According to USA Today, 1 in every 16 adults reported having a substance use disorder in 2017. And, only 10% of Americans dealing with addiction receive treatment. In 2020, the number of people abusing drugs is growing.

If you suffer from addiction to alcohol or drugs, you may feel caught in a never-ending cycle of use and despair. Stress, trouble in the family, and lost friends make it worse.

But there is good news. Addiction therapy, which helps you understand why you abuse, is available to you.

There are many types of therapy to choose from. Here we describe the best types of therapy that can start your recovery journey.

Detoxification Programs

The first step to recovery from substance abuse disorder is detoxification. Your body must rid itself of the substance causing the addiction. While not a “treatment” itself, detox is always the pre-requisite for addiction treatment.

The detox process involves an exam by a medical professional, followed by stabilization. Your doctor will assist you in handling any withdrawal symptoms with medications and other therapies. After you stabilize, you and your doctor will create a treatment plan to help you overcome your urge to use.

It is not recommended you try to detox at home. Depending on the severity of your addiction, withdrawal symptoms can be difficult. Detox in a facility where you have medical and emotional support from professionals.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab involves staying at a rehab facility for 1-3 months, depending on the severity of your addiction. There, you will detox and take part in both group and individual therapy. You will learn why you are abusing, and how to stop.

Inpatient rehab may include some of the following types of addiction therapy:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you to understand, avoid and cope with the situations where you are most likely to use
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) involves eye movements while recalling a past trauma, to lessen the emotional pain
• Multidimensional family therapy is where the entire family addresses the addiction and its effects
• Motivational incentives use positive reinforcement to encourage abstinence from drugs

Group therapy surrounds you with a supportive community of people all experiencing the same problem. This can be an enormous source of comfort and support.

Your family can also receive counseling so they can understand their role in your addictive behavior. Treating the entire household will be a big help as you transition from rehab back to your routine.

Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab allows you to live at your home while receiving treatment at a facility during the day. There are different kinds of outpatient addiction treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Services (IOP’s)

In IOP, you receive nine or more hours per week of therapy, which involves many of the same treatment methods as inpatient therapy. Treatment programs take place in the evenings and on weekends, so you can continue to work and live at home.

Your time commitment lessens as you progress to recovery.

Outpatient Day Programs

These daytime programs require more time — about 20 hours per week.

Day programs often add holistic and artistic therapies that can enhance your recovery by providing safe and creative ways to express and process emotions. Music and art therapy are examples, as well as meditation and journaling.

General Outpatient Services

If your addiction is less severe, general outpatient programs require less than 9 hours per week and may take place in several venues, such as a 12-step group setting, or other ongoing support group settings.

Outpatient rehab works best if your addiction is not as intense and you have job or child care responsibilities. Outpatient rehab helps you recover around your family and friends, making the transition to your post-rehab life easier.

Online Rehab 

If you live in a remote location or are traveling, online rehab programs allow for video treatment sessions from wherever you are. These sessions are hosted by licensed counselors and other treatment professionals, making them a great option for those who can’t get to an in-person session.

Post-Rehab Types of Therapy

Once rehab is over, you may or may not be ready to enter a “normal” life again. There are options for you if you need post-rehab therapy.

Sober living homes allow you to live temporarily with others in recovery, where together you can learn to adjust to life outside rehab. These homes provide support and structure, which helps make this last part of your journey easier.

Aftercare programs that allow you to live at home are also available and will continue some of the treatments you had in rehab, such as individual and group counseling.

Choosing a Treatment Program

When deciding on a program, first consider what type of addiction you are struggling with. Certain programs focus only on alcohol addiction, while others work with people addicted to certain drugs, such as opioids or amphetamines. Make sure you are looking at programs that address your particular substance problem.

If your addiction has completely taken over your life, get into a detoxification program as soon as possible, and consider an inpatient rehab where you can receive all the care and services you need around the clock. While inpatient rehab costs more than other types of therapy, it is still less than the amount you are spending on your addiction.

If you cannot leave home for treatment, explore all of the outpatient options near you after you have detoxed. Commit to attending all meetings or sessions that your chosen program offers you, so you can recover quickly and transition out easily.

Addiction Is Not Forever

Although you may feel your addiction has taken over for good, know that there is help for you. All the types of therapy discussed here will teach you new behaviors that will help you recover. You will have new ways of looking at life that will replace the cravings for your addiction.

Don’t put off seeking treatment. Contact us to begin the process by chatting with one of our trained counselors. We can help you overcome addiction, and start on the road to a new, fulfilling life.