Case Management is Critical to Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment requires a multifaceted approach to dealing with both the many common and unique challenges that patients face such as case management. When a person or a loved one decides enough is enough, treatment is needed to save a persons life before something tragic occurs, it can be a very scary period of time for all involved parties.

The person who is to begin addiction treatment may deeply wish to make a change, but fear of change, doubt, and all the other negative emotions that can cripples someone’s ability to get help can interfere. One of the most helpful and reassuring things that can be done is to ensure that the person who is starting treatment is in touch with a welcoming and compassionate point-person who can make the entire process known to the patient and impart some confidence in the process. We call these people case managers.

What is Case Management in Addiction Treatment?

Case managers are there to help the addiction treatment process along by keeping the patient informed of all their available options. So often the focus is on getting a patient better through the traditional means of treatment; therapy, counseling, drug management, etc. However, it is equally important for case managers look at that person’s life and see what they need right in this moment.

How can a patient focus on their recovery when they are having significant issues with housing or finding employment? Not everyone can pack everything up and enter treatment full-time and that’s okay. Often there are obligations such as family, children, or maintaining a household that are under strain because of a person’s struggle with addiction.

Case managers can offer counsel and help a person create a list of priorities that will aid them in entering treatment, staying in treatment, and getting better in the short and long term.

Do Case Managers Need to be Certified?

Case managers do not necessarily need certification. The duties of a case manager can vary greatly depending on the institution they work for and how striated their responsibilities are. At some smaller institutions, case managers may be handling a large portion of a patient’s treatment save for the medical aspects which require credentials.

However, as a rule of thumb, many credible treatment centers will have soft requirements for what they want in a case manager which can include an AA or BS level degree. It is also common for case mangers to have experience as counselors in which they may have certifications in that field that demonstrate transferrable skills.

Let us not forget that many alumni of treatment centers are so grateful for the help and the bonds they have built with their community as they went through treatment that they wish to give back to the community that gave so much. A portion of these people pursue a path in case management because they have been inspired by the change they experienced.

In the case of the state of Georgia, a person may pursue the Certified Addiction Counselor Certification level I and level II which requires at minimum a high school diploma/GED up to a bachelor’s level degree for a level II cert. Additionally, 4000-6000 hours of in-field practice as a case manager.

Case Managers Offer a Single Point of Contact

The case manager being the sole point of contact for the plethora of services available can make it easier for all providers to offer a holistic treatment experience. When a patient has a therapist, a psychiatrist, as well as other people dictating portions of their treatment it can be difficult to get all parties on the same page about the patient’s condition and state of mind.

For example, if you were entering treatment consider how you might feel. Scared, anxious, worried, hopeful, etc. It takes a big leap of courage to enter treatment, and so if you are met with many confusing and at times contradictory demands, it can deter you from staying in treatment. If you have specific concerns that are weighing heavy on your mind, you can tell your case manager this and they can inform the other people assisting with your treatment.

Good Case Management Can Predict

While every case is unique and people have their own personal struggles to deal with, those suffering from addiction also have many things in common as well. Case managers have likely managed many cases and have recognized patterns that are common to most cases. This knowledge can help them anticipate what issues are going to arise in the future so that the treatment process can be streamlined.

Addiction Treatment Atlanta GA

Addiction is a terrible disease that affects many people worldwide. Taking the first step is always the hardest when making any large change in your life. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, contact Southeast Addiction today to receive assistance with addiction treatment or beginning your journey into recovery.

We hope to hear from you soon!