Addiction is a mental illness that can devastate a person’s life. It can lead to financial issues, unemployment, depression and anxiety, and relationship struggles. With the addiction crisis only getting worse in the U.S., it has become increasingly important for people suffering to know what support is available.
In this article, we are going to discuss how you or a loved one can get help if you think you are addicted. Here are the top 10 professional support options for people struggling with addiction.
1. Medical Detox Programs
Substance and alcohol are not the only things people get addicted to. Behavioral addictions like gambling addiction and sex addiction are also serious mental health problems. When the person is addicted to alcohol or substances, however, they have the specific need to detox.
After an extended period of frequent substance use, the body becomes dependent on the substance for basic functions. Going cold turkey therefore leads to withdrawals. Not only are these withdrawals dangerous to the body, but they make it difficult to focus on anything else as well.
As such, the first port of call for professional support for addiction to alcohol and drugs is a medical detox program. Medical detox programs entail staying in a center, under the supervision of medical professionals, while the substances leave the system. Medication is sometimes used to decrease the symptoms of withdrawal.
During this period, the person does not usually attend therapy, as the cravings and other symptoms make it unlikely to help just yet.
2. Inpatient Rehab Centers
For all kinds of addiction, inpatient rehab is the ideal treatment. This involves an extended stay in a residential rehab center. Rehab provides a structured environment away from triggers and without access to substances. It gives the person the chance to recover and prepare to return to their life with the ability to stay sober and live effectively.
In inpatient rehab, the person attends individual therapy, group counseling, interpersonal relationship skills, and more. Many rehabs now also offer holistic treatments like mindfulness and meditation, which improve outcomes and provide a foundation for a more meaningful life.
3. Outpatient Treatment Programs
Not everyone is able to take extended time away from their normal life to stay in a residential rehab. However, they may still require intensive treatment if they are to recover from addiction. In these cases, outpatient treatment programs are available to provide a similarly structured process.
While the person stays at home and may even continue working, they spend a few hours every day at an intensive outpatient program (IOP) where they receive similar treatment to what they would in inpatient rehab, including therapy, groups, and more.
4. Therapy
Not everyone requires or has the ability to attend intensive inpatient or outpatient treatment. Therapy plays a crucial role in helping the person along their recovery journey. During therapy, the person will explore the roots of their addiction, as well as the triggers and challenges they face in stopping the use of the substance or behavior.
There are many different types of therapy commonly used for addiction, including CBT and DBT. Therapists make an informed decision of how to approach each client, often using a combination of different therapies.
5. Support Groups
Whether a person has or has not attended inpatient or outpatient treatment, support groups are a fundamental aspect of recovery. In these regular groups, people come together to share their stories and support each other. The community created becomes a healing space in and of itself.
The most well-known types of support groups are those that follow the 12-Step Program, but there are other kinds, including SMART Recovery, for people who do not resonate with the 12 Steps.
These support groups are free and open to anyone who comes with the intention to recover. It is a great option even for those who cannot afford professional help elsewhere.
6. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment is sometimes used as a component of a comprehensive treatment program for substances like heroin. Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can decrease cravings and help manage symptoms of withdrawal, making it easier to stay off the abused substances.
MAT is never an isolated treatment, but rather forms a part of a recovery program that includes therapy as well.
7. Sober Living Homes
Sober living homes – sometimes called halfway houses – provide a healthy way of transitioning from rehab to regular life. It can be difficult to start implementing all you have learned in rehab when back in your old environment. Getting the chance to do so in a supportive, drug-free setting better sets the person up for success. By the time they are ready to go home, they have started getting into healthy habits and living effectively.
8. Holistic and Alternative Therapies
While not generally used as primary treatments, holistic therapies can contribute to the success of a person’s recovery. These therapies include mindfulness and meditation, yoga, and art therapy. They all have benefits in decreasing stress, improving emotional regulation, and building self-awareness. They can also prove to be the foundation for meaning and fulfillment in one’s normal day-to-day life.
9. Teletherapy
Telehealth was first used for practical purposes in providing services to people without access. However, teletherapy has proven to be as effective as traditional therapy. Today it is a popular alternative which can be more cost-effective and convenient. It also ensures that you do not have to choose whatever therapist is nearest to you, giving you a bigger range of potential matches.
For people in addiction recovery, teletherapy can provide continued support in your home environment.
10. Family Therapy and Support Programs
Addiction is often called a family disease due to the impact it has on every member of a family. Various unhealthy dynamics come into play and everyone suffers. It is therefore important for the whole family to get support. Furthermore, the family’s involvement in the individual’s recovery helps ensure that they can address behaviors that might make recovery more difficult.
Many rehabs offer family therapy in their aftercare programs. Alternatively, there are many therapists who specialize in treating families.
Conclusion
Addiction is a severe mental illness that one should not have to contend with alone. Professional support is crucial in order to recover and maintain sobriety in the long term. The above 10 professional support options offer the best ways to embrace and continue along your recovery journey.
