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Addiction Treatment 

Substance use disorder (SUD) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as “a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.” It involves an “intense focus on using a certain substance(s) such as alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs, to the point where the person’s ability to function in day-to-day life becomes impaired.” Severe cases of SUD are sometimes referred to as addiction. This consuming focus has destructive consequences on the lives of those with SUD and their loved ones. However, help is available from Aletheia House. Here’s a look at three major approaches to addiction treatment, and how those services can help people break out of unhealthy cycles and into new life.

Type of  Addiction Therapy

Therapy is an essential component of addiction treatment. It can help patients more fully understand their behavior and motivations, cope with cravings and stress, and address co-occurring mental health problems. Types of  therapy for substance use disorders include: 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

• Medication Assisted Treatment

• Contingency Management (CM)

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is “the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a ‘whole-patient’ approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.” These medications are FDA-approved and are used to manage withdrawal symptoms when patients go through detoxification. Medication is also used to control cravings and prevent relapses.

Studies show that MAT can:

• Improve patient survival

• Increase retention in treatment

• Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders

• Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
• Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

Treatment Programs for Addiction

Multiple types of treatment programs  are available  work through addiction recovery. These programs often emphasize group settings, strengthening patients’ social support as they undergo treatment and work to transform their lifestyles. Various forms of treatment programs include the following:

• Residential treatment

• Outpatient treatment programs

• Individualized drug counseling

• Group counseling

For more information on the Medication Assisted Treatment. check out this link https://www.specialkindofcaring.org/services/medication-assisted-treatment/