When you’re looking to overcome an addiction, you need to find a rehabilitation center that offers effective treatment modalities for substance abuse. Modalities, also called approaches and types of treatment, are the specific methods that recovery centers use to treat addiction. Modalities can include the treatment setting and approach as well as other components of treatment such as wellness activities.
Over the last few decades, the number of substance abuse modalities has increased significantly, sometimes making it difficult to determine the most effective treatment methods. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide detailing today’s most effective treatment modalities for substance abuse. Knowing the most effective ways to treat addiction can help you choose the right recovery program for yourself or a loved one.
Categories of Treatment Modalities
There are many different ways to successfully treat addiction. But for the most part, treatment modalities for substance abuse fall into the following categories:
- Medically-supervised detoxification
- Behavioral counseling in either an outpatient or inpatient setting
- Evaluation for co-occurring mental health issues
- Social activities such as peer support groups and family counseling
- Long-term follow-up and aftercare support
Let’s explore some of the most effective modalities within each category of addiction treatment.
Medically-Supervised Detox: Jumpstarting Addiction Treatment
Not everyone seeking addiction treatment will need medication. But most recovery centers do provide medical care to help ease withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification process. Often referred to as “medically-assisted detox,” this method of treatment helps to alleviate intense withdrawal symptoms that can occur as drugs and alcohol leave the body. Usually, medical personnel can provide medications to help diminish cravings and counter withdrawal effects.
Even though these medications can help your brain and body to return to normal, detox only addresses your physical dependence and can do very little to help you actually overcome the mental challenges of addiction. However, when combined with other treatment modalities, medically-supervised detox can be a great first step toward addiction recovery.
Effective Behavioral Counseling Modalities
After your body is free of drugs and alcohol, most recovery centers begin behavioral counseling. This process can help you identify and change unhealthy and harmful behaviors. Typically, recovery centers offer behavioral counseling in an outpatient or inpatient setting.
Outpatient Treatment
If you opt for outpatient treatment, you don’t have to live on-site at the treatment facility in order to receive clinical services, counseling, or medication. Instead, you can schedule treatment appointments during various times of the week. This flexibility can allow you to maintain your day-to-day responsibilities and continue to live at home. Outpatient treatment can be a highly effective option for you if you have a mild substance abuse problem or have previously participated in an inpatient program.
Here at Soba Recovery, we also offer a partial hospitalization outpatient program. This program can be really effective if you need more support than traditional outpatient treatment but don’t need to be in a treatment facility 24/7.
Inpatient Treatment
If you opt for inpatient treatment, you’ll live on-site at a rehabilitation facility while you receive addiction treatment and behavioral counseling. The length of inpatient treatment can range from days to months. While you’re in an inpatient program, you’ll receive 24-hour support from highly-trained physicians, nurses, medical personnel, and therapists.
Some of the most effective behavioral therapies used to treat addiction include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is based on the idea that thoughts determine behavior. As you learn to combat and reframe the negative thoughts that drive you to use addictive substances, you should start to develop healthier behavior patterns.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, is a highly effective way to learn how to be mindful, regulate emotions, handle distressing situations, and improve your relationships with others.
- Motivational interviewing (MI) encourages you to identify your own reasons for sobriety. Instead of being fueled by a desire to get “high,” MI helps you to stay motivated by helping you reach your deeper goals and aspirations.
- Rational emotive behavior therapy, or REBT, can help you identify and change irrational thoughts that can trigger substance use.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, can be especially effective if you’ve experienced trauma or emotional distress. Participating in EMDR can help you regulate emotions and change harmful behavior patterns triggered by negative feelings.
Effective Social Modalities
Effective rehabilitation doesn’t just focus on you. You’ll also need to learn how to develop, build, and maintain healthy relationships with others. That’s why many recovery programs include social activities in their recovery plans as well. Some of the most effective social modalities used to treat addiction include:
- Peer support groups. Having a supportive group of like-minded individuals can encourage, motivate, and inspire you to keep going when the recovery journey becomes difficult. Peer support groups can occur on-site at a rehabilitation center or within your local community. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other 12-step facilitation groups are some of the most effective and common peer support groups.
- Group counseling. Group counseling can also help you build relationships with sober, like-minded individuals. Additionally, group counseling can be a great place to practice some of the social and interpersonal skills you’re learning in behavioral therapy.
- Family therapy. Having strained family relationships can be incredibly hard. Family therapy can help you rebuild trust with your family members and resolve conflict. Strengthening relationships with your family can help ease some of your emotional distress and may expand your support system.
Effective Holistic Modalities
Recently, many recovery centers have begun including holistic modalities into their addiction treatment curriculums as well. Often called “comprehensive treatment,” many rehabilitation facilities use some of the following activities and approaches to help treat addiction:
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment. Sometimes, substance abuse and mental health challenges overlap. When this happens, many recovery centers use a dual diagnosis program to treat both conditions simultaneously.
- Nutritional counseling. Drugs and alcohol can weaken your physical health. Eating nutritious foods and a balanced diet can help rebuild your physical strength and immunity. A balanced diet can also help reduce stress and improve your cognitive and mental health.
- Emotional & Spiritual Wellness. Yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and even art and music therapy can help enhance your emotional and spiritual wellness. Working on your mental health, emotional wellness, and spirituality can help prevent relapse.
- Physical Fitness. Exercise can help you reduce stress, rebuild your strength, improve your mood, and increase your energy. Walk, swim, garden, jump rope, hike, bike, or run. Moving your body is an integral part of rehabilitating your life and regaining your independence. Exercise can also help distract you from cravings.
A Range of Treatment Modalities To Help You Live Sober
Here at Soba Recovery, we offer a wide range of treatment modalities for substance abuse challenges. Our recovery services include:
- Detoxification
- Residential inpatient
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient
- Outpatient
- Sober living
- Aftercare follow-up and more
We have a multitude of approaches and activities that can help you overcome addiction. Let us help you live a thriving sober life. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive and unique approach to addiction treatment.