In the United States, substance abuse is a growing crisis that’s claiming the health, minds, and lives of both adults and youths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses killed more than 80,000 Americans in 2024 alone. Not surprisingly, more individuals and families are searching for treatments for substance use that actually work and deliver lasting benefits.
Not all addiction treatments are created equal. Some have more scientific backing and proven results than others. That’s why it’s crucial to look for evidence based addiction treatment if you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse. Some excellent options include medication assisted treatments (MAT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Here’s a brief overview of evidence-based treatments such as these and their effectiveness against substance abuse.
The Role of Therapy in Substance Use
Psychotherapy is a critical component of effective substance abuse treatments. It offers patients the tools, strategies, and support they need to understand and heal from their addictions. It also addresses the underlying social, psychological, and emotional factors contributing to addictive behaviors.
The best therapists know how to use tools such as MAT, CBT, and DBT to guide patients through the recovery process. These tools help patients explore the root causes of their addictions and mental health issues. Evidence based therapy for substance use disorder has a high rate of patient success and can lead to lasting lifestyle changes.
Breaking Down Evidence-Based Substance Use Treatments
MAT, CBT, and DBT therapy are all evidence-based substance use treatments that consistently deliver good outcomes. They each tackle the underlying contributors to addictive behaviors in unique ways. Pathways Real Life Recovery offers these and other treatments aimed to bring about positive change and empowerment through sober recovery. Learn more about each of these leading-edge treatments for substance abuse.
MAT Treatment
Medication assisted treatment for addiction takes a multi-pronged approach to support patients on their path to addiction recovery. This treatment targets both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction to reduce the risk of overdose and facilitate full recovery. Medications commonly approved in MAT treatments include:
- Naltrexone
- Buprenorphine
- Sublocade®
- Suboxone®
- Brixadi®
Your therapist will help you determine what type of medication is the best fit for your unique challenges and needs. MAT combines behavioral therapies with FDA-approved medications to block the euphoric effects experienced while abusing substances. MAT medications also work to normalize brain chemistry and relieve physiological cravings for substances. This combination of medication and psychological support has helped many people recover from substance use disorders.
CBT Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction is a type of treatment that’s particularly effective for those with substance use disorders. It uses the following strategies to help patients redirect negative thought patterns and achieve full recovery:
- Identify negative thought patterns contributing to substance abuse
- Turn negative thought patterns into positive ones
- Develop healthy coping skills to manage cravings and triggers
- Set achievable goals and work to reach them
CBT also emphasizes support groups and systems and recognizes their role in the recovery process. CBT is one of the best evidence based rehab programs Pathways Real Life Recovery offers. Your provider may use CBT by itself or in combination with other psychotherapy techniques based on your specific situation.
DBT Treatment
Dialectical behavior therapy for substance use is structured to help those with addictions overcome them. It combines distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal skills, and emotional regulation to reduce self-destructive behaviors.
DBT helps individuals who struggle with addiction understand the situations, emotions, or past traumas that may trigger their cravings. Patients learn to pause and assess situations before acting rashly. Then, they’re encouraged to choose healthier responses that support their recovery journey.
Why Dual-Diagnosis Treatments Are More Effective
Dual-diagnosis treatments target more than one underlying cause of a disorder. Most people with substance use disorders also have a co-occurring disorder. This may be anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or another type of mental illness. Combining mental health and addiction therapy into one comprehensive treatment is the best way to deal with co-occurring disorders.
Pathways Real Life Recovery specializes in dual-diagnosis care. This integrated model allows therapies like MAT, CBT, and DBT to address both emotional regulation challenges and addiction behaviors at the same time.
The Importance of Individualized Care Plans
In addition to integrated treatment for addiction recovery, patients often respond best when they receive individualized care plans. No two people have the same backgrounds, traumas, mental health disorders, or addictive behaviors. At Pathways, each client’s treatment plan is carefully customized to their unique goals, needs, and recovery stage.
We may use treatments like MAT, CBT, and DBT selectively or in combination. We also use outcome-based recovery data from clinician assessments and the patients themselves to track patient progress. Our therapists continuously evaluate and modify their treatment approaches based on the feedback they receive from clients.
Get Evidence Based Drug Abuse Treatment
At Pathways Real Life Recovery, we understand that each person is unique. Therefore, we make sure each patient receives a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan that increases their ability to fully recover. Contact us at (801) 395-3006 to schedule a consultation and get the ideal combination of medication and behavioral therapies for substance abuse.
