
Addiction treatment therapy can be defined as the use of various methods to treat the psychological causes of addiction in a person. Substance abuse therapies are carried out by a trained professional. They try to understand the psychological factors which lead a person to start abusing substances in the first place and then treat those causes.
Full Answer
How does drug abuse treatment work?
Scientific research since the mid-1970s shows that drug abuse treatment can help many drug-using offenders change their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards drug abuse; avoid relapse; and successfully remove themselves from a life of substance abuse and crime.
What is drug addiction and how can it be treated?
What is drug addiction? Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long-lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs.
What is the goal of treatment for substance abuse?
In addition to stopping drug abuse, the goal of treatment is to return people to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and community.
What are substance abuse therapies?
These substance abuse therapies are based on the theory that some physical brain changes serve as triggers for addiction. The neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain also plays a significant role in addiction.

What is drug therapy and how does it work?
Treatment with any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.
What are the steps usually involved in the treatment of drug abuse?
medication. medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms or deliver skills training. evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. long-term follow-up to prevent relapse.
What are the five stages of treatment?
Motivation for Recovery: Moving Through the 5 Stages of ChangeStage One: Precontemplation.Stage Two: Contemplation.Stage Three: Preparation.Stage Four: Action.Stage Five: Maintenance/Recovery.Addiction recovery that's built to last.
What are the four stages of treatment?
Various models exist describing the overall phases of treatment, but most have elements in common. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes four stages of treatment: initiation, early abstinence, maintenance of abstinence, and advanced recovery.
What is the first step in treating a drug abuse problem?
Detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. This involves clearing a substance from the body and limiting withdrawal reactions. In 80 percent of cases, a treatment clinic will use medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What is the most effective treatment for addiction?
According to American Addiction Centers, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a valuable treatment tool because it can be used for many different types of addiction including, but not limited to, food addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription drug addiction.
What are the 4 levels of the progression of drug abuse?
No matter how long your journey is, most rehabilitation counselors agree that there are four main stages of drug addiction: experimentation, regular use, risky use/abuse, and drug addiction and dependency.
What is the final stage of recovery?
Stage 4: Advanced Recovery After approximately five years of abstinence, you will reach the fourth and final stage of your rehab: advanced recovery. It is that this point that you take all the tools and skills that you have learned during your rehab counseling and put them to use living a satisfying, fulfilling life.
What is treatment initiation?
Treatment initiation was defined as a completed psychotherapy visit or a filled prescription for antidepressant medication within 90 days of diagnosis. Depression severity was measured with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores on the day of diagnosis.
What is the rehabilitation process?
Rehabilitation is the process of helping an individual achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible. Rehabilitation does not reverse or undo the damage caused by disease or trauma, but rather helps restore the individual to optimal health, functioning, and well-being.
What are the stages of rehab?
The 4 Stages of Physical Rehabilitation TreatmentThe Recovery Stage. The first stage of physical rehabilitation is the Recovery Stage. ... The Repair Stage. After the healing process has begun, the next step is to start recovering movement and mobility. ... The Strength Stage. ... The Function Stage.
Why do people use substances?
For many people, substance or alcohol use was a way to self-medicate for depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition. For others, perhaps it began as a way to stay motivated during long hours of working or studying.
Why is substance use less of a choice?
Regardless of the reason, substance use becomes less of a choice over time. Long-term exposure leads to changes in brain function, and the person is no longer in control.
What is SUD treatment?
Basic principles of SUD treatment. SUD treatment is administered in two basic settings: inpatient and outpatient. The primary goal is for the person with SUD to be in the most effective — but least restrictive — environment to get them started, and then move them along a continuum of care depending on their needs.
What are some medications that help with nicotine addiction?
Over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies. These include patches, sprays, lozenges, and gums. Bupropion and varenicline. These prescription medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for nicotine addiction.
What is the continuum of care for SUD?
From least to most intensive, this continuum of care includes: Different SUD treatment programs are usually based on three basic models: Psychological model. This may include behavioral or talk therapy and looks at emotional dysfunction or potentially harmful motivations as the main cause of SUD. Medical model.
What are the best medications for opioid withdrawal?
Medications to help with opioid use disorder. Methadone and buprenorphine. These two medications help diminish withdrawal symptoms and relieve cravings. Naltrexone. This medication blocks the effects of opioids at the receptor sites and should be given only to people who have already completed therapy for cessation.
What is CBT therapy?
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) family therapy . motivational interviewing. contingency management (incentives) Psychosocial treatments target aspects of a person’s social and cultural environment, as well as any psychological and behavioral patterns that may cause difficulties in their life.
Why do people need addiction treatment?
The purpose of these various therapies is to determine why a person started using drugs or alcohol in the first place and to enhance motivation to seek substance abuse treatment. Addiction treatment therapies also help recovering addicts handle potential triggers which they will no doubt face once they return to routine life. Patients are taught coping skills for stressful situations and strategies to avoid drug relapses.#N#Many people start using drugs or alcohol in response to trauma or personal issues, such as self-esteem or mood disorders. In such cases, the recovering addict needs to learn to cope with these issues without turning to drugs or alcohol. The ultimate goal is to discover methods to stay sober in the long-term. It is not unusual for recovering addicts to experience the pink cloud syndrome, a high-on-life feeling in the early stages of recovery that can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations.
What is the ultimate goal of substance abuse recovery?
The ultimate goal of recovery from substance abuse is to stop using drugs or alcohol, stay clean or sober, and become a productive member of the family, workplace, and community. The underlying principle of addiction treatment is that no one treatment is right for everyone. Effective substance abuse recovery programs address all the addict’s needs, ...
What is the best way to recover from substance abuse?
Effective substance abuse recovery programs address all the addict’s needs, not simply alcohol or drug use. Quick access to a drug recovery program is critical, as is sticking with addiction treatment. Medications, counseling, and therapies are the cornerstones of most addiction treatments.
Why do people need family counseling?
Family counseling is offered to help recovering addicts make amends with those they may have hurt in the past while actively using drugs or alcohol.
What is long term residential treatment?
Long-term residential treatment programs are recommended for people with a longstanding addiction or a history of heavy drug or alcohol use. These programs also benefit people with a dual diagnosis; for example, a substance use disorder combined with a mental health disorder. These programs are more effective and offer 24-hour monitoring.
What is addiction to alcohol?
Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a chronic disease in which an individual indulges in compulsive addictive behaviors despite being aware of their harmful consequences. Over time, excessive alcohol intake or illicit substance use leads to long-lasting changes in the brain and body, further driving the addiction.
Why is long term addiction treatment important?
Long-term addiction treatment programs are widely recommended because they are effective, especially in people who have a severe drug or alcohol abuse problem. Short-term rehabilitation programs produce results in individuals with a mild form of addiction. These treatment programs are suitable for people who cannot afford expensive long-term ...
What is inpatient addiction treatment?
Inpatient addiction treatment takes place in a residential setting. Patients stay at the facility for the duration of treatment, which allows them to escape temptations and triggers at home and focus on recovery.
What is medication assisted treatment?
Medication-Assisted Treatment. Medication-assisted treatment can help patients manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Some of the medications approved to treat substance dependence have special properties or are formulated to prevent abuse of the drugs themselves, as well as abuse of the substance being treated.
What is detox center?
Detox Center. Detox centers help people during the detoxification or detox stage of addiction treatment. Detox is the process of remaining abstinent until the substance has cleared the body. It is the first step toward recovery.
What is outpatient treatment?
Outpatient treatment is a type of substance abuse program that allows an individual to continue living at home throughout addiction treatment . These programs require regular check-ins for individual or group treatment sessions, so patients must be self-motivated and committed to recovery.
How to contact a counselor about substance abuse?
If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, find help today. Call our hotline at 1-888-319-2606 Helpline Information to speak with a treatment support advisor about finding the right type of addiction treatment for you.
What is luxury residential treatment?
Luxury residential treatment is a more lavish inpatient experience, complete with amenities such as a pool, spa, yoga classes, or acupuncture. Executive inpatient programs] are similar to luxury programs, link with privacy and the option to continue working while at the facility.
What is a 12 step program?
Twelve-step programs are free recovery programs organized and operated by former substance users. These programs focus on building a community of support. Many in 12-step recovery embrace spirituality while working through the 12 steps. Several programs are modeled on the 12-step philosophy, and they include:
How does a treatment plan work?
The treatment plan helps both the person in treatment and treatment program staff stay focused and on track. The treatment plan is adjust-ed over time to meet chang-ing needs and ensure that it stays relevant .
How does substance use affect people?
Substance use disorder is an illness that can affect anyone: rich or poor, male or female, employed or unemployed, young or old, and any race or ethnicity. Nobody knows for sure exactly what causes it, but the chance of developing a substance use disorder depends partly on genetics—biological traits passed down through families. A person’s environment, psycho- logical traits, and stress level also play major roles by contributing to the use of alcohol or drugs. Researchers have found that using drugs for a long time changes the brain in important, long-lasting ways. It is as if a switch in the brain turned on at some point. This point is different for every person, but when this switch turns on, the person crosses an invisible line and becomes dependent on the substance. People who start using drugs or alcohol early in life run a greater risk of crossing this line and becoming depen- dent. These changes in the brain remain long after a person stops using drugs or drinking alcohol.
What is AA 12 steps?
AA’s 12 Steps help the mem-bers recover from addiction, addictive behavior, and emo-tional suffering. These groups are free and are not support-ed by any particular treatment program.
How long does residential treatment last?
Participants live in the treatment facility. Residential treatment is long term, typically lasting from 1 month to more than 1 year.
What is a strategy or activity that helps keep a person in recov-ery from drinking alcohol or using
Any strategy or activity that helps keep a person in recov-ery from drinking alcohol or using drugs again. It may include developing new cop- ing responses; changing beliefs and expectations; and changing personal habits, lifestyles, and schedules.
How long should a person be drug free?
Treating both the substance use and mental disorders increases the chances that the person will recover. Some counselors think people should be alcohol and drug free for at least 3 to 4 weeks before a treatment professional can identify emotional illness correctly. The program may provide mental health care, or it may refer a person to other sites for this care. Mental health care often includes the use of medica-tions, such as antidepressants.
What is continuing care?
Also called continuing care. Treatment that is prescribed after completion of inpatient or outpatient treatment. It can be participation in individual or group counseling, regular contact with a counselor, or other activities designed to help people stay in recovery.
Educating family members about your addiction issues
Unless someone has personal experience with an addiction, it’s nearly impossible for them to understand how difficult things can get for the addiction sufferer.
Allowing the family to express grievances and hopefully resolve them
Many times, family issues are at the heart of the addiction. If you get the opportunity to express grievances with family members in a controlled setting, it increases the chances people will listen. That would hopefully end up leading to the mending of some very important fences.
Teach family members how to be supportive during recovery
Through the education process and the mending of fences, your family could well learn that you love them and need them to support your efforts at recovery. Of all the support resources you might create during treatment and recovery, they will all pale in importance to the support you can get from your family.
