Treatment planning is a process in which the therapist tailors the application of available
treatment resources to each client’s individual goals and needs to the greatest extent possible.
Individualized treatment planning requires a thorough multidimensional assessment. In
addition, for planning and fine-tuning each client’s program, an accurate record of each
client’s assessment, ongoing treatment, and outcome evaluation is required. Data collected
with care can be analyzed to provide program evaluation, eventually leading to better client-
treatment-matching knowledge. From the first meeting, treatment planning should be a part
of the client’s therapeutic process. Setting goals and determining how to achieve them
provides the client with a treatment plan and a therapeutic structure. Clients suffering from
substance abuse frequently feel overwhelmed by their problems and unable to control the
most important aspects of their lives.