The Better Way Program – Washington, District of Columbia

Last Updated: January 7, 2025

Dr. Chinwe Okudo Authored by Dr. Chinwe Okudo
0 sources cited

The Better Way Program – Washington, District of Columbia in Washington Overview

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Treatment Options

The facility offers multiple levels of care, such as:

  • Mentoring/peer support
  • Housing services
  • Discharge Planning
  • Employment counseling or training
  • Self-help groups
  • Outcome follow-up after discharge
  • Recovery coach

The center treats the following addictions and co-occurring disorders:

  • Clients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders
  • Veterans
  • Active duty military
  • Members of military families
  • Criminal justice (other than DUI/DWI)/Forensic clients
  • Pregnant/postpartum women
  • Clients with HIV or AIDS
  • Clients who have experienced trauma
  • Clients who have experienced sexual abuse
  • Clients who have experienced intimate partner violence, domestic violence
  • Clients with co-occurring pain and substance use disorders
  • Interim services for clients
  • Outreach to persons in the community
  • Screening for substance use
  • Professional interventionist/educational consultant
  • Comprehensive substance use assessment

Treatment Modalities

Substance use disorder counseling treatment modalities refer to various approaches and methods used in the counseling and treatment of individuals with substance use problems. This can include individual therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, family therapy, and 12-step programs. The goal is to help the individual overcome their substance use, develop healthy coping skills, and lead a fulfilling life in recovery.

Vaping Cessation Counseling is a supportive process aimed at assisting individuals who wish to quit vaping. Through personalized sessions, trained counselors help identify triggers, manage withdrawal symptoms, and develop coping strategies. This service empowers individuals to break free from vaping addiction and work towards achieving a healthier lifestyle.

Group Counseling is a therapeutic approach where individuals come together under the guidance of a trained counselor to share experiences, offer support, and gain insights. This collective format promotes mutual understanding and growth, allowing participants to learn from one another’s perspectives and challenges.

Family Counseling is a therapeutic approach that seeks to address and improve communication, understanding, and dynamics within a family unit. By addressing conflicts, emotional distress, and behavioral challenges, a trained therapist provides guidance and tools for family members to strengthen bonds, resolve issues, and foster a healthier family environment.

Recovery models grounded in 12-step programs prominently incorporate peer coaching, strongly emphasizing personal growth as the pathway to enduring sobriety. Regular participation in 12-step meetings, known for their anonymity, cost-free access, and daily availability, is encouraged. The 12 steps of recovery, anchored in spiritual principles, guide participants in unraveling the core issues of their addiction, taking accountability for their decisions, and coming to terms with aspects beyond their control. Chosen by the individuals themselves, sponsors offer personalized one-on-one mentorship, aiding in navigating through the recovery journey.

Contingency management and motivational incentives are evidence-based treatment modalities used in addiction and behavioral health programs. Contingency management involves the use of rewards to reinforce positive behaviors and change negative behaviors, while motivational incentives provide incentives to engage in treatment and sustain recovery. Both approaches are designed to increase motivation and engagement in treatment and have been shown to be effective in promoting positive outcomes.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) in addiction treatment is a client-centered counseling approach designed to enhance an individual’s intrinsic motivation to change. By addressing ambivalence and tapping into personal values, MI fosters meaningful conversations about substance use and promotes commitment to recovery-focused goals.

The Relapse Prevention Model plays a pivotal role in the treatment of alcoholism. Utilizing a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), this model is particularly valuable for individuals who have experienced multiple relapses. Through this approach, those in recovery are equipped with essential coping skills, empowered for their journey, and guided in adopting healthier habits.

Intervention is a set of structured processes or strategies designed to assist individuals in recognizing and addressing problematic behaviors, such as substance abuse, addiction, or mental health issues. These services typically involve a team of professionals or trained individuals who work collaboratively to guide and support the person in need and their loved ones, aiming to facilitate a pathway to recovery or appropriate treatment.

Individual therapy, often referred to as psychotherapy or counseling, is a one-on-one therapeutic interaction between a trained therapist and a client. It provides a confidential space for individuals to explore their feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, working through challenging memories, experiences, or emotions. The therapist facilitates self-awareness, promotes personal growth and insight, and offers coping strategies to manage specific issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and other life challenges. The ultimate goal is to improve the individual’s mental well-being and enhance their overall quality of life.

Conditions Treated

Alcoholism

Alcohol addiction is when a person becomes physically and mentally dependent on alcohol, leading to mood swings, impulsive actions, intense cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Treatment includes supervised detox, therapy, and support groups. It’s important to note that rehabilitation doesn’t “cure” alcoholism, but it helps individuals better manage their addiction, regain their ability to function in daily life, and improve their overall well-being.

Substance use treatment

Substance use rehabilitation embodies a holistic treatment approach crafted to assist individuals contending with drug or alcohol addiction. This all-encompassing rehabilitation strategy encompasses two crucial components: initially addressing the physical dependency, frequently commencing with detoxification, and subsequently confronting the psychological triggers through a diverse array of therapeutic methods. The overarching objective is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain sobriety while equipping them with essential skills and coping mechanisms for a successful reintegration into society and a life free from substance abuse.

Levels Of Care

Outpatient

Outpatient programs cater to individuals who are in good medical condition and are not at a heightened risk of relapse, including those who have successfully finished their inpatient treatment. These programs usually build upon clients’ existing treatment strategies, providing ongoing addiction counseling and educational support for recovery. Individuals who enter outpatient care right after detoxification may also undergo medical and psychological evaluations, followed by the creation of personalized treatment plans. Most outpatient rehabilitation centers offer various levels of care tailored to meet each client’s specific needs.

Intensive outpatient treatment

IOP, or Intensive Outpatient, is a structured level of care for addiction, mental health, or other conditions. Unlike inpatient care, it allows individuals live at home and maintain daily responsibilities. They attend multiple weekly sessions totaling 9-20 hours, including individual and group therapy, family counseling, and skill-building classes for symptom management and relapse prevention.

Regular outpatient treatment

Traditional outpatient therapy typically involves attending one or two weekly sessions over the course of up to a year. These sessions are less frequent compared to other therapies, as outpatient therapy is designed for longer-term treatment. During these sessions, participants engage in group therapy or individual counseling, with a primary focus on identifying personal triggers and acquiring effective coping strategies.

Aftercare

Finishing a drug or alcohol rehab program is just the beginning of the recovery journey. Aftercare focuses on establishing a long-term recovery plan, which encompasses continuous support. This might involve options such as residing in sober living homes or halfway houses, receiving career guidance, and connecting the individual with community support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Payment Options

  • Cash or self-payment
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • State-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
  • Private health insurance
  • Federal military insurance (e.g., TRICARE)
  • Payment assistance (check with facility for details)
  • IHS/Tribal/Urban (ITU) funds

License and Accreditation

  • State mental health department
  • State department of health
  • Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
  • Council on Accreditation (COA)
  • Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)
  • Federally Qualified Health Center

Ancillary Services

  • Case management service
  • Social skills development

Published on: January 6th, 2025

Updated on: January 7th, 2025

Disclaimer

A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. Please note, this is only a quote of benefits and/or authorization. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the memberโ€™s contract at time of service. Your health insurance company will only pay for services that it determines to be โ€œreasonable and necessary.โ€ The treatment center will make every effort to have all services preauthorized by your health insurance company. If your health insurance company determines that a particular service is not reasonable and necessary, or that a particular service is not covered under your plan, your insurer will deny payment for that service and it will become your responsibility.


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