Drug addiction is incredibly complex and requires a variety of treatment methods. An effective drug treatment method must help the individual stop using drugs and maintain a drug-free lifestyle. In order to accomplish this, professionals in the drug addiction treatment field must utilize effective, time-proven techniques to change the way the individual views drugs. The best way to accomplish this task is through effective addiction counseling.
Counseling, be it individual or group counseling, or other behavioral-related therapy techniques; are considered by most professionals to be a critical component of effective treatment for addiction. In therapy, individuals address issues of motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug-using activities with more constructive and rewarding behaviors and improve problem-solving abilities. Behavioral therapy addiction counseling also facilitates interpersonal relationships and the individual’s ability to function in the family and community.
There are several scientific approaches to drug addiction treatment used in addiction counseling today. These methods have been developed and tested for efficacy through research supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Each approach is designed to address certain aspects of an individual’s drug addiction. Used in conjunction with other treatment methods, these techniques have proven to be an extremely effective approach to drug rehab.
Relapse prevention, a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach, was developed for the treatment of problem-drinking and was later adapted for cocaine addicts. These counseling strategies are based on the theory that learning processes play a critical role in the development of maladaptive behaviors. The relapse prevention approach to the treatment of cocaine addiction consists of a collection of strategies intended to enhance self-control. Techniques would include exploring the positive and negative consequences of continued drug use as well as self-monitoring to recognize drug cravings early on and to identify high-risk situations for use. Additional focus would be on assisting the individual to develop strategies for coping with and avoiding these high-risk situations. The key concept with relapse prevention is to anticipate any problems that may arise and assist the individual with developing effective coping strategies.
The Matrix Model provides a framework for engaging stimulant abusers in treatment and helping them achieve abstinence. Patients learn about issues critical to addiction and relapse, receive direction and support from a trained counseling professional and become familiar with self-help programs. Using this approach, patients are also monitored for drug use via drug testing. The Matrix Model utilizes a therapist as the teacher and coach. The therapist must foster a positive relationship with the patient and use that relationship to reinforce the positive change in the client.
Supportive-Expressive Psychotherapy is a time-limited, focused psychotherapy approach to addiction counseling that has been very successful with heroin and cocaine-addicted individuals. This type of therapy has two main components: supportive techniques to help patients feel comfortable describing their experiences and, expressive techniques to help patients identify and work through any interpersonal relationship problems they may be experiencing. For this type of addiction counseling, special attention is focused on the role of drugs in relation to the problem feelings and behaviors and how these problems may be resolved without using drugs.
Individualized drug counseling focuses directly on reducing or stopping the addict’s drug use and addresses related areas of impaired functioning such as employment, family/social relationships, etc. The emphasis with this addiction counseling approach is on short-term behavioral goals.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy is a client-centered addiction counseling approach that is gaining popularity at drug rehab treatment centers across the country. Motivational enhancement therapy initiates behavior change via reward and helps clients resolve their ambivalence about engaging in treatment and stopping their drug use. This counseling approach uses strategies to achieve an immediate change in the addict rather than guiding the individual through the step-oriented recovery process. This approach is most popular with alcoholics and marijuana-addicted individuals.
