Treatment Approaches to Addiction Recovery

Are you looking for the right treatment for your addiction? You should know that addiction treatment should be customized based on your circumstances and unique clinical needs.

Your doctor or therapist will create a comprehensive plan for your recovery, taking into consideration the extent of the addiction and the substance being misused.

What are your options?

Inpatient Treatment – Inpatient programs are considered to be the highest level of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. These programs provide a 24/7 support and are recommended for serious addictions which impair the individual’s functioning. These programs have a high success rate.

Outpatient Treatment – Outpatient treatment programs are more flexible than inpatient programs as they allow the individual to travel to and from home to the rehab facility every day, so that they can carry on with their family life and work, while getting treated for 2 to 8 hours a day.

Sober Living Homes – Sober living facilities act as a link between the inpatient rehab center and the real world. They are an ideal option for those who have undergone a treatment successfully at a rehab, but need time to develop good habits in a safe environment, before moving to the outside world.

The Standard Treatment Structure

All drug and alcohol treatment programs have a common structure, which begins with a medical detoxification and consists of various therapies.

Drug and Alcohol Detox – Detox is the first step in any drug or alcohol treatment program. It is performed under the strict supervision of a trained medical professional to make sure that there are no severe withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab – Inpatient programs are more intense than outpatient programs are and meant for those that are at an advanced stage of their addiction. Outpatient programs are more flexible and are meant for those with work or family obligations.

Ongoing Therapies – There are many ongoing therapies for life after rehab, which provide support to the recovering addict and help to ensure that they do not suffer a relapse. These programs keep the addict honest and committed to a sober lifestyle.

Addiction Treatment Therapies

There are a number of therapies that are used in addiction treatment based on the health of the individual and the extent of the substance abuse. They may consist of one-to-one or group therapy sessions organized by addiction counsellors.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – CBT is a form of therapy targeted at individuals with co-occurring conditions such as an anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder, which could affect their recovery from the addiction and lead to relapse.

Biofeedback – Biofeedback therapy consists of the use of electronic sensors that offer accurate readings on the patient’s vital “bio” signs. These sessions last for 30 to 60 minutes and fortify the individual’s mental ability to fight the addiction.

Holistic Therapy – In holistic therapy, the focus is on the patient’s general well-being. It could consist of yoga, art therapy, meditation and acupuncture.

Experiential Therapy – This therapy makes use of unconventional treatment techniques to help recovering addicts get over their repressed emotions or feelings. These therapies may consist of physically strenuous activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering, trekking in the forests, etc.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) – MET is a highly effective therapy used to treat recovering addicts with bipolar condition, eating disorders or other co-occurring conditions.

Dialectal Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – DBT involves treating the mental health disorder along with the addiction. The goal is to enhance the individual’s self-esteem, and show them how to eliminate the emotional stressors from their lives.

Faith-Based Treatment – Faith based treatments incorporate the individual’s religious beliefs into the addiction treatment. They are based on faith and spiritual healing, where the individual seeks sustenance from a higher power to help them stay sober.

Addiction Support Groups

There are a number of support groups you could join, which consist of a community of individuals who hold you accountable and give you the encouragement you need throughout the recovery process. They ensure that you stay on the right track.

12-Step programs

These programs are based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model. They are the treatment standard followed in a majority of rehabs. The steps involve admitting to one’s powerlessness over drugs or alcohol and seeking sustenance from a higher power or God for help and guidance to achieve sobriety.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Alcoholics Anonymous is a self-help group that consists of individuals from different walks of life who are fighting a common addiction – alcoholism. AA meetings are organized on a weekly or daily basis within a church or community building.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – Narcotics Anonymous is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous and consists of a community that offers support to those recovering from other drugs other than alcohol. NA members motivate each other to stay away from drugs and hold the individual accountable for his or her actions.

SMART Recovery – SMART is different from 12-step support groups as it addresses the root causes of the addiction. This program makes use of a “4-point” program during the recovery process.

Resources for Family Members

One of the hardest things possible is to watch someone close to you succumb to drug or alcohol addiction. There are many supportive communities for friends and family of recovering addicts, where they learn how to intervene and make sure that the person joins a proper rehab center for the addiction.

Staging an Intervention

Interventions are organized by a trained intervention specialist. They involve an equal contribution from all family members, friends and co-workers of the addict, who get together and express a frank and honest opinion on why the addict has to seek out professional treatment for their condition.

Al-Anon – Al-Anon is described as a support group for the friends and family of alcohol addicts. The goal of this group is to show the loved ones of the addict that they are not alone in this fight and to educate them on the right methods to help overcome the addiction.

Where to Find the Right Rehab Center?

There are many addiction rehab facilities that offer quality treatment programs and have a high success rate. Contact the team at Rehabs.asia to know more about them and for quality advice on dealing with drug or alcohol addiction.