Top 10 Treatment Modalities For Addiction

Although addiction is not a curable disease, it can be managed effectively with a number of different evidence-based treatments. 

Through drug and alcohol rehab programs, there are a few common levels of care: inpatient treatment, detoxification, and outpatient care. 

Within these levels of care, clients may receive counseling, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), educational classes, and other services that teach them to recognize triggers and stop the cycle of substance abuse. 

Forms Of Behavioral Therapy 

There are many different types of substance abuse therapy that are used throughout the addiction treatment process. Therapy can be done one-on-one or in group settings with other people. 

Since therapy can be done in person or virtually, it’s considered a more accessible form of care than some other treatment methods. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

One of the most popular types of addiction therapy is CBT, which helps clients become aware of negative patterns and triggers that can lead to a relapse. 

Therapists who use CBT guide clients as they identify problems within their lives and get to the root causes of those issues. 

After identifying the negative pattern, clients can then learn healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, to uproot problematic behaviors and replace them with positive ones. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 

DBT is similar to CBT in many ways. Its primary goal is to help people understand how to regulate their emotions in a healthy way. 

The main focuses of DBT include: 

• analyzing unhealthy behavioral patterns and learning new, healthier ones 
• changing negative thought patterns 
• learning to work with others 
• learning to be mindful, present, and “in the moment” 
• developing new skills for group interactions 

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR) 

EMDR is commonly used for mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it also has useful applications as a treatment for the trauma that causes addiction. 

This type of therapy is particularly helpful to people who use substances as a result of trauma since it directly reduces the stress felt from reliving traumatic memories. 

By stimulating the brain through bilateral eye movements, sound tones, or taps, clients can create more positive associations around traumatic memories. 

Motivational Interviewing (MI) 

MI is a treatment method that helps clients find, strengthen, and maintain their motivation to stay sober. 

These sessions are done individually to help people focus on their unique strengths and plans for recovery, which are often created by clients themselves in order to encourage commitment. 

The Matrix Model 

The Matrix Model is largely used as a treatment for stimulant addiction to cocaine, methamphetamines, and other “uppers.” 

It combines a number of other modalities, such as family therapy, peer support, and relapse prevention, to promote feelings of self-respect, confidence, and dignity in the client. 

12-Step Programming 

One of the most widely known addiction treatment methods is commonly referred to as the 12 steps, which is used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other peer recovery support groups. 

The 12 steps, many of which are spiritual in nature, encourage people to connect to a higher power and to others who have experienced similar battles with addiction. 

Although the 12 steps on their own are not always enough to help people achieve and maintain sobriety, they can be a useful tool when combined with other addiction recovery methods. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a common and vitally important tool in helping people through the worst effects of addiction to opioids, opiates, and alcohol. 

Some popular medications used for this purpose include: 

• methadone 
• naltrexone (Vivitrol)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• acamprosate (Campral)
• buprenorphine 

These medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms, block euphoric effects, reduce cravings, or cause an unpleasant reaction if the substance is used while taking the medication.

MAT works best in conjunction with other addiction treatments like counseling. 

Holistic And Alternative Treatments

Holistic treatments are practices designed to help nourish the client’s mind, body, and soul during substance abuse recovery. 

There are many different holistic therapies that can be utilized during treatment, so the exact options offered will vary from one rehab center to another.

Nutritional Counseling 

Many people who enter treatment for alcohol or drug addiction have experienced physical deterioration as a side effect of substance abuse, so it’s common for clients to have nutritional deficiencies. 

Nutritional counseling helps clients learn how to prepare balanced meals and properly nourish their bodies for overall improved health. 

Mindfulness Practices

Meditation and journaling are two mindfulness practices that often go hand-in-hand with other drug and alcohol addiction treatments. 

These techniques help people learn to be present and less reactive to their emotions, allowing them to feel more in control when triggered to consume substances. 

Recreational Activities 

Exercise has been proven to be an essential part of good mental health, and many rehab centers incorporate physical activities into their programs. 

Some popular activities found at these facilities include yoga, hiking, or team sports like basketball and soccer. 

Equine therapy is also an increasingly popular option at rehab centers around the country, giving clients a chance to participate in the care of another living being while enjoying time outside. 

Find Addiction Treatment Today 

Substance abuse affects everyone differently. Get help finding the right addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one by calling us today.

Published on May 31, 2023

Written by the Free Rehab Centers Editorial Staff