Addiction Therapies

Addiction is a complicated disease that requires specific and proper treatment depending upon the needs of the individual. A successful recovery plan not only treats the addiction itself, but also investigates any other mental or physical challenges that have either contributed to the addiction or have occurred as a result of it.  Many proven treatment methods exist that can properly address a wide range of issues. Usually a mix of therapies are chosen to provide the best chance for an individual’s recovery.

Types of Addiction Therapy

Individual, group, and medication-assisted therapies tend to be the foundation of an addict’s treatment plan.

Individual Therapy

If an addict is dealing with intense mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, individual therapy is a great opportunity to work through those issues. Additionally, developing a strong supportive relationship with a therapist throughout the process of recovery has been shown to increase an addict’s probability for success. A therapist can be viewed as a sounding board, a great resource, and confidant.

In an individual setting, sessions can be very productive giving the addict the opportunity to delve deeply into their own specific issues that might be uncomfortable to share in a group setting. A therapist can assess the addict’s needs and treatment expectations and devise a tailored recovery plan specific to the individual without being burdened by any other person’s recovery plans. Read more on individual therapy.

Group Therapy

While individual therapy can be greatly effective, the power of a group setting is also known to be very advantageous for recovery. Being surrounded by peers who have had similar experiences shines a light on the challenges of others for an addict, making them feel less alone throughout the process. It encourages the development of positive relationships and also provides an opportunity to practice social skills. Read more on group therapy.

Family Therapy

When a person is spiraling downward from addiction, the effects are often not only felt by the individual, but also can heavily affect loved ones. Taking the time to complete family therapy can be an important step in recovery. A strong support system is necessary for an individual to successfully complete recovery.

Working through family issues can be a powerful motivator for the addict to make changes in their life and for the addict to stick with recovery. It has been shown that participation in family therapy greatly reduces the rate of a relapse. Read more on family therapy.

Medically-Assisted Therapy

In addition to individual and group therapy, medically-assisted therapy can effectively complete the framework of the recovery puzzle. Medications can be prescribed to addicts to help ease the process of withdrawal and help to effectively detox their bodies from the substance they are addicted to. It is common to use medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone when someone is weaning off of an opioid addiction. These are all approved by the FDA for this purpose.

While this can sometimes be a controversial type of therapy, studies have shown that recovery outcomes are better and there is a lower chance of relapse. Read more on medically-assisted therapy.

12-Step Based Treatment

12-step programs are well known and can be very effective. Programs are usually designed in peer group settings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in an effort to encourage abstinence. The three main aspects of the programs include:

• The acceptance that an individual has a problem

• The ability to surrender to a higher power and accept the support of peers who have had similar experiences

• Involvement in 12 step-related programs and activities

Read more on 12-step based treatment.

Nontraditional Therapies

There are several nontraditional forms of therapy that when layered on with the more traditional methods have been proven to contribute positively towards recovery.

Music Therapy

Music is a main ingredient in most people’s lives. Genre choices might be a reflection of a mood, whether upbeat or more sinister. Music can also help change our mood and motivate us. Under the supervision of a music therapist, this type of therapy can effectively help relieve stress, aid in an individual’s emotional adjustment to therapy, and improve mental well-being. Read more on music therapy.

Yoga Therapy

Yoga can be another powerful aspect of recovery. Allowing an individual to relax through breathing exercises and reconnect with themselves through exhilarating stretching and strengthening exercises has been shown to help addicts feel reduced stress and more at peace. Read more on yoga therapy.

Art Therapy

Art therapy promotes creativity and exploration. It is a healthy form of expression that can be executed in many forms such as painting, sculpting, and drawing. This might provide a key opportunity for an individual to share how they feel without using words and can be extra helpful for those with any co-occurring disorders. Read more on art therapy.

Nature Therapy

Many studies have found that the prevalence of addiction can be attributed to a lack of connection with mind, body, and nature. That said, exposure to nature has been repeatedly shown to create great benefits during recovery. It can help decrease cravings and lead to increased mental well-being. Read more on nature therapy.

Faith-Based Treatment

Spirituality and connection with faith during recovery can help an addict find peace within. A religious community can also provide much needed and continuous support, similar to a peer group. Read more on faith-based treatment.

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care can be described as the opportunity for an individual to receive treatment from a licensed professional who can effectively address the impact of how a specific trauma might have affected or motivated an addiction. Read more on trauma-informed care.

The Value of Addiction Therapy

While there are various types of therapies available to help treat addiction, not every therapy will be a proper fit for each individual. It is imperative for a customized recovery plan to be developed based on the needs and expectations of an addict.