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Detoxification - The achievement of a substance-free state. This is just the beginning of substance abuse treatment and sustained
abstinence from alcohol and drugs. This may take place in either inpatient or outpatient settings. Different treatment options
and pharmacology are used depending on the type of drug one is addicted to and his or her withdrawal symptoms (e.g. most alcoholics
are given benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, or barbiturates).
Acupuncture - stimulation, primarily by the use of solid needles, of traditionally and clinically defined points on or
beneath the skin, in an organized fashion for therapeutic and/or preventive purposes.
Individual Psychotherapy - although always present as a treatment option, this has not been the predominant treatment
modality for drug abusers since the 1960s, when inpatient 12-step-informed milieu therapy, group treatments, methadone maintenance,
and therapeutic community approaches came to be the fixtures of addiction treatment programs.
Pharmacotherapy - maintenance on an agonist that has an action similar to that of the abused drug (methadone, nicotine
gum), use of an antagonist that blocks the effect of the abused drug (naltrexone), use of an aversive agent that provides
a negative reinforcement if the drug is used (disulfiram), or the use of agents that reduce the desire to use the substance
(naltrexone, acamprosate). These agents seldom are employed without adjunctive psychotherapy.
Group Therapy - the primary form of treatment in structured inpatient and outpatient addiction programs for decades. Provides
patients with opportunities for 1. mutual identification and reduced feelings of isolation and shame 2. peer acceptance, support,
and role modeling 3. therapeutic confrontation and realistic feedback 4. peer pressure, social support, structure, and accountability
for making positive changes 5. acquisistion of new coping skills 6. exchange of factual information and 7. instillation of
optimism and hope.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - both a fellowship and rehabilitation program. AA meetings are conducted in small group settings
where literature is used along with group discussion. AA uses a 12-step program that has at its basis a spiritual foundation.
Meetings center on helping members realize they need and have the support of others and a dependence on a higher power. AA
has been adapted to treat many other problems such as narcotic addiction, cocaine abuse, overeating, compulsive gambling,
compulsive sexual behavior, and the pain of children of alcoholics.
Family/Couples Therapy - family members are important to substance abusers, and substance abusers are important to their
families. Family members can be a tremendous resource toward convincing reluctant substance abusers to seek help.
Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - psychotherapies that focus primarily on individuals' thoughts and behaviors.
Some attend mostly to cognitive processes, some attend mostly to behavioral processes, and some have been equally attentive
to both. CBT is typically active, structured, directive, focused, and oriented to the present. Three major theories of substance
abuse include relapse prevention, cognitive therapy, and behavioral learning theory.
Others treatment options include, but are not limited to:
The Therapeutic Community (TC)
Network Therapy
Faith-Based Approaches
Correctional Treatment Services
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