Substance use disorders are complex, chronic conditions that impact nearly 3 million Californians age 12 and older. Overcoming a substance use disorder (SUD) is challenging, but it can be done with the right support. It’s important to know that SUDs are not about “bad habits” or a lack of willpower; they are medical conditions that affect brain chemistry, behavior, and overall health. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat SUDs, and Awakenings Treatment Center can help you find the path that works for you. 

Here are the most effective ways to treat substance use disorders. 

Detoxification 

“Detox” is typically the initial phase of treatment, focusing on safely managing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms occur because the body and brain become dependent on a substance to function normally. When this substance is reduced or removed, the body goes through an adjustment period, which can lead to uncomfortable and sometimes even life-threatening symptoms. 

While many people fear the withdrawal process, it’s safer and more comfortable when done under supervision. Medical detox is a supervised process of clearing harmful substances from the body. During this time, you will be monitored for any physical or psychological complications. Medications are available to treat symptoms such as seizures, anxiety, and dehydration. Like other parts of the treatment process, medical detox is individualized to your needs. 

On average, the detox process lasts 3-10 days. How long the process takes for you depends on the substance you are dependent on, the severity of withdrawal symptoms, and the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders. 

Behavioral Therapies 

Once you have gone through detox, you are considered “stable” and can continue on with therapy. Detox addresses the physical symptoms of recovery, while the rest of treatment focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects. Behavioral therapies are central to SUD treatment, as they help address the root causes of your drug or alcohol use and develop healthier ways of coping. 

The most common behavioral therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and contingency management. CBT teaches you how to recognize and change harmful thought patterns and behaviors, while DBT focuses on emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Contingency management provides tangible rewards for positive behaviors, such as staying drug-free. 

There are many other types of behavioral therapies, but these are some of the most common. When you receive treatment at Awakenings Treatment Center, you will likely have a combination of behavioral therapies included in your treatment plan. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment 

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be a game-changer for certain substances, such as opioids and alcohol. MAT combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies to treat withdrawal symptoms, ease cravings, and address the biological aspects of addiction. Being on the right medications also makes it easier to recover. For opioids, the medications that may be used are methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. Alcohol dependence can be treated with disulfiram, acamprosate, or naltrexone. 

Family and Individual Counseling 

SUDs affect the family by straining relationships and eroding trust. Without support, families often don’t know how to put the pieces back together. It’s also important that underlying family issues that could be continuing to the substance use are addressed, such as codependency, enmeshment, or abuse. Fortunately, family counseling can help by improving communication and strengthening family bonds. 

Individual therapy, on the other hand, is between you and a therapist. These sessions are a great opportunity to talk about your more personal struggles or the things you don’t want to share in a group setting. There are many different types of individual therapies, such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing (MI).

Support Groups and Peer Support

Connecting with others who have faced similar struggles can be a powerful motivator in recovery. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous offer community support and a structured approach to sobriety. There are also non-12-step alternatives to consider, such as SMART Recovery. Aside from your support groups, staying connected to the friends and family who support your recovery is also important. 

Holistic Therapies 

Holistic therapies can complement traditional treatments by addressing the mind, body, and spirit. Awakenings Treatment Center recognizes the many ways that SUDs impact a person’s life, which is why your mind and spirit also need the chance to heal. If these parts are broken, it will make the recovery process harder and perhaps incomplete. 

Additionally, holistic therapies teach you healthy ways to spend your time and manage stress. Some of our favorites include yoga and mindfulness for stress reduction, exercise programs to improve physical and mental health, and art or music therapy to encourage emotional expression.  

Lifestyle Changes 

Therapy is beneficial, but you are likely to slip back into old habits if you return to your same lifestyle. Whether you receive treatment from an inpatient or outpatient program, you will eventually return to your everyday life, and you will have to be willing to make changes that support recovery. Some of the things that are critical to long-term success include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, following a structured routine, and getting enough rest. You will also need to build a strong support circle around you, which may involve letting go of old relationships. 

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention 

Staying sober is a conscious choice you have to make every day. This is why it’s important to build a life that supports this journey so that you don’t fall back into harmful patterns of behavior. Continued therapy or counseling sessions, participation in alumni or support groups, and relapse prevention strategies for managing triggers are all important parts of your aftercare plan. It’s normal to have good days and bad days, but when things feel continuously harder, it’s a sign that you may need more support. 

Substance Use Treatment in Agoura Hills, CA 

Substance use disorders are complex, but there are many ways to treat them. When you come to Awakenings Treatment Center, you will have access to a wide range of therapeutic interventions to support your recovery. We will find a path that works for you and helps you reach your goals. Contact us today at 844-581-2788 to learn more about our specialized outpatient programs for substance use and mental health disorders.