Addiction treatment programs use many different types of treatment to address each client’s unique needs. Combining multiple therapy types treats the disease of addiction by confronting it from multiple angles, increasing the odds of successful long-term recovery.
Addiction is a disease that affects the individual and the family. Since the family is a system of interrelated parts, what affects one person affects all parts. In family therapy, participants are educated on the nature of addiction and attend counseling sessions. Family members learn healthier ways of communicating, and therapy addresses any enabling or codependent behaviors.
Family therapy is a crucial aspect of addiction treatment because it can help in creating a healthier home environment.1 An improved home environment benefits both the family and the individual returning home after treatment.
Holistic therapy addresses the whole individual by caring for the mind, body and spirit. By addressing the needs of the whole person, holistic therapy improves overall health and well-being. Holistic therapies for addiction treatment can include exercising, acupuncture, massage therapy, reflexology, meditation, yoga and relaxing outdoors with nature. Wholesome nutrition that caters to a person’s dietary preferences should also be a part of holistic treatment care.
Mental Health Care
The majority of people—50 to 70 percent—who are receiving treatment for addiction also need care for a co-occurring mental health disorder.2 They may have experienced trauma or be suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, grief or PTSD. Treatment addresses mental health symptoms in light of the client’s substance use disorder, which improves the odds of successful long-term recovery.
Trauma-focused treatment is crucial for the successful recovery of anyone suffering from the ongoing effects of past trauma. Many of those suffering from addiction started down that path by using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the negative symptoms of trauma. Trauma-informed care incorporates this history and treats substance abuse from a psychosocial perspective.
Biosound therapy is a cutting-edge therapy used in addiction treatment programs.3 Biosound combines biofeedback, music, vibrational massage and guided imagery through an audio-visual system. A Biosound session produces calming effects by helping a person slow down racing thoughts and reach a meditative state.
A majority of reputable addiction treatment programs model components of their therapy program after the 12 Step program. When 12-step group therapy approaches are used, the likelihood of successful long-term recovery increases.4
By attending group meetings, participants form a support network of like-minded peers. Group members learn coping skills and behavioral strategies from each other that help them successfully transition into independent, sober living.
Once an individual has completed a residential or outpatient program, an aftercare plan is implemented for their transition to independent living. The treatment team meets with the client, and possibly their family, to discuss the best aftercare approaches.
The aftercare plan is designed to meet the person’s unique needs, and it addresses housing options, follow-up addiction treatment sessions, mental health and medical care and nearby 12-step programs. If housing in a sober living home is requested or needed, treatment center staff make the arrangements.
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