Addiction treatment can be comprised of various types of programs, including medical detox, medically assisted treatment, inpatient and outpatient programs, various types of therapy, and aftercare. This article will explore the options and help you understand the nature of recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Addiction treatment is typically multi-faceted, with various types of care, including medication-assisted treatment, inpatient, outpatient, therapy, and aftercare.
- Clinicians assess clients carefully to determine which type of care is most suited.
- Clients typically receive various types of care, either simultaneously or as part of a step-down approach, with adjustments based on progress.
Table of Contents
- How Do I Know Which Substance Treatment is Right For Me?
- What are the Various Types of Addiction Treatment?
- What are the Medicated Approaches Included in Addiction Treatment?
- What are the Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment?
- What Types of Therapy are Included in Addiction Treatment?
- BlueCrest Recovery Offers Personalized Care to Support Optimal Well-Being
- FAQs
Introduction
When it comes to substance use disorder recovery, combined treatment beats a single approach. Individuals tend to achieve better outcomes with treatment services that offer multiple levels of care and combine therapy with medication. For example, a 2020 PubMed study found that combining cognitive behavioral therapy with medication is more effective than usual care plus medication alone.
Fortunately, there are various types of addiction treatment in the recovery spectrum, ensuring a personalized approach. But which is right for you or your loved one? This article will review your options, so you are aware of what treatment might entail.
How Do I Know Which Substance Treatment is Right For Me?
Typically, clinicians use the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to determine the type of substance treatment program that’s right for clients. They will conduct a thorough assessment of the individual’s mental and physical health and environmental factors, and compare outcomes across six dimensions, as follows:
- Intoxication, Withdrawal, and Addiction Medications — acute risk, severity of withdrawal, need for medications.
- Biomedical Conditions — co-occurring physical health needs.
- Psychiatric and Cognitive Conditions — co-occurring mental health and cognitive issues.
- Substance Use-Related Risks — likelihood of risky use and related behaviors.
- Recovery Environment Interactions — the person’s living situation, supports, and stressors.
- Person-Centered Considerations — barriers to care, social determinants of health, patient preferences, and motivational needs.
What are the Various Types of Addiction Treatment?
Addiction treatment typically falls into different categories, including medical approaches, inpatient and outpatient rehab, therapy, and aftercare. Most treatment plans include various modalities to guide a personalized approach. Some treatments are provided simultaneously, while others are administered as part of a step-down plan.
The following sections will review the various treatment options that guide effective addiction treatment.
What are the Medicated Approaches Included in Addiction Treatment?
Medicated approaches include medical detox, a short-term approach to managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and medication-assisted treatment, a long-term solution for emotional regulation, as follows:
1. Medical Detoxification
Detox is typically the first stage of the recovery journey, and it can be the most challenging. Clients will experience withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to functioning without drugs and alcohol in their system. Symptoms can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening.
Medications are used to control symptoms and cravings during the detox process. For example, anticonvulsants can prevent seizures during alcohol detox. Opioid agonists reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms during opioid detox.
2. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-Assisted Treatment uses FDA-approved medications combined with counseling. While it can refer to medical detox, it also encompasses a longer-term medicated approach wherein antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds are used for emotional regulation.
Many individuals use substances to deal with unwanted emotions. MAT provides a healthier solution.
Mood regulation medications are commonly integrated into substance use treatment, but other meds may be prescribed for long-term stability and cravings management.
What are the Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment?
The levels of care in addiction treatment include residential treatment, partial care, intensive outpatient programs, and traditional outpatient services. Each can be a primary level of care or a step down from a higher level, as follows.
3. Inpatient Programs
People who require a high level of structured support after completing detox typically move on to inpatient care. They live in a facility 24/7 for a set period, typically between 30 and 90 days. While recovery plans vary depending on the facility, treatment often includes group and individual therapy, holistic care, healing activities, medication management, and crisis support.
4. Partial Care
Also known as a partial hospitalization program, this level of care can be a step down from an inpatient program or a primary level of care for individuals with a supportive home environment who can adhere to treatment without 24/7 oversight. It may also be a good choice for those who can’t afford inpatient care or can’t leave home for treatment due to work or caregiving responsibilities.
The program is similar to inpatient care in format, offering therapy and healing activities during the day. However, care is more of a ‘full-time approach’ requiring clients to attend sessions for several hours a day, several days a week, while living at home.
5. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
IOP can also serve as primary care or a step down from partial care. Clients at this level attend shorter therapy sessions, typically around 3 hours, 3-5 days a week. It’s recommended for individuals who don’t require the structured support of a daily program, but still need ongoing care.
This program is also ideal for those who can’t step away from work for treatment. BlueCrest Recovery offers an evening IOP, which is ideal for individuals in this situation.
6. Outpatient Rehab
At this level, individuals will continue attending therapy sessions, typically lasting 30-45 minutes, once or twice a week. It is generally part of follow-up care, offering ongoing support for sobriety maintenance and emotional regulation.
7. Aftercare- Long-Term Addiction Treatment
Clinicians understand that recovery isn’t instantly achieved the minute clients complete the initial stages of care- it’s a lifelong process. They continue to offer support through resources, check-ins, group counseling, and alumni services to reduce the risk of relapse.
What Types of Therapy are Included in Addiction Treatment?
Addiction therapy is typically evidence-based and is delivered as either group therapy or individual therapy. It often includes a dual-diagnosis approach, as follows:
8. Individual Therapy
Clients attend one-on-one sessions for a more personalized approach. Typically, evidence-based practices are used, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Identifies and addresses negative thought patterns and teaches coping mechanisms to support healthier behavior.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Takes a more mindful approach to emotion regulation, with a focus on distress tolerance.
- Motivational Interviewing: Targets ambiguity in the recovery journey, motivating people to want to get better.
9. Group Therapy
Clients get together to discuss their experiences. This approach reduces feelings of isolation and helps people understand they are not uniquely broken. Evidence-based practices may be integrated.
10. Dual Diagnosis Treatment
SAMHSA statistics show 21.2 million people have co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. Individuals use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. While substances can temporarily relieve symptoms, they often take people on a downward spiral, increasing emotional dysregulation and causing stressful problems.
A dual diagnosis approach focuses on addiction and mental disorders simultaneously. It gets to the root of the problem, promoting long-term recovery.
BlueCrest Recovery Offers Personalized Care to Support Optimal Well-Being
BlueCrest Recovery of New Jersey offers a full spectrum of outpatient care for individuals with mental health and substance use issues. We assess each client carefully and choose a level of care that meets them where they are in the recovery process. Our team of specialists provides an integrated approach and continuum of treatment, ensuring successful, long-term outcomes.
Contact us to learn how we can guide you on the path to improved health.
FAQs
Does insurance cover addiction treatment?
Yes, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act mandates that insurance covers substance use and mental health treatment with similar coverage as would be provided for any other medical condition. However, plans vary. Talk to your provider and treatment program before enrolling to learn exactly what’s covered.
What’s the difference between detox and rehab?
Detox refers to a drying-out period that focuses on managing withdrawal symptoms and breaking the physical bonds of recovery. Rehab is the therapy that addresses the underlying causes of addiction.
Is medication-assisted treatment replacing one addiction with another?
While some may say that MAT gets you hooked on one drug instead of another, it’s healthier to think of addiction as a disease. And just like any disease, you need medications to get better. This outlook reduces stigma in the recovery process.
What happens during the initial assessment?
The initial assessment in a treatment program typically requires reviewing the individual’s physical and mental health to guide the recovery plan. The clinician will conduct a complete examination to ensure a safe and effective treatment.
Can a family be involved in treatment?
Yes, family therapy is often part of addiction treatment. Families are brought into therapy sessions to learn more about their loved one’s dependency issues and mental health, ensuring they provide a supportive home environment.
Sources
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. “The ASAM Criteria.” https://www.asam.org/asam-criteria
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. “ASAM Criteria 4th Edition.” https://www.asam.org/asam-criteria/asam-criteria-4th-edition
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Substance Use Disorder Treatment.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.” https://library.samhsa.gov/product/tip-63-medications-opioid-use-disorder/pep21-02-01-002
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Brief Guide.” https://library.samhsa.gov/product/medication-treatment-alcohol-use-disorder-brief-guide/sma15-4907
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Treatment.” https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition).” https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
- McHugh RK, Hearon BA, Otto MW. “Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders.” Psychiatric Clinics of North America. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2897895/
- Rural Health Information Hub. “Behavioral Therapy Models for Substance Use Disorder Programs.” https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/substance-use/2/treatment/behavioral-therapy
