9 Different Types of Therapies used in drug addiction

Why is therapy important in drug addiction?

Recovering from addiction is dependent upon the mental as well as physical aspects. A patient can cut the use of drugs but whether they will fall back into relapse depends on their emotional and mental well being. This cognitive mindset needs to be nurtured and monitored by undergoing a series of drug related therapies.

An addiction treatment program that includes individual as well as group therapies will help you overcome the seemingly endless substance use cycle.

How to identify individual addiction triggers?

In most cases, certain triggers are connected with addiction disorders that keep on bringing the affected individual back to the use of drugs. Each person has a different trigger but they can include being in the presence of a friend that uses drugs, certain social gatherings, a place or a specific time. Drug related therapies help identify such triggers and offer practices that prevent these triggers becoming a habit.

Why do people feel reluctant to drug related therapies?

Barriers to undergo an addiction therapy may vary from person to person but the most common ones are;

• Finances: It is generally believed that addiction therapies have a fairly high cost and they cannot be afforded by most individuals
• Location: Sometimes, inpatient rehab therapies are few and located far away so it may create a hindrance to treatment. A vast portion of the rehab centres are located in the urban areas which creates fewer opportunities for the people in rural areas
• Stigma: The social stigma might as well be one of the biggest barriers to adopting a drug related therapy. People sometimes consider themselves vulnerable to the strong perception that the public might hold towards their drug use.

9 most common types of therapies 

Holistic Therapy

A holistic approach to drug addiction caters for all the connected aspects of the human body. They may include approaches like yoga, meditation, dietary restrictions, acupuncture and practicing mindfulness. 

Holistic therapies focus on the mental, physical, emotional and even the spiritual side of things.

Drug Detoxification Therapy

Drug detox or medical detox aims at minimizing the harm caused by acute or chronic substance abuse disorder. In a medical detox, the patient will need to detoxify their body by abstaining from substances for an extended period of time. In the initial stages a medical detox may cause symptoms of withdrawal which are closely monitored by a therapist. During a drug detox the patient may need emotional and mental support from people they trust and medical professionals.

Inpatient Rehab Therapy

The drug user remains inside the rehab centre and interacts with other patients and medical professionals. This approach focuses on developing a high level of monitoring and accountability for drug abuse. A structured routine is adopted by each patient which includes time for sports, games, food, group sessions and other activities. 

Family Therapy for Drug Abuse

Drug abuse not only creates harm for the user but it also impacts the immediate family members and friends. Drug prevention therapies often include all family members from the spouse to the children so the deep bond can be developed. These types of therapies often focus on improving communication, reducing conflict, decreasing the impact of drugs and family unity.

Outpatient Rehab Therapy

A rehab therapy that often focuses on the patient while they live outside the rehab centre. The drug affected individual stays at their home or another safe location which offers greater flexibility to the patient. They can continue living their lives and taking care of their family while attending group therapy sessions once a week.  

Telehealth Addiction Therapy

Telehealth or online rehab therapy focuses on the treatment of patients using online mediums and sessions. Licensed practitioners are hired to attend sessions remotely which creates flexibility for both patient and therapist. 

Court ordered Rehab

A court ordered rehab generally focuses on the offenders who are ordered by the court to conduct drug related therapy instead of jail time. These programs help reduce relapse rates among non-violent drug offenders. Some offenders are given reduced sentences upon successful completion of the rehab program.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

This type of addiction therapy is aimed at identifying and analyzing the underlying cause that led to drug abuse in the first place. The brain is trained to avoid relapse and stay safe from events that may trigger drug abuse. CBT aims at restructuring the thought patterns that stop drug abuse and also addresses mental health problems. This type of therapy is not only ideal for drug abuse but also for depression and anxiety issues.

Teen Drug Rehab

As the name suggests, teen drug rehab is specifically focused at identifying and solving drug misuse problems in teens. The rehab addresses the issues that teens face and makes them prepared to face the outside world once again without any problems. 

Other Therapy types

Addiction therapies are of various types and each individual case is different so there is no set formula that works for all affected individuals.

Other types of therapy may include;

• Art Therapy: By tapping into the creativity that exists within each individual, therapists often use a very unique way to treat patients. Past trauma, mental health issues and stress can be leading causes of substance and behavioural addictions. Art therapy gives the individual adequate space to process certain negative emotions and express them in a healthy fashion which is art. 
• Equine-Assisted Therapy: Equine assisted therapy or animal assisted therapy is another bizarre yet productive way of managing drug addiction. Human beings have a strong affinity with horses even before the invention of vehicles. It is generally believed that horses help the individual calm their nervous system and provide relaxation for the brain.
• Experiential therapy: Some individuals might shy away from talking directly to a therapist so experiential therapy helps them undergo a series of experiences. These experiences help a person connect with the environment while remaining comfortable in their own mental space. The patient is not forced to reveal personal information as with traditional approaches. Certain light hearted, yet warming activities like rock climbing, sculpting, nature exploration are included in this therapy method. Experiential therapy is designed to help those in recovery develop a stronger sense of self by coming to terms with buried emotions and past traumas.  

Conclusion

Drug prevention is an ongoing process which demands a great deal of support, time and resources. Contacting a licensed therapist and identifying a drug related therapy for the individual should be a top priority in case further damage is to be avoided. Going through addiction treatment can be a very vulnerable experience. There are times when exposing your innermost thoughts and past traumas in group therapy or to a medical professional might feel unsafe. Individual therapy offers a safe place to express yourself and work through trauma and mental health issues in a way that is designed specifically for you.