Addiction is a disease: people with addiction cannot just stop using drugs on their own as it’s not easy and can be dangerous. Treatment for drug use disorder requires professional help in order to be successful. The good news is that there are many different types of treatment available today and over the years, scientists have developed more effective techniques to help people overcome addiction.
Medication-assisted therapy
The first type of drug treatment is medication assisted therapy (MAT). This type of therapy involves using drugs like methadone or buprenorphine to reduce withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking opioids. It also reduces cravings and blocks the effects of other opiates so people don’t get high while withdrawing from substances. MAT is very helpful because it helps people with opioid addiction quit gradually by reducing their dose over time until they are finally able to stop taking the medication.
Behavioural therapies
The second type of treatment is behavioural therapy, which helps people learn how to cope with their addiction in a healthy way. There are many different types of behavioural therapies you may find in drug rehab, but they all share the same goal: to teach people how to live without using drugs. Behavioral therapies can help people change their attitudes and behaviors towards drug use, learn how to handle stress and triggers, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Behavioral therapies include:
- Cognitive behavioural Therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps people identify and change the thoughts and beliefs that drive their addictive behaviours. CBT can be used to treat a wide range of addictions, including drugs, alcohol, gambling, and eating disorders.
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). DBT is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy that was developed for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. It has been adapted to treat drug and alcohol use disorders because it teaches people how to manage their emotions more effectively, which helps them avoid using drugs as a coping mechanism.
- Motivational interviewing (MI). MI is a type of therapy that helps people understand the importance of making changes to their behavior in order to overcome addiction. It’s based on the idea that when someone becomes highly motivated, they are better able to change harmful behaviours like substance abuse.
- Interpersonal social rhythm therapy (ISRT). This form of therapy uses an approach known as social rhythm therapy, which aims to help people with substance abuse disorders adjust their daily routines and sleeping patterns. It is especially effective when working with dual diagnosis patients as it is a proven therapy that helps with mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
Inpatient treatment
The third type of treatment is inpatient treatment, which is when a person lives at the rehab facility while they are receiving treatment. Inpatient treatment is often recommended for those with severe addictions or who are having serious symptoms that need immediate care, like suicidal thoughts or withdrawal symptoms. It will often include behavioral therapies and other exercises as part of an intensive programme.
Outpatient treatment
The fourth type of treatment is outpatient treatment, which involves going to the rehab facility for therapy while continuing to live at home with family members or other loved ones. Outpatient treatments can be helpful because they allow people access to their support system while they are learning new ways to cope with their addiction.
Holistic therapies
The fifth type of treatment is holistic therapies, which are treatments that focus on the whole person rather than just their addiction. Holistic therapies can include anything from yoga and meditation to equine therapy and art therapy. These types of therapies often help people address the emotional and spiritual issues that may be contributing to their addiction.
When it comes to addiction, the most important thing is that you get help. There are many treatment options available, so it’s best to speak with your doctor about which one will be the right fit for you and your addiction.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg.
