Treatment

SUBSTANCE ABUSE CORE PROGRAM.

Outpatient Treatment Core Program:
The Core Program serves as a foundational cornerstone of client education in early
recovery, addressing common challenges faced by individuals undergoing the recovery process. These educational sessions are designed to equip clients with essential knowledge on terminology, substances, triggers, relapse prevention, and the intricate relationship between sex and substances. Additionally, the program delves into the emotional components inherent in addiction and recovery, providing a comprehensive roadmap and guidance. The Balance Foundation Program encompasses a range of crucial topics divided into twelve informative sessions:

1. Definitions, Terms, and Self-Assessment
2. Alcohol and Other Drug Education
3. Triggers, Cravings, and Relapse Avoidance
4. Planning for Maintaining Sobriety
5. Alcohol and Tobacco Awareness
6. Exploring Spirituality
7. Addressing the Intersection of Sex, Alcohol, and Drugs
8. Stress Management and Emotional Well-Being
9. Skill Development for Stress Reduction
10. Coping with Negative Emotions
11. Managing Anger and Improving Communication
12. Fundamentals of Relapse Prevention

Additionally, the Balance Foundation Core Program offers comprehensive resources to our clients, including guidance on substance use disorders, diagnostic criteria, the impact of substance use on the body and brain, methods for preventing cross-addiction, education on different types of drugs, and strategies for tobacco cessation. Moreover, it covers essential topics such as relapse prevention foundations, treatment planning, nurturing supportive relationships, overcoming barriers, and establishing achievable goals in recovery. The approach of our recovery program views severe substance use disorders as chronic, relapsing brain diseases and emphasizes a holistic, evidence-based strategy that integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and stages of change models. Through structured client education, exercises, and discussions aimed at enhancing motivation and facilitating behavioral change, our program empowers individuals to develop vital skills and protective factors to navigate challenges and relapse triggers effectively in their recovery journey.

The Outpatient Treatment Core Program lays the groundwork for client education by delving into the common challenges faced during the early stages of recovery. Covering a spectrum of topics, including terminology, substances, triggers, relapse prevention, the intricate correlation between sex and substances, and emotional aspects of addiction and recovery, the Core Program offers a very robust treatment module alongside twelve client sessions featuring downloadable worksheets and meditation, and visualization audio aids to initiate each session effectively. Positioned as a fundamental component of any treatment program, the Balance Foundation curriculum encompasses a structured series of sessions designed to empower individuals on their recovery journey.

In addition to this educational foundation, the Balance Foundation Inc. Core Program provides an extensive array of resources to assist clients in building a solid skill set indispensable for successful treatment and recovery initiation. These resources include comprehensive insights into the nature and progression of substance use disorders, diagnostic criteria, the impacts of substance use on the body and brain, cross-addiction risks, drug education, strategies for relapse prevention, treatment planning essentials, fostering supportive relationships, overcoming barriers, and setting achievable recovery goals, amongst others. The Balance Foundation Program adopts an evidence-based approach bolstered by cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and elements of the stages of change model. Through engaging written exercises, group discussions, and functional analyses, clients are guided through the exploration of high-risk situations, identification of triggers, coping mechanisms for cravings, skills development in refusal, assertiveness, interpersonal connections, decision-making, and problem-solving. These cognitive-behavioral techniques aim to equip clients with essential skills to expand their social support networks and cultivate enduring, drug-free relationships.

In summary, the Balance Foundation Core Program stands as a comprehensive resource for our clients to address the underlying biopsychosocial elements that contribute to relapse. By empowering clients to develop a robust foundation, maximize the efficacy of treatment, and acquire essential skills necessary for the initiation of a life in recovery, the program serves as a vital tool in the journey towards sustained wellness and sobriety. It paves the way for individuals to navigate challenges effectively and develop resilience in their pursuit of a fulfilling, substance-free life.

In the Mini-PROGRAM 1, which focuses on Anger and Emotional Management, the integration of five sessions drawn from the Balance Foundation Inc. program aims to provide clients with targeted education in effectively managing emotions and controlling anger. Blending components from both the Core Program and Recovery Management Sessions, this comprehensive track ensures a holistic approach to addressing clients’ needs in these crucial areas. Separate sessions for males and females are arranged to foster an environment where participants can openly share their experiences. The amalgamation of sessions taps into various aspects of emotional well-being and anger management, empowering clients with the necessary tools and insights to navigate these challenges effectively.

