Philosophy of Treatment

Created as a community based program to help persons suffering from alcohol related problems, this program has grown through the years and now provides additional services to other populations, such as:  drug dependent clients and families affected by any addictive process.  Additionally, we have developed prevention services to try to reduce the impact and suffering associated with chemical dependence.

These changes are the living embodiment of our philosophy of care.  Our mission is to reduce the suffering associated with addiction and abuse-related behaviors, and to help individuals to reach their full potential.  To that end, we provide prevention, education, treatment, and support services utilizing competent and qualified staff, and we evaluate those services to help us chart an appropriate evolutionary course for our services.

Treatment is a process that requires complex interaction between providers and individuals.  It is most successful when:
 

• It is done in a confidential setting and manner, by trained, skilled professionals who have received specific training regarding substance abuse clinical issues

• It is done in a respectful manner that signals our clients that they are valued unconditionally and will be held accountable for their behaviors

• It is acknowledged by both staff and clients that the ultimate responsibility for treatment outcome is the clients’, but professional staff can offer efficacious interventions which, if used properly, can assist the clients to make necessary behavioral and cognitive changes

• It is provided within the context of group interaction in a manner which allows clients with like problems to assist one another to recognize and deal with the dysfunction in their lives

• It acknowledges that alcoholism and other drug dependencies are diseases as recognized by the American Medical Association

• It is a planned process which utilizes client  input and obtains client consent

• It allows clients to work at their own pace and therefore does not overwhelm them, yet systematically urges clients to continue to progress despite a very natural desire to avoid personal issues

• It recognizes that cognitive distortions by chemically dependent clients and their family members contribute significantly to their overuse of natural defense mechanisms, such a rationalization, thus often preventing clients from making accurate assessments of their need for treatment, or preventing clients from appropriately responding to treatment

• It is done with considerable emphasis on didactic materials and other critical educational efforts designed to assist the client to more accurately assess life issues

• It is done within the context of an administrative and professional environment that fosters the adoption and utilization of a professional code of ethics.  This program has adopted the SD Certification Board for Alcohol/Drug Professionals code of ethics and all professional staff is required to sign that statement

• It is done regardless of race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or income level

• Qualified professional staff supervises it

• It is done with consideration for the complete needs of the client, recognizing the co-existing conditions can complicate and/or compromise the ability of the client to benefit from treatment

• It is done for the least amount of time and the least intensity possible

• It is sensitive to special needs of clients, yet does not allow clients to avoid issues via a misuse of those special needs

• It is provided in a straightforward manner which makes it possible for clients to fully understand their needs and the treatment process

• It is relevant

• It is done within a professional system that forbids the development of relationships that could compromise the treatment effort or create harm to the client, such as dual relationships between staff and clients

• It is driven by the needs of the client as identified by a professional, competent therapist who has conducted a face-to-face interview, and not driven by managed care or other third-party interference which does not necessarily place client needs above cost

• It strongly urges abstinence for chemically dependent clients