Mountainside has a proven record of supporting those with substance use disorders by pinpointing the factors contributing to their alcohol or drug use. Our team works with clients to address the root causes of their addiction in two major ways:
- We implement a “Pathways” model, which helps us tailor our clinical and wellness practices to each client’s specific needs, drawing from historical data showing what has worked for past clients with similar life circumstances.
- We treat co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as target wellness concerns that can hinder recovery, including sleep difficulty, attention deficit, and cravings.
Initial Treatment
We believe the process of examining data – balanced with the human element of providing compassionate clinical support and expertise – can make a positive impact in the lives of current and prospective clients. We do not believe in blanket treatment for everyone; instead, we develop an individualized treatment plan for each client.
To this end, we have an Outcomes department dedicated to analyzing the successes and challenges faced by thousands of previous clients based on their unique experiences. When clients enter our care, we construct their “Recovery Risk Profile,” which notes individual factors such as their gender, substance of choice, previous history of treatment, mental health history, any instances of past trauma, and how many times they have previously been to treatment.
Then, we compare their profile with historical data housed in our proprietary Clinical Assessment Risk Model Analysis (CARMA) system, which acts as a roadmap that allows our team to see which combination of evidence-based practices – from clinical treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to wellness practices like yoga – works best to support each client’s personal “pathway” to recovery.
CARMA is an early warning system that aids us in analyzing what has proven effective for those with a similar risk profile. Our clinicians then determine the best initial treatment plan and schedule for each client by assigning them to one of five different Pathways based on their needs. Our team is then able to intervene at points when clients are most vulnerable or most likely to discontinue treatment against their best interests.
Ongoing Treatment
Our team then compares how a client is responding to the initial stages of treatment to our historical data, and adjusts interventions accordingly. This assessment carries through the later stages of treatment. Depending on the client’s progress, they will receive a personalized mixture of appointments with our Clinical, Medical, Family Wellness, and Continuing Care teams, along with group therapy, wellness workshops, and a vast array of other treatment offerings.
Post-Treatment and Aftercare
Our own historical data shows that clients are most vulnerable for relapse within 120 days of discharging from treatment. As a result, our team makes a concerted effort to provide an additional level of support to our alumni during this critical time.
Outcomes data plays a major role in shaping each client’s comprehensive aftercare plan. Our Continuing Care, Alumni, and Recovery Support departments re-evaluate a client’s “Recovery Risk Profile,” the historical data housed in our CARMA system, and how the client responded to all prior treatment approaches in order to develop an aftercare plan best suited to the individual’s needs.
The aftercare plan will look different for every client. Some individuals may receive the recommendation from our staff to remain at Mountainside through its Extended Care, Outpatient or Recovery Coaching programs, while others may transfer to another facility, depending on their situation. Clients considered to be at a higher risk for relapse are assigned to a Recovery Support Clinician, who can provide an additional layer of guidance during the transition from treatment to everyday life.
Through our Alumni 365 initiative, clients who “graduate” from our programming also receive an Alumni Engagement plan upon discharging to keep them connected with the Mountainside community and on the path towards long-term recovery. The plan consists of outreach efforts conducted by Mountainside staff, including, but not limited to: text messages, calls, emails, Alumni newsletters and events, our Alumni Ambassador program, and the Mountainside Connections app, a virtual community to help alumni stay in touch with their peers and our staff.
Proven Results
Our painstaking efforts to understand and subsequently address the root causes of each person’s addiction have made a sizable impact. In 2021, we surveyed alumni about their experiences after Mountainside, including whether they have maintained sobriety since leaving treatment.
Because of the chronic nature of substance use disorders, recurrence (“relapse”) tends to be par for the course in recovery. National recurrence rates hover between 40 and 60 percent. However, an impressive 78 percent of former Mountainside clients reported that they had sustained sobriety post-treatment. Additionally, 18 percent said that they had experienced a recurrence in the past but are now back on track in their recovery. Just 4 percent noted that they were still using substances.
Another positive finding: for those who were in the “relapsed but back on track” category, we observed that recurrence rates decreased over time. Those who had a year or more of sobriety were better able to utilize the tools they acquired through treatment to reinvest in their sobriety.
The Bottom Line
Our Pathways model is a commitment to supporting clients in meeting their 365-day mark in sobriety, a marker closely tied to their chances of long-term recovery. It provides a thorough exploration of the specific roadblocks to each individual’s progress in recovery to help them circumvent these issues and understand the roots of their addiction. Moreover, in offering a full continuum of care – including robust efforts to keep alumni connected with a support network and invested in their recovery goals – we provide clients with their greatest chance at sustained sobriety.