Addiction treatment is a vital tool in helping address the horrific consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. There are a number of theories, but most have an established foundation, relying on a few helpful techniques. Here are six typical techniques used in addiction therapy services.
Group Therapy
Group sessions are invariably a technique used in nearly every recovery model. The inherent sense of freedom generated through developing associations with like-minded individuals has a history of proven success.
Addiction treatment centers will offer both in-house group therapy techniques, as well as outside opportunities. The rewards of meetings, hearing other addict’s stories of strength and hope, can be essential building blocks towards sustained recovery.
Individual Counseling
This is a general technique used in addiction treatment. There are various methods and ideologies that are applied depending on the degree of addictive behavior and the type of addiction.
One important aspect of individual counseling is that it is tailored to the specific needs of each person. Licensed professionals work with you on a private, one-on-one basis to help you uncover factors that may seem overwhelming.
Dual Diagnosis
This is a relatively new concept in addiction therapy techniques. The theory that outside issues are almost always a root cause of addiction has been long appreciation. However, digging into these areas is now a common recovery technique.
Dual diagnosis involves the unearthing of mental and emotional challenges, such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. These are tremendously challenging problems an addict or alcoholic may suffer.
There is increasing support for the use of dual diagnosis as a valuable tool in recovery. It can be such a refreshing revelation to open up and find a problem that has been at the core of behaviors that are cunning and baffling.
Motivational Therapy
This is an ideology that works towards supporting your internal feelings about recovery. Rather than insist on a series of steps or focusing on aspects of your life that need to be changed, motivational therapy simply encourages you to accept that change is essential.
Acceptance to change is the key in this technique. This recovery technique can be the support from a group setting. However, it is most beneficial when blended into one-on-one individual counseling sessions. A trained professional will appreciate how to evoke self-supporting, motivational types of thoughts that lead to positive behaviors.
Family Counseling
After a period of individual one-on-one therapy sessions and group involvement, another useful technique used by addiction treatment services addresses the family element. This can often be a valuable aspect of total healing.
Addiction and alcoholism can wreak havoc on the family. It can all but destroy the thread that bonds a family unit together. A key factor in sustained recovery from addiction must involve addressing the damage done to those around you, including yourself.
Family counseling will begin to impress upon you how much pain and agony a life run on an addictive self-will has wrought on your family. Frequently, those who do not suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism simply don’t understand the nature of illness.
While family counseling resembles group therapy in some aspects, it is not an environment where you will always benefit from someone who identifies with your struggle. In fact, it may be exactly the opposite. A counselor-guided family counseling schedule will help heal the wounds that addiction causes.
Alternative Therapies
As with dual diagnosis, using alternative types of therapy has been growing in popularity for addressing addiction recovery. There has been a great deal of success in the recovery community from using such things as exercise, music, or the arts.
While meditative practices have long been a staple in various recovery models, opening up to new things in your life can be a wonderful part of recovery. Exercise is helpful in reducing tension and anxiety. So too are the musical arts.
Recovery strategies have also found tremendous benefits from offering addicts and alcoholics an experience with artistic expression. Not only are these types of alternative recovery approaches helpful, they can also establish exciting things to do in you travel your own journey in recovery.
These are six typical techniques used by treatment services to help foster successful recovery. The idea is to find a path that works for you. If you think you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, do not leave the ultimate determination to chance.
The consequences of untreated addiction can be catastrophic. You owe it to yourself to seek help immediately. You may or may not have a problem. If you do, these are some typical techniques used by addiction treatment services to help you. Call one of our counselors today at 844-639-8371.