Addiction Treatment is a medically supervised process that helps individuals who are addicted to substances such as alcohol or drugs to stop using and re-engage with life. It can also help people who are struggling with substance abuse disorders to find work or get back into school or training.

Treatment for addiction includes a combination of therapy and medications. It is also a chance to build a new support network and develop new healthy habits.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment is one of the most intensive forms of addiction treatment. It involves 24-hour supervision and support from a specialized team of doctors, therapists and other mental health experts.

The program usually lasts between 30 and 90 days, but can also be long-term, for a year or longer. The length of the program is determined by the severity of a person's substance use disorder and their medical, mental and social needs.

During the residential treatment program, clients will receive ongoing counseling sessions that focus on building coping skills and strategies for recovery. These skills will help them to better manage stress and cope with negative thoughts and emotions.

Residential treatment also involves a therapeutic community of people who share experiences and encourage each other to stay focused on recovery. This supportive environment can be a crucial part of recovery for those who have struggled with their addiction and who are trying to build new habits that will support a sober lifestyle.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is a key component of an addiction treatment program and allows patients to continue living at home, working or going to school while receiving the support and care they need. However, it is important to note that outpatient treatment is not for everyone and it is best to be referred to an inpatient treatment center if withdrawal symptoms are severe or there are other medical concerns.

In addition to treatment, outpatient programs provide counseling and other non-residential services. These can include case management, drug education and prevention programs, relapse prevention, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders and referrals to community resources.

Outpatient therapy can take the form of individual therapy, group therapy and family therapy. Sessions can be conducted at different frequencies, including weekly, twice a week, every other week and monthly, depending on the needs of the client and progress in treatment. The goal of outpatient treatment is to help clients change problematic behaviors and achieve long-term recovery from their substance abuse problems.

Self-Help Groups

As part of an addiction treatment program, self-help groups provide a safe environment to share experiences with other individuals. They are typically non-professional and are facilitated by peers who have experienced similar issues.

Research shows that participation in a self-help group during and after treatment can help prevent relapses. They can also help people find new abstinent friends and learn coping strategies that work for them.

A study of 114 patients with alcohol or drug dependency who started in self-help groups after addiction treatment found that 38% still participated two years later. Using intention-to-treat analysis, the odds of remaining abstinent were 12.6 times higher for those who regularly participated in self-help groups than those who did not (OR = 12.6, 95% CI 4.1-38.3, p 0.001).

Mutual self-help groups can help individuals with substance use disorders achieve recovery through peer support, shared goals, and a positive recovery environment. They are typically free, anonymous, and accessible over the long-term trajectory of recovery.

Counseling

Counseling can be an effective treatment option for a variety of addictions. It aims to help individuals understand their own habits and develop new ways of living.

Counselors use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help people recognise and change negative thinking patterns that can lead to substance abuse. These sessions often involve one-to-one or group work.

Medications can also be an important part of an addiction treatment program. Methadone, levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol and naltrexone are used to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal and treat alcoholism or opiate dependency.

Often, counseling is part of residential treatment programs and can be combined with a detox program or supervised outpatient care. Patients live at the treatment center for the duration of their stay and attend individual and group sessions, participate in recovery groups and have time for meals, physical activity and recreational activities. They are also monitored for continued abstinence from chemicals using urine and blood tests. These programs are typically offered in fully licensed residential facilities and last anywhere from a few weeks to a number of months.