What is Evidence-Based Treatment for Addiction?

Many of us know someone or have family who struggles with alcoholism or some other form of addiction. Often times it is the family seeking out the proper care for these individuals when they will not do it themselves. Those who seek out addiction treatment for their loved ones or themselves often review these facilities looking for those that will provide results for a long-term recovery.

The latest trends in families researching drug rehab facilities are reviewing results and any proven addiction treatment due to a positive recovery. These drug rehabs that they are seeking are evidence-based facilities. It is critical to note that evidence also suggests that addictions extend beyond initial sobriety, and managing these addictions are critical to keeping patients sober and healthy. Addiction is a disease that will always require management very much like high blood pressure requires a daily pill.

What is Evidence-Based Treatment?

Essentially, when a facility utilizes certain methods for addiction treatment and they find long-term recovery and positive results, they will utilize these practices as an evidence-based treatment plan. With different facilities offering different programs, it is critical to research and knows what is the proven addiction treatment for that facility. The research supporting most evidence-based treatment is often found in-house from former patients with those employed with the facility managing the results. This is essential because if a facility is utilizing a program and/or therapy that is not showing signs of sober outcomes will need this information so that they can determine the current treatment is not working and move forward with a more successful program. This idea of evidence-based was first introduced in the nursing field, and then later into therapies of behavior and addiction. These treatments are often in the form of therapy and medical professionals within these facilities are monitoring the progress and sobriety of those who successfully complete the program to determine if the treatment is indeed effective.

What Are Some Types of Evidence-Based Therapies?

Group Therapy

One of the most common types of addiction treatments with proven results is group therapy. A technique that has been used for at least a decade, group therapy is a well-researched therapy with evidence from a variety of facilities. Patients with similar addictions such as alcoholism gather in a group one or more a week and discuss their addictions openly with each other. Studies in many facilities have determined that group therapy provides a comforting emotion to addicts because they become aware that this disease is not their own.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The treatment designed to prevent addicts from going back to their addiction, cognitive behavioral therapy is a successfully proven addiction treatment. This treatment focuses on relearning skills to help deal with the emotions that trigger the need to use. Evidence has shown that once these addicts recover and become reintroduced to sobriety, they utilize the methods that they have learned and discovered in the cognitive behavioral therapy session. What these sessions do is determine exactly what will trigger addicts to desire a relapse and psychologically trigger a new action instead of using whatever that patient’s particular addiction. Triggers can be emotional, environmental, and situational. These triggers will continue to present themselves for the duration of the patient’s life, so they must be successful in learning new tactics other than turning to the addiction.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy

One of the newer therapies to be developed and introduced to drug rehab facilities is the motivational enhancement therapy. This therapy comes after the group and cognitive therapy session, where patients have accepted their addiction, accepted what it has done to their lives, understand that it will always be a personal battle, and transition the situation into a positive one for their goals. These patients are encouraged to set goals, both small and large, and each time they attain them, their motivation increases and their desire for whatever substance is no longer a taste. The thrill of goal setting becomes their new addiction and this has proven in recent years to be a positive therapy action in rehabs across the nation.

Family Behavior Therapy

One of the more common therapy types that have evidence-based results is family behavior therapy. Once a patient can admit and understand their own addiction, they are able to move forward with family members and begin working developing relationships with loved ones again. In most cases, This therapy includes the person or parent that a person is living with regularly to assist with the sessions. They learn how to move forward sober in the home and are taught the technique to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Recovery is Possible with Evidenced-Based Treatment at Rise in Malibu

Evidence-based treatments are essential in the continued success of patients as they seek results and long-term recovery. The aforementioned therapies and treatments are only some of the most commonly utilized. When seeking treatment for addiction, take these therapies into consideration. Here at Rise in Malibu, our entire program utilizes evidence-based therapies combining clinical, holistic, traditional and medical methods to assist clients in achieving sustainable recovery from drug abuse.

Contact us today to learn more about how our clinical staff can help craft a unique, evidenced-based treatment plan that treats the core issues you have when it comes to substance abuse and co-ocurring mental illness.

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