Therapeutic goals must translate to behavioral indicators. Measures of improvement to be considered include changes in appearance, making different friends, and abstinence from or cutbacks in AOD use. Goals and objectives can also encompass elements that address the client's spiritual and social life. The treatment plan must be custom-tailored to the client, as much as resources and time will allow. A good plan is organic, dynamic, evolving, and flexible.
Events occur over time that necessitate altering goals and objectives.
Mechanisms should be built in to handle these problems. For example, noncompliant clients could be required to report back to the supervisory criminal justice authority, experience some kind of sanctions, be reevaluated and referred to more appropriate services, or be terminated from the treatment program. In some cases, flexibility must work the other way. Sometimes the client responds so well that treatment can be accelerated or streamlined. This can lead to reduced supervision from criminal justice agencies.