How Do You Treat Addiction?
Drug addiction is a psychological disorder that can cause an individual to lose control of his or her behavior because of drugs and substances that alter the mind. In general, substance abuse covers a large scope of products, chemicals, and drugs that can affect the mind and body. Often considered to be common among young adults, adults, and teens, drug abuse and substance abuse currently affect more than 21 million individuals over the age of 12 years. Given the vast commonality of addiction among individuals in the U.S., treatment for substance and drug abuse is important.
The treatment of drug addiction can be wide-ranging and vary depending on the center where the individual is seeking help. The most common and effective addiction treatment therapies involve medication, behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and potentially a combination of all three.
Drug treatment centers tend to favor combination therapy as a way to make success more likely. When an individual enters a drug addiction center, it is likely that he or she will be assessed by a qualified healthcare provider (most likely a physician or psychologist), after which a treatment plan will be created. Within this treatment plan, there are various treatments and therapies that may be available. Consider the information below as insight into some of the most common treatments and therapies that are offered.
What Types of Addiction Treatment Are Available?
Surprisingly, there is currently is no cure for drug addiction; however, there are some treatment options available that may help. Considering that drug addiction is a chronic condition, it is important to have a treatment plan that allows for long-term success.
The following treatments are common in drug addiction:
Medication Treatment
There are a few reasons that medication may be used. For starters, many adults who overdose on drugs (specifically opioids) are given Naloxone to reverse the potentially life-threatening effects of the drug. In addition, some centers may consider other medical management options for overcoming addiction.
One common medication that is given in drug addiction is methadone, which is a powerful pain-relieving medication. Methadone has long been used in drug treatment as a way to decrease the symptoms of pain among individuals who are withdrawing from opiates and heroin. In addition, this powerful medication can be used to block the euphoria that many drugs release to the brain, which may be important for combatting addiction to this effect.
Inpatient Rehab Centers
Inpatient treatment centers offer continuous care for individuals as they receive adequate treatment. In these inpatient clinics, individuals are placed in a sober living facility that is free from illicit substances and temptation.
These centers are used to address all areas that may be affecting an individual’s addiction. Not to mention, these rehab centers are designed to give individuals the support needed to fight addiction for the long-term.
Outpatient Treatment Centers
Outpatient treatment centers are typically less intensive than the inpatient setting. Generally, individuals live in their own home, but are offered treatments that are scheduled regularly.
While the outpatient rehab setting is designed to give individuals more freedom and flexibility in daily life, this type of treatment leaves room for an increased risk of relapse due to old triggers. Since outpatient rehab settings require a bit more self-control in the environment, it is recommended that individuals with mild addiction utilize this type of treatment.
Detox Treatment
Detoxification is a common treatment that ensures that the substance exits the body and mind. Typically, withdrawing from the substance is required for this type of treatment and it could require monitoring by a qualified healthcare provider as well.
The setting in which detoxification is offered varies; some individuals may be safe to detox while undergoing outpatient rehab, whereas others may need to be admitted to a hospital during this process. The amount of detox an individual may need depends on the severity of the addiction and the drug to which the individual was addicted.
Sober Living Residences
Sometimes an individual going through addiction treatment needs more time to overcome the issue. For this reason, a sober living center may be necessary for the treatment process. These residencies typically offer more support for those in the treatment and recovery process and these centers are designed for those who are ready to give structured lifestyles a chance once again.
Treatment With Faith
Sometimes drug addiction treatment can be a bit too medical for some individuals. With this in mind, faith-based centers are a great place for addiction sufferers to meet other adults facing similar problems. This type of treatment plan is designed for individuals who require greater power to help guide the direction in life. Many faith-based organizations offer this treatment option and typically they involve group-based therapy.
What Therapies Can I Use for Addiction?
Seeking treatment is generally one of the first steps in the healing process. Once treatment is established, it is common to have a therapy regimen in line to guide your success. There are many options that you can seek when it comes to therapy; some common drug addiction therapies are listed below.
Behavioral Therapies
Typically cognitive behavioral therapy involves helping you find ways to cope with cravings, prevent relapse, and to provide useful options when on your own. Behavioral therapy is performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist, and typically it is performed in a family, group, or individual session. This type of therapy sometimes called dual diagnosis, is often considered to be quite effective as it allows the individual to use the tools given in therapy to make healthy choices throughout the recovery process.
Biofeedback Technique
Another therapy option that may be used in drug addiction treatment is biofeedback therapy. This type of therapy is performed by placing electrodes on an individual’s body and analyzing his or her brain patterns. This therapy option is effective because it allows for feedback to be provided to the individual so that the root of the addiction can be better understood.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic healing is often utilized to boost an individual’s overall wellness. This approach to healing and fighting addiction tends to be focused on treating physical withdrawal symptoms, but in a holistic setting. Some centers may offer meditation, yoga, exercise, art therapy, as well as other modalities to aid in the holistic approach to healing and combatting addiction.
Psychodynamic Therapy
One common treatment therapy option that centers offer involves using the mind to fight addiction. Since addiction is often a chronic mental condition, psychodynamic therapy allows individuals to look into the subconscious mind to better understand how the addiction is affecting the mind. This is often a great therapy option to uncover the true cause of the addiction. This type of therapy involves the use of emotions and guidance from therapists as a way to uncover the cause.
Experiential Therapy
This type of therapy option is unique in that it leverages creativity to uncover emotions and thoughts relating to addiction. Often, this type of therapy involves tools and activities that dive into emotions and expressions that allow addiction sufferers to re-experience certain situations.
The use of experiential therapy identifies emotions that are closely related to successes, failures, and disappointments, and how they impact self-esteem. Understanding the emotions and feelings that contributed to the development of addiction tends to help addicts overcome it.
Are There Addiction Support Groups Available?
Support groups can play a major role in the overall treatment of drug addiction. After the completion of a drug addiction program, it is generally recommended that individuals join a support group as a way to boost success in the treatment process.
Consider the following support group options below:
Self-Help
One common support group option available is the 12-step program. Often, 12-step programs are designed for recovering alcoholics and drug users, with specific groups offering support depending on the addictive substance.
Smart Recovery
In addition to common 12-step programs that are offered, the SMART recovery plan is a support group designed to help individuals in recovery by addressing common thoughts and emotions surrounding any kind of substance abuse and drug addiction. This support group option has a 4-point program that features stages that individuals can complete in any order. This is in contrast to the 12-step program which utilizes a step-by-step approach and requires successful ascension to success.
Counseling
Some individuals simply are not suited for support in a social group. For this reason, one-on-one counseling may be an option for support for those recovering from drug addiction. A counselor can develop a specific, personalized step-by-step plan for each individual in need. While counseling can be in an individual setting, there are also group counseling options available.
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon
These final two support groups available are designed to support the friends and families of those who are in recovery. These support groups identify addiction and substance abuse as a family illness that involves those who are close to the individual. The Al-Anon and Nar-Anon groups help to teach family and friends coping techniques and effective support strategies for helping their loved ones overcome addiction.
Addiction is an insidious disease, but there are a number of treatments, therapies and support options available for overcoming addiction.