Addiction treatment is a term that encompasses everything from detox to residential rehab and outpatient therapy. Addiction treatment helps people with compulsive behaviours such as gambling problems, alcohol abuse or drug addiction to overcome the addiction through a bespoke approach to therapy and medical care, helping them to return to a normal and fulfilling life. Addiction treatment often begins with a detox and is centred around behavioural therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy or dialectical behavioural therapy. Medicines may also be used alongside behavioural therapies. The type and duration of therapy can differ, depending on your addiction and your requirements, but however you begin treatment, you should ensure that it is the right type of addiction treatment for you.
A holistic approach to therapy is often the best way to overcome an addiction. By treating mind, body and spirit you can learn techniques to help you understand your addiction and stay in control, avoiding relapses in the future. There are thousands of recognised types of therapy and there are many different ways to take part in the treatment. You might prefer the support that you can find in group psychotherapy, or the privacy of one-to-one treatment. Skilled practitioners who understand your addiction can help you to understand your triggers, break the cycle of addiction and provide tailored support to suit your specific situation.
Treatment is the general term for the professional help you seek when you want to overcome an addiction. The term ‘treatment’ encompasses all aspects of assistance, from detox to therapy and aftercare. Therapy is a specific part of a wider treatment plan, such as behavioural therapy or counselling, that helps you to overcome your addiction. Therapy is delivered by trained professionals in controlled environments and may take place in groups or as one-on-one sessions.
Therapy is an important part of addiction treatment as it helps you to understand what may have caused the addiction and give you the tools to help you manage and overcome it. Therapy is not a guaranteed cure for addiction, but it can successfully disrupt the tendency to engage in addictive behaviours and help you to understand your addiction, how it impacts on your life and the lives of your loved ones and provide you with the techniques you need to manage your addiction and return to a normal, fulfilling life. There are many types of therapy, each offering a different approach and it is important that you choose the therapy that suits you. Studies show that if you fully engage with therapy, you will be more likely to overcome your addictions, although you will often require ongoing therapy and aftercare to prevent relapse.
Addiction treatment usually begins with detox as you will need to remove all traces of drugs and alcohol from the body before the treatment and therapy phase can start. For some people it may be possible to detox at home with outpatient support, but for the majority of people and particularly those with severe addictions, detox in a residential rehab centre is more appropriate. Inpatient detox provides round-the-clock support, medical monitoring and is often the safest and most comfortable way to complete the process. Detox is the first phase of recovery from addiction and is then followed by treatment and therapy to address the many associated psychological, social and behavioural problems caused by addiction.
