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What Is The Best Treatment For Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse can have many different underlying causes. Thus, for drug or alcohol treatment to succeed, the rehabilitation process must take a comprehensive and individualized approach. If you’re suffering from addiction and have tried professional treatment before, it may be that you’ve simply never found the right treatment methods for your needs. Ultimately, the best substance abuse treatment represents a diverse mix of services. With ample options in in-house or easily accessible support, each client can get exactly what he or she needs.

Although there are numerous types of drug and alcohol treatment available, most programs fall into one of three categories. These are:

  • Inpatient or on-campus treatment
  • Outpatient or off-campus treatment
  • A hybrid of both inpatient and outpatient services

Outpatient treatment is generally best for anyone who’s been dealing with mild to moderate substance abuse for a short period of time, and who’s ready to diligently manage the rehabilitative process with limited day-to-day oversight. While outpatient treatment often puts people in touch with caseworkers, counselors, and other professional guides, it offers adequate freedom for those who wish to continue maintaining many of their normal activities. For instance, if you are responsible for minor children, have a job that you want to maintain, are enrolled in an important career training program, or have other pressing responsibilities, this manner of care will allow you to access the services and support that you need, without having to take any significant time away from your obligations.

Conversely, inpatient treatment typically requires a one to a six-month commitment to receiving on-site care in which getting well is the patient’s sole focus. During this time, patients aren’t subject to toxic environments, unhealthy relationships, and other possible triggers that might incite relapse. As such, inpatient treatment is typically recommended for anyone who’s been addicted to drugs or alcohol for years or even decades. It is also best for those who’ve tried and failed at recovery before, and for anyone who’s drug or alcohol use is severe.

Understanding The Defining Elements Of An Effective Addiction Treatment Program

Substance abuse treatment always starts with detoxification. It is only after a person has removed all harmful substances from the body that he or she can begin focusing on healing, building new coping skills, and establishing healthy and sustainable life habits and plans among other things. A good detox for any patient will include sufficient, in-house medical support for meeting individual requirements. For instance, if the withdrawal symptoms of a person’s drug of choice are severe and potentially life-threatening, this individual will need to enter a detox program that’s capable of administering drugs to offset these symptoms, stabilize their vitals, and ultimately restore them to good health.

Once detox is complete, patients can move on to the group and private therapy. During each of these two therapy types, people will explore some of the possible causes of their substance use disorder such as past traumas, behavioral conditioning, co-occurring mental health issues, and more. Understanding the source of addictive behaviors and patterns is always key for correcting them. During private or one-on-one counseling, clients can dig deep into their emotions and personal histories in a completely safe and non-judgmental environment. In group therapy, clients will have the opportunity to develop boundary-setting skills, important social skills, and strategies for fighting off cravings and temptations and avoiding common triggers.

For many patients, dual diagnosis therapy or treatment for co-morbidity is also a critical element of drug or alcohol addiction treatment. With co-morbidity, a person may be dealing with both substance use disorder and a secondary mental health issue such as bi-polar disorder, chronic depression, chronic anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) among others. For these individuals, successful treatment requires that all existing mental health issues be properly identified and medically addressed. That’s because those with co-morbidity are often using drugs or alcohol to simply mute the symptoms of problems that have yet to be diagnosed and treated. Dual-diagnosis treatment ensures that people aren’t dealing with constant physical or emotional pain that forces them to self-medicate. Proper and professional treatment for mental health issues can ultimately eliminate a person’s reliance on alcohol, prescription painkillers, or illicit substances that were formerly used for self-treatment.

Finding the right drug treatment program for you or your loved one is vital for ensuring that time spent in rehab is actually worthwhile. If you have tried and failed at recovery before, now is the time to start looking for systems and solutions that are more in line with your needs and circumstances. If this is your first time seeking assistance, you can always get help in assessing your needs and finding an appropriate treatment option. Are you ready to get started? Call us now at 833-364-0736.