What are the desired outcomes for addiction treatment? According to NIDA, “Addiction treatment must help the person stop using drugs, stay drug-free, be productive in the family, at work, and in society.” The most common forms of addiction treatment are counseling and other behavioral therapies. Education, psychosocial services, peer support groups, and harm reduction such as reducing the spread of communicable diseases are other notable objectives.
Staying in treatment long enough for the positive impacts of these services to come together is critical to recovery.
Critical Components of Support
It’s not enough to detox from the drugs and expect that things will simply get easier as time goes by. For most, this will take time, along with overcoming some of those external and internal obstacles that have stood in the way of previous recovery attempts. By expanding the access and availability of supportive services, treatment providers can help participants pursue healthy, productive, and satisfying goals while gaining the benefits of abstinence and accountability.
How can providers expand access and ensure those who need services receive them? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends the following as standard components of substance abuse counseling:
- Assistance in locating and joining mutual-help groups or peer support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Methadone Anonymous (MA)
- Education about addiction and the effects of substances of abuse
- Education about relapse prevention strategies
- Identification of unexpected problems needing attention, such as sudden homelessness
- Assistance in complying with program rules and regulations
- Information about stress-management and time-management techniques
- Assistance in developing a healthy lifestyle involving exercise, good nutrition, smoking cessation, and avoidance of risky sexual practices
- Assistance in joining socially constructive groups such as community organizations and faith-based groups
- Continuing education on health issues (particularly HIV/AIDS and hepatitis).
Accessible Treatment
The good news is, these treatments and services are becoming more accessible and reliable. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “New parity regulations requiring insurance coverage for substance use and behavioral health issues to the same degree as physical health problems, expanded access to coverage by young adults through their parents’ insurance, broad requirements to obtain health insurance, and Medicaid expansion are among the changes seen recently.”
Along the same lines, treatment providers are monitored and assessed for delivering quality addiction treatment services as recommended by SAMHSA for outcomes and effectiveness. Third party payers, funding at the state and federal levels, and stakeholders have vested interest in providing evidence-based addiction treatments that work to improve the quality of life for those who complete the planned treatment regimens.
Effective, Innovative Methods
In other good news, modern treatment is effective, and people can and do recover from mental health and substance use disorders. Some of the most effective evidence based methods used in addiction treatment today include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing. These treatments help individuals examine their thinking and behavior and develop ways to change negative patterns.
Beyond these traditional therapies, those seeking recovery are also finding success with innovative methods. These include art therapy, music therapy, equine assisted therapy, pet therapy, and even virtual reality therapy. In some settings, participants may also engage in biofeedback therapy or mindfulness approaches. With these methods, participants can tap into various personal strengths and interests and find creative ways to tackle challenges and overcome addiction.
And the last bit of good news? Most people recover. Despite the statistics reporting high rates of addiction and alarming numbers of overdoses, roughly 22.3 million Americans are living in recovery from substance use disorder. In fact, the CDC found that 75% of people who experience addiction eventually recover. They make it to the other side. They fight the battle and win.
For most of these millions, a key to their success was getting the treatment they needed, when they needed it.
Finding Support
Some people experiencing addiction will continue looking for ways to achieve sobriety and inner peace on their own. They typically have limited success if they don’t get the sufficient recovery services they need. Until they are able to share their struggles, receive support, and find ways to cope, few will find their way back from addiction.
Fortunately, this support is available. Find effective, accessible treatment near you with this easy-to-use treatment locator – and get the hep you need to take your life in a new direction.