Treatments for Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Treatments for Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Alcohol and substance addiction can rip your life apart. However, when it comes to comprehensive care or treatment plans, there are very few addicts who can do without professional guidance designed to fight the underlying causes.

While comprehensive treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse include detoxification, counseling, and rehab programs, there are other important treatment choices available too. These treatment opportunities focus on eradicating abusive habits from its roots and inducing a reformed lifestyle.

Outpatient addiction treatment
A severe addiction to certain substances are best treated in an inpatient drug rehab. However, the milder ones can be addressed in an outpatient addiction rehab. It’s perfect for individuals who are self-motivated to stop their habits but need a program flexible to match their schedules. This program can be scheduled at various times throughout the week as per the individual’s convenience.

There are three types of outpatient addiction rehab:

  • Day programs
    They have comprehensive care and structure in a typical outpatient setting. Clients meet for an average of five times per week for multiple hours. There will be ongoing therapy, group counseling, and therapies like art or music therapy. Patients can return home on completion of each session and time commitment is required.
  • Intensive outpatient programs
    It includes a well-established treatment plan featuring detailed and measurable milestones to track progress. Being one of the best treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse, it is perfect for those seeking to completely eradicate alcohol and substance dependence. It requires multiple sessions for a few hours every week. The program typically includes group therapy, counseling sessions, and relapse prevention education.
  • Continuing care
    These are groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. These groups assist individuals to solidify their commitment to eradicate substance dependence. A licensed therapist facilitates these groups and they meet weekly to involve actively in the program.

Intensive outpatient programs
It’s the most comprehensive and holistic program among all treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse. The in-depth addiction and co-occurring disorder program operates on an outpatient basis, featuring multiple sessions of a few hours. Participants can benefit immensely from relapse-prevention education, 12-step recovery support groups, and counseling services. The benefits include:

  • Access to the network of communal support after treatment
  • Flexibility to maintain daily responsibilities
  • Affordable
  • A higher and comprehensive level of structure
  • Constant support and unconditional support

Gender-specific treatment
The treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse here are based on the requirements of genders. There are biological and cultural differences between men and women related to substance abuse. The choice of substance and how the brain responds influence substance use among men and women. The benefits of such treatments include:

  • Exclusive and specialized treatment for gender-unique issues related to emotional, relational, and psychological aspects
  • A more enhanced state of comfort and trust that encourages better bonding among same-sex individuals
  • Gender-sensitive therapy groups inspire open and honest communication about the underlying causes of substance abuse