Addiction Treatment Options

In rehab, there are many different kinds of treatment programs for the patients. No two people have the same story and addiction, so the many different treatment options available can cater to all those in need. With so many options, however, it’s best for all patients and their loved ones to know about each treatment type. For further information about treatment plans or drug and alcohol rehab, call us any time.

Detox

Detox is the process of cleaning out the patient’s system of all harmful chemicals or remnants of addictive substances. The detox step in treatment is usually the first, as treatment can not begin until the patient’s body is completely clear of substances.

While using, the patient’s body may have developed a dependence on these harmful substances, so the challenge in detox is to resist the physical urge to start using again. The body will respond with withdrawal symptoms, which can be cravings, muscle pains, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and fatigue. These symptoms can sometimes even prove fatal—if the addiction was heavy and went on for a long period of time—so it is important to start treatment in a medically monitored facility.

The detox process is as follows:

• Medical Assessment. The patient will answer questions so that health care professionals can learn the severity of the addiction and exactly how to treat it and handle the situation.
• Inpatient Admission. Once the medical staff and addiction treatment staff know how to proceed, the patient will be moved into the facility where the detox will begin. Sometimes, depending on the exact case, some medications may need to be provided in order for a safe withdrawal.
• Stabilization. After detox—which can range from three days to two weeks—the patient will then be in a more stable condition. The detox staff and professionals will then ensure stable conditions before discharging.

12-Step Addiction Treatment

Since the early 1900s, 12-step addiction treatment has been helping alcoholics get and stay sober through faith- and religion-based groups. Though it started as a group to serve alcoholics only (Alcoholics Anonymous), the organization has branched out to other substances, such as narcotics, marijuana, and cocaine. These groups are named, respectively, Narcotics Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, and Cocaine Anonymous.

Though each group serves addictions for different substances, the main principles are all the same. Basically, follow the steps and continue to work for a better and healthier life. Along with following the 12 steps, members usually attend meetings where they can meet and support others who are also completing the 12-step treatment.

The 12 steps are:

• The member realizes that they are powerless over alcohol and that their lives have become unmanageable.
• The member develops a belief that a power great than them can restore us to sanity.
• The member makes the decision to turn their life over into the hands of God because he is understood.
• The member explores themselves and realizes how addiction has affected their life.
• The member has admitted to themself, to someone else, and to a higher power what wrongs they have committed and the impact of those wrongs.
• The member is ready for a higher power to remove these defects.
• The member humbly asked the higher power to remove their shortcomings.
• The member has made a list of all people they harmed because of their addiction, and they have become willing to make amends to them all.
• The member will make direct amends with others whenever possible, except when doing so would injure them or bring any harm.
• The member continues to take personal accountability and admit when mistakes are made.
• The member actively prays and mediates to improve their relationship with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and power to carry that out.
• The member has had a spiritual awakening due to these steps, and they work to carry the message to alcoholics and to practice these steps in all areas of life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy or psychotherapy that works to show patients how to replace negative thoughts, actions, and behaviors with those that are healthier. There are other kinds of talk therapies, but CBT is different from the rest because it:

• Takes less time. CBT was created to be short-term; that way, the treatment doesn’t spread on and continue for the rest of the patient’s life. CBT is—on average—a total of 12–20 weekly sessions (can also be biweekly).
• Is a collaboration. In CBT, not all the work is on the therapist, and not all the pressure is on the patient. Together with the therapist, the plan, goals, and schedule are created.
• Is about the present. CBT is mostly targeted toward fixing the current problem by tweaking current thoughts and behaviors. There is no time wasted on matters that don’t affect “now.”
• Can be used with other therapies. CBT therapists will often encourage the use of other therapies while also completing CBT. Therapies that they may recommend include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), contingency management, and long-term psychology.

As stated before, CBT focuses on changing the behavior of the patient. The reason behind this is that addiction is a flawed reaction to a situation, so it’s important for the patient to realize these flaws to learn new and less harmful ways to deal with situations.

The basics of CBT are:

• Functional analysis, which identifies situations and problems that can lead to addiction.
• Coping skills training, which is to learn healthier ways to deal with these situations.
• Relapse prevention, which is finding strategies to avoid triggers of substance use disorder.

Inpatient Drug Rehab

Inpatient drug rehab, or residential treatment, is an effective way of treating a substance use disorder because the patient stays and lives in an addiction rehab center until the treatment is complete. The patient will be provided with 24/7 care, and the treatment typically lasts 30–90 days. The time can be more or less than the usual range; it really just depends on the situation of the patient. Inpatient drug rehab goes as follows:

• Detox, where all traces of the substance are removed from the system.
• Withdrawal management, so that their withdrawal symptoms can be monitored to keep them safe and healthy.
• Individual and group therapy, where the patient meets with therapists and other patients to talk through the addiction.
• Aftercare, the patient’s recovery isn’t over after they leave the facility. A treatment facility should help the patient construct an aftercare plan; that way, they can continue a clean life and avoid relapse.

If inpatient drug rehab sounds like a great option, the intake process isn’t anything to be wary of. Essentially, intake is basically just checking into treatment. The patient will meet with doctors and counselors to determine the specifics of the addiction and treatment process needed. All the patient has to do—at this point—is answer a few questions to help the specialists decide the most effective and safe way to treat the addiction.

When choosing an inpatient drug rehab facility, be sure to look for specific traits that usually ensure a facility is reputable. These traits are:

• Accreditation. There are third-party companies that examine the qualifications of each treatment facility and determine whether or not it is worthy of their accreditation. Keep a lookout for treatment facilities that are accredited by LegitScript and Joint Commission.
• Patient-to-Staff Ratio. A low patient-to-staff ratio is among one of the top things to look for when deciding which treatment facility to pursue. A low ratio means that each staff member has only a few patients to take care of, meaning that the care will be more personalized and attentive.

Dual Diagnosis Addiction Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is the best treatment option for somebody who is struggling with a mental illness and a substance use disorder problem at the same time. This treatment program helps patients explore both disorders thoroughly and even teaches them how they may be direct causes of one another. For example, somebody who suffers from a mental illness—such as anxiety or depression—could wind up medicating themselves with a drug, like Xanax, or even turn to drinking alcohol regularly. These substances may temporarily relieve the effects of the mental illness, but in the long run, it makes depression and anxiety worse.

When in dual diagnosis treatment, the patient will first be examined by certified psychologists and meet with licensed therapists so that both issues can be addressed. Also, to assist in aftercare, the treatment center will help find resources and further programs for the patient upon their departure from the facility.

Common mental health disorders that can be treated at dual diagnosis centers are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• PTSD

SMART Recovery Program

SMART stands for “Self Management and Recovery Training.” SMART Recovery is for those that want a structured and guided approach to recovery but do not want the 12 steps. The goal of SMART Recovery is to present to patients the power of self-empowerment.

The 4-point approach that SMART Recovery uses is:

• Building and Maintaining Motivation
• Coping with Urges
• Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
• Living a Balanced Life

SMART Recovery works to use reason and rationale to help the patient realize that they can be in charge of their recovery. It’s possible to live life without relapsing, working the 12 steps, or giving all the credit to a Higher Power, so it’s important that patients understand that they are in control. With that being said, in SMART Recovery, the patient is held accountable and empowered all throughout the process.