Different Types of Therapies Available in the Outpatient Rehab for Addiction Treatment

Treating addiction is a complex process that needs evidence-based pharmacological and psychological interventions to help people get on the road to recovery. While every individual is different, they need customised or tailored treatment plans to meet their unique needs and overall recovery goals. An integral part of treating substance use disorder or addiction is therapy, and there are normally several types of therapies available for addiction rehab

Rehab therapies help people heal and manage their addiction. Also, depending on several factors, such as location, cost, and intended focal or specialised groups, rehab therapies for addiction treatment, like one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and family counselling, are used as standard therapies in outpatient rehab. Additional therapies available for addiction rehab may include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), contingency management, the matrix model, and motivational enhancement therapy.

In addition to these rehab therapies available, the individuals are first evaluated by a treatment professional to assess the causes and severity of the addiction. This assessment helps medical professionals to decide whether an individual needs outpatient rehab and, if yes, which therapies can help them recover.

Individual or One-on-One Therapy

Individual therapy is a practice where a therapist and patient meet on a one-to-one basis to understand the underlying causes of addiction. And the individual rehab therapies go from weeks, months, to years.

The goal of these sessions is to build a rapport between the patient and the therapist so that the patient feels more comfortable in the sessions and freely talks about their unique set of emotions, thoughts, and history. Individual therapy ensures the client opens up and can get to the root of their mental health issues. Hence, the therapists offer personal attention to the patient to recover quickly compared to group therapy settings. Individual therapy also allows patients to address specific problems or feelings they may not put through in group settings.

Psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are commonly used in individual therapies. While in psychoanalysis, therapists assess an individual’s personality, inner conflicts, personal defences, feelings, and phobias, CBT helps them work on negative emotions and behaviours and learn new coping skills to replace them, resist temptations, and prevent relapse.

Group Therapy

Group therapy in outpatient rehab is a practice where more than one client works with the therapist simultaneously. A popular form of psychotherapy, group therapy is widely used for addiction treatment.

Group therapy involves a therapeutic form of communication where people from different walks of life share their experiences associated with substance use. In group settings, all the participants converse about one topic, and the therapist ensures that the conversation doesn’t go off track.

Group therapy is also helpful for people who belong to similar backgrounds or those who have similar experiences, such as gender-specific programs, trauma survivors, and more. However, because more people remain involved in group therapy sessions, the chances of conflicts or disagreements are high. Therefore, the therapist allows the members to set up significant rules to prevent the session from becoming too chaotic. These rules may include the following:

• Avoiding racist, bigoted, and homophobic language
• Protecting the anonymity of group members
• Turning up on time
• Using “I” statements
• Being respectful to group members
• Not glamorising drugs or alcohol
• Being completely honest
• Avoiding all types of aggressive behaviours
• Allowing other people to speak
• Only sharing experiences

Another thing that makes group therapy one of the most effective rehab therapies for addiction treatment is that different members serve as role models for others. It also allows clients to dig deep into the root of their problems in a safe and supportive environment. In addition, people develop coping skills with the help of group therapy and learn to apply them in triggering situations. Also, group therapy is a cost-effective form of treatment.

Family Therapy

Addiction affects not only an individual’s professional life but also their personal life. And one thing that is affected the most is the family. Addiction disrupts an individual’s relationships with their partner, children, and other family members due to constant anxiety, stress, and the urge to use substances. Hence, outpatient rehab offers family therapy to help family members improve communication and resolve conflicts.

Though family therapy doesn’t automatically solve everything, it can help them understand each other better and provide them with skills to cope with challenging situations effectively.

A type of psychological counselling, family therapy, may include all family members or those who can participate, sit together and improve troubled relationships. In family therapy sessions, marital or financial problems, the conflict between parents and children, and the impact of substance abuse on the entire family are addressed.

During this process, the therapist first asks questions about how each family member views the problems, when the trouble started and how they manage things. Assessing the answers, the therapist then prepares a specialised treatment plan to help them communicate better, solve problems, and find new ways to work together instead of arguing and running away. Also, family therapy is often short-term.

Alternative Outpatient Rehab Therapies

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): is a form of psychotherapy that teaches coping skills to prevent relapse. It ensures that you explore the negative thoughts and behaviours associated with drug abuse and replace them with positive ones. CBT also helps subside the cravings.

The Matrix Model: combines several approaches, such as relapse prevention, family therapy, drug education and testing, and 12-step meetings to create a specialised treatment plan for different individuals.

Contingency Management (CA): reward the addicts for every positive behaviour, such as a negative urine drug test or involvement in group activities during the rehab.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy: helps people find motivation for a positive change against drug abuse and work towards achieving it. Also, this therapy starts with a thorough assessment, followed by multiple individual therapy sessions.

Rehab Therapies in Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab is a non-residential addiction treatment program that allows the patients to live at home and attend therapy sessions once or twice a week for a few hours. Perfect for people who don’t want to stay away from home or don’t want to disrupt their social life, outpatient rehab runs for as long as an individual needs it for recovery.

Outpatient rehab addresses mild addiction symptoms the best, but it also helps people with severe addiction who have completed inpatient treatment already.

Though outpatient treatment is flexible, it is particular in providing specific rehab therapies. The choice of therapies for addiction treatment depends on several factors, such as location, cost, and the severity of the addiction. If you don’t know your level of addiction and what therapy will suit you the best, contact the nearest outpatient rehab today to kick-start your addiction recovery.