Five effective treatment options for substance abuse include outpatient care, addiction psychiatry, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and ketamine therapy. Find out how they may be applied in a recovery center setting.

Key Takeaways

  • Various methods are used in substance abuse treatment, including outpatient care, addiction psychiatry, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and ketamine therapy.
  • The right approach is determined based on the severity of the condition, underlying mental health disorders, and other lifestyle factors.
  • Clients are often treated with a combined approach to support optimal well-being and produce better outcomes.

Table of Contents

Introduction

According to the National Association of Counties (NACO), about 48.5 million people 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year. There is no single treatment approach. Methods must be tailored to the individual based on the severity of addiction, underlying conditions, and lifestyle factors to produce better outcomes.

Therapy is one of the effective treatment options for substance abuse

Generally, the options include outpatient care, addiction psychiatry, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and ketamine therapy. Often, a combination of therapies is used. This article will review them all, so you have an idea of what to expect.

What Is Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Disorders?

Outpatient treatment allows the client to attend substance abuse treatment programs while living at home. It is generally prescribed in levels, with treatment becoming less intense as symptoms improve. However, each level can also be a primary form of care.

The treatment is recommended for individuals who need structured care but don’t require 24/7 oversight and have a stable home environment. It can also be ideal for those who can’t step away from their daily responsibilities to receive recovery care.

The levels of care are typically as follows:

  • Partial Hospitalization Program: At this level, clients attend sessions for several hours a day, several days a week, as part of a ‘full-time’ approach to care. They attend therapy and engage in workshops to learn emotional regulation and healthy coping mechanisms.
  • Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Clients attend shorter therapy sessions, typically three hours a day, 3-5 days a week.
  • Traditional Outpatient Care: Consists of even shorter sessions, typically 30-45 minutes, once or twice a week, offering ongoing support.

How Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Integrated Into Recovery Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment typically refers to the medications used to help clients manage detox, but it can also refer to longer-term care.

Detox may be the most difficult part of drug addiction recovery. Clients experience withdrawal symptoms that can range from uncomfortable to dangerous. Medications are typically used to reduce complications and help clients stabilize.

Several FDA-approved medications are used to support detox from opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder, as follows:

Opioid

  • Buprenorphine: This partial opioid agonist activates opioid receptors to reduce cravings and withdrawal but has a ceiling effect that limits euphoria and overdose risk.
  • Methadone: A full opioid agonist that fully activates opioid receptors at a steady dose to reduce cravings and support stability.
  • Naltrexone: An opioid antagonist that blocks receptors so opioids don’t have a rewarding effect.

Alcohol

  • Naltrexone: Also works for alcohol, blocking its rewarding effects.
  • Acamprosate: Restores brain chemistry after alcohol use, helping reduce anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.
  • Disulfiram: Causes an unpleasant reaction if alcohol is consumed.

What Is Addiction Psychiatry and Personalized Treatment Planning in the Treatment Spectrum?

While addiction psychiatry can include MAT, it is more focused on handling underlying mental disorders that may have contributed to drug abuse, using a medical management approach. It typically begins with a thorough evaluation to diagnose emotional conditions and assess the individual’s physical health to determine the best approach. Clients may then be prescribed antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds for emotional regulation.

Addiction psychiatry is typically an ongoing treatment. Clients will continually be assessed, and doses will be adjusted as needed. Psychiatrists also often collaborate with psychologists, physicians, and other medical professionals, taking an integrated approach towards addiction care.

What Role Does Behavioral Therapy Play in Addiction Treatment?

Behavioral therapy in addiction treatment

Various behavioral therapies are used to target mental health conditions that may contribute to drug use, teaching clients coping skills so they can deal with their emotions without substances. Dual diagnosis treatment is essential as addiction often co-occurs with mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD.

It is often combined with medication for a comprehensive approach. According to an NIDA study, combined therapy and medication are more effective than either alone.

