Therapy for Substance Abuse
What is substance abuse treatment? Keep reading to learn about effective therapy for substance abuse and ways to manage symptoms.
What is Therapy for Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is when people misuse drugs or alcohol, which can cause health problems, legal issues, and stress for them and their families. In therapy, people figure out why they got addicted, learn to cope, and build supportive relationships to stay sober and feel better. This is why it’s important to consider therapy for substance abuse to promote long-term recovery.
Substance Use Disorder: Overview
When someone has SUD, it is hard for them to control their use of drugs or alcohol. Even if it’s causing problems to the individual’s health and everyday doings, they find it hard to cut back on using drugs or alcohol.
Getting therapy for substance abuse is a vital step to improving overall well-being.
Symptoms of Tolerance
- The need to consume larger amounts of the substance
- The inability to achieve the same level of intoxication with the same amount
- Increased frequency to achieve the desired effect
Symptoms of Withdrawal
- Symptoms occur when an individual stops using the substance
- Physical symptoms: Tremors, nausea, vomiting, and headaches
- Emotional symptoms: Anxiety, irritability, and depression
How Therapy Can Help with Substance Use Disorder
Types of Therapy for Substance Abuse
Some of the various types of therapy for substance abuse include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), as well as group, and family therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people recognize and alter addictive thoughts and behaviors. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches mindfulness to regulate powerful emotions and strengthen relationships. Motivational interviewing (MI) aims to increase individuals’ motivation to change. Family and group therapy aid family members affected by the addiction.
Benefits of Therapy for Substance Abuse
In therapy for substance abuse, individuals can learn how to manage triggers and cravings effectively. Therapists help individuals develop effective strategies to prevent relapse and maintain sobriety. Therapy can be helpful for people who are working on overcoming addiction.
It can help them rebuild their relationships with themselves and others in a positive way. Therapy offers support and encouragement to live a healthy and satisfying life without being held back by addiction.
Commonly Used Therapies for Substance Use Disorder
It’s beneficial to have a deeper understanding of the various therapies available when considering which treatment opportunity is best for your or your loved one. We will detail the most prominent therapy techniques and what they entail below.
CBT
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that has proven to help people overcome addiction. CBT is a goal-focused therapy that helps people change bad thoughts and behaviors that contribute to addiction.
By understanding the reasons behind addiction, they can develop healthy ways to cope and make positive changes.
DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is another type of therapy that benefits individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders. DBT is a form of CBT that emphasizes emotional regulation and stress management.
Through individual and group sessions, individuals learn to identify and regulate their emotions, reducing the risk of relapse.
MI
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic approach assisting individuals in exploring their motivations for making changes in their lives. It’s a collaborative approach that helps build self-confidence and a positive outlook on recovery.
By exploring motivations for change, individuals can develop a stronger commitment to recovery.
Group Therapy
In group therapy, people work together in a supportive environment to learn from each other and develop new coping skills, like being part of a team with a common goal.
By sharing experiences with others, individuals can gain new perspectives on addiction and learn how to manage triggers and cravings in healthier ways.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is a type of therapy where the whole family gets involved in the recovery process. It aims to improve communication and relationships within the family.
Family therapy can be a helpful part of the recovery process, involving the whole family to support the individual’s healing.2
Effectiveness of Therapy for Substance Use Disorder
Therapy for substance abuse is a really good way to help people who are struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Studies have shown that therapy can help people overcome their addiction and stay sober for a long time.
How effective therapy is depends on a few things, like how bad the addiction is. So, it’s important for people who are struggling with substance abuse to get therapy from a licensed professional. That way, they can get the best treatment plan just right for them.
Active Participation and Commitment is Key
It’s important for the person getting therapy to be fully committed to it. Being active in therapy means participating actively during sessions and being open and honest with the therapist.
Being dedicated to getting healthy and making positive life changes to stay sober is important. Engaging in the process improves recovery.
Building Trust and Rapport
One of the keys to successful therapy for substance abuse is having a strong connection between the therapist and the person receiving treatment. They should trust each other and understand each other’s feelings.
They must also provide a secure space for substance abuse-related feelings, ideas, and acts. It’s all about treating each other with respect, and that’s what makes the therapy work well.
Personalized Treatment
Willingness to Change in Therapy for Substance Use Disorder
In treating substance use disorder (SUD), a person must be willing to change. Yet, many SUD patients deal with ambivalence and reluctance to change, which can hamper recovery. That’s where therapy for substance abuse comes in.
