What Are The Most Effective Forms Of Addiction Treatment?

People with drug addictions have many treatment options to choose from when they decide they’re ready to get sober. 

Professional help, holistic approaches, and addiction support group meetings are all viable options for overcoming addiction. 

With so many forms of treatment, it may be hard to determine which one works best. Below we’ll look into which treatments are the most effective and where you can find them. 

The Most Effective Types Of Addiction Treatment

For years, addiction was viewed as a crime. People with substance use disorders were given harsh jail sentences, fines, and cultural shame. 

However, with the rise of mental health awareness and advances in behavioral therapy and science, many people now see substance abuse as a mental health disorder. 

This societal shift has opened up new treatment options for people with substance use disorders. Though not curable, people can recover from drug addiction and lead sober lives. 

So what are some of the most effective forms of addiction treatment, and how do they work for substance abuse? Let’s dive into some of the best types of addiction treatments. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common forms of addiction treatment. In CBT, patients receive help restructuring old brain patterns that led to substance abuse. 

CBT believes thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are intertwined. Through awareness of stress and finding new coping skills, a person in recovery can identify unhelpful thought patterns and avoid substance use.

Contingency Therapy

A patient’s self-esteem may be tarnished by drug addiction. Contingency management seeks to reverse those feelings through positive reinforcement. 

This form of therapy rewards patients who display good behavior and reach desired goals. Passing drug tests, applying for jobs, and group participation are all examples of good behavior. 

Group Therapy

Group therapy covers a wide range of skills development, therapeutic, and 12-step groups that aim for attendants to create community and learn from each other.

Hearing different perspectives, witnessing others’ achievements, and receiving applause for your own achieved goals are all benefits of group therapy. 

Patients also learn how to work together and listen better in these settings. There are many forms of group therapy. 

These include:

• psychoeducational groups
• cognitive-behavioral groups
• 12-step and other support groups
• skills development groups

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Some forms of drug abuse, such as opioid addiction and alcohol misuse, are better treated with medication-assisted treatment (MAT). 

In MAT, patients receive FDA-approved medications to help manage physical withdrawal symptoms. Medicine may also lower psychological urges to use drugs. 

Professionals suggest MAT should be combined with other forms of therapy, such as CBT, contingency management, and group therapy. 

Holistic Approaches

Holistic approaches aim to not only treat the psychological side of addiction but the spiritual, physical, and emotional side of someone. 

By focusing on multiple senses, these approaches promote a connection between mind and body to achieve results. 

There are several types of holistic approaches for addiction recovery, such as:

• music therapy 
• meditation 
• yoga
• reiki
• breathwork
• dance therapy
• art therapy
• extended hiking, walking, or running

People who engage in these practices find they have lower anxiety and depression and feel an overall sense of confidence. 

What Option Is The Best For You?

It can be hard to decide which treatment option to utilize. The best place to start is to determine your or a loved one’s specific needs. 

By considering a series of questions, you may get a better sense of which treatment you want to try. 

Some questions are:

• How long has drug addiction transpired?
• Are there any co-occurring disorders?
• What is the family history of addiction?
• What is the current living situation like?
• What is the physical health condition?
• Is drug abuse still active?
• What substances have been abused? Are there multiple substances being abused (polysubstance abuse)?
• Is there a job, partner, or child that needs to be considered?

Where Can I Find Substance Abuse Treatment Options?

The treatments outlined above can be found in a variety of places, such as rehabilitation centers, private practice offices, and open forum meetings.  

Drug And Alcohol Detox Centers

Detox centers are the safest places for those experiencing withdrawal symptoms to safely rid the body of toxins and start their road to recovery. 

In a medical detox center, patients may receive MAT and be introduced to group therapy where they can discuss experiences with addiction and find community. 

Patients typically stay in a detox center until physical or mental symptoms subside, which may be anywhere from three to 10 days. 

Inpatient Rehab Centers

Inpatient treatment is usually recommended for people with moderate to severe addictions. These facilities provide a drug-free and supportive environment to recover. 

Patients may receive all forms of treatment while living in inpatient rehabilitation for one to six months:

• Individual therapy allows patients to dive into their drug history.
• Group therapy offers the chance to build a network of sober-minded people.
• Holistic approaches may be used to help patients heal the mind and body. 

People with co-occurring disorders can receive help for substance abuse and other mental health disorders, such as depression and addiction. 

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient options allow patients flexibility in creating their recovery schedule. In all forms of outpatient treatment, patients don’t live on-site but come in during the week over several hours. 

Participants still receive many of the same treatments of inpatient rehabilitation, such as group and individual therapy. 

Some outpatient options are:

• standard outpatient 
• intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• partial hospitalization programs (PHP)

12-Step Groups

12-step groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are free for the public to attend. The only requirement is a desire to stop using drugs or drinking. 

During group sessions, participants might discuss past drug abuse and how completing the 12 steps impacted their lives. 

Milestone celebrations, sober social gatherings, and service opportunities are all available through these groups. Members oftentimes make life-long friends. 

Addiction Treatment In Massachusetts

You or a loved one can find recovery through one or many of the addiction treatment options mentioned above. 

Treatment options provided by Ark Behavioral Health include many levels of addiction care, such as dual diagnosis treatment, support groups, and therapy. 

If you wish to know more about our drug treatment in Massachusetts, reach out today.