idea of setting gradually harder goals. A fitness plan can give clients something to work towards, and something that also tracks their progress in terms of accomplishments.

Through this, people in recovery learn that they don’t need to resort to the use of alcohol, stimulants, or narcotics to feel satisfied with themselves. They can witness improvements in their physical form and mental well-being as examples of a healthy mind and body, no artificial substitutes needed.

Serotonin and Dopamine

Exercise certainly feels good and has benefits, but why exactly does it work so well, and how does that factor into the treatment of addiction?

When people engage in exercise, the activity prompts their brain to release neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that relay information from the brain throughout the body by way of the central nervous system. For example, one neurotransmitter released during exercise is serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood. In some, serotonin is not correctly processed by the brain, which is a critical factor in the development of clinical depression.

Copious amounts of research has suggested that exercise (aerobics, running, biking, yoga, etc.) increases serotonin, which may be also useful for those who are too psychologically vulnerable to be prescribed antidepressants. Another important effect of exercise is the release of dopamine.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that serves numerous functions in the central nervous system. When dopamine is released in the brain region called the “reward center,” it tells the brain to expect rewards from certain activities. This action is why when people use drugs or alcohol, they may feel very strongly compelled to continue using. In addition to the enjoyment of that initial rush, their brain is now becoming wired to anticipate and desire another one.

But the release of dopamine isn’t always related to drug or alcohol use. In fact, it is more often a result of eating delicious food, sexual intercourse, listening to music, exercise, or hundreds of other innocuous, normal sources.

Treatment for Addiction

Nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being and balance are vital components to the recovery process. While these elements alone are often not enough to facilitate recovery, their benefits as part of a comprehensive treatment program are strongly supported by evidence. As such, most specialized facilities spend time focusing on these aspects of recovery.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers an integrated approach to the treatment of addiction, including psychotherapy, individual, group, and family counseling, mental health support, health and wellness programs, peer support, aftercare planning services, and more.

But recovery from addiction does not stop at the last therapy session or the most recent support group meeting. It is a continual, lifelong process, but it does not have to be strenuous and solitary. With the support of addiction professionals, friends and family, and the company of like-minded people, health and wellness in recovery can provide a person a rich, fulfilling, and healthy outlook on life.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please contact us as soon as possible. Discover how we can help you overcome substance abuse and reclaim the happiness and well-being you deserve!

Principles for Addiction Recovery – There isn’t a single person in the world that, with the proper treatment and support, cannot recover from addiction. Recovery begins with a longing for change and a belief that one can overcome this adversity. And, indeed, it is a lifelong process that requires improving one’s health and well-being in addition to living free and independent from substance abuse.

Of course, many people who suffer from addiction can achieve abstinence, but recovery is more complicated and involves changing one’s thoughts, behavior, and outlook on life. Simply put, a successful recovery must be motivated by the belief that it is both achievable and sustainable.

Principles of Addiction Recovery

Recovery is a bit different for everyone but tends to be a highly personal process that is affected by many factors. These include the individual’s unique characteristics, history, family life, as well as the type, intensity, and duration of the addiction. However, some principles characterize recovery for all kinds of addiction.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the guiding principles of recovery are the following:

1. Recovery emerges from hope, which “is the catalyst of the recovery process” and is characterized by the belief that people “can and do overcome challenges, barriers, and obstacles that confront them.”

2. Recovery is person-driven. “Self-determination and self-direction are the foundations for recovery as individuals [who] are empowered and provided the resources to make informed decisions, initiate recovery…and gain or regain control over their lives.”

3. Recovery occurs through many pathways. Recovery pathways may include professional treatment, pharmacotherapy, support from families, faith-based approaches, peer support, and more.

4. Recovery is non-linear, and is “characterized by continual growth and improved functioning that may involve setbacks.”

