IS RECOVERY PLANNING ANY DIFFERENT FROM TREATMENT PLANNING

Using process evaluation data, this paper compares the ''recovery'' pl anning process of the social model programs with the ''treatment'' pla nning process in a comparison medical model program. We consider how t he planning process is actually conducted, the role of staff versus cl ients in the planning process, and how the implementation of the plann ing process is monitored and evaluated at the programs. Results point to major differences in the actual process of treatment planning and r ecovery planning. Professional staff at medical model programs general ly direct and control the planning process and ifs implementation. In social model programs, clients are directly responsible for developmen ts their own recovery plans, within a context of help from peers and r ecovering staff; the latter oversee the pro cess, We conclude that bot h treatment planning and recovery planning are distinct and defining f eatures of medical and social model philosophies. Treatment planning i n medical model programs and recovery planning in social model program s serve similar administrative and programmatic functions. However, th e impact on patients/residents is likely to be significantly different . Recovery, planning becomes a skill acquired by clients, part of the experimental education characterizing social model programs. Future re search is needed to assess whether these planning skills actually aid social model clients in structuring a sober lifestyle in aftercare, an d whether differences are obtained by the more passive client role in planning taken at the medical model program. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.