Addiction necessitates specific therapies and modalities that address the disease’s symptoms and underlying causes, as well as the effects of substance abuse on various aspects of a person’s life. This includes their ability to socialize, their bodily and mental health treatment, and the consequences of their actions at work, at home, at school, or in front of the law. Addiction can be effectively treated with a variety of therapies.
What are my addiction treatment options?
For many people, the first step toward recovery is admitting they have a problem with substance abuse. The following step is to locate a treatment program that can assist them in reclaiming their overall health, well-being, and happiness.
There are countless effective treatment options available to individuals. For instance, some individuals suffering from severe forms of addiction enter a detox program prior to entering rehab. Others may choose to begin their rehabilitation in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Following treatment, it is recommended that patients attend support groups and therapy sessions to reinforce the lessons learned in rehab.
Addiction recovery is not easy. To achieve and maintain long-term sobriety, a significant amount of willpower and self-discipline will be required. You are never, however, alone on this journey. Throughout rehab, you’ll develop strong bonds with other people in recovery who understand what you’re going through. During this difficult time, your family, friends, and other loved ones all have your best interests at heart.
Your recovery from addiction is contingent upon your commitment to the process. Discover how drug addiction is treated in the sections below to gain a better understanding of what lies ahead.
Different Levels and Types of Treatments for Drug Addiction
Depending on the severity of the addiction, you or a loved one may require one or more levels of care to achieve long-term recovery. The following are the types of rehab facilities that will utilize therapy programs:
Medical Detoxification
A medically assisted detox program will aid in stabilizing the patient and assisting them in overcoming the symptoms of drug or alcohol withdrawal and chemical dependency. Drug and alcohol detox can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Once stabilized, the patient may require admission to an inpatient program.
Inpatient/Residential Rehab
Inpatient and residential rehab are live-in treatment options that provide patients with supervised treatment and structured care plans to help them overcome their addiction. These programs typically last a few weeks to several months and may be followed by outpatient rehabilitation. Patients may receive 24-hour monitoring from a licensed professional, depending on the program.
Outpatient Rehabilitation & Intensive Outpatient Programs
Outpatient programs allow users to attend therapy and receive treatment on their own schedule, as they are not required to live on-site or at the facility. Treatment may take place in a substance abuse treatment center, community health clinic, hospital-affiliated clinic, or other regularly scheduled facility. Some outpatient programs even offer evening and weekend sessions, making them a popular choice for individuals with personal, family, and/or professional obligations that preclude them from attending an inpatient rehab.
It’s critical to remember that outpatient rehab does not isolate patients from the outside world; as a result, patients are more likely to encounter triggers that threaten their sobriety. Outpatient rehabs are therefore best suited for individuals who have mild forms of addiction and a committed, disciplined approach to recovery. Outpatient treatment is also an excellent “step-down” program following inpatient treatment and is frequently combined with sober living homes.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a treatment technique that is used to help patients overcome addiction and substance use disorders (SUD) by increasing their motivation and commitment to a specific goal, such as sobriety. One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome when battling an addiction is a lack of motivation.
Sober Living Facilities
Sober living homes serve as a transitional housing option between an inpatient treatment center and reintegration into society. These are an excellent option for individuals in recovery who require additional time to reinforce the lessons learned in rehab. Sober living homes assist individuals in recovery in establishing new healthy habits while remaining in the safety of a structured environment.
Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous was founded in response to Alcoholics Anonymous’ success. NA is a support group for individuals who are attempting to recover from substances other than alcohol. NA was founded in 1953 in Los Angeles and has since expanded to thousands of locations in 129 countries.
To join NA, all you need is a desire to overcome your addiction. NA groups do not differentiate between different types of drugs, including alcohol. Additionally, they acknowledge the prevalence of polysubstance dependence. Anyone seeking recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) is welcome.
Top Recovery Programs
We treat a variety of different medically assisted treatment options designed to treat a variety of substance use treatment disorders:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Post Treatment Plans
- Therapeutic Communities
- Alcohol Addiction
- Opioid Addiction
- Drug Abuse
- Residential Treatment
- 12 Step Programs
- Behavioral Health
How effective is substance abuse treatment?
The effectiveness of behavioral therapy for addiction treatment varies according to the individual receiving treatment, their level of treatment engagement, the therapist and other treatment team members, and the type of therapy provided. For instance, research indicates that the skills acquired during cognitive behavioral therapy sessions “stick” with patients long after treatment is completed. In other words, CBT appears to have a long-lasting beneficial effect on substance abuse patients.
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that contingency management is effective in the treatment of a variety of substance use disorders, including those involving alcohol, stimulants, opioids, and marijuana. By reinforcing abstinence and other positive behaviors, patients may benefit from tangible rewards such as vouchers or even cash prizes.
In one clinical trial, it was discovered that incentive-based therapy may also help with treatment retention.
Dual Diagnosis Drug Addiction Treatment
Today, scientists and physicians understand how critical it is for people to receive care for both a substance use disorder and a mental illness concurrently (also known as a cooccurring disorder). Individuals can receive a professional diagnosis for all of their conditions at a dual diagnosis treatment center. Once they determine the nature of the problem, they can immediately begin treating it.
Holistic Treatment for Addiction
There are additional types of therapies that can be used to aid recovery in addition to the more standard treatment types listed above. While these techniques are not a substitute for substance abuse treatment programs, they can aid in recovery by promoting stress management and overall well-being.
Several complementary therapies include the following:
- Exercise. Physical activity is an excellent way to alleviate stress and release tense emotions. With certain substances, early abstinence can result in weight gain, which exercise can help manage.
- Meditation. Recovery can be stressful, and meditation can help reduce anxiety, depression, and improve overall health. Mindfulness meditation is one technique for maximizing the benefits of treatment and can be practiced easily after treatment is completed.
- Yoga. Yoga is another activity that is available in a variety of styles, from gentle styles that emphasize breathing and relaxation to more strenuous styles. Yoga can have a variety of benefits, including reducing stress and physical tension and increasing self-awareness, peace, strength, and fitness.
- Massage. This technique is another way to assist in reducing physical tension and assisting in the development of the ability to relax without the use of a substance. Massage can be incorporated into your self-care routine and even used to reward yourself for small accomplishments along your recovery path. Several preliminary studies indicate that massage may help manage a variety of symptoms associated with various types of substance withdrawal.
- Experiential. Animal-assisted and equine-assisted therapies are available. The concept of utilizing a variety of therapy animals has grown in popularity, and studies have demonstrated that programs that incorporate horses into the treatment process have improved participant outcomes. Individuals enrolled in these programs may stay in treatment longer and are more likely to complete it. They report that attending the stable enables them to develop a personality distinct from that of “patient” and enables them to feel accepted, valued, capable, and emotionally supported. Additional animals may be used in therapy, and some programs provide pet-friendly rehab.
Find a Treatment Facility Near You
As you’ve already read, there are numerous medications and therapies available to assist you throughout the recovery process. Not only that, but there is an abundance of psychosocial support; in other words, there are numerous people just like you (many of whom are willing to share their story in support groups) who can lend a listening ear or a kind word to someone in need. All that remains is for you to make the decision to improve your health. Contact a treatment provider today for additional information on treatment options.