Mental Health Awareness: Addiction and Substance Abuse – Treatment

Many individuals with substance use disorders believe that in the beginning they can stop using drugs on their own and many try to stop without seeking treatment. However, most of these attempts result in failure to achieve long-term abstinence. Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for Substance Use Disorder. One size does not fit all, and a treatment approach for one person may not work for another. Treatment can be outpatient and/or inpatient and be provided by specialty programs, therapists, and doctors.

• Behavioral Treatments. Behavioral treatments, also known as counseling or "talk therapy," provided by licensed therapists are aimed at changing drinking or drug use behavior. Examples of behavioral therapies are brief interventions and reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing relapse, and mindfulness-based therapies.
• Mutual-Support Groups. Mutual-support groups provide peer support for stopping or reducing drinking or drug use. Group meetings are available in most communities, at low or no cost, at convenient times and locations—including an increasing presence online. This means they can benefit individuals at risk for relapse. Combined with medications and behavioral treatment provided by health professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support.
• Medications. Three medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent relapse: naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and disulfiram. All these medications are non-addictive, and they may be used alone or combined with behavioral treatments or mutual-support groups
• Detoxification and addiction-recovery programs. Hospitals, treatment centers, or special clinics may offer these programs. They provide a supportive environment and necessary resources to treat withdrawal symptoms and can provide significant help to individuals in recovery from drug use disorders.