It is a well-known fact that addiction has become one of the most serious and widespread problems in society today. With more than 2.5 million people suffering from alcoholism, over 1.1 million addicted to prescription painkillers, and an estimated 10% of all Americans addicted to alcohol or drugs, it is no surprise that there are so many interventions for addiction available on the market. The question becomes: which intervention will work best? This blog post will discuss seven different types of interventions and why they might be effective treatments for certain addictions.
1. Detox Intervention
Detoxification intervention is essentially a medical treatment for detoxifying an individual. Most commonly, this type of addiction treatment is used in cases of alcohol and opioid addiction. When the body becomes dependent on a drug, through repeated use over time, specific parts of the brain become adapted to receiving these chemicals; when those chemicals are no longer present (when you stop taking the drug), withdrawal symptoms start to occur.
These withdrawal symptoms can be extremely unpleasant and painful, making it difficult for most addicts to quit cold turkey. However, with medically supervised detoxification intervention, patients are given sedatives and other medications which reduce these uncomfortable side effects. After detox is complete, an addiction treatment center may have the patient complete a residential program or outpatient counseling services.
2. Relapse Prevention Intervention
Relapse prevention intervention is designed to help prevent further drug abuse after detoxification. This type of addiction treatment program typically lasts between one and three months, with the patient participating in daily group or individual counseling sessions throughout this period. Since relapse rates are so high among addicts (about 90% return to drug use at some point), this type of intervention must teach the patient to recognize, cope with, and overcome triggers that may cause them to relapse.
3. Family Intervention (Alcoholism)
Family intervention for alcoholism is designed to help family members learn how to address their loved one’s alcohol addiction in healthy ways. While it is common for family members to become overbearing and controlling during an alcohol addiction, this type of intervention teaches them to recognize when boundaries should be set and when support and encouragement is appropriate.
Family interventions usually take place in a structured environment where family members can express their feelings about the impact that alcoholism has had on themselves and discuss ways they might be able to help the alcoholic avoid or overcome triggers that may cause them to relapse.
4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention
Cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention is a comprehensive approach to addiction education and counseling designed to help an individual who has recently stopped drinking. This type of treatment allows the patient to address feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that have made them more susceptible to addiction in the past and how those same things may be triggering relapse now that they have stopped drinking.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is beneficial for alcohol addiction due to the cravings and mood-altering effects of drugs like alcohol (and others). By allowing patients to recognize these triggers and develop new coping strategies, they avoid turning to substance abuse to deal with difficult feelings or stressful situations.
5. Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) Intervention
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy is a form of the most effective alcoholism treatment. Rational emotive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that views self-destructive behaviors as “errors in thinking” rather than as personality traits or inherent personal failings. In other words, it helps individuals to recognize how they might be thinking about their lives and problems (and their drinking) in irrational ways that lead to negative outcomes and teaches them to think more rationally about their problems to solve them.
6. Contingency Management Intervention
Contingency management intervention for alcoholism is a form of addiction treatment that uses incentives (usually vouchers or prizes) to encourage abstinence from drinking. This type of therapy also allows the patient to earn points for engaging in healthy behaviors, such as attending counseling sessions or AA meetings.
7. 12-Step Facilitation Therapy
12-step facilitation therapy is a cognitive-behavioral therapy explicitly designed to help patients deal with issues that might trigger a relapse into drug addiction or alcoholism. The 12 steps of the program are an essential part of this therapy, and patients are expected to work through them to achieve success.
Conclusion
These are some of the more common types of adictive treatment. Still, many others (such as contingency management) are used to help individuals struggling with addiction confront their problems. Any form of effective treatment must be gradual, patient-centered, and supportive to produce the best outcomes. Call us today at (833) 922-2653.
