Ongoing Support & Care
Just as an insulin drip used in diabetic ketoacidosis cannot ensure good diabetes control in the long run, alcohol and drug detoxification is insufficient to ensure longterm sobriety.
Patients must:
- identify those factors that led to and sustained their use
- rebuild relationships
- learn new coping mechanisms for stress management
- and many other skills to successfully negotiate the recovery from dependence.
When treating patients who have completed detox, it is important to positively reinforce their successes, address issues, and to support ongoing engagement in care and support, and you should include these in every follow-up visit.
Like every other chronic disease, substance use requires ongoing support. You may even use the diabetes analogy to help them understand that each of their chronic illnesses deserves treatment and follow-up.