Are you concerned that a loved one might never recover from an addiction to drugs or alcohol? Have you tried to quit drugs or alcohol to no avail? Many people might think that addiction is a path of no return. Thankfully, this is not the case. There are some proven and tested treatment approaches in the medical community. Below are a few of them.

Addiction Is a Treatable Disease

Before you begin your detox, treatment, and recovery process, you must understand one important thing: addiction is a disease of the brain. Addiction is sometimes referred to as substance use disorder or SUD. It is similar to other mental illnesses in that it physically alters your brain so that it is difficult to quit drinking or using on your own. The good news is, this illness is treatable if you are willing to put in some work.

Recovery from addiction and long-term sobriety is hard to achieve, but it is far from impossible. In fact, over the past decades, the medical community has developed numerous treatments that have proven successful. They have become the most common addiction treatments that have set many people on a successful path to long-term sobriety. Many people have benefited from these methods.

Common Treatment Methods

The first part of addiction treatment is detoxification in a medically-assisted environment. One needs to rid the body of addictive substances safely and with professional monitoring. This environment is necessary because people might suffer from withdrawal symptoms that can become life-threatening. Health professionals do not recommend self-detox at home for this reason. A medical facility can supply patients with non-addictive medication that helps ease withdrawal symptoms or suggest other therapies in combination with the detox procedure.

Most treatment centers have integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a valuable tool into their treatment plans. CBT can be used to address all types of addiction, including but not limited to substance addiction.CBT therapists help you recognize unhealthy behavioral patterns. This will train you to identify triggers and develop appropriate coping skills once you do not live under the influence of substances.

Another common type of treatment is 12-step therapy, which has been successful in treating alcohol and substance abuse. This form of group therapy is based on honesty and trust. 12-step groups address a range of issues related to addiction including social, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects. It begins with self-affirmation and honesty, and moves to surrender which counters denial, and eventually to deep commitment and accountability in the form of participating in consistent group meetings.

There Is No Shame in Seeking Treatment

Denial and shame are the top two reasons people hesitate to seek medical treatment for their addictions. These ways of thinking may keep you from understanding your options. You might be nervous about what withdrawal will be like. There are many medications to help you release either cravings or withdrawal symptoms. For example, the FDA has approved certain medications (such as lofexidine) as effective in decreasing cravings for opioid addiction.

If a loved one is struggling with addiction but is hesitant to receive treatment due to shame and stigma, the first step is to reach out a helping hand. You need to communicate to your loved one that addiction does not define who they are and you will patiently and compassionately help them get better. Awareness starts with educating and informing your loved one, then presenting them with the treatment options available.

Finding a Treatment Plan that Best Fits Your Needs

Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Some methods that work wonders for one person might not work or even be a hindrance to another. Because health professionals need to consider your personal history and your mental health needs, they always try to design a plan that fits your needs. A treatment plan includes several treatment methods to be used in conjunction with each other to best fit your needs, lifestyle, and required level of care. Treatment plans are like blueprints to outline services you will need to recover. Usually, they include a combination of medical, behavioral, mental health plans.

An effective addiction treatment plan often includes the following: (1) your personal history and assessments, (2) treatment methods, (3) relapse interventions, and (4) long-term progress and outcomes. Detox is only the beginning of your treatment, and it takes much more to reach long-term sobriety. Many parts of the plan help you rebuild a sober and healthy lifestyle, which takes more than just quitting alcohol and drugs. Your therapists may also include various forms of therapy, using trauma-informed approaches and culturally sensitive methods as necessary.

Last but not least, early intervention and treatment always bring a higher chance of recovery, so act as quickly as possible. No matter how far addiction has progressed, it is treatable and a full recovery is possible. That said, the earlier you get help, the easier it will be to live a fully sober life.

Do you fear that substance addiction is untreatable? Are you worried that a loved one might not recover from it? The truth is, there are many proven and successful treatment methods for addiction that have helped thousands recover. Have faith and work with medical professionals for the best outcomes. Building a strong support system with a recovery community is essential. You do not need to look far for such a community: Laguna Shores Recovery is here to help. At Laguna Shores, our licensed mental healthcare professionals and therapists will help you build a strong support network. We have both inpatient and outpatient programs that address a range of mental health issues that might be challenging during all phases of your recovery. Our residential facility offers a range of treatments, including diagnosis, behavioral therapies, 12-step programs, and custom treatment plans. Call us at 954-688-5806. We are eager to help you recover.