Treatment for Addiction

Treatment for addiction comes in many forms for all kinds of addictions and millions of people are suffering. Treatment centers deal with addictions to substances, porn, television, eating, and spending. Even though these addictions have nothing in common other than they are addictions, the treatment for addiction is usually about the same.

An individual has to first go through a stage where he or she will be completely cut off from their addiction. This is done through detoxification. Even though detoxification is mainly known in the substance abuse and substance addiction recovery process, other addictions are still in need of this step as well. It helps the individual be able to focus on the rest of their treatment for addiction without the want to constantly use the thing they are addicted to.

Treatment Facilities

Treatment facilities for drug or alcohol addiction are located throughout the entire United States and are usually located in beautiful places, have comforting colors and have plenty of land and space.
The location for treatment facilities is just as important as if the facility was for a person’s own private home. When someone is in addiction recovery, they have to feel at ease and happy to be there; locating the facility on a snowy mountain top, ocean front, or on a glassy lake makes for a relaxing feel therefore the individual will be able to concentrate more on his or her overall recovery.
Calming and comforting color pallets are another major focal point that treatment facilities have to consider. Warm, earth toned colors usually make for relaxed patients, but when colors such as red are put up they change the patients mood to unpleasant.


Counseling and therapy are most common in the later stages of recovery. These processes are there to help the individual learn how to adapt to life without their addiction and what to do if they are tempted to use. The now almost recovered addict will obtain a material object to mark the date of when he or she first became sober, but if they relapse they will have to give that object up.

Two methods of addiction counseling are available at most addiction rehabilitation centers:

Individual Counseling

The main advantages of individual counseling are that the counselor caters to only one client during the session, specific needs of the client can be addressed and a more personalized treatment program can be designed.

During individual counseling there are no conflicting, confusing statements or emotions from other patients that could distort thought patterns or interfere with decision-making.

Also, the patient in individual counseling is in control of his own behavior, the degree of commitment, and ultimate success.

Group Counseling

Group counseling fulfills a basic human need – the need to feel connected to others.
One advantage of group counseling is that it allows members to learn from each other, to relate to others, and to recognize attitudes and behaviors that need addressing.

Another aspect or advantage of group counseling is that it provides support, insight, and comfort. When a patient speaks out and shares feelings in a group setting, improved self-expression abilities and enhanced social skills are learned.

Cognitive Treatment Programs

Cognitive treatment programs are used for treating depression, phobias, anxiety disorders or other mental problems, and are a valuable tool in treating substance abuse. The main goal of cognitive treatment programs is to help an addict change the way they think about using drugs or alcohol and to teach them coping skills to avoid the type of situations or circumstances that could lead to continued drug or alcohol abuse.

How Does Cognitive Treatment Work?

The cognitive treatment approach is based on the idea that a person’s feelings and behaviors are caused by their thoughts rather than by outside influences such as people, events or situations. In other words, a person might not be able to change a circumstance or situation, but can change the way they think about it and therefore control the way they react or behave.

Cognitive treatment programs teach a person how to recognize and avoid situations that are likely to
result in drug or alcohol use. Two components used in this process are:

Functional analysis: gives the patient insight into why they used drugs or alcohol by focusing on the thoughts, feelings or circumstances before and after they used the substance.

Skills training: by developing new behaviors and coping skills the patient learns alternative methods for dealing with problems without resorting to drugs or alcohol.

How Effective Is Cognitive Treatment?

While cognitive treatment programs work for some and not for others, they are considered most effective when used in a patient/therapist setting rather than a group setting.

With repeated practice of the newly learned coping skills, the patient becomes less likely to resort to drugs or alcohol in situations. Once the patient realizes they are doing well, they understand what needs to be done to continue these positive outcomes.

Motivation is the ultimate treatment for addiction. If you are motivated to complete your addiction recovery then nothing else should matter. You can overcome your addiction on your own terms and with little help from your doctor. To learn more about the best treatment for addiction for you, contact Choices Recovery drug rehab today. We will be able to give you step by step guidance in the planning process and help you see what will work best and what will not for your total success over addiction.