Treatment Discussion

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There are many forms of Behavioral Therapies that are used in treatment for drug addiction. Listed below are some of the behavioral therapies utilized in treatment programs and the areas they have proven to be effective in.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a method of treatment that was originally developed for preventing relapse for individuals with a drinking problem. CBT later became a form of treatment used for treating people addicted to cocaine. This form of therapy has proven to be effective in treating individuals addicted to alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and nicotine.

With cognitive behavior therapy the individual learns to identify their negative and problematic thinking and behavior patterns and develop positive and helpful thinking and coping skills to maintain self-control. Coping skills are developed ahead of time so the individual is better prepared for situations that may develop in their future causing a relapse.

Research continues in order to continuously improve drug abuse treatment for long term successful results.

Vouchers Plus Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) is for individuals who abuse cocaine and alcohol. This is an intensive outpatient form of therapy that's used for the treatment of alcohol and cocaine dependency that lasts for 24 weeks. The goals of using the Community Reinforcement Approach are to help the individual maintain their abstinence long enough to learn new helpful life skills that will help them sustain their abstinence and to reduce the individual's consumption of alcohol when their drinking is associated with cocaine use.

The way it works is that the patients attend 1 or 2 individual counseling sessions a week. The counseling sessions are focused on the improvement of family relationships, learning many skills to reduce their drug use, work or career related counseling and helping the individual develop new recreational activities and social networks.

Urine samples are given 2 or 3 times a week and the patient is given vouchers when their samples are clean from cocaine use. These vouchers can be used for merchandise that is consistent with a cocaine free lifestyle.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a patient-centered counseling approach for initiating changes in the patient's behavior by helping them work through uncertainty when it comes to engaging in treatment and stopping their drug use. Motivational interviewing principles are used to strengthen the patient's motivation and build a plan for change.

The Matrix Model is a form of behavioral therapy that's been found to be effective for individuals who abuse stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine. The Matrix Model helps patients achieve abstinence from the use of stimulants by educating them about the dangers and seriousness concerning addiction and relapse. A trained therapist helps the patient with direction and support and familiarizes the patient with self-help programs. The patients are monitored for drug use through urine testing. Therapists work closely with their patients teaching and coaching them towards positive behavior changes.

12 Step Facilitation Therapy is designed to help the substance abuser understand the benefits associated with 12 step self-help groups that promote abstinence. This form of therapy is very successful for individuals receiving treatment for alcohol, stimulant and opiate abuse. The individual learns to accept the fact that addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that they have no control of. That it takes much more than willpower to overcome their problem with drugs or alcohol. They realize that their life has become unmanageable and the only alternative they have is abstinence. With the help and support they receive from others going through the same thing, surrendering themselves to their 'Higher Power' and integrating the steps and principles of 12 step self-help the individual is able to maintain abstinence and manage their sobriety.

Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) is a form of therapy for drug abusers and their partners. Behavioral Couples Therapy uses a sobriety/abstinence contract and behavioral principles to reinforce abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

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