How to Choose the Best Substance Abuse Treatment for You
Once you’ve determined that you have a substance abuse problem, the next challenge is finding the right treatment for your needs. There are many different types of substance abuse treatment. In fact, there are so many that you might feel discouraged and disheartened by trying to make a decision.
The good part? All substance abuse treatments can help. No matter which you choose, the fact that you are taking a conscious step towards sobriety will go a long way in curing your addiction.
That being said, there are certain treatments that are better than others. Here are some tips for choosing the best substance abuse treatment for you.
Types of Drug Treatment
Medications
Choosing the type of treatment for you depends on the severity of your addiction. One of the most common treatments for getting people off of illegal drugs are certain prescribed medicines, such as methadone or buprenorphine. These drugs lessen withdrawal symptoms while also preventing you from getting high.
Therapy
Another effective form of treatment is behavioral counseling or therapy. This allows you to talk about your addiction, understand the reasons for it, and learn how to deal with the problems that led you to drugs in the first place.
Inpatient/Outpatient Treatment
For those with serious addictions, these programs offer a complete way to end your addiction. Outpatient therapy requires you to meet at least several times a week in order to receive counseling, therapy, and motivational interviewing.
Inpatient therapy is more intense, as you will be living in a facility for a certain period of time. You might stay in a short-term facility, a therapeutic community, or recovery housing to help you get back on your feet.
Key Factors to Look for in Treatment
Not all treatment programs are created equal. Here are a few major things to look for when choosing your substance abuse treatment:
- A program that combines medication use with behavioral therapy
- A program that frequently reviews and modifies your plan of care depending on your needs
- A program that monitors drug use continuously and unexpectedly
- A program that uses treatments backed by scientific research
- A program that is at least three months long to prevent relapse
- A program that tailors itself to your exact needs
- A program that utilizes a 12-step program or other recovery method
Finding the Program That’s Right for You
At the end of the day, even if a program has all of the above factors, it still might not be right for you. Some people need even more specialized care during their recovery.
For example, for young adults or teenagers who are dealing with substance abuse, a treatment plan tailored for youth would be much more helpful than a generic adult treatment center.
What’s more, if you are highly religious, you might find more comfort in a spiritual treatment plan.
The choice is up to you – but just be sure to do your research before committing.
As you can see, finding substance abuse treatment really isn’t that hard if you just do a little browsing beforehand.