5. Recovery is holistic and will encompass an individual’s entire life and includes addressing the following:

6. Recovery is supported by peers and allies. Peers encourage and engage others and provide a “vital sense of belonging, supportive relationships, valued roles, and community.”

7. Recovery is supported by relationship and social networks. “Family members, peers, providers, faith groups, community members, and other allies form vital support networks.”

8. Recovery is culturally-based and influenced because a person’s “…cultural background in all of its diverse representations…are keys in determining a person’s journey and unique pathway to recovery.”

9. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma, which “…is often a precursor to or associated with alcohol and drug abuse, mental health problems, and related issues.”

10. Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibility. Individuals are responsible for their own self-care and recovery, and families are responsible for supporting their loved ones in need. Finally, “communities have responsibilities to provide opportunities and resources to…foster social inclusion and recovery.”

11. Recovery is based on respect. “Community, systems, and societal acceptance and appreciation for people affected by mental health and substance use problems…are crucial in achieving recovery.”

Treatment Options for Addiction Recovery

Treatment is a little different for everyone. Individualized treatment plans address each person’s unique needs and are flexible to each person’s current life circumstances.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment requires staying at a facility for one month or longer. Facilities that provide inpatient treatment include comprehensive rehab centers, hospitals, and some nonprofit community organizations. Most people considering inpatient treatment seek a safe, structured environment.

Partial-Hospitalization Programs

Partial-hospitalization programs (PHP) are an option for people who have either completed inpatient treatment or require an intensive outpatient setting. PHP offers intense, comprehensive treatment similar to a residential program, but takes place in a comfortable clinical environment during the day and includes the option of a safe, relaxing, supervised home-like residence in the evenings.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient care can provide the same treatment that an inpatient program does, including detox, counseling, and therapy. However, outpatient care allows patients much more freedom, as they attend daily meetings or multiple meetings per week, but still have flexible time to work or attend school.

Transitioning After Treatment

For many people, transitioning to a life outside of treatment without constant support is difficult. Fortunately, transitional living facilities can help people in recovery maintain sobriety while they regain their footing in the real world. Research has shown that sober living homes improve treatment outcomes for people in recovery from addiction.

Stays can vary from several weeks to a few months, and the cost is often comparable to renting an apartment. Critically, sober living homes place a strict ban on the use of drugs or alcohol. These homes help people avoid returning to high-risk living environments before their sobriety is established well enough for them to be able to handle stressors and triggers.

Avoiding Relapse

There are many ways people in recovery can avoid returning to drug or alcohol abuse, but one of the most well-known is the acronym HALT, which describes four conditions likely to contribute to relapse. These conditions include the following:

Hungry — An unhealthy diet can adversely impact emotional well-being.
Angry — Feelings of anger build up and can lead to relapse.
Lonely — Isolation and self-pity lead to loneliness, which makes recovery more difficult.
Tired — Lack of sleep or intense stress hinders motivation for recovery.

Managing Relapse

Between 40-60% of people recovering from addiction will relapse, but that doesn’t mean all improvement need be lost. Therapy teaches people how to handle a relapse constructively, and support can help decrease the severity of relapse if it occurs.

The following stress-relief strategies can help people find relief from stress and avoid relapse:

1. Initiate a change in environment and avoid high-risk situations.
2. Eliminate stressful and unhealthy relationships.
3. Strive for short-term goals and expect to make progress one day at a time.
4. Engage in regular exercise and eat a healthy diet to maintain optimal physical and mental health.

Attend Support Groups & Meetings

Building a reliable system of support is vital for recovery. Peer support groups exist for nearly any addiction, including 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Regularly attending support group meetings can allow people to identify and avoid thoughts and behaviors that may lead to relapse.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers partial-hospitalization and outpatient programs designed to give people the tools, resources, and support they need to recover from addictions to drugs or alcohol. Our caring, highly-trained staff includes addiction professionals who deliver therapeutic services to our clients with compassion and expertise.

