When a person is affected by addiction, the complicated disease affects different areas of that person’s life. Addiction treatment should target the symptoms and the underlying roots of the disease, meaning it should target the consequences that the problem has brought upon the various areas of the addicted person’s life. It requires individualized treatments and modes and targets the causes and symptoms of the disease. Effective treatment will help the patients overcome the effects of the addiction and regain their ability to socialize and get mentally and physically better.It will also help them reconcile with their lives at work, school, home, and with law enforcement authorities.
You can find many types of therapies that can effectively treat addictions. The treatments vary as per your needs and requirements. Many factors can help you choose the best treatment plan that works for you, like the substance being consumed, your mental health requirements, the level of treatment you need, or the health care treatment you can afford.
This article looks at the commonly offered treatments that have helped patients attain freedom from substance abuse and addiction and reach a stage of normal living.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a powerful treatment tool that is useful in treating various types of addiction, including alcohol addiction, food addiction, and prescription drug addiction.
CBT helps you understand and identify the unhealthy patterns in your behavior. It can also help you pick out things and events that trigger the problem and develop coping skills. CBT can be used in combination with other therapeutic systems as well.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
With Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), you would be able to recognize the negative patterns in your thinking and offer ways to combat feelings of self-defeat.
REBT works by making you understand that the power of rational thinking exists inside of you, and it is not linked to external situations or stressors.
Contingency Management
A huge range of addictions, including alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics, can be treated with Continency Management (CM). This kind of treatment has been proven effective in combatting relapse. It helps in reinforcing your positive behavior by providing you with tangible rewards. So, the promise of reward can help maintain sobriety.
12 step facilitation
Alcohol and substance abuse can be treated using Twelve-step facilitation therapy (“12-step programs”). It is predominantly a group therapy and includes acceptance that addiction has many negative consequences, such as social, spiritual, physical, and emotional. Once you accept the fact, the therapy requires you to surrender to a higher power, then finally move to be involved in consistent group discussions. Popular programs like Alcoholics Anonymous conduct group meetings to discuss and provide mutual support.
Matrix Model
This type of treatment used different therapeutic techniques and was initially devised as a treatment for individuals with an addiction to stimulants. With the combination of various techniques, the therapists look to reward good behaviors and train the patients to develop self-belief, dignity, self-esteem, and worth.
According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Matrix Model concentrates on preventing relapse, therapies that involve family and groups, educating the patients on drugs, and self-help.
Detoxification
Detoxification programs supported by medical assistance help you flush out addictive substances from your body in a safe and controlled environment. This is helpful, as sometimes withdrawal from addictive substances can cause physical symptoms that endanger your life or unpleasant experiences. Detoxification is not useful as a treatment for deep-rooted behavioral causes of addiction, and hence it is usually used together with other therapies.
Motivational Interviewing
Individuals recovering from addictions are often disturbed, have mixed feelings, and are not fully convinced about the treatment process. Motivational Interviewing is a treatment that aims to resolve that issue in the recovering patients and helps them accept their treatment efforts to bring about a change in their behavior.
The main objective of the treatment is to build the patient’s levels of motivation and commitment to bring about a change compatible with their values. Hence, instead of forcing changes on the patient, the treatment meets them where they are and assists in moving towards their goals by encouraging and building on their will to change.
Medication
If used in combination with behavioral therapies, medication can be an important tool in the process of recovery. Some medications can help improve mood, control cravings, and reduce addictive behaviors. Some medications can replicate the effects of addictive drugs or substances for which the treatment is being provided, which eases the withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
There are successful medical treatments available that can help you overcome your addiction. So, if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, talk to a medical professional now.
Conclusion
Like any other chronic health problem, addiction can stay for a long time and suffer a relapse. However, similar to other chronic health conditions, many methods exist for treatment and managing substance abuse addiction. Addiction affects each person differently, so treatment needs to be individualized. If you have been searching online for ‘substance abuse counseling near me,’ Cooperative Recovery can help you.