Treatment Programs in Old Bridge, NJ

Addiction treatment therapy refers to any treatment designed to help addicts achieve or maintain sobriety. This means that addiction treatment programs can range from AA meetings and 12-step programs to art therapy and motivational interviewing. Treatment programs in Old Bridge run the gamut because each addict is different and what one person needs to overcome addiction and maintain sobriety can be drastically different from what another person needs.

What Is Addiction Treatment Therapy?

Addiction treatment therapy is anything that has the goal of changing the behaviors and mental processes that relate to addiction. The best way to think about this is to consider the three stages of relapse: emotional, mental and physical. Our relapse prevention program in Old Bridge is a tremendous help to addicts who suffer from constant cravings.

In emotional relapse, stressors lead addicts to think about drug use and its benefits to their emotional state. Addiction treatment therapies that may help at this stage focus on changing emotional responses and boosting mood. Examples of things that could improve mood include cognitive-behavioral therapy, art therapy, music therapy, restorative yoga, and biofeedback.

In mental relapse, addicts start thinking about drug use and planning on how to obtain their drug of choice. At this point, addiction treatment therapy would focus on distracting the addict and redirecting efforts. Examples of things that could be effective at this point include sobriety buddies, 12-step programs, AA/NA meetings, family therapy, and individual therapy.

In physical relapse, addicts begin seeking their drug of choice (e.g. going to bars or to potential dealers). At this point, a full drug and alcohol treatment program, such as one of the treatment programs in Old Bridge, is in order. People at this stage may need intensive outpatient counseling or inpatient rehab in Old Bridge.

Types of Treatment Programs for Addiction

Addiction treatment programs are countless. They can include individual therapy or group therapy. They can be as simple as talk therapy or as complex as learning a new instrument or art form. Treatment programs for addiction are designed to replace the positive effects of drug use without bringing the negative side effects of substance abuse into an addict's life. They are, in short, healthy coping mechanisms.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), when combined with medications and used over the long-term, is the most effective means of dealing with addiction and potential relapse. CBT focuses on finding the root causes of behavior and identifying triggers. Once triggers are identified, CBT helps addicts to develop tools for avoiding or coping with those triggers. These tools can be both simple and elaborate, but are always based on what works best for the recovering addict.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a technique used to assess an addict's state of mind and willingness to change behavior. Assessment is an ongoing process, but once an area in which change is possible is identified, addicts are questioned about how they would construct an acceptable plan for addressing such change. Motivational interviewing is a means of getting an addict to think about his or her behavior and then think about ways to address that behavior where possible.

Art Therapy

Art therapy can be as simple as a distraction from problems or as complex as a means of exploring hiding motivations and emotions. Art therapy is designed to provide individuals with a means of expressing painful and sometimes sub-surface feelings in a safe, non-judgement, non-confrontational environment.

Principles of Effective Treatment Programs for Addiction

For an addiction treatment program to be effective, it must be supportive, non-confrontational, and adaptable. It should be flexible enough to conform to the needs of each individual in order to address the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of addiction. Effective treatment programs should be positive and focus on providing alternative coping mechanisms.

Effective drug and alcohol treatment programs should be continued for prolonged periods and should attend to all of an individual's treatment needs, no just his or her addiction. This means dealing with mental and physical health issues, social issues, and family issues. An effective treatment program should also recognize the value of both medication and cognitive therapies in both short- and long-term recovery.

Addiction recovery cannot be forced, which is why all treatment programs in Old Bridge are voluntary. Addicts must be willing to participate toward their own recovery and use the tools offered to them or no amount of therapy will work.

This does not mean that treatment must be voluntary to be effective (coerced or sanctioned treatment can be highly effective), it simply means that motivating an addict to want to change is the single most important aspect of addiction recovery. It is this process of motivating an addict to change that most treatment programs for addiction focus on.

Call (877) 804-1531 to speak with an addiction specialist about our treatment options.