Our comprehensive approach to treatment employs evidence-based services vital to recovery, such as psychotherapy, individual, group, and family counseling, health and wellness programs, aftercare planning, and more.

If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, please contact us today. Discover how we help people free themselves from the chains of addiction and learn the skills they need to prevent relapse and enjoy long-lasting wellness and sobriety!

Sober living residences are stable living environments that foster recovery and long-term sobriety. These environments are designed to assemble a group of people who are all working on recovery from a substance abuse problem, and who can support each other through the transition from treatment back to independence.

Of importance, sober living homes are not the same as inpatient rehab, although many offer group therapy and drug testing to guarantee the safety and success of residents.

Sober Living Homes vs. Halfway Houses

Also, sober living homes were preceded by halfway houses, but these two programs are not the same. Halfway houses usually operate through government support, which means that many of the services they offer suffer when government programs are cut. Conversely, sober living homes use money paid by the residents for rent to support the house’s functions, in addition to some government funding and non-profit grants.

Halfway houses also require residents to have successfully completed a recovery program before receiving a bed, whereas sober living homes encourage residents to have completed inpatient or outpatient rehab before joining, but it is not always required. Some residents may have completed rehab before residing in the home, but relapsed after leaving treatment, and found they would benefit from a more solid base of support for their sobriety.

The point of the living environment is for the residents to support each other as they endeavor toward greater, sober independence. Residents are required to pay rent for their room or bed, and must also perform household chores and participate in house meetings between the residents.

As long as residents comply with the rules of the home, they can usually stay as long as they want – however, they are often encouraged to work toward complete independence.

Who Benefits from a Sober Living Home?

Sober living homes help many people in different situations. While residents primarily come from rehab programs and use the homes as a link between rehab and full independence, there are a number of reasons people may want to reside in a sober living home.

Some of these reasons include the following:

• They have the desire to avoid a previous living environment or social situations because they could be triggered to relapse or pressured to engage in drug or alcohol abuse.
• They require a safe and sustainable living situation that fosters continued recovery.
• They still need structure and support for their newfound sobriety but also want flexibility and the freedom to find employment or continue education.

How Long Can a Person Reside at a Sober Living Home?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse advises that people participating in drug addiction treatment remain in a recovery program for more than 90 days to receive the greatest benefits. Sober living homes can be a significant step during the course of that treatment and can bolster positive behavioral and lifestyle changes made during rehab.

These homes offer residents the freedom to remain on a long-term basis, with an amenable schedule that allows for employment.

Finding the Right Sober Living Home

While sober living homes are not required to offer drug testing or group therapy, those that do usually have state licenses that regulate those medical activities. In general, a sober living home is a place that does not permit drug or alcohol use, so residents can support one another while they recover from addiction or substance abuse. Homes that more strictly monitor the safety and well-being of their residents through therapy and drug testing, however, tend to have better success rates.

Also, state licensure or group accreditation guarantees that the sober living home is in accordance with safety standards and a code of ethics. There have been some reports of sober living homes taking advantage of people in recovery for profit, but the facilities in these reports did not have accreditation or licenses.

Before transitioning to full independence, residing for a while in a sober living home after treatment has been shown to help people in recovery maintain a definite course to long-term sobriety and health. When the state licenses these homes or they are accredited through an institution, they are safe, welcoming, and beneficial programs.

Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Residents interested in residing in a sober living environment are highly encouraged to undergo evidence-based addiction treatment beforehand. Our center offers an integrated approach to addiction treatment, including essential therapeutic services such as psychotherapy, psychoeducation, individual and group counseling, and group support.

We employ caring addiction professionals who deliver these services with compassion and expertise. We provide clients with the support and knowledge they need to achieve abstinence and experience long-lasting sobriety and wellness.

Recovery from addiction is a life-long process, but you don’t have to do it alone. Contact us today and find out how we can help you achieve the life you deserve!

Related: What is a Drug and Alcohol Assessment?