Therapies commonly used for substance use disorders include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Identifies and addresses negative thought patterns and teaches clients to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy: Takes a more mindful approach to emotional regulation, with a focus on distress tolerance.
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy: Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling approach designed for individuals resistant to change, emphasizing empathy and collaboration to explore motivation for recovery.
  • Family Therapy: Families are often brought into therapy sessions to learn about their loved ones’ addiction and ensure they provide an environment conducive to healing.
  • Group Therapy: Clients benefit from peer support and understand they are not uniquely broken.

How Is Ketamine Therapy Used for Co-Occurring Disorders?

Ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic, but mental health professionals have recognized its potential to help with treatment-resistant depression, which may contribute to substance abuse. Unlike traditional antidepressants that target serotonin and take weeks to work, ketamine works on the brain’s glutamate systems to rapidly promote neuroplasticity, easing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Therapy may be administered via IV, intramuscularly, as a nasal spray, or as a pill. Outpatient sessions take 30 to 45 minutes, and clients are monitored over several weeks. Maintenance sessions are often required.

How Does Aftercare Help with Relapse Prevention?

While these five components are typically the primary forms of drug addiction treatment, they are often supported with an aftercare program.

Clinics realize that recovery doesn’t happen the minute clients complete the initial treatment stages- it’s a lifelong journey. They continue to offer support with resources, check-ins, and alumni programs. This approach can assist with long-term recovery goals.

Get Started with BNI Clinics Today

BNI Clinics of Los Angeles takes a personalized approach to substance use and mental health treatment, offering comprehensive care. We combine evidence-based treatment with innovative methodologies to provide a whole-person approach. Our clinic supports clients with tailored outpatient care to promote optimal well-being.

Contact us to begin your journey today.

FAQs

What is the most effective treatment for substance abuse?

There is no single most effective treatment for substance abuse. The right approach varies depending on the client’s individual needs. Often, a combination of methods is used for optimal well-being.

What is the difference between addiction psychiatry and medically assisted treatment (MAT)?

Addiction psychiatry is a medical specialty that involves evaluating and diagnosing clients and adjusting dosages as needed. MAT is a clinical intervention used to address cravings and withdrawal symptoms and ensure stability throughout recovery.

Can depression and substance abuse be treated at the same time?

Yes, clinics often take a dual diagnosis approach, treating substance abuse and contributing mental health disorders, such as depression, simultaneously. Clients learn to deal with their emotions in a healthy manner, without drugs or alcohol, to promote long-term healing.

Who is a candidate for ketamine therapy?

Ketamine therapy is often prescribed for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Clinically, that means they have not responded to medications or traditional talk therapy, and need a more intensive approach.

How long does substance abuse treatment last?

Substance abuse treatment can vary in duration depending on the severity of the condition. It can last weeks, months, or years, depending on the intensity of treatment required.

Sources

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-annual-national-report
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition).” https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-3rdEd-508.pdf
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Treatment.” https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment
  4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options
  5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Medications for Substance Use Disorders.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options/medications
  6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Buprenorphine.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options/buprenorphine
  7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.” https://library.samhsa.gov/product/tip-63-medications-opioid-use-disorder/pep21-02-01-002
  8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Information about Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).” https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/information-about-medications-opioid-use-disorder-moud
  9. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Medications Development Program.” https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/medications-development-program
  10. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Recommend Evidence-Based Treatment: Know the Options.” https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/recommend-evidence-based-treatment-know-options
  11. National Institute of Mental Health. “Cracking the Ketamine Code.” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2023/cracking-the-ketamine-code
  12. National Institute of Mental Health. “Depression: The Case for Ketamine.” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/media/2023/depression-the-case-for-ketamine

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    Dr. Aram Keshishyan

    Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.

    Aram Keshishyan, PsyD. is a bilingual, Armenian-speaking, licensed clinical-forensic psychologist who has been practicing since 2013. Dr. Keshishyan emigrated to the United States at the age of 1 and grew up in the highly diverse Los Angeles County area. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Master of Arts and Doctorate of Psychology degrees in Clinical-Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University, Alhambra.

    Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh

    Arastou Aminzadeh, MD

    Dr. Aminzadeh co-founded BNI to provide patients with exceptional and complete care that goes beyond the regular standards. Each individual is unique and based on each person's genetic makeup, some have a more painful response to challenges that arise on their journey and need assistance to get back on track.

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