Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complicated condition that affects people physically, emotionally, and socially. While traditional treatments like counseling, medication, and support groups are essential, occupational therapy (OT) is another helpful method. OT focuses on helping people regain their ability to do everyday tasks and improve their overall quality of life. Triumph Treatment Services has teamed up with Pacific Northwest University (PNWU) to provide OT services for SUD treatment. This partnership aims to bring new and helpful therapy methods to people who need them and help clients achieve their maximum potential beyond sobriety.
“Our partnership through a 2-year Yakima County behavioral health grant has helped to create and demonstrate examples of OT service delivery in behavioral health settings that are now being used by other behavioral health agencies across the state,” says Dr. Jennifer Pitonyak, Professor and Director of Curriculum, School of Occupational Therapy at PNWU.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a type of healthcare that helps people of all ages participate in activities they need or want to do. For those with substance use disorders, occupational therapists help clients manage daily tasks that may have become difficult for any number of reasons, such as chronic physical or medical conditions that were left untreated during their period of active use. These tasks include work, self-care, leisure activities, and socializing.
Key Benefits of Occupational Therapy in SUD Treatment:
- Whole-Person Approach: OT looks at the whole person’s life, not just the substance use disorder. It considers emotional, social, and physical factors, allowing therapists to create personalized plans that help the individual.
- Skills Building: One challenge in recovery is rebuilding everyday skills that may have been lost due to substance use. Occupational therapists help clients improve essential life skills, like managing time, staying organized, and socializing, which are necessary for returning to everyday life.
- Setting Routines: Maintaining a consistent daily routine is crucial for staying sober. OT can assist clients in planning their days with meaningful activities, giving them a sense of purpose and reducing the chance of relapse.
- Coping Skills: Occupational therapists teach clients healthy ways to deal with cravings and stress without using substances again. These can include mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques, and fun activities that keep them busy.
- Getting Involved in the Community: Recovery isn’t just about staying away from drugs; it’s also about rebuilding a life. OT encourages clients to reconnect with their communities through volunteering, joining clubs, or engaging in hobbies, helping them feel more connected and supported.
- Family Support: Occupational therapists often include family members in therapy. They educate families about the challenges of recovery and how to help, strengthening the support the individual receives at home.
Occupational Therapy at Triumph Treatment Services
Sean Sloppy, a student at PNWU, worked with clients at Triumph for several weeks. He noticed that many clients in treatment had trouble remembering activities that made them happy. Some could remember these happy times easily, while others struggled to find things they liked. This doesn’t mean they aren’t motivated; it shows how their environment and missed chances affected them. Sean thinks it’s important to help these people find their interests and feel happy again.
Managing different roles, like being a parent, child, sibling, or worker, can make people feel stressed. Sean found that clients often didn’t understand that each role needs different skills. By learning new skills, clients understood their abilities better. Sean believes that showing how other people are can help them understand their identities and reduce stress.
Sean also thinks it’s important to help clients improve skills like planning, time management, memory, and controlling impulses. For example, when doing chores like laundry, it’s important to show that everyone has their own way of doing things and there’s no right or wrong way. This helps people accept differences. Clients can also handle noisy places better by using techniques like wearing headphones or sucking on sour candy to stay alert. Thinking about one’s thoughts, called metacognition, is important for understanding oneself. Being mentally flexible helps people switch tasks easily without getting distracted.
Occupational Therapy Can Lead to A Better Quality of Life
Many people have shared how occupational therapy changed their lives during recovery from substance use disorder. For example, a client who struggles to find a job due to a lack of skills or confidence may work with an OT to create a resume, practice for interviews, and even shadow someone in a similar role. This prepares them for work and boosts their self-esteem. Occupational therapy is a unique way that Triumph is treating substance use disorders. OT can provide extra support through the recovery journey by helping individuals enhance their daily lives, improve their coping skills, and connect with their communities.