An Overview of the Different Types of Therapy Used in Treatment for Addiction

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Did you realize that over 10 percent of the American population has taken illicit drugs in the past year? The more you do these illicit drugs, the higher your dependence on them will ultimately become. If you feel yourself spiraling out of control, then checking into a drug treatment rehab facility is a must.

Most people fail to realize just how many drug treatment rehabilitation centers there are. Instead of rushing through this important decision, you need to take your time. Whether you are choosing a facility for yourself or a loved one, you need to make sure the treatments they offer are sufficient.

Getting in treatment is important for an addict, but it needs to be the right treatment. Before packing your bags and heading off to rehab, here are some of the treatments you need to be aware of.

The Power of Behavioral Therapy

One of the most common and successful methods used to break the bonds of drug addiction is behavioral therapy. In essence, this type of therapy is geared towards uncovering and fixing the unhealthy behaviors a drug addict has.

Often times, these underlying habits will trigger a person to want to use illicit drugs. The main thing a therapist will do when using this behavioral therapy is to educate the addict. Pointing out these character defects is the first step in getting rid of them.

Once the behavioral problems are identified, the therapist will work with the addict to make a plan on how to get rid of these issues. Providing an addict with coping skills so they can get through stressful times in their life without using is no easy task.

The Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

While behavioral therapy simply focuses on how a person acts, cognitive behavioral therapy assigns more importance to the thoughts and feelings an addict has. The basis of this therapy is that negative thoughts can lead to feelings of inadequacy, which will cause a person to fall back into their habit of using drugs.

During cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, the therapist will try to get to the root cause of your bad thoughts. By understanding what triggers these thoughts and your need to use drugs, you can overcome them eventually. Often times, deep-seated trauma from childhood will stay with an addict.

Allowing demons from your past to take up residence in your mind is a recipe for disaster. With extensive cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, getting the tools you need to cope with these thoughts will be easy.

Contingency Management Provides Addicts with Rewards for Not Using

People who have never dealt with substance abuse issues fail to realize how hard it can be to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Often times, an addict will need an incentive to stay clean and sober. This is why the use of contingency management is so prevalent in the world of drug treatment.

In essence, a contingency management system offers rewards to the addict for staying sober. One of the most common rewards offered is a voucher. If the addict is able to pass multiple drug tests, they will be given a voucher they can use for supplies to help with their sobriety.

Some rehabilitation centers also offer a prize to people in a contingency management program. The type of prize offered varies based on the rehab center.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

If you are looking for a therapy that puts more focus on your views and who you are as a person, then rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a good option. The main idea behind REBT is to put more emphasis on the views of individuals and not what their behaviors are.

Often times, the therapist involved in your REBT sessions will work on pointing out flaws in your way of thinking. Some of these flaws can include that the people in your life have to love you or that you have to do everything perfectly. Completely letting go of these misconceptions can be extremely difficult.

However, if this type of therapy is successful, you will be able to gain a new lease on life. Rather than giving up when you are confronted about false beliefs you hold, try pushing through. Usually, these are when major breakthroughs will occur.

Person-Centered Therapy

There is a common psychoanalytic theory that all people are motivated by things like aggression, power, and greed. The person-centered therapy provided by some drug treatment centers is directly opposed to this theory. The belief of people who offer person-centered therapy is that human beings are inherently good and want to show this side of themselves.

In order to bring the good out of a person, this type of therapy provides them with a comfortable environment, acceptance and a high level of understanding. Generally, therapists who perform this type of treatment will be more passive. They believe that letting an addict find their own truth is the best method of healing.

Family-Based Treatments

The family of a person addicted to drugs often suffers for their transgressions. Offering a drug addict a chance to heal the damaged relationships with their family can be extremely powerful. Many drug rehab providers offer family-based treatments due to how effective they are.

During these therapy sessions, both the addict and their family will have an opportunity to speak. Airing out any grievances these parties may have with each other can help the healing process. Once all of the cards are on the table, the addict can start to make amends to the ones they love the most.

Healing Begins in Treatment Programs

The main thing you or your loved one needs to do to get off drugs is to get in treatment. The longer an addict waits to get professional help for their problems, the higher the risk becomes of them overdosing.

Are you looking for help with your substance abuse problems? If so, contact us now to find out about the treatment programs we offer.

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