Case Management

The Role of Case Management During the Treatment Process

When a person leaves residential inpatient rehab treatment programs, there are several things that they will need in order to be able to continue on their positive forward trajectory in recovery. It can be a challenging time, not only because of the risk of relapse, but also because there are much big life, behavioral, social, and personal changes you need to make in order to remain in long-term addiction recovery. Everybody is different, with different lifestyles and experiences to draw from, so you will have unique needs that your case manager can help you meet.

Case managers are knowledgeable people with a social work and community outreach training, there to be an advocate for substance abusers in recovery, helping you find the substance use disorders services and support you need after you complete detox and rehabilitation so you can stay healthy and sober as you return to living your life.

You may be connected to a case manager when you are in an outpatient program like a partial hospitalization program or an intensive outpatient program, or after you have completed your detox programs and rehabilitation plan.  Some of the types of services your care coordinator may offer (depending on the case management model) include:

• Screening and assessment services for new clients to help determine their needs and goals including social services, substance abuse treatments, dual diagnosis treatments for mental illness, etc.
• Working with you to create a case plan so you can become self-sufficient and healthy by overcoming drug or alcohol addiction, finding housing, employment, and relapse prevention, as your wellness and autonomy are important long-term life goals to meet and maintain
• Helping determine whether you are eligible for benefits like food stamps, Medicaid or Medicare, Social Security and health insurance, helping with all the paperwork involved, and navigating complex government and bureaucratic systems
• Brokerage case management, helping obtain available resources by contacting community partners, Child Welfare Services, Social Security Administration, insurance, etc.
• Evaluating and recording your progress in recovery from substance use disorders and in meeting your goals by staying in contact with therapists or rehab centers and creating records that will help them keep you on track or return to your road to recovery if you hit a bump in the road

Types of Case Management Services

There are several types of case management available, like:

Strength-based Perspective – the patient and the case manager work together to create a treatment plan that is based on the patient’s strengths, using care like traditional substance abuse treatments and rehabilitation, goal setting, and evidence-based therapies, as well as non-institutional treatments like spirituality or alternative medicines

Assertive Community Perspective – assertive community treatment is a type of treatment in which a case management professional will meet with a patient in their home or in a familiar setting and help them with daily needs like sober living housing, prescription medications, sources of income, etc. The case manager will develop a trusting relationship with the patient, working on a long-term commitment to managing addiction and any co-occurring mental illness or mental health disorder

Clinical or Rehabilitation – clinical case management is a long-term process in which the social worker or case manager will provide integrated clinical treatments like individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy, counseling, intervention, and skills development, building a relationship with the patient and helping them heal their body, mind, and spirit

Broker or Generalist – a broker with this approach will help get their patients all the services and resources they need as quickly as possible, including resources and help like finding housing, vocational training, drug testing services, and medical care. These types of brokers often work with clients who are on probation or who are leaving hospitals

How it Helps

Case management can help anybody who is leaving a rehabilitation program as it provides the patient stability, and a single point of contact to talk to who can help them to achieve autonomy through advocacy. Leaving rehab can be complex, especially for those with mental health issues, and a professional case management program can help you:

• Find mental healthcare providers and medical professional services to help you manage psychiatric and anti-addiction medications, as well as addiction therapy and dual diagnosis treatment plans to help you work through mental health issues
• Find and provide referrals to family therapy and marriage counselors
• Refer you to centers for outpatient rehab care delivery and 12-step meetings or other peer support after substance abuse treatments
• Helping you find sober living or halfway house centers in your area during or after outpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment
• Helping you find job placement services, a career center, or vocational training and counseling

Case managers provide the relapse prevention tools, life skills and long-term recovery skills you need to live a sober life. At Sylvan Detox recovery center, we provide case management services during and after addiction treatment to help you regain control over your life and live the way you want to, meeting goals and regaining your health with a self-management plan customized to your needs after rehab.