Substance abuse disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by an inability to stop using addictive substances. The condition can profoundly harm an individual's health and life and has many negative societal implications. Even though most people struggling with substance abuse see the negative repercussions of using drugs or alcohol, changes in brain chemistry make it almost impossible to stop without treatment.
Due to the widespread prevalence of substance abuse disorder, the need for effective treatment is greater now than ever. Unfortunately, substance abuse carries a tremendous level of negative stigma. So much so, that people with the illness don't always seek the help they need.
The first step toward getting help is understanding what steps can be taken to achieve sobriety. Find out more about the various levels of effective treatment for substance abuse disorder below.
Traditional Types of Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment
When an individual seeks addiction treatment, the best providers will build a custom plan that involves several traditional treatment components. Four primary levels of traditional treatment may be recommended, but each individual's path to recovery can be unique.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT is a form of SUD treatment that makes use of FDA-approved medications to deter withdrawal symptoms. One reason people with addiction have difficulties "just not using" is that they are physically and emotionally dependent on substances. When the individual stops taking the substance, painful and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms can occur.
For example, individuals who struggle with opioid addiction can experience everything from cold sweats and nausea to tremors and seizures when they don't use. Medications like buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone may be prescribed during substance abuse disorder treatment to combat these symptoms.
Behavioral Therapies
Behavioral therapies are considered the gold standard for substance abuse disorder. Common approaches used during addiction treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Both are a form of talk therapy but have unique attributes.
CBT is an evidence-based treatment focused on developing an understanding of how thoughts and emotions influence behaviors. DBT is a type of CBT focused on navigating intense emotions that influence behaviors. These therapies can be valuable for those with SUD because they help individuals understand how internal influences are entwined with substance abuse tendencies.
Support Groups
The value of peer-support groups for substance abuse disorder cannot be overstated. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are openly available to anyone inside or outside a formal rehab program. However, most addiction rehabilitation programs make use of support groups as well.
Individuals in treatment benefit from support groups in several ways. They provide a sense of community and understanding among individuals facing similar challenges. Additionally, they offer peer support, encouragement, and shared experiences that can enhance recovery and long-term sobriety.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is crucial during addiction treatment because it addresses underlying family dynamics that may contribute to substance abuse. It helps rebuild trust, improve communication, and strengthen familial bonds, which are often strained by addiction.
Involving families can provide a supportive environment for the individual in recovery and foster a healthier family system overall. When an individual leaves a treatment program, their family can be their primary support network. Therefore, strengthening this network during treatment is exceptionally important for long-term recovery success.
Taking an Integrated Approach to Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment
While addiction treatment is likely to involve the traditional approaches, a more integrated approach can be most effective. Substance abuse disorder can be exceptionally complex, oftentimes involving multiple causative factors and underlying issues that need to be addressed. Therefore, an integrated approach may be warranted to more deeply address multiple aspects of the condition.
Incorporating Mental Health Treatment
Over 37 percent of adults with substance use disorder also have a mental illness. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses commonly occur with addiction. Therefore, the conditions can be so closely linked that the symptoms of either can exacerbate the other.
Further, many people face mental illness due to changes in brain chemistry after years of substance abuse. For instance, individuals who have struggled with alcoholism commonly struggle with depression. For this reason, mental health treatment should be an integral part of substance abuse treatment.
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders
In many cases, it is difficult to discern which condition came first: substance abuse disorder or mental illness. However, through co-occurring treatment, known as dual-diagnosis treatment, individuals get the help they need for both conditions concurrently.
Treatment providers offer thorough evaluations to make sure all symptoms are well-understood and targeted with the best treatment approaches. For example, if an individual is dealing with addiction to methamphetamine and schizophrenia, both conditions will be carefully evaluated. The patient may be treated with everything from CBT and MAT to medications to control the symptoms of their mental illness.
Holistic Therapies
Holistic addiction treatment addresses the whole person, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. It includes therapies like acupuncture, yoga, and nutritional counseling to promote overall well-being. These holistic therapies are often provided by inpatient rehabilitation programs, and they can complement traditional therapies.
For example, many rehab programs offer holistic options for patients, like yoga, nature excursions, and art therapy. These therapeutic elements can help with mindfulness, skill development, self-confidence, and more.
Recovery from Substance Abuse Is Possible and Hope Is on the Horizon
While substance abuse disorder can be complex, taking the right steps with the best treatment plan can lead to a successful recovery. Both traditional treatments like behavioral therapy and MAT and integrated treatments like holistic therapy and dual-diagnosis care are valuable parts of the journey.
With a personally tailored treatment plan and continued care, many people break the cycle of substance abuse and go on to live sober, happy lives. Substance abuse disorder does not have to involve a life sentence of struggling with drugs or alcohol. A healthy, substance-free lifestyle could be just over the horizon.
