During addiction treatment, you can focus on your recovery while also taking care of your physical and mental health. You will also have the opportunity to learn about your underlying addiction, which may help you make healthier decisions in the future.

Addiction is a complex disease that impacts a person's entire life. It is a chronic, relapsing illness that has serious implications for family relationships and overall health.

Medications

Medications are an important part of addiction treatment. They help ease withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings that can lead to relapse.

Typically, medications are used to treat opioid dependence or alcoholism. They can also be used to control pain, nausea, and other physical symptoms associated with the withdrawal process.

For example, naltrexone can be used to reduce a person’s physical craving for opioids. However, it must be used after a person has gone through a detoxification process for opioids.

Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is an extended-term treatment option that combines behavioral therapy and medication to treat the whole person. It is an effective option for those with co-occurring mental health disorders and is particularly beneficial for people who have a history of substance abuse and related problems.

Choosing a treatment program that has everything you need for successful recovery is critical to long-term sobriety. The right treatment program should provide follow-up care that will help you stay sober, including counseling, group therapy and support groups.

Counseling

Counseling is a key part of an addiction treatment program. It focuses on helping individuals recognize their substance abuse issues, develop skills for coping with them and get the support they need to stay sober.

It also teaches family members how to be supportive and helpful when their loved one is suffering from an addiction or substance use disorder. This can include providing information on the disease, sharing coping strategies and improving communication skills.

A therapist may also conduct group therapy sessions to help people who are in recovery. In these groups, they can meet with peers who have similar experiences as them and share their successes and struggles.

A counselor may also provide family therapy sessions as a way to support a patient's recovery process and encourage their participation in therapy. This counseling can be done in one-on-one or group settings, depending on the needs of the patient and family members.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-aided treatment (MAT) uses FDA-approved medications to help people struggling with addiction overcome their substance use disorders. This combination of medications and counseling helps reduce relapse rates and increase the chances for long-term success in recovery.

MAT can be used to treat opioid dependence, as well as alcohol and tobacco addictions. Several medications are used for these purposes, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

In addition to medication, MAT programs may include therapy and counseling. These therapies can help patients develop coping skills, learn healthy behaviors, and identify the factors that make them vulnerable to substance abuse.

Although some medical professionals have criticized MAT, research shows it’s a viable option for many patients with alcohol and opioid use disorders. However, MAT must be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment program that takes into account the patient’s physical and behavioral health needs. The most successful outcomes will occur when treatment providers are educated and supportive of MAT as an integral part of their work.

Follow-Up Care

As part of an addiction treatment program, follow-up care is important to ensure patients are making progress with their recovery. This can include checking in on a person's medication use and testing for health conditions that might have resulted from drug use.

While some conditions can be corrected with one visit to a healthcare professional, others require ongoing treatment. That's why effective follow-up is so important for fostering reliable relationships, improving patient outcomes and maximizing operational efficiencies.

The right follow-up care can help people overcome a substance abuse problem by helping them achieve and maintain sobriety for the rest of their lives. This includes a variety of treatment methods, including detoxification, counseling and behavioral therapy.

Often, this type of care also involves case management, which helps people access critical services such as housing, transportation and child care. These services can help people with substance use disorders find employment and live a sober life.