Why Therapy Is Essential in Treating Addiction

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When people are addicted to certain substances, there can never be enough excuses to make up for the fact that the person made a wrong decision.

However, if the person does not admit that he took a wrong turn in life, there’s no point in keeping him in rehab because he will relapse as soon as he walks out of that door.

So, what should you do in these situations?

You could introduce him to a therapy session because only a therapist can talk and discuss the problems he is trying to escape through addiction. Once those issues are out in the open, you can finally treat the person right and help him get back to the main track of life.

In NYC intensive outpatient program by Ascendant, you can find out all about the best therapeutic approaches to help a patient overcome addiction. So, if you want to know more about it, keep on scrolling, and we will get you there.

A young girl is sitting on the chair embracing her legs and looking into the window

How Does a Therapy Work in Addiction Treatment?

When you meet a professional therapist to talk about your problems, that is known as a therapy session. 

People did not used to take mental health problems so seriously before, but with their growth statistics, there have been some changes in the popularity of therapy sessions. Howeverblem, therapy has always been the priority, especially in treating a drug problem.

But, how does therapy work? Let’s find out.

Firstly, therapists create an alliance with the patients to maintain their trust quotient. Then, the counselor keeps on talking until he hits a nerve, forcing the patient to confront the problems that drove him to seek refuge in drugs and alcohol.

Secondly, the counselors ensure patients that their best interests are at the forefront, and once that job is done, patients start talking. As a result, they become more interested in collaborating with the therapists and become more attentive during the sessions instead of being distant.

Finally, the patients learn that the therapist emphasizes their problems and that feeling helps them express their hidden emotions even more intricately. Some of them even end up crying and shrieking because the therapist has communicated the foundational issues of their addiction problems. 

Benefits of a Therapy

There are ample benefits of a therapy session, so it is often considered one of the first few treatment approaches in an addiction treatment center. Let’s explore the benefits of therapy here:

  1. It Helps You Get the Control Back 

When you have sunk deep in addiction, you must have forgotten to get back on the accelerator and regain control of the journey.

A therapy session can help you get the control back. He won’t be there to drive you to your destination, but he will help you navigate the path that will take you closer to the destination.

A good therapist will encourage you to push the barriers even when things get rough. Thus, when you face the withdrawal symptoms and decide it’s time to quit sobriety, your therapist will stand strong beside you.

  1. It Helps You Achieve Goals Faster

You don’t go to a therapist to discuss your problems and get an immediate solution. So, no, it doesn’t work like that.

But, therapy can help you reach your goals faster because the therapist will help you identify the obstacles and remove them healthily instead of seeking an escape route in addiction.

You may choose addiction because you are not successful in romantic relationships. The therapist will guide you to explore some healthy ways to talk to women and express your emotion the right way to find love.

Not all of you have the same goals, but the root of your addiction problem must have been some unfulfilled goals, which can be achieved healthily through a therapy session. 

  1. It Is Personalized and Tailored to Your Needs

There is no universal approach to therapy to treat addiction because every person undergoing this problem has different issues.

 Your therapist talks to you and knows all about your medical and addiction history to strategize the right treatment approach for you.

 Some people may have sunk into addiction because they were trying to fit in with the so-called ‘cool’ people, whereas some people may have chosen addiction as an escape route to avoid their social anxiety problems.

 The therapist will understand what your problems are and only then will select the right therapeutic method to assist you in this journey.

Types of Therapy 

People at the addiction center are talking to a guy

If you need a person in addiction to undergo recovery, you must know the different therapy options. Without getting complete knowledge of which therapy works, you can’t decide which one is right for you.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

In CBT, the therapist tries to find the triggers that cause drug cravings. 

He will talk to the addiction patient and identify the moods, situations, thoughts that compel the person to seek drugs.

Once those feelings are out in the open, the therapist will teach you to avoid them. Then, you can learn how to replace those negative emotions with positive ones.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT helps the addiction victim understand and acknowledge his problem and make changes.

This therapy was originated in 1970 when it was used to treat people with suicidal ideations. Nowadays, it is used in the same way but only to boost healthy behaviors instead of substance misuse.

DBT recommends starting positive relationships, expanding one’s social circle, taking up a new hobby, exercising, and many more things that will keep the person’s schedule busy and will help him prevent using.

Contingency Management Therapy

This therapeutic method works like a bribe, and even though that is not the ideal way to treat addiction, it works for some people.

Therapists try to motivate people to abstain from addiction and offer them rewards when they stay clean for a certain period.

 If this process continues, the person soon learns to deal with the drug urges and continue being sober without the positive reinforcements.

Get the Right Therapist

If you don’t get the right therapist in your addiction treatment journey, none of the benefits mentioned above will prove to be true.

A smiling therapist is talking to a patient
Luckily, at Ascendant NY, there are a bunch of therapists to choose from, and you can choose the right one for yourself after interacting with them.

So, if you need more details on them, ping us in the comment box.