Evidence-Based Therapies for Addiction Treatment

Medical professionals have made amazing advancements in addiction treatment over the last several decades. Whereas most laypeople and even doctors once viewed addiction as a lack of willpower, addiction specialist now recognize that it is a clinical disease. Advancements in neuroscience and psychology have allowed them to create a number of effective treatments which produce lasting lifestyle changes in addicts.

The most widely-used methods for addiction treatment are called evidence-based therapies. These therapies have been rigorously tested in controlled environments, statistically proven to produce lasting recoveries, and approved for nationwide use by government and private institutions. Here are the three most effective evidence-based therapies.

Individual Counseling

One-on-one counseling sessions between addicts and clinicians have proven to be the most effective treatments for addiction recovery. Patients talk about their life circumstances and addictive behaviors to discover the root causes of their addictions. They also learn to identify their personal addiction triggers – the people, places, and things which most often cause them to use drugs.

With this valuable information, patients can develop strategies for avoiding their triggers and keeping cravings from occurring in the first place. They can also create coping mechanisms for dealing with the cravings they will inevitably encounter in the unpredictable situations of their daily lives. Overall, the personal breakthroughs addicts make during individual counseling lay the foundation for lasting sobriety.

Peer Group Discussions

During group therapy, addicts from inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient programs come together to talk about their struggles and share strategies for coping with cravings. More experienced addicts can also provide valuable insight to those who are seeking help for the first time.

Though participation in group therapy is not always required, many rehab patients find these discussions invaluable to their recovery processes. They sometimes make lifelong friends and accountability partners – people who help they stay sober long after their clinical therapies are complete.

Family Therapies

Although many addicts destroy their familial relationships during active drug use, many rehab patients maintain ties with close relatives. Parents and siblings sometimes contribute to the formations of addictions, but they can also provide a great deal of positive influence for people struggling to avoid relapse.

Because of the importance of family in addiction recovery, rehab clinicians will often invite their patients’ relatives to attend therapy themselves. They will share stories about how addicts’ behaviors have hurt them all, but they also work together to create new and healthier family dynamics.

Clinics may also work with their patients’ spouses. People are often influenced by their husbands or wives more than anyone else, so having spousal support is crucial for married addicts’ long-term recoveries. Some spouses may also be drug-users themselves. While it is usually best for addicts to cut ties with people who still use, this isn’t easy for married couples and those with children – some spouses may even need to undergo their own addiction treatment programs.

Whether you’re struggling with addiction to illegal substances, pharmaceutical drugs, or alcohol, a rehab facility in your area can use evidence-based therapies to help you achieve long-term sobriety. Click on the links at the bottom of your screen to find the treatment centers closest to you, and take the first steps on your road to recovery.

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