Substance abuse can include prescription drugs, illegal street drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. When overused as an addiction, certain substances can affect the person’s brain, body, work, and family life. Drug addiction, sometimes referred to as substance use disorder is the inability to control using a substance even though it may cause harm. For those with substance use disorder, seeking therapy and treatment from certified therapists can help them quit and recover from the addiction.
Why Those With Substance Abuse Issues Need Therapy
Therapy for substance abuse comes in varied modalities, treatments, and approaches. Sometimes the person who has an addiction to a substance may seek substance abuse counseling on their own. For others, family members, friends, or co-workers may intervene and advise the person to get help and treatment. Counseling and therapy for substance abuse go beyond just detoxifying the body from the substance. Therapy helps the person recognize triggers that may send them back to using again. Substance abuse counseling can help the person manage their cravings and emotions when a trigger hits, so they don’t relapse.
Group Therapy Versus Individual Therapy
When considering which type of substance abuse counseling to engage in, two main modalities stand out — group therapy or individual therapy. Which one is more effective? It depends on the person’s personality and treatment style. With individual therapy, the person seeking help works one on one with a trained professional who uses cognitive behavioral therapy that allows the patient to express their thoughts and emotions in a private setting.
In contrast, with group therapy, several patients work with an individual or with several therapists to discuss among themselves their thoughts, fears, hopes, and emotions. Individual therapy provides confidentiality and customization, while group therapy gives patients peer support in a comforting socialized environment.
Outpatient or Residential Therapy
The next type of therapy for someone seeking substance abuse disorder help is whether to have outpatient or residential therapy. Outpatient therapy requires the individual to come to therapy daily or weekly, depending on the severity of the addiction. Advantages of outpatient therapy include:
- Being able to stay home and keep a job during treatment.
- Flexible appointment schedules.
- Lower cost of treatment.
For those with severe substance abuse issues, residential counseling may be more effective. Advantages of residential therapy include:
- Patient facility with 24/7 staffing.
- Detox treatments.
- Scheduled programs and activities.
- Structured treatment.
- Safe housing and medical attention.
Continuing Therapy
After substance abuse treatment, many people continue their therapy for a few months, a few years, or for the rest of their lives. Continuing therapy or aftercare therapy encourages those who have recovered from substance abuse to engage in individual or group therapy to help them stay sober. People who go to continuing care therapy develop healthy lifestyle routines, stay accountable for their actions, and help to strengthen their recovery skills. Going to ongoing therapy can help people maintain a sober life, free from substance abuse.
Once a person goes through substance abuse therapy, they often feel free from the addiction. They’ll also come away with important tools, like practicing yoga or meditation, to help them overcome urgings and cravings to use the substance again.
