subject: Effective Treatments For Recovering Addicts [print this page] One of the biggest fears for an addict seeking help is the unknown. Most people are aware of the short detoxification process, the accompanying withdrawal, and the month-long stay at a treatment facility. However, the important question faced by addicts and their families is whether these treatments can actually keep them clean. Successful rehabilitation is about much more than temporarily living in a sober, supervised environment. Its crucial to understand what steps clinicians take to cure substance abusers of their addictions.
There is an immense difference between traditional methods and the relaxation therapies some facilities provide. Adventure and relaxation treatments involve activities which can be enjoyable for inpatients, such as surfing or painting. However, traditional therapies have time and again proven truly effective in producing lasting recoveries from drug addiction. There are several types:
Individual Therapy:
The one-on-one treatment that takes place between an addict and his or her counselor is the most important part of recovery. During individual therapy, patients can openly explore the ways in which their characters, personalities, and life circumstances have contributed to their drug use. These sessions are also invaluable in diagnosing co-occurring mental imbalances, many of which contribute to addicts drug abuse. Recognizing and treating these conditions can make or break the entire recovery process.
Group Therapy:
Group therapies can take place at inpatient facilities, addiction support groups and Al-Anon meetings as part of an outpatient program. At these counseling sessions, a clinician leads a discussion between the addict and those close to him. Friends and family can tell stories and talk about how theyve all been hurt by the abusers behavior. Overall, group therapy can help addicts realize that their behavior hurts everyone around them.
Family Therapy:
Though not mandatory, family therapy can be a critical step in the recovery process for many alcoholics and drug addicts. Because family members often have the closest personal ties to an addict, working on the dynamic between addicts, their spouses, their parents, and their siblings can help establish a lasting framework for a drug-free life. Since drug abuse causes suffering for entire families, these therapies are also aimed at treating everyone, not just the person with a physical dependency.
Unfortunately, addictive behavior can sometimes damage family ties to the point where this type of therapy would be detrimental. In those cases, addicts can undergo similar types of therapy with their closest friends, or they can skip this part of the process altogether. Successful rehabilitations focus on the option most likely to keep addicts clean once their treatment is complete.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This type of treatment allows addicts to recognize the harmful behaviors, mental states, thoughts, and emotions which can trigger their drug use and lead to relapse. They learn that they can either avoid the things that trigger their drug use or cope with them using learned strategies.
During this part of treatment, clinicians also teach addicts how to recognize and manage the symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, the single largest threat to a successful recovery. Its symptoms, which begin after detoxification and can last for years, include:
*mental fogginess
*loss of short-term memory
*emotional numbness or overreaction
*trouble sleeping
*loss of motor skills
*high stress sensitivity
Learning to cope with and reduce these crippling symptoms is essential for a long-term recovery.
Medication
Though not always the best option, some addicts may need medication during detoxification to ease the pain of withdrawal. They may also need pharmaceuticals to deal with co-occurring mental imbalances such as depressions or schizophrenia.
Overall, inpatient treatment is about much more than housing drug addicts for a certain time period. Getting clean and saying clean takes hard, focused work, but a good rehabilitation program can save even the most desperate addict. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call the number at the top of your screen for a free, no-obligation consultation.
by: Jarstine Cromweld
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