Millions of people battle addiction every day. For some, addiction treatment is serious business, and it should always be treated as such. Despite the stigma that still frequently surrounds substance abuse and addiction, every person who struggles with either deserves high quality and effective treatment based on essential concepts derived from decades of research. Following is a brief overview of these fundamental concepts of effective addiction treatment:
An effective treatment program is based on the philosophy that addiction is treatable, despite its complexity and inherent challenges. Most experts agree that addiction is a disease, as opposed to moral weakness, character flaw, or personal choice.No one chooses to become an addict any more than anyone chooses to become a diabetic or get cancer.Just like many other medical and mental health disorders, addiction has a significant impact on a person’s brain.As a result, it influences how he or she thinks and acts throughout any given day.That’s not to say there’s no personal responsibility involved; there is, especially when it comes to recovery. However, the disease model of addiction puts it in proper perspective.
Treatment takes time, and sufficient time is crucial if lasting recovery is to be achieved.Addiction treatment isn’t something that can be done effectively in a few days or even a few weeks.It often takes many months and even a year or more.Even after treatment is complete, it’s important for an addict in recovery to continue to utilize and apply the coping strategies, and healthy behaviors learned in treatment.Many individuals require ongoing support, for example, by attending 12-step meetings regularly (or at least from time to time) or continuing with a long-term aftercare program in order to maintain their hard-earned sobriety.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment.Every person is different, with his or her unique combination of needs, vulnerabilities, and various accompanying issues that have contributed to the addiction or may interfere with the recovery process if ignored.A good treatment program takes this into consideration and tailors treatment to the individual.
Not only does treatment need to be tailored to each individual, but it also must be frequently modified along the way.This is because humans are dynamic beings – their needs change continuously.The initial treatment plan must be periodically re-evaluated in order to determine whether or not it’s still working and is a good fit for that individual at that particular point in time.As the addict makes progress, the plan must be adjusted accordingly.An inflexible or static treatment plan simply doesn’t work.The same applies to any concurrent mental health and medical treatment.
Those who don’t want treatment or who are forced into treatment (e.g., court-mandated alcohol treatment following a DUI) can still benefit from it.It doesn’t have to be voluntary or even wanted in order to be helpful.Many addicts are initially very opposed to the treatment for a variety of reasons, including denial and fear.However, many of them experience a turning point during treatment in which their resistance starts to give way to a desire to get better.Something starts to click, and they begin to realize that life truly can be better than it was before.
