3 Reasons Different Types Of Therapy Are Important For Battling Drug Addiction

For people battling drug addiction, an important component that may be missing from their recovery is different types of therapy. Utilizing talk therapy and possibly psychiatric medication may help you on the road to recovery.

Hearing Similar Stories

There are many group therapy session for people battling drug addiction which can make you feel less alone in your struggles. Although many people are apprehensive about discussing sensitive topics in a group setting, you will quickly realize many people have similar experiences. Another benefit of group therapy can be the sense of accountability and disclosure. Once you have established yourself in the group, people will notice your absence and may have genuine concern if you skip sessions. You may feel a sense of responsibility to arrive at every session, which can be a critical step in recovery. Additionally, if you feel obligated to be honest about not only your drug use experiences, but whether or not you have returned to using, it may be enough to keep you clean.

Dealing With Underlying Issues

Whether you engage in therapy during a group session or individual counseling, it is important to address underlying issues that may have contributed to your initial drug use or the added pressure to return to using drugs. The catalyst to beginning drug use may begin in childhood for some people, especially if they were subjected to different forms of abuse inside or outside of the home. Feeling isolated or rejected can make drug use attractive if you find acceptance with fellow drug users.

Additionally, mental health conditions frequent co-occur with substance addiction. Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are just a few mental health diagnoses that are prevalent with drug addiction. Since therapy is frequently part of the treatment for mental health conditions, it follows that engaging in therapy should be part of your therapy for drug addiction. When you can address and treat underlying issues, you will have a better chance at staying clean, assuming you are receptive of treatment.

Trying Medication

Dealing with the underlying issues associated with drug abuse may be harder if you are not willing to try psychiatric medications. For many people, combining therapy with medications for depression or anxiety is the best approach. This is especially important if part of your drug use is related to self-medicating. For example, alcohol abuse may start as just a way to take the edge off a stressful day, but spiral out of control when anxiety and stress increases as a result of the alcohol wearing off. Similarly, other drugs may be used to self-medicate as a way to avoid a stressful or painful reality, or chasing feelings of euphoria that would not happen normally. Although finding the right psychiatric medication will not eliminate cravings for drugs or alcohol, it can make it easier to stay clean if you can achieve a better mental state.

Utilizing different therapeutic approaches is important to recovery from drug addiction. If you genuinely want to change, adding available therapy to your treatment plan may improve your chances of recovery.

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