Five types of therapy that can aid with addiction

There are millions of people around the world who suffer from some form of addiction. Everyone of them is different and everybody largely responds to treatment in different ways. 

Over the last few decades, rehabilitation for those seeking addiction treatment has been completely revolutionised. Today, rehab plans are tailored to suit each individual’s needs and there are a wealth of different private drug treatment therapy options to ensure optimum success for each individual.

So, if you are struggling with drug abuse, or perhaps know someone who is, here are five forms of therapy that can really help with transforming a person’s life…

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT as it is commonly abbreviated, is a widely used approach for drug addiction treatment and focuses on identifying the challenges of negative thought patterns and behaviours that often contribute to substance abuse.

Individuals will learn to recognise the triggers that lead to drug use and develop coping mechanisms to deal with such urges and cravings. It encourages people to break free of the cycle of addiction and deal with challenges in a less destructive manner.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a therapy that seeks to enhance motivation and readiness for change. It explores the ambivalence a person may have towards quitting drugs as well as resolving their concerns about recovery. Using empathetic listening, reflective questioning and collaborative goal setting, it creates a motivation for change in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. It’s all about putting the patient front and centre and allowing them to explore their values and move forward towards recovery at a pace to suits them.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Combining elements of CBT, dialectical behavioural therapy uses mindfulness techniques to help individuals regulate their emotions and manage distressing situations more effectively. It can be particularly beneficial in addressing underlying emotional trauma and building up healthier coping mechanisms around that. It’s essentially about learning to tolerate discomfort and engage in mindful practices to rid ourselves of the reliance on drugs.

Family Therapy

Family therapy can be particularly effective when addressing the impact of addiction on relationships within the family. It can explore family dynamics to improve communication and trust between members and resolve any family conflicts that may exist, either as a result of addiction or as a cause.

By involving loved ones, it can also provide more understanding on a person’s addiction as well as give them the crucial support they need to get through addiction treatment and into recovery.

12-Step Facilitation Therapy

Finally, the 12-step process is one of the more well-known approaches to addiction and involves meetings and working your way through a 12-step programme. This takes into account self-reflection and promotes accountability that will help set you back on a healthier pathway. Among the 12 steps are admitting the addiction, taking control of the situation, making a list of wrongs done to others as a result and rectifying that, as well as helping others in need.

Of course, there is much more to it than that, but it can be a powerful tool in overcoming addiction and entering recovery.