Traditional or Alternative: Finding the Best Substance Abuse Treatment Approach
Recovering from addiction is a lifelong task. It requires diligence, commitment, and tremendous support. While 12-step programs and other traditional forms of treatment are effective under many circumstances, not everyone finds or maintains recovery using those methods. There are many similarities when it comes to addiction, support, and recovery, but it is an individual journey, and treatment approaches must treat it as such.
Traditional Treatment Approaches
The most familiar means of treating substance abuse and addiction are the traditional approaches. These include 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, as well as a number of professionally-led therapeutic treatment programs. Many, though not all, hospitalization approaches and inpatient rehab centers fall into this category as well. Traditional treatment programs have historically worked well for people who want to stop substance abuse on their own, or who have experienced an involuntary intervention such as DUI, incarceration, or other legal obligation to do so. The effectiveness of these approaches varies, and have been found ineffective for many modern substance abuse problems. For example, those resulting from medical necessity and improper use of prescription medications, such as the opioid epidemic and misuse of ADHD medications such as Adderall, typically cannot be resolved using a traditional approach. In light of these relatively new drug abuse trends, a number of alternative treatment approaches have been developed.
Alternative Treatment Approaches
There are a number of alternative treatment approaches available to treat substance abuse issues based on a myriad of unique factors. Some approaches focus on moderation, while others use socio-economic factors to create somewhat traditional support groups called therapeutic communities, whose members have similar testimonies. Other methods, such as experiential therapy, tap into emotions using sensory experiences to help resolve the complex behavioral and psychological issues that may have led to the substance abuse. Some types of alternative treatment approaches include:
- Biochemical restoration and nutrition
- Yoga and meditation practices
- Exercise and fitness
- Expressive therapy
- Adventure therapy
- Animal therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Family therapy
These types of approaches are particularly important in modern society where complex social issues such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and even fame have become prominent, and have a significant impact on the individual sense of self. Alternative programs are designed to meet specific types of needs, and should not be entered into without a professional consultation. They cannot be substituted for medical withdrawal and detoxification, particularly in those with a history of overdose or long-term abuse, but may be useful as part of a comprehensive treatment program for those individuals.
Choosing the Best Approach
While the term “alternative” evokes thoughts of something out of the ordinary, many alternative substance abuse treatment approaches are simply methods that have been reappropriated to treat the root cause of physical and psychological behaviors that led to substance abuse in the first place. For example, Adderall abuse is most common among high school and college students who feel pressure to overachieve. To solve misuse of this drug, it is perhaps more important to treat the psychological causes that led to its abuse than the effects caused by abusing the drug. Likewise, prescription opioids used to treat both chronic and temporary pain have led to a nationwide epidemic that has crossed all race and class boundaries. The drug is so addictive that eliminated access by prescription has resulted in many responsible adults resorting to use of street drugs like heroin. The effects of such drugs on the brain are difficult if not impossible to reverse, and traditional treatment programs simply do not work to resolve them.
The specifics of each individual circumstance will dictate which approach is best. Regardless of whether a traditional or alternative approach is chosen, it is critical for anyone in recovery to avoid stressors and triggers that may ultimately result in relapse. Seeking the guidance of a trained addiction treatment professional can also help ensure those entering a recovery program choose the one that is right for them, and provides the best opportunity for long-term success.
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Kimberly Hayes enjoys writing about health and wellness and created PublicHealthAlert.info to help keep the public informed about the latest developments in popular health issues and concerns. In addition to studying to become a crisis intervention counselor, Kimberly is hard at work on her new book, which discusses the ins and outs of alternative addiction treatments.
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