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The Different Therapies Used in Addiction Treatment
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2018, 14.8 million individuals aged 12 and above in the United States were living with alcohol use. Additionally, there were 8.1 million people who experienced a drug use disorder, such as opioids, marijuana, and stimulants. These statistics highlight the prevalence of these conditions, emphasizing the need for awareness and support for individuals affected.
At our addiction treatment center, we understand that tackling this problem requires a multi-faceted approach. With this in mind, we at Long Island Treatment Center rehab facilities provide an array of therapies to support individuals on their journey to recovery. Our experienced team knows the most effective therapeutic interventions and can develop tailored treatment plans for each individual’s needs.
Here are some of the types of treatment that we offer:
Detoxification
Detoxification is often the first step in any rehab program. During this process, your body will eliminate harmful toxins caused by drug or alcohol use. This is done by taking medications, such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants, that help manage the withdrawal symptoms. This is a crucial part of the addiction recovery process, and it’s important to note that detox should only be done by qualified healthcare providers and facilities as there may be severe withdrawal symptoms. Detoxification usually lasts for a few days to several weeks and is often followed by ongoing treatment.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is an opportunity for you to work one-on-one with a trained counselor who focuses on helping the individual identify their motivations and underlying issues related to their substance abuse. During individual therapy, you will learn about the root causes of your addiction and explore strategies for coping with cravings.
Individual counseling can also provide a safe space to discuss any personal concerns or challenges that are preventing you from staying sober.
Moreover, individual counseling can be part of an outpatient treatment program. With this, you can choose when and how often to see your therapist. However, it’s essential to stick to your schedule, as it can help prevent a relapse.
Group Counseling
Group therapy is an invaluable component of any addiction program. In this setting, you will be among peers who are also in recovery and share a common goal: to stay sober and help you change your life.
This involves meeting with a few other individuals who are in recovery. Here, you can share your stories and support each other on the road to sobriety. This allows you to benefit from the collective wisdom of others who have been in similar situations and provide emotional support. Group therapy is effective because it allows for a safe space for individuals to talk openly and honestly about their struggles without feeling judged.
Like individual therapy, group counseling can be part of an outpatient program. It is also commonly utilized in inpatient treatments in Long Island treatment centers. It is customary to employ a combination of individual and group counseling as a standard practice to assist in recovery.
Support Groups
Support groups are another excellent way to stay on the path to sobriety, as they help provide ongoing help after rehab is finished.
These groups provide a safe space for individuals in recovery to connect and share their experiences and resources for overcoming addiction. They also offer support from those who have been through similar struggles or are currently in the same situation you may find yourself in.
Difference of Group Therapy and Support Groups
The main difference between group therapy and support groups is that support groups are typically available on an ongoing basis, allowing you to regularly attend for support and motivation, while the group therapy sessions are typically limited to the duration of the rehab program and its primary goal is to provide intensive treatment within a short period of time whereas support groups are there to provide ongoing help for members.
Support groups can be incredibly beneficial in maintaining long-term sobriety as they offer the much-needed motivation and encouragement to stay on track with your recovery plan. Aside from providing emotional and moral support, these groups are also an excellent resource for sharing coping strategies and connecting people to other services and treatments.
Additionally, these groups provide a sense of community, which helps reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation that are common during drug addiction treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as an effective form of addiction treatment option, especially for those with co-occurring disorders.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a critical tool for addressing mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders as it helps individuals recognize patterns of negative thinking or behavior that contribute to addictive behaviors. Through cognitive restructuring – which is a process of identifying and replacing inaccurate or distorted thoughts – individuals can understand and reframe their negative thought patterns, which often fuel their addictive behaviors and worsen their mental health conditions, so they can develop newfound coping techniques that foster more healthy ways of managing stressors and triggers. The ultimate goal of CBT is to develop healthy behaviors and ways of thinking for relapse prevention, maintain sober living, and overall improve quality of life.
CBT focuses on:
- skills building to help individuals strengthen their interpersonal relationships
- enhance communication skills
- practice problem-solving strategies
By learning effective communication and problem-solving strategies, individuals with co-occurring disorders can better manage their relationships and day-to-day challenges, leading to improved mental health and decreased likelihood of relapse. This makes CBT a highly effective psychotherapy for those dealing with both addiction and mental health issues or dual diagnosis.
Integrating Motivational Interviewing with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in substance abuse treatment enhances outcomes. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling method that helps individuals resolve ambivalence about substance use and motivates healthy changes. It can help clients develop insight into the consequences of substance use and develop strategies for avoiding triggers. Combining CBT with MI techniques equips clinicians to support long-term sobriety.
Dialectal Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of treatment, which means that an individual’s mental health is seen in the context of their relationships and environment. DBT focuses on changing negative patterns in thoughts and behavior while teaching self-acceptance. It can be used to treat various mental health issues, such as self-harm, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders, and substance abuse disorders.
The primary focus of DBT is to promote healthy coping skills by teaching individuals:
- mindfulness
- distress tolerance
- emotional regulation
- interpersonal effectiveness
DBT is a team-based approach typically involving individual sessions, group workshops, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). In addition, family therapy and aftercare are often included in a DBT program as they help family members better understand the individual’s condition and how best to support them, while aftercare provides ongoing support for individuals as they continue on their sobriety journey. This collaborative approach offers an environment for individuals to learn about their issues in depth while also forming a support system with other treatment group members. By providing these resources, individuals are more likely to stay in treatment and work on their recovery journey.
DBT also emphasizes holistic treatment approaches, which involve looking at how physical health, psychological health, nutrition, environment, social support systems, and genetics all play a role in an individual’s recovery process. Through these methods, individuals can take a more comprehensive approach to their treatment, allowing them to understand and manage their addiction from all angles.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Dialectal Behavioral Therapy
What sets DBT apart from cognitive behavioral therapy is its emphasis on finding a balance between accepting and changing one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Cognitive therapy aims to identify and change negative thinking patterns, while DBT takes it a step further by helping individuals understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect their ability to cope with situations. Through DBT, individuals learn how to regulate emotions in a healthy way and practice mindfulness so that they can better handle stressors in the moment.
Contingency Management
Contingency Management is a type of therapy that rewards individuals for engaging in healthy behaviors or abstaining from harmful ones.
It is a more behavior-focused approach to therapy that attempts to encourage the desired behaviors by providing incentives, such as gift cards, prizes, or vouchers for meeting specific treatment goals.
Contingency Management has been proven effective for those with substance use disorder as it provides positive reinforcement and increases motivation for individuals to stay committed to their recovery plan. Research supports this claim, as evidenced by a study that reported a success rate of 61% for Contingency Management, surpassing the 39% success rate of alternative treatment methods.
Finding The Most Effective Therapies for Addiction
Have you ever considered trying therapy for addiction?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the different types of addiction therapies available, and that’s why it’s best to find an addiction treatment provider who can assess your needs and recommend which option is best for you.
Everyone needs to choose the right treatment center and therapists near you who are experienced, qualified, and passionate about giving others the support they need in their journey back to health and emotional well-being. That is why Long Island Treatment Center offers personalized programs designed to help individuals overcome their substance use disorder, and with an array of services available, you can be sure that we have the right program for you.
No matter your current situation, there is hope for a better tomorrow. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Let us partner with you on this journey to recovery – call us today and take the first steps towards a healthier life today!