If you or a loved one have realized there may be a need for treatment for substance use disorder, you might feel confused about the many different options available in Maine. Medical detox, inpatient residential, outpatient treatment, 12-step groups … how do you know which one to choose?
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
As Adam Tarr, Business Development and Outreach Coordinator at Liberty Bay Recovery Center in Portland, explains, “When people hear the word treatment, everyone thinks something different. One person might think AA, someone else thinks of a psychiatric unit. These two examples are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum.”
To cut through what may feel like an overwhelming array of choices and get the answer to this question, Adam recommends picking up the phone. This first phone call places you in the hands of someone who can guide you through the process of connecting to the right help and treatment.
What can you expect in this call? “To begin to understand needs, the type of questions about how much, how often, what are you using, what are you drinking, what your treatment history looks like…this screening is really to see the whole picture of the whole person,” says Adam.
According to Debra Poulin, LCSW, CCS, Director of Clinical Services for Maine’s Office of Behavioral Health, there are a number of different treatment options that may be decided upon when someone is admitted for treatment. These options include:
Inpatient treatment programs that offer intensive care in a residential setting. Residential programs are designed to support individuals who may also be experiencing significant social or psychological challenges in addition to struggles with addiction. Inpatient programs place emphasis on helping the individual set up structures in their life for greater success after discharge. Detox may be part of the inpatient process.
Outpatient treatment programs (OP) provide individual and group therapy as well as relapse prevention training.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP), another option, typically offer structured substance use treatment three to four days per week, generally for a total of three to four weeks.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a type of structured mental health treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient care but less intensive than full inpatient hospitalization. PHP provides a high level of care and support for individuals who need more supervision and treatment than regular outpatient services but do not require 24-hour care.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a treatment option that combines medication with counseling to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings for those experiencing opioid and opiate dependence.
Medication is supervised and monitored by a medical provider, typically through an outpatient medical or behavioral health center or inpatient residential setting.
Adam explains what these options look like. “The highest level of care for inpatient treatment with substance use disorder is detoxification. In detox, you stay at the facility and get medication to help you taper off substances. Once you’re off the detox meds, you usually move to residential care. You attend programming and groups every day, and there are nurses and other professionals on site.”
As for outpatient treatment, Adam explains how they function. “PHP is programming five to six days a week, IOP is three to five days a week, and then OP is one day a week.” You can start at the most restrictive level of care (inpatient) and work your way through to the least restrictive level (OP).”
Good Questions to Ask
You will be asked to provide extensive information during an intake phone conversation, including questions about substance use.
However, also be prepared to answer questions about health insurance coverage or coverage by MaineCare, and whether you need transportation to the facility.
That initial call is also an opportunity for you to ask your questions. Adam recommends that the first question you ask any treatment facility is whether they have a bed available.
“If you’re looking for immediate treatment and the facility isn’t expecting a bed to be open for a few weeks, get this question answered early on in the call to save on time and frustration,” says Adam.
Individuals entering inpatient treatment may want to ask about what to bring, including clothing and bedding.
If help is needed to obtain leave from work, ask if the center offers a liaison to help coordinate this, or can advise on how to proceed.
Self-pay individuals should ask about payment plans or other financing options.
Another common question Adam says gets asked all the time is, “Can I smoke cigarettes?” and the answer varies by treatment center.
Maine Cares
Whatever is determined as the best path forward into recovery, Debra Poulin wants Mainers to know that recovery help is available to all Mainers who are ready to take that first step.
As Debra wants anyone in need of help with addiction to know, “Your recovery journey is personal and unique to you. You are in charge of leading the way, but you don’t have to journey alone.”