4 Ways to Track Progress During Treatment and Continuing Care

Abstinence is one way to keep track of recovery progress. However, there are many other methods clients can use to monitor their recovery during treatment for substance misuse or mental health issues.

According to the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, "While there is no single definition of the concept of recovery for people with mental health problems, there are guiding principles, which emphasize hope and a strong belief that it is possible for people with mental illness [to] regain a meaningful life, despite persistent symptoms." Samarpan Health uses evidence-based methods to help clients recover from mental health disorders.

The Importance of Tracking Progress in Treatment and Continuing Care

Tracking progress is an essential part of the treatment process. It allows clinicians and clients to determine whether a specific method is working. In most cases, the care team collaborates with clients to monitor progress using recovery goals like maintaining positive coping skills or reducing overall anxiety.

Tracking a client's recovery allows clinicians to do the following:

• Adjust treatment as necessary to meet recovery goals
• Update treatment plans and goals
• Prepare the client more effectively for the transition to a continuing care
• Determine the best treatment methods for each client

Clinicians support clients using a continuum of care that gradually allows more independence, increasing client confidence and reducing the risk of relapse. A few common ways a care team tracks progress include:

• Mental state
• Types of symptoms
• Severity of symptoms
• Ability to cope with stress
• Abstinence from substance misuse or maladaptive behaviours
• Positive social engagement
• Improved relationship dynamics

Every case is unique, and recovery looks different for each client. The care team at Samarpan Health considers any extenuating factors that might affect recovery while monitoring progress.

4 Ways to Track Progress

Clients can track the goals they have achieved by checking in regularly with their case manager and care team. In addition, any positive behavioural and emotional changes may indicate continued progress. Below are four reliable ways clients can track their recovery.

#1. Abstain From Maladaptive Behaviors

Many clients and their families think recovery ends when they achieve abstinence. However, abstaining from unwanted behaviours is not the end of the recovery journey. Instead, it shows that clients have progressed in developing healthier routines and thought patterns. A decrease in maladaptive behaviours or beliefs often indicates that a client has successfully started the recovery process.

Abstaining may involve some or all of the following:

• Forced abstinence by removing the client from an environment that encourages maladaptive behaviour
• Voluntary abstinence if the client chooses to avoid unwanted behaviours
• Other forms of abstinence inspired by treatment methods

Abstinence does not mean a client has been "cured," only that they have started to heal and find healthier ways to cope. According to MentalHealth.gov, "Treatment and recovery are ongoing processes that happen over time." Relapse and other setbacks are often a normal part of growing, learning, and building healthier routines. However, clients gradually gain more independence during treatment and continuing care to reduce the risk of relapse.

#2. Change Beliefs About Recovery

Everyone has their own idea of how recovery looks. However, some essential characteristics include the following:

• An acceptance of one's current circumstances
• Self-accountability and self-direction
• Establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Working every day to achieve personal goals and develop greater independence
• Contributing to the community and becoming a functional member of a family unit

Recovery focuses on finding healthy ways to become a successful member of society. Clients monitor their recovery by tracking how well they reintegrate into society and their family unit after a period of treatment.

#3. Positive Changes Within Social Relationships

Often close relationships suffer from untreated mental health issues. Early recovery may also cause unusual strain between family members or couples. Many clients can track their recovery progress by monitoring their closest relationships for the following:

• Healthy boundaries
• Effective communication
• Conflict resolution
• Healthy compromises
• Positive feelings

#4. Regular Progress Updates From the Care Team

A client should have regular updates from their case manager and care team to ensure they fully understand their current progress in treatment. In most cases, the care team ensures clients understand the realities of mental health recovery by discussing the following:

• The often nonlinear path to recovery
• Relapse is part of the process for some people
• How to overcome setbacks and challenges during long-term recovery
• Relapse prevention strategies

The Importance of Tracking Progress

Tracking progress provides hope, inspiration, and motivation for clients in treatment. The dedicated care team at Samarpan Health uses evidence-based methods to support clients and guide them through treatment. Some clients may need a clinician, peer, or other members of their support system to point out when specific approaches are not working as intended. Clients can only discover what therapeutic methods best fit their needs by monitoring progress.

Many clients think their progress in treatment affects their self-worth and ability to achieve personal fulfillment. However, treatment is only one step in the recovery process. Monitoring treatment progress often improves how clinicians and family members react to changes in the client's mood and behaviour. Tracking progress also provides a positive emotional boost and increases self-worth for clients struggling with depression or anxiety. Seeing the effects of lifestyle changes can motivate clients to continue participating in treatment and ongoing recovery. Samarpan Health offers case management and regular progress check-ins to ensure the client has complete control over the direction of their recovery. To learn more about our programs and services, call +91 81809 19090.