1. Session 8: Stress and Emotional Well-Being: Clients will delve into understanding the distinctions between frustrations, pressures, and conflicts, identifying personalized coping mechanisms, setting emotional health goals, recognizing individual stress responses, tolerance levels, and psychological defense mechanisms.
2. Session 9: Skills for Reducing Stress: This session focuses on comprehending stress, identifying stressors, exploring stress-reduction tools and defense mechanisms, organizing and prioritizing tasks to reduce stress, managing relationship struggles, seeking support, recognizing the importance of social engagement, and practicing the Relaxation Response.
3. Session 11: Anger and Communication: Participants will learn to recognize the physiological signs of anger, and understand different responses to anger, including suppression and delay, explore ways to express anger assertively and positively, and comprehend how anger can shift and manifest in various forms.
4. Session 12: Relapse Prevention Basics: This session aids clients in understanding the impact of addiction on thought processes, identifying triggers for potential relapse, defusing and avoiding triggers, engaging in visualization exercises, and utilizing thought-stopping techniques to prevent triggering thoughts.
5. Session 20: Attitudes and Beliefs: Tackling the role of attitudes and beliefs in stress responses, clients will learn about irrational beliefs, dispute techniques to challenge unrealistic beliefs, focus on personal strengths, embrace acceptance of what cannot be changed, and foster a positive mindset for effective coping mechanisms. Moreover, in the Mini-PROGRAM 2, Trauma and Violence, where seven tailored sessions from the Balance Foundation Inc program are combined, offering specialized education for clients grappling with trauma-related issues, including rape, sexual assault, or childhood sexual abuse. By incorporating elements from the Core Program and Recovery Management Sessions, this track underscores the importance of emotional support and effective coping strategies for participants who have experienced trauma, irrespective of gender, through designated group sessions.

1. Session 8: Stress and Emotional Well-Being
2. Session 9: Skills for Reducing Stress
3. Session 10: Negative Emotions
4. Session 11: Anger and Communication
5. Session 12: Relapse Prevention Basics
6. Session 20: Attitudes and Beliefs
7. Session 28: Sexual Abuse

Each session is meticulously designed to equip clients with the necessary tools, insights, and strategies to navigate the challenges associated with trauma, violence, emotional upheaval, and other related issues while fostering a safe and supportive environment for healing and recovery.

In Mini-PROGRAM 3, the emphasis is on Promoting Mutual Support and Twelve Step
Participation to provide clients with essential education and tools necessary for utilizing mutual aid and engaging in Twelve Step programs. By combining sessions from the Balance Foundation curriculum, Core Program, Recovery Management Sessions, and specifically for clients with co-occurring disorders, Co-occurring Disorders Sessions, this comprehensive mini-PROGRAM aims to cater to the diverse needs of individuals seeking support and participation in Twelve Step programs. The inclusion of the Co-occurring Disorders Sessions ensures that clients with additional complexities receive targeted guidance and support in their recovery journey. The sessions included in Mini-PROGRAM 3 are as follows, each designed to address key learning outcomes for clients:

1. Session 6: Spirituality (Part of Core Program): Clients will explore the concept of spirituality, its role in addiction and recovery, practical tips to enhance spirituality, understanding different paths to spirituality, identifying their Higher Power, and experiencing spiritual growth.
2. Session 13: Introduction to Self-Help Groups (Part of Recovery Management Sessions): This session focuses on understanding the impact of secrecy and isolation in substance use disorder, the value of Twelve Step groups, expectations at Twelve Step meetings, rebuilding trust in relationships, exploring self-help-group alternatives, and the benefits of participation in self-help groups.
3. Session 14: The Twelve Steps (Part of Recovery Management Sessions): Clients will delve into each of the Twelve Steps, integrating these principles into their lives, understanding the spiritual aspects of the Steps, and fostering growth through the Twelve Step process.
4. Session 42: Twelve Steps for Co-occurring Disorders (Part of Co-occurring Disorders Sessions): This session provides insights into integrating the Twelve Steps of Double Trouble in Recovery, understanding the principles behind the Steps, incorporating spirituality, and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with co-occurring disorders.
5. Session 43: Mutual Self-Help Groups and Co-occurring Disorders (Part of Co-occurring Disorders Sessions): Clients will explore the benefits of mutual self-help groups in reducing isolation, guilt, and shame, increasing self-efficacy and coping skills, understanding the key features of Twelve Step groups, and how these groups specifically cater to individuals with co-occurring disorders.

The Balance Foundation program is designed to cater to a wide range of addiction
professionals, including counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, addiction nurse
specialists, and other behavioral health professionals. The program aims to address
various client needs, such as education on addiction, emotion management, relapse prevention, interaction with peers, practical life skills, and challenging distorted thinking or behaviors.

The Balance Foundation, Inc. program employs evidence-based practices by integrating educational materials, interactive exercises, and recreational therapy strategies to enhance learning and promote sustained recovery outcomes.