5 Types of Addiction Therapy

Breaking your drug or alcohol habit with detox and rehab is a significant milestone toward sobriety. However, it’s only the beginning of the long-term plan to overcome addiction. Specifically, the next step to staying clean is therapy. Remember, there’s no shame in talking through your substance problems with a certified therapist. In fact, Psychology Today reported that 27 percent of US adults, around 59 million, attend therapy sessions. Indeed, you’re not alone in needing extra guidance to sort out the causes of your chemical dependence. Fortunately, there are several types of addiction treatment programs to choose from. Let’s take a look at five popular types of addiction therapy in simple terms that may individually or in combination be the perfect fit for you.

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was started by Dr. Aaron Beck in the 1960s to change harmful thinking patterns. Clients address any irrational beliefs or fears that contributed to substance use. Individually, clients spend 50 to 60 minutes voicing their distorted views to CBT clinicians. Next, CBT involves teaching mindful ways to cope with these recurring negative thoughts.

2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan, dialectical behavior therapy is another therapy where clients enhance how they experience life. In other words, DBT replaces addictive habits with future goals, life skills, and confidence. Accordingly, clients attend weekly one-on-one and group training sessions. Overall, DBT helps eliminate risky behaviors that threaten the quality of life by promoting mindfulness, managing boundaries, and consciously regulating emotions.

3. EMDR Therapy

Since the 1980s, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has helped clients work through painful memories. In particular, EMDR involves thinking about distressing events while gazing at a moving finger. Unlike some slower therapies, EMDR takes just ten weeks of individual meetings. In the end, clients can find peaceful acceptance of past hurts.

4. Trauma & PTSD Therapy

Trauma-informed addiction treatment programs feature post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy to stop the reliving of old wounds. Sometimes, people turn to drugs or alcohol after abuse, sexual assault, war, and other traumatic incidents. Thus, dual diagnosis treatment with PTSD therapy is needed to confront the pain. Dual diagnosis treatment understands that substance abuse and addiction are often accompanied by a mental disorder, such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, or depression. Both conditions must be treated together since one often influences the other. A depressed person may drink alcohol to escape the depression, and the alcohol could cause deeper depression, thereby encouraging even more drinking. Trauma can often lead to addiction and a mental disorder, thereby creating a dangerous downward spiral. For around eight to 12 sessions, clients face the trauma, identify their fears, and learn to survive.

5. Group Therapy

Addiction therapy centers often form groups of five to 15 clients for another of the prominent types of addiction therapy. In short, group therapy connects like-minded clients to discuss their experiences and concerns. Guided by a trained therapist, the group forges close-knit bonds of mental and emotional support. Further, clients master valuable social skills for forming relationships. These social skills and coping mechanisms transfer outside of the group and serve the individual well as they reengage with society and live a life of sobriety. Furthermore, the bonds made during group therapy often translate to a support network once treatment is completed.

Try All Types of Addiction Therapy at Beaches Recovery

Still unsure which therapeutic approach may best suit your needs? Don’t worry because Beaches Recovery can recommend the right course of treatment. Above all, our accredited Jacksonville rehab is committed to holistic care that’s customized for each person. Moreover, our coastal Florida location offers many one-of-a-kind experiential therapy activities, such as:

• Rope course therapy
• Equine therapy
• Hiking therapy
• Music therapy

At Beaches Recovery, we practice most types of addiction therapy with proven success. Also, our experienced team uses the great outdoors to relieve stress and build strength. Call us today 866.605.0532 to begin your journey toward sobriety in comfort.