Addiction treatment is not “one size fits all.” Every individual has a different background and a different need. Some people respond to certain approaches better than others. Each person’s mental and physical health is unique, especially in regard to their addiction to drugs or alcohol. There are many reasons why specialized addiction treatment programs are more effective.
Treatment Options in Philadelphia
Addiction treatment comes in many forms, depending on the need of the individual. Customized treatment options can include:
- Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues, including depression and anxiety
- Behavioral counseling
- Individual and family therapy
- Medication management
- Relapse prevention techniques.
Specialized addiction treatment programs are crucial to the success of the individual. In the city of Philadelphia, treatment might include both medical and mental health services, depending on the situation and the need. Also critical to the success of the individual is follow-up care that can include community or family-based recovery support systems.
A Complex Disease
As the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains, addiction to drugs or alcohol is a complex disease that affects brain function and behavior. It is treatable with the right approach for the individual. Drugs that are abused alter the brain’s structure and function, which results in changes in the brain that continue long after a person has stopped using the drug. This is one of the reasons that relapse prevention is an important aspect of specialized addiction treatment programs in the city of Philadelphia.
As NIDA also emphasizes, no single treatment is appropriate for everyone and so addiction treatment should be customized, depending on the type of drug used and on the person’s own characteristics. Matching the addiction services, including treatment settings and interventions to the individual’s specific problems and needs, is critical to the person’s ultimate success in returning to productive functioning.
Different People, Different Needs
A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may have other challenges, including medical, psychological, social, vocational, or even legal problems. Those need to be taken into account as part of their addiction treatment program for it to be truly effective. Also, the person’s age, gender, and other demographics such as family background and culture may affect the structure of the treatment as well as the individual’s response to the approaches used in the program.
Mental disorders are another factor in the design of an effective addiction treatment program. Drug abuse and addiction often co-occur with other mental illnesses so the individual should be assessed for these conditions as well as for the severity of the addiction. Specialized addiction treatment programs will address the specific mental health issue of the individual at the same time as the addiction, making it more affective for the person overall.
The tailored duration of the specialized addiction treatment program is also part of what makes it more effective. Although research indicates that most people need at least three months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use, not everyone needs the same amount of therapy and counseling.
Specialized Approaches
Depending on the extent of the individual’s addiction, and on other factors involved in their life, effective treatment may take the form of:
- Long-term residential treatment – care that is provided 24 hours a day and often focused on the “resocialization” of the individual.
- Short-term residential treatment – intensive but relatively brief treatment based on a modified 12-step approach.
- Outpatient treatment – more suitable for people with jobs or extensive social supports. Outpatient models, such as intensive day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness.
- Individual counseling – focuses on reducing or stopping illicit drug or alcohol use and addresses related areas of impaired functioning such as employment status, illegal activity, and family/social relations.
- Group counseling – focused on the social reinforcement offered by peer discussion to help promote drug-free lifestyles.
Meeting Changing Needs in Philadelphia
Even as the individual progresses through treatment, the plan must be assessed and modified as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet that person’s changing needs. In addition to counseling or psychotherapy, a patient may, at any point during the treatment program, also require medication, medical services, family therapy, parenting instruction, vocational rehabilitation, and/or social and legal services. For many patients, a continuing care approach provides the best results, with the treatment intensity varying according