Addictions Treatment Leads to Recovery
- Addiction can be treated successfully and recovery is possible.
- Relapse doesn’t mean that there was a failure in treatment, it’s just a bump in the recovery road.
- Addictions treatment that encompasses behavioral therapy, counseling and support is the most effective at improving chances of recovery.
Millions of people suffer from addiction to drugs, alcohol, food, or compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling or eating. Under the right circumstances, addiction can be successfully treated, and although there is no real cure for the disease, recovery is possible. The steps you take and the goals that you set for yourself can make the difference between whether you find yourself in a whirlwind of pain and suffering or you make the changes necessary to overcome addiction once and for all.
Addictions Treatment
There are various options available to assist you in the recovery process. Once you have made the decision to make changes in your life that will lead to recovery, addictions treatment can help you to achieve behavioral change and to meet your goals. A few things to consider when determining which method of treatment is going to be most effective for your individual situation include:
- Keeping the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all method of treatment for addiction that works every time for every person.
- Remembering that treatment must address more than just the addiction; it must also address the underlying problems and the effects that addiction has had on your personal life, career, relationships and overall psychological health.
- Commitment is important and without a commitment to follow-through with the treatment plans, no method of treatment will be effective.
- Residential treatment, though proven to be the most effective method of care, is not the only addictions treatment option available to assist you. You have other options including support groups, outpatient care, medical care and psychological treatments that can all help you to recover.
Relapse
Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try, there will always be a risk of relapse. Like any addiction, relapse is a part of the recovery process. Similar to the way that cancer can go into remission but it doesn’t mean that the patient is out of harm’s way 100%, a recovering addict can be in recovery but there will always be a small chance of relapse no matter how long the individual has been sober.
It’s important to remember that relapse is not a sign of failure or a sign that treatment didn’t work. In fact, relapse is a common occurrence and it is a likely outcome no matter what type of treatment you endure. Part of recovery is to accept that relapse does occur and when it does, the best thing to do is to pick up the pieces and continue working hard toward ultimate recovery goals.
What’s the Best Treatment?
There is no single method of addictions treatment that is considered the absolute best method of care. There are so many different types of addiction treatment available including 12-step programs, non-12 step programs, peer support groups, residential treatment, medical intervention, behavioral therapy, individual and group counseling, etc. The best treatment for any addiction typically includes behavioral therapy to help the addict change negative behaviors or bad habits, psychological counseling to help promote healing of the thought processes and mental capabilities, and support from friends, family, peers and others along the way. This provides the greatest chance for lifelong recovery.