Treatment FAQ

what is the matrix model of addiction treatment

by Sim Littel I Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is matrix model therapy?

Matrix Model therapists adopt a positive, encouraging relationship with their patients. Establish a positive and collaborative relationship between the therapist and the recovering user. The therapist treats the person with empathy and respect instead of confrontation. They set goals together and work as a team.

What is matrix model?

The Matrix Model is a treatment approach that is administered over the course of a structured, 16-week period. Used most often with people who are addicted to stimulants (mainly cocaine and methamphetamine), the program is highly structured and is largely made up of group therapy sessions. Users learn about the addiction ...

Why do matrix models do drug tests?

Matrix Model programs also perform drug tests randomly on a weekly basis. Drug testing is used to keep users accountable and reward sobriety. It is not used to punish users. A positive drug test may indicate a need for increased structure in the program. 2.

How does matrix model work?

Monitor drug use through urine tests. Matrix Model programs use drug testing to monitor patients and provide feedback, such as rewards when they submit a negative test or discussion about a positive test. Matrix Model therapists adopt a positive, encouraging relationship with their patients.

Why is weekly drug testing important?

Weekly drug testing is another important component of programs that utilize the Matrix Model and is conducted to assess recovery progress and encourage program compliance.

When was the MM model developed?

The model was developed during the cocaine epidemic in Southern California in the 1980s.

How many sessions are there in a relapse prevention program?

Treatment consists mainly of groups, with 3 to 10 individual sessions over the duration of the program. Patients attend 2 relapse prevention groups and 1 family/education group per week. During the first 4 weeks, they also attend 2 early recovery skills groups per week.

What is matrix treatment?

The matrix model is a highly structured treatment framework used in intensive outpatient treatment programs developed in the 1980s in Los Angeles. It is an effective substance abuse treatment model for patients with substance use disorders involving stimulant substances such as cocaine, crystal meth, and methamphetamine-based prescription drugs.

How effective is matrix model?

One study found that the matrix model was effective in treating people addicted to stimulant drugs, particularly cocaine, eight months after treatment. Another study examined methamphetamine users who were treated using the Matrix Model.

What is the purpose of relapse prevention groups?

The purpose of these groups is to teach patients how to stay sober. These groups focus on:

What are the eight central therapeutic constructs?

Therapists using the matrix model use eight central therapeutic constructs: Create a positive and collaborative connection with the patient. Establish an explicit treatment structure and clear expectations. Educating the patient on brain chemistry and other clinically relevant knowledge (psychoeducation)

What type of therapy does a therapist use?

Therapists may use cognitive behavioral therapy , contingency management, and motivational interviewing throughout the treatment process. They may also be conjoint sessions (with a loved one in the room) to set the treatment plan.

What is a 12 step meeting?

12-Step Meetings. Each week, patients currently undergoing treatment and graduated members will get together for a 12- Step meeting. These may be official, or if that is not possible, they can be considered “Introduction to 12-Step Program Meetings.”.

How many recovery skills groups are there?

Early Recovery Skills Groups. In the first month of treatment, patients will attend eight early recovery skill groups to teach them the skills they need to abstain from drug use. These are small-sized group sessions.

Structure and Origins of the Matrix Model

The Matrix Model was developed in 1984 during the cocaine epidemic in Southern California. The researchers at the Matrix Institute on Addictions found that outpatient programs as they existed at the time were not doing enough to treat stimulant addiction.

Stages of the Matrix Model

The Matrix Model divides recovery into four stages: early recovery, family education, relapse prevention, and social support. Let’s look at each of these.

8 Principles of the Matrix Model

There are eight principles or core concepts that guide treatment under the Matrix Model. Individuals have better treatment outcomes if all eight areas are addressed. Therefore, therapists who follow this model seek to:

Benefits of The Matrix Model

The Matrix Model offers multiple benefits for people who want to overcome addiction and maintain sobriety in the long term. For starters, it’s more comprehensive than any single treatment approach. By combining multiple approaches, all aspects of addiction and recovery are addressed.

Stimulant Treatment Best Practices

Treatment varies according to the substance a person used, how they used it, and how much they used it. If a person is actively using stimulants, the first step in recovery is to stop using them under medical supervision. Quitting cold turkey on your own isn’t advised since acute withdrawal symptoms can be both uncomfortable and dangerous.

Build Foundations for Lasting Recovery with The Discovery House

The Matrix Model can be an effective approach for people struggling with stimulant abuse or any type of drug or alcohol addiction.

What is matrix model?

The Matrix Model is a style of treatment designed to aid in recovery from stimulant substances like methamphetamine and cocaine. The method was created in the 1980s and has seen widespread success. The Matrix Model is:

How many principles are in the matrix model?

The Matrix Model has 8 principles that guide treatment and boost efficacy. All of these being completed will lead to better results for the client. They include the importance of:

How many days a week does a client attend therapy?

Generally, the client will attend formal treatment 3 days per week, addressing a number of topics. Typically, this treatment will include multiple types of individual and group therapy for several hours. The other days of the week, the client is prompted to attend informal treatment like 12-step meetings.

How long does a syringe last?

A time-limited treatment. The model is intended to last for 16 weeks, but it can be extended for a year depending on the needs of the client. A proven treatment. Multiple studies have shown benefit of the treatment based on extending recovery and client consistency.

How long does a social support group last?

The social support group works to move the person in recovery away from substances and towards a lifestyle based on being healthy and substance-free. This group begins in the third month of treatment and will continue for 36 weeks.

What is the Matrix Model of Addiction Treatment?

Some treatments for substance use disorder are widely applicable to a range of different drug and alcohol addictions, and even other mental illnesses. Others, like the Matrix Model of addiction treatment, are highly tailored to target a very specific population.

Is the Matrix Model for Me?

You may be wondering if you should choose the Matrix Model for treatment, instead of other treatment programs that are available. Your therapist or social worker can help you figure out which of all available addiction treatment programs might be the best fit for your situation. The Matrix Model might be the best choice for you if you:

Resources

If you or a loved one are struggling with narcissistic personality disorder and substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Treatment and support are readily available. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

At RehabAid.com, we are dedicated to helping people recover from problematic substance use and associated mental health disorders. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, you are not alone.

Key Sources

Ehteshami Pouya S, Momtazi S, Makri A, Eskandari Z, Dadashi M. The Efficacy of Matrix Model Treatment in the Reduction of Addiction Severity and Relapse Prevention among Amphetamine Abusers. J Adv Med Biomed Res. 2018; 26 (117): 21-31. https://dentist.zums.ac.ir/journal/browse.php?a_id=5402&sid=1&slc_lang=en

What is matrix model therapy?

The therapist plays a very significant role in the treatment model providing both education and support to the patient throughout the program. Any therapist that is delivering Matrix Model therapy to a patient has been formally trained to provide encouragement, coaching, and teaching that will help to reinforce positive behavioral change that is conducive to recovery. Therapists are trained to act simultaneously as the patient’s coach and teacher while working with the patient to evoke positive change that helps them to achieve sobriety.

What is matrix model?

Matrix Model. The Matrix Model was developed as a research based approach to treating various types of drug addiction including addiction to stimulants. The goal of this program, like that of most addiction treatment models, is to help users achieve abstinence though various relapse prevention techniques, self-help programs and drug monitoring.

What is a therapist?

The therapist is your advocate, your educator and your coach throughout the treatment process acting as a liaison between you and your addiction, fueling your self-motivation, encouraging your continued behavioral change and rewarding your abstinence from drug use along the way.

How long does matrix work?

But why does the Matrix Model work so well? Many attribute the success of Matrix Model treatment to the length of the program—16 weeks to be exact. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends that at least 90 days of treatment take place in order to effectively break drug use habits.

What is evidence based treatment?

National Library of Medicine, “in a controlled trial, a clear positive relationship was documented between duration and amount of treatment involvement in the Matrix Model and positive outcome at 1 year.”. The treatment offered through this method is backed by a number of federal organizations ...

How long can matrix model treatment be extended?

Matrix Model treatment can be extended for periods greater than 16 weeks as needed. Matrix Model treatment is likely effective for the following addition reasons: Treatment protocol is backed by 20 years of proven data that includes treatment details pertaining to thousands of substance abusers.

How long did it take to develop the Matrix model?

The Office of National Drug Control Policy. This evidence based approach to treatment was not developed overnight—Matrix Model treatment took 20 years to develop during which time the methods were continuously improved upon based on scientific research and real-world data.

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Matrix Model Therapeutic Approaches

  • Therapists using the matrix model use eight central therapeutic constructs: 1. Create a positive and collaborative connection with the patient 2. Establish an explicit treatment structure and clear expectations 3. Educating the patient on brain chemistry and other clinically relevant knowledge (psychoeducation) 4. Introducing and applying cognitive-behavioral theories 5. Using positive rei…
See more on addictiongroup.org

Matrix Model Treatment Plan & Structure

  • In order for the matrix model to be successful, therapists combine the following components in a highly structured setting:
See more on addictiongroup.org

Effectiveness of The Matrix Model

  • One study found that the matrix model was effective in treating people addicted to stimulant drugs, particularly cocaine, eight months after treatment. Another study examined methamphetamine users who were treated using the Matrix Model. Two to five years after treatment, the researchers found that this group greatly reduced their drug use. In addi...
See more on addictiongroup.org

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