Options in Substance Abuse Therapy

Substance abuse therapy can come in various models and for different substances. Here are some things to think about.

Substance abuse therapy does not come in a one-size-fits-all format. People are addicted to different substances, for different reasons and react differently to treatment plans. Usually, people use something outside of themselves to feel better in difficult situations. Unfortunately, these external fixes are short-lived and with some there are dire consequences from the substances themselves. There is rarely an easy, guaranteed method of eradicating the problem, but there are many techniques worth trying. Here are some things to think about:

- Twelve Step Groups: Twelve Step Groups were started by a man suffering from alcoholism who formed A.A. A.A. stands for Alcoholics Anonymous and the man’s name was Bill W. In these programs, individuals meet in support groups with other addicts and follow a series of steps to overcome their addictions. Following this model, other groups were formed such as N.A. for narcotics, O.A. for overeaters, G.A. for gamblers, D.A. for debtors, W.A. for workaholics, S.A. for sexual addiction, C.O.D.A. for codependents. These programs have fairly high success rates. The twelve steps in a nutshell are:

o Admitting powerlessness over the substance
o Belief in a higher power
o Commit to spirituality
o Do a self inventory
o Admit wrongdoings
o Wanted defects removed
o Turned to higher power
o Make a list of people harmed
o Make amends to them in some way
o Continue inventory and admit when wrong
o Commit to meditation or prayer
o Carry this message to others

- Recovery centers: In residential or non-residential recovery centers, individuals work together with support groups and therapists to overcome their addictions. Some of these are mandated by the courts because of a DUI/DWI or other criminal offenses.

- Working individually with therapist: Some individuals work on their own with a counselor, therapist or psychologist to try to get rid of their dependency. Sometimes this is coupled with group work, too.

- Problems with addiction: There are many problems that develop in a person’s life if they are hooked on alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, credit cards, work, sex or being codependent. If anyone relies on a substance outside of themselves to mask a bad feeling, they will never grow emotionally or learn from the experience. Plus each of these substances has a detrimental effect on relationships and health. People crash cars, lose jobs, ruin relationships, go bankrupt, become obese, contract STDs, have gambling debts that could crush them financially, go to jail or die. Even working too much is a bad thing because relationships become strained and other coping skills aren’t learned.

- Coping skills: Everyone has stress in their life and coping with it in a healthy way will be preferable to becoming addicted to something. Examples include going for a walk, doing yoga, keeping a journal, petting one’s dog, helping others, taking a bubble bath and more. All of these are ways to feel better but not become hooked on detrimental substances.

There are various forms of substance abuse therapy available. If a person is ready to commit to kicking a habit, he or she can find the method that works for him or her.

Article Tags: Substance Abuse Therapy, Substance Abuse, Abuse Therapy

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