In recent years, a lot has changed in the way the addiction treatment community approaches the addiction treatment process. In years gone by, the community as a whole used a “cookie-cutter” approach to treatment. Clients were diagnosed and put through standard detox and therapeutic programs. The problem with this approach became apparent around the turn of the century. That’s the point when addiction treatment professionals were forced to face the fact that the standard approach wasn’t working. Up until maybe 10 years ago, the relapse rates for drug and alcohol addiction stood at about 70%. That means 70% of the people who went through rehab relapsed at least once. By any measure, that percentage is unacceptable.
It wasn’t for lack of caring. The facts support the notion that addiction treatment professionals care very much about the clients they treat. As for why the numbers always came back so troubling, it was indicative of something being wrong with the addiction community’s approach to treatment. Fortunately, the addiction treatment community as a whole has gone through a bit of a metamorphosis. There has been a not so subtle change in the way the community now treats addiction issues. In lieu of the cookie-cutter approach, we are seeing many more facilities and therapists respecting the uniqueness of each client.
The idea that each client enters rehab under unique circumstances is not new. However, more people in the addiction treatment community have come to understand that uniqueness matters. Each client needs a custom treatment program that addresses their specific circumstances. As an answer to the call for a different approach to treatment, we now see rehab facilities employing a wider range of treatment options. In the section below, we are going to address some of the newer methods therapists now use in the addiction treatment process.
What Are Some Ways Different Substance Abuse Treatment Programs Approach Addiction?
Before addressing newer treatment methods, it’s worth noting that standard therapy practices still have a place in the treatment process. Some clients respond well to a simple approach. For the clients that seem to need something more, there are two newer ways therapists help clients work towards recovery. First, evidenced-based therapies have found a place in the addiction treatment process. Other professions have been using evidence-based science for decades. With that said, it’s only been within the last 20 years that addiction treatment therapists have been using evidence-based therapies such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Of the three listed options, the first two options have become quite popular. With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, therapists work with clients regarding how the client’s thoughts are promoting addictive behaviors. The process allows clients to see how their negative thoughts cause harmful behaviors. Clients can then use this knowledge to change the way they think, giving them the basis for avoiding the need to self-medicate. As for Dialectical Behavioral therapy, the process is much the same. However, thoughts are replaced by the client’s feelings.
In such cases, the therapist has identified that the way the client feels is prompting the client’s substance abuse. By helping clients see how their feelings are unfounded, the client has a chance to change negative feelings and alter their addictive behaviors. Another treatment method that has garnered attention in the last 10 years is holistic therapy. Throughout the entire healthcare profession, a holistic approach to healthcare has become a common theme. It allows doctors and therapists to address a client’s overall wellbeing as opposed to only addressing specific problems.
The term overall wellbeing refers to a combination of the individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health. In the addiction treatment community, the following holistic therapy options have become quite popular:
- Massage and acupuncture therapy
- Yoga and meditation
- Equine therapy, caring for horses
- Art and music therapy to soothe the soul
- Recreation and exercise therapy
- A renewed focus on nutrition programs
All of these options have something in common. They all provide clients with a positive way to focus their energy on something other than substance abuse. As you can see, we now have more ways to help you recover from your addiction illness. All we need is the opportunity to give you the help you need. To start, you can call one of our reps at 833-364-0736. We will use that call as an opportunity to tell you more about our facility and addiction treatment services.