The first step after deciding to seek treatment is to find a facility and program that fit you. There are a variety of addiction treatment centers all over the country with a variety of treatment philosophies. However, some are more effective than others, and it’s important to find one that addresses your individual needs.
Finding an effective addiction treatment center will help improve your chances of achieving long-lasting recovery. However, established treatment centers with a track record of excellent service also look better to insurance companies and increase the likelihood of finding coverage.
Learn more about what you should look for in an addiction treatment program and what makes treatment effective.
Why Riverside, California?
There are addiction treatment opportunities throughout the U.S., and you could conceivably find success at any effective treatment center. However, clients often find that treatment in a pleasant location promotes healing and relieves some of the stress associated with treatment. Riverside, California, boasts year-round sunshine, a temperate climate, and a mountainous backdrop. If you are looking for a comfortable location to attend addiction treatment, Riverside is a clear choice. Still, it’s important to find an effective treatment center with results-driven treatment and experienced professional.
Look for Evidence-Based Treatment
Evidence-based treatment refers to therapy methodologies that have been scientifically studied and determined to be effective. Evidence-based approaches have also been standardized in such a way that makes it possible for them to be applied in different treatment settings. Alternative therapies that have not been extensively studied can be beneficial to some people, but they should only be used as a complementary therapy. When you’re looking for addiction treatment, it’s important to look for centers that use evidence-based methods as foundational treatment options. Plus, insurance companies will also look for evidence-based services when considering coverage at your facility of choice.
Finding Treatment That Works
With addiction and overdose emerging as an ever-growing epidemic in the United States, addiction treatment has also grown all over the country. There is a wide array of addiction treatment centers with different treatment philosophies. However, there has been, and continues to be, extensive scientific studies into the nature of addiction and how it can best be treated. Studies have shown that certain practices have proven track records of success. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has identified 13 principles that constitute effective addiction treatment.
Treatment centers that are most effective have integrated many of these principles into their treatment practices. Some of NIDA’s principles have become cornerstones of effective treatment philosophy and industry standards. Here are some of the most significant principles, and why they are so important to effective treatment:
Addiction Is a Disease
We’ve made a great deal of progress in our understanding of what addiction is within the past century. By the end of the 19th century, addiction was still regarded as a moral failing or a bad habit. At best, wealthy people would go to hospitals to be treated for withdrawal symptoms, while poor people would be sent to prisons or asylums to “dry out.”
In the early 20th century, doctors started to study the notion of addiction as a disease. Dr. William Silkworth was among the first people to study addiction in this way. He later treated Bill Wilson, who would go on to start Alcoholics Anonymous.
Since addiction is a complex disease with high rates of relapse, approaching treatment with an accurate understanding of what addiction is can help provide more comprehensive care. Most addiction treatment programs follow this principle, but if a program treats addiction as purely a moral failing or a bad habit, it’s a significant red flag.
No Single Ultimate Treatment Plan
Addiction is complicated, and every individual who seeks treatment for substance abuse disorder is different. Addiction can be caused by an underlying mental health problem, genetic factors, or environment and upbringing.
It also can affect multiple areas of a person’s life, including their career, finances, social relationships, and health.
Any given person attending treatment may have various factors to consider in treatment. For that reason, it’s individual treatment plans should be personalized as much as possible.
Generally, a treatment program that fits the plan rather than trying to fit the person to the plan is more effective.
Addresses Multiple Needs
A treatment program should address more than just your substance use disorder. A variety of issues can affect or be affected by addiction. Substance abuse is closely tied to mental health issues and medical issues such as infectious diseases. It also can cause legal, financial, and social problems. For addiction treatment to be successful, it’s important for your treatment center to take multiple needs into account. Ask if it is equipped to handle medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems. If not, it should have a comprehensive network of referrals to help meet any need that you might have.
Needs To Last Long Enough
You may be inclined to go through treatment as quickly as possible so that you can get back to your normal life.
However, even successful progression through treatment can be ineffective if it doesn’t last long enough.
Research shows that the length of time a person spends in a treatment program is key to their long-term success in recovery.
When treatment is long enough, it can help remove you from an active addiction lifestyle, teach you how to manage stress and triggers, learn more about relapse prevention, and address underlying mental health issues.
According to research, the most advantageous treatment duration is at least 90 days.
The length of time you spend in treatment will depend on your personal needs, but studies have shown that anything much less than 90 days has limited success.
Behavioral Therapies
Behavioral therapies are often used in addiction treatment and have proven to be effective in different settings. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most widely recommended therapy for addiction treatment. It focuses on addressing how thoughts and coping skills lead to behavior. By learning to cope more effectively with triggers and stress, you can prevent thoughts that lead to relapsing behavior.
Seeking Addiction Treatment Today
If you have been looking for addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, you don’t have to go through the process alone. The addiction treatment specialists at Delphi Behavioral Health Group can help you find the most effective treatment options for your needs.