Therapists can help individuals explore their feelings about change and find the motivation to overcome their addiction.4
Understand that Recovery is an Ongoing Process
Build a Strong Support Network for Optimal Success
A supportive network is also crucial to the success of SUD treatment. Family and friends can encourage and motivate healing. In group therapy for substance abuse, you can meet other people who understand what it’s like to struggle with addiction.
They can offer support, advice, and encouragement and become a supportive network of friends. This type of therapy can help you build healthy relationships with other people and repair ones that may have been hurt by your addiction.
Therapy for substance abuse is all about receiving help from others, those who are professionals as well as family members, friends, and even strangers who’ve been there. Don’t try to overcome addiction on your own. Rely on others to create change in your life.
Advice for Maximizing the Benefits of Therapy
Achieving optimal results from therapy for substance abuse requires some effort from individuals. It’s important to have a realistic goal you can actually achieve during therapy for substance abuse.
As aforementioned, taking part actively in therapy sessions is also very important because it helps you build a strong relationship with your therapist. Being honest and open with your therapist is key to getting the treatment that’s best for you.
Regular Therapy Routines are Extremely Helpful in Recovery
Regular attendance at therapy sessions is also vital to achieving positive outcomes. It’s important to show up for all the therapy sessions that are scheduled. Regular appointments help you focus on your goals and stay accountable for your treatment plan.
This also lets your therapist keep an eye on how well you’re doing and adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Understanding the Importance of Self-Care
Taking care of yourself is important for better results. Self-care includes exercising, eating well, getting adequate sleep, and doing things that make you happy. Self-care is crucial for health and self-esteem.
Building healthy habits and hobbies are crucial to replacing addictive behavior. These things can help you manage stress and anxiety and make you feel healthier overall. This can also make therapy for substance abuse easier because it’s important to take care of your body and mind while you work toward recovery.
Finding the Right Therapy and Therapist for You
Finding the right therapist and therapy approach can play a significant role in treatment success when seeking therapy for substance abuse.
However, this can be a challenging task for individuals. Several factors need to be considered when choosing a therapist, including the therapist’s qualifications, experience, and approach to therapy.
What is a Consultation?
Friends, family, and doctors who have experienced therapy can recommend therapists. Online research and patient reviews can also reveal a therapist’s approach. Potential clients can talk to different therapists to see if they are a good match. This is called a consultation.
During the consultation, they can ask the therapist questions about how they plan to help with their addiction and what the therapy will be like. It’s important to look for a therapist who is experienced with therapy for substance abuse and whose approach works well for the individual.
Find the Therapist That Makes You Feel Heard
For therapy to be effective, it is essential to have confidence in your intuition and feel at ease with the therapist you select. If the individual feels uncomfortable or does not trust their therapist, it can hinder the therapeutic relationship and progress in treatment.
What We Offer
At Rise Above Treatment, we offer different types of therapies that are proven to help people struggling with substance abuse. Our therapies are based on scientific evidence and are designed to address the root causes of addiction.
We provide a variety of tools and techniques to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. Seeking therapy for substance abuse is an important step towards overcoming addiction, and our team of experts is dedicated to helping our clients reach their goals.
Treatment Opportunities
At Rise Above, we offer a number of evidence-based treatment options, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Reach Out to Rise Above Today For Personalized Substance Abuse Treatment
When it comes to therapy for substance abuse, Rise Above Treatment has you covered. We offer a team of smart, compassionate, and well-trained therapists who know different types of therapy for substance abuse. We use evidence-based treatment that tackles the root causes of addiction. Each patient will receive a personalized treatment plan that fits their unique needs and circumstances.
Our experts help people with addiction by teaching them how to handle triggering experiences with healthy coping mechanisms, understand themselves better, and build healthier relationships with others. We have helped many people recover from substance abuse, and we are committed to your recovery.
Contact Us Today to Begin Healing
If you or someone you love needs help with overcoming addiction, Rise Above Treatment is a great place to start with therapy for substance abuse. We can help you lead a healthier, happier, and more satisfying life.
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Are you ready to Rise Above your mental health and addiction challenges?
Reach out to us today. Let us provide the support and guidance needed for sustainable recovery and wellness, allowing you to lead the happy, healthy, and fulfilling life you deserve.
Resources
- 1https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/treatment—recovery/treatment—recovery/prescription-for-success/warning-signs-of-drug-abuse.html
- 2https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64208/
- 3https://oxfordre.com/economics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190625979.001.0001/acrefore-9780190625979-e-103;jsessionid=69E710A1E291A36DB37A6CF9424AB7FD
- 4https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/tip35_final_508_compliant_-_02252020_0.pdf
