If you are going to pursue addiction treatment, you want to pursue it with the knowledge that it works — otherwise, what’s the point? Addiction recovery is hard enough as it is, and it’s crucial that all the work you put into your recovery is going to be supported through effective treatment modalities.

Thankfully, evidence-based treatment modalities exist to give you the confidence that all the time and effort you’re giving to your treatment program is not in vain. By seeking out substance abuse treatment modalities that have proven effective, you can rest assured that the treatment you’re receiving is some of the best.

What are evidence-based treatment modalities?

Put simply, evidence-based treatment modalities (EBT) are those which have been scientifically proven to be effective. No longer experimental, these methods of substance abuse treatment have scientific proof of their success across a number of different clients/demographics.

The goal of any evidence-based treatment modality is an increased quality of treatment and accountability to the client, meaning they’re getting not only high-quality treatment, but the effectiveness of this treatment pays off in the long run — quite literally. It’s much more cost-effective for you to undergo EBT than any other form.

The next question is, what kinds of therapies are evidence-based? What treatment modalities of substance abuse are backed by research and worth your time?

We’re glad you asked.

Common substance abuse treatment options

A number of therapies exist to help clients overcome addiction. It’s up to your and your therapist to determine, based on your goals and personal history, which of these will most effectively meet your needs.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most widely used method of therapy in addiction treatment and one of the most effective forms of talk therapy that utilizes structured discussions to help clients meet their mental health goals.

During CBT sessions, you will work with your therapist to learn how your thoughts direct your actions. You will become more adept at identifying negative thoughts that lead to unwanted behaviors, and instead, be able to reshape those thoughts into more positive ways of thinking and acting.

CBT has been proven to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

  • Substance use disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia (when used in conjunction with medication)
  • Anxiety
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
  • ADHD

As with all treatments, long-term success relies on the client’s determination in the pursuit of their recovery.

Motivational interviewing

For some clients, there is present a desire to change, but an equally powerful conflicting belief that they’re not ready to make it. The goal of motivational interviewing is to help you find the strength within yourself to make the change and get rid of any thoughts or feelings of ambivalence.

In the setting of motivational interviewing, the counselor works with you on the same team, striving towards the same goal. They don’t impose on you their desire for you to change, because this can only come from within you if it’s going to be effective. Therefore, through a series of interviews, the two of you work together as you formulate a mindset of growth and healing.

Dialectical behavior therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) deals with interpersonal relationships, emotions and stress tolerance. It is often used to help people whose substance use disorder is driven by emotional factors.

According to Psychology Today, “The “dialectic” in dialectical behavior therapy is an acknowledgment that real life is complex, and health is not a static thing but an ongoing process hammered out through a continuous Socratic dialogue with the self and others. It is continually aimed at balancing opposing forces and investigating the truth of powerful negative emotions.”

Done in both individual and group sessions, DBT is a proven method of learning to navigate overwhelming patterns of thought without falling into dangerous patterns of action as a result.

Acceptance and commitment therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focused on using mindfulness to fortify your psychological “muscles” in order to learn to positively respond to difficult thoughts or emotions. There are core processes used in ACT to aid in reducing dysfunctional thoughts, feelings and behaviors. ACT can also be used to help reduce psychological distress by using what’s called “psychological intervention” for people suffering from substance abuse problems.

One study found that ACT is as effective in treating anxiety disorders, depression and addiction as other established psychological approaches. Other studies have shown that ACT effectively treats stress, psychosis, people with mixed substance abuse problems, chronic smoking and social anxiety.

Holistic therapy

Holistic therapy is a form of healing that takes into consideration the whole person — this is especially important when dealing with cases of dual diagnosis. Holistic therapy helps address addiction’s effects on the whole person: body, mind, spirit and emotions. Holistic medicine uses different therapies to treat all parts of a person to achieve the fullest recovery possible.

Common types of holistic therapy include:

  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Equine therapy
  • Yoga
  • Meditation/mindfulness
  • Biofeedback
  • Recreation Therapy

Holistic treatment methods are useful complementary treatments to further integrate the healthy thought processes learned in traditional treatments like CBT or DBT.

Treatment for substance abuse

If you’re seeking a facility that offers evidence-based treatment modalities to help address a mental health or substance use disorder, consider Silvermist Recovery. Learn more about our programs by getting in contact with us today.