Why Does Addiction Treatment Work?

In 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that approximately 24 million Americans struggled with substance use disorders, including alcohol and drug abuse. This number is up from 21.5 million people in 2018, indicating a significant increase in the prevalence of addiction. These numbers show a need for addiction treatment more than ever; luckily, many people have found addiction treatment success.

The SAMHSA also reports that people with substance use disorders are more likely to experience chronic physical, mental, and emotional health issues, making it difficult to live a normal life. The effects of addiction can be devastating on both an individual and societal level, leading to lost productivity, premature death, financial difficulties, relationship strain, and other serious consequences.

Addiction treatment programs like those offered at BlueCrest Recovery Center offer hope and healing to those struggling with addiction. Call [DirectNumber] to learn more about our programs and services.

Addiction Treatment Success

For hundreds of people each year, addiction treatment allows them to overcome damaging behaviors in order to find recovery. To explore why addiction treatment can be so effective, we’ve broken down some of the most common benefits of treatment below.

Addiction Treatment Allows You to Find Support from Your Peers

Most addiction treatment programs incorporate some element of peer support, whether through group therapy, 12-step meetings, or other techniques. Peer support is so valuable during recovery because struggling with addiction can lead to social isolation and rejection of family and friends. Rebuilding a supportive peer network is critical to begin the recovery process. Research also supports the inclusion of peer support in addiction recovery.

  • A 2008 study published in the journal Occupational Therapy International found that participants in a peer support group had lower relapse rates and a higher quality of life.
  • A 2016 study from the journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation found that participation in peer support groups could strengthen recovery from substance abuse, make participants more likely to seek treatment, and help them make healthier choices around chronic medical conditions like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

This is one of the reasons for the continued popularity and success of peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), both of which are often recommended by treatment programs for ongoing support after treatment concludes.

Addiction Treatment Is Led by Trained and Licensed Professionals

Reputable addiction treatment providers employ professionals trained in addiction treatment and licensed and certified by their state. Typical roles at addiction treatment programs include licensed therapists, social workers, addiction counselors, interventionists, and medical professionals, including doctors and nurses. Many treatment team members have Master’s degrees in their field and may be in recovery themselves, allowing them to share their perspectives and experiences.

It’s essential to choose a licensed and accredited treatment program for a variety of reasons, including your safety and the success of your treatment experience. Research also shows that licensed addiction professionals are more likely to use evidence-based practices that are supported by independent studies.

In fact, 83% of providers surveyed in 2008 reported using evidence-based treatment in their programs, and that number has only grown since then.

Addiction Treatment Can Lower Your Risk of Relapse

Successful addiction treatment programs can help their clients reduce their risk of relapse or the chance that they will return to using addictive substances after a period of sobriety. While relapse is possible with any chronic illness—and does not indicate that recovery has failed—learning skills to understand and avoid common relapse triggers can help clients re-entering their everyday lives.

A 2015 article in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine found that relapse prevention worked best when it included techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is included in many reputable treatment programs.

Equipping clients with practical methods for determining their relapse triggers, learning to create lifestyles and routines that avoid these triggers, and better coping when a relapse does occur are key outcomes for addiction treatment programs. Without proper support from trained therapists, it’s challenging for individuals to manage their recovery and relapse risks on their own.

Addiction Treatment Can Provide More Support for Your Recovery

Many people choose to attend an addiction treatment program when they feel they have run out of options for recovery. Perhaps they have tried to quit using addictive substances on their own with little success, or maybe they have recently relapsed after a period of sobriety. Whatever the reason, individuals seeking addiction treatment are typically looking for a different approach to recovery than they have previously tried.

Luckily, reputable addiction treatment providers understand that people in early recovery need hands-on support to understand, manage, and cope with addiction. Often this involves providing structure, guidelines, and a framework for recovery, such as 12-step meetings or different treatment phases. This step-by-step guidance is one significant difference between professional addiction treatment programs and attempting to get sober on your own.

This structure can also help people in recovery feel more empowered in their lives and understand that they, too, can make a difference for themselves and others. A 2013 study from the journal BMC Psychiatry found that people in recovery found treatment most effective when they could “help others and feel useful” while they recovered.

Addiction Treatment Provides a Safe Space

Many people seeking recovery enter an addiction treatment program with their lives upended by addiction. In many cases, they may no longer be speaking with family members and friends. In other cases, they may have lost their jobs, ended their careers, dropped out of school, or become homeless.

This is why most treatment programs include a series of individual and group discussion sessions where clients can openly discuss their substance use history, challenges, and hopes for the future. The ability to candidly share life experiences and setbacks with others who have undergone similar experiences can be healing and transformational.

At the same time, most treatment programs also incorporate family members and loved ones in the recovery process. Through family therapy sessions, clients can heal emotional wounds, reconcile with estranged loved ones, and feel more confident returning to their everyday lives.

Discover Addiction Treatment Success at BlueCrest Recovery Center

Every individual’s journey to recovery is unique. Yet for many people worldwide, seeking professional addiction treatment has enabled them to find the support and stability they need to reach lasting recovery. While long-term addiction treatment success varies from person to person, working with a reputable treatment program is often safer and more sustainable than trying to recover alone.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, please get in touch with BlueCrest Recovery Center today by calling [DirectNumber] or online.

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