What to Expect in Rehab: Examples of Treatment Plans for Substance Abuse

Are you or someone you love about to go into rehab for substance abuse?

Up to 20 million people in the United States suffer from substance abuse. If you’re one of these people, the best thing you can do for yourself is to check into rehab.

However, you may feel anxious about doing this because you don’t know what to expect when you enter rehab. In particular, what kinds of treatments plans for substance abuse are used to help patients recover.

In this article, we’ll explain some examples of treatment plans for substance abuse which you can expect to encounter in rehab. Check them out below.

1. Treatment Medications

There are many treatment medications used in rehab. These can include the following medications:

• Naltrexone
• Buprenorphine
• Methadone

These are commonly given to people suffering from addiction to opioids. At alcohol rehab centers, patients could be prescribed one of the following:

• Disulfiram
• Acamprosate
• Naltrexone

Individuals with tobacco addiction are given nicotine preparations, such as gum or patches. It is worth noting that alcohol and tobacco addiction is often used in tandem with illicit drug use.

Dependence of illicit drugs can be treated via a number of medications. For example, heroin addiction is treated with Buprenorphine.

However, many illicit drugs can be treated without any medication. For example, cocaine addictions are often treated with therapy exclusively.

2. Behavioral Therapy

The most common type of therapy used at rehab centers is behavioral therapy. However, this isn’t a single therapy, but many therapies.

Behavioral therapies are linked by an emphasis on the causes and consequences of behavior. This can help patients avoid and handle situations of high-risk.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT has been described as the “gold standard for psychotherapy” by experts. It has been widely adopted in substance abuse rehab centers.

Patients develop an understanding of the relationship between substance abuse and behavior. By being able to spot a high-risk situation before it occurs, patients learn to cope better.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT isn’t as well-known as CBT. And yet, DBT has proven highly effective among patients with emotional problems.

It is often deployed in rehab centers with patients who report thoughts related to self-harm or suicide. The therapy helps patients to overcome negative thoughts and feelings. This is achieved through acceptance and understanding.

Techniques in DBT include relaxation practices, such as yoga and mindfulness. The therapy also encourages a more healthy lifestyle.

The Matrix Model

The Matrix Model is also adopted by rehab centers to help patients maintain the abstinence from substance abuse. Most commonly it is used against cocaine addiction or methamphetamine.

The therapy promotes a wide range of tested therapies. These include family therapy and support groups to encourage relapse prevention.

3. Motivational Therapy

Behavioral therapy is the most common type of therapy. And yet, motivational therapy is also widely adopted in rehab centers. Instead of focusing on the behavior of patients, the therapy tries to identify the underlying motivation.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy

An interview process is undertaken with the patient. The therapy attempts to encourage the patient to want change in their life through this.

Many patients enter rehab centers reluctant to engage with the treatment plan. This therapy focuses on establishing the incentive to give up substance abuse.

The therapist does not impose the motivation on the patient. Instead, the therapist encourages self-motivation.

Contingency Management 

Contingency management helps to address the desire for a reward for positive behavior. Abstention from substance abuse during rehab is rewarded with prizes, such as vouchers for food or family visits.

Experts have raised concerns about this treatment. There are fears it may encourage gambling or other addictive behaviors.

4. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Many patients who are substance abusers have undergone chronic stress. This can be due to traumatic experiences. This can further worsen substance abuse conditions.

The therapy helps to alleviate the symptoms of stress disorders. The EMDR therapy helps the patient to reprocess a traumatic event to attach less painful feelings to it.

5. 12-Step Therapy

The 12-step therapy is perhaps the most well-known treatment for people with alcohol or substance abuse issues.

Patients are often encouraged to participate in 12-step programs. This includes Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

And yet, few people know what the 12-step therapy entails before they participate themselves. There are a number of principles which are central.

These include the assumption that patients don’t have control over the disease alone. Therefore, only through the support of the group can they overcome substance abuse.

6. Alternative Therapy

A growing number of rehab centers are also embracing so-called alternative therapies. Many of these types of therapies take a holistic approach to substance abuse recovery.

Yoga and Meditation

Both yoga and meditation have been shown to promote improved mental and physical health. These practices are not enough by themselves. But, combined with other substance abuse therapies they can help many patients.

In particular, meditation has been shown to help to alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety. This is especially important for recovering drug and alcohol addicts who can relapse when under stress.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

People who struggle with substance abuse often experience severe mental health problems. If this is the case for you, consider attending a rehab center which embraces animal therapies.

There are a number of mental health disorders which can be helped by animal-assisted therapies. These include interaction with trained horses and petting dogs.

Treatment Plans for Substance Abuse

Are you or someone you know going into rehab for substance abuse? You need to know about treatment plans for substance abuse.

It can be overwhelming to think of the different treatments to help you to recover from your addiction to drugs and alcohol. However, it’s important to know what to expect before you enter rehab.

Do you have any experience of going into rehab for substance abuse? Get in touch with us in the comments below.