Drug therapy is a widely used form of treatment for addiction, with an estimated 41 percent of people receiving drug-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid detoxification successfully completing the program. Of those who successfully complete the MAT for opioid dependence, about 13 percent receive outpatient treatment. It is estimated that one in three people who complete drug or alcohol treatment will remain sober, and relapse rates decline as a person progresses through their treatment programs. Building a support network is an important part of addiction recovery.
Meeting others in recovery and forming positive relationships can be difficult at first, but with regular attendance at 12-step meetings and other support groups, these connections are often genuine and occur spontaneously. It is important to remember that it can take time to make real progress on some issues, including trauma and mental health disorders, and a 30-day treatment program is not designed to serve as a lifelong comprehensive treatment for ongoing symptoms. It is essential to ensure that individualized treatment is provided, that the program includes aftercare and support, and that family members have access to support groups and other options.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT) is a valuable tool for addiction treatment because it can be used for many different types of addictions, including food addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription drug addiction.CBT helps individuals recognize their unhealthy behavior patterns and learn to identify triggers and develop coping skills. It can also be combined with other therapeutic techniques such as Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy (REBT), which helps individuals recognize their negative thoughts and combat feelings of self-defeat.
Contingency Management
(CM) is another form of therapy that can be used to treat a wide variety of addictions, including alcohol, narcotics, and tobacco. CM reinforces positive behavior by providing tangible rewards, which has been proven to help combat relapse.Spontaneous remission for drug or alcohol addiction refers to the phenomenon in which a person with a substance use disorder (SUD) stops using drugs or alcohol without any formal treatment or forced rehabilitation. The primary goal of drug addiction treatment is to help a person with addiction stop using the drug of their choice. It is important to note that there is limited scientific literature evaluating mandatory pharmacological treatment, and evidence does not suggest better outcomes related to mandatory treatment approaches. Given the potential for human rights abuses within mandatory treatment settings, policymakers should prioritize non-mandatory treatment modalities that seek to reduce drug-related harm.
