When it comes to treating the growing problem of substance abuse, there are many different options available.
While this may seem confusing to many addicts and their families, a wide variety of treatment options often means that individuals with substance abuse problems are more likely to find care that best suits their unique needs.
The following describes three common options for recovering from addictions to drugs and alcohol, which include rehabilitation facilities, counseling, alcohol treatment and support groups.
Rehabilitation Facilities
Rehabilitation centers are establishments that provide in-depth treatment for substance abusers. These facilities provide a wide variety of treatments, some of which vary from place to place. For example, some rehabilitation centers cater to patients receiving inpatient treatment, while others operate solely on an outpatient basis.
The two differ in that inpatient centers provide housing to patients for an extended amount of time, while, at outpatient centers, patients report for scheduled meetings and appointments.
Although inpatient and outpatient centers vary, they are similar in some aspects. For instance, both typically offer counseling and group therapy, as well as aftercare and other forms of continued support.
However, inpatient treatment is often more effective at treating substance abuse, as it offers more intensive care and 24-hour supervision and support.
Counseling
Counseling is often a vital part of addiction recovery. This type of treatment involves discussions between the patient and a professional in the field of addiction or mental health, which often take place on a regular basis for a long period of time.
And while counseling is typically offered at rehabilitation centers, many other types of facilities offer counseling with addiction specialists.
Counseling can include many different psychotherapy methods, including behavior modification, hypnosis and others. These techniques are used in order to help the patient live a life free of illicit substances, as well as to help them figure out why they became addicts in the first place.
In counseling, addicts will learn how to spot triggers, as well as formulate methods that will help them cope with everyday pressures instead of relapsing with drugs or alcohol. When properly executed, talk therapy is one of the most effective methods of treating drug abuse in the long-term.
Support Groups
Support groups are another popular approach in the treatment of substance abuse. These types of groups are comprised of individuals with similar problems and are moderated by a trained professional. In group therapy, patients are encouraged to explore all aspects of their problems with addiction, as well as to provide support and accountability to other members of the group.
A few topics commonly shared in support groups include tips for maintaining sobriety, success stories and experiences that led to the decision to break the cycle of addiction.
According to the National Institute of Health, support groups and other types of group therapy are effective means of treating addiction because they address several areas of substance abuse.
This includes addiction itself, as well as accompanying factors like mental health, social issues and other personal problems.
When treating substance abuse, studies show that the most effective treatments employ a number of methods and approaches as opposed to just one. This is why many rehabilitation programs offer a variety of treatment methods, as well as continued aftercare, to individuals suffering from addiction.
Although the three aforementioned methods of substance abuse rehabilitation are often effective on their own, the chances of maintaining sobriety are greater when treatment involves two or more of these methods combined.
About the Author: Albert Larson is an published health and fitness author – he’s interested in doing additional research on recovering addicts and the most effective ways to assistant a successful treatment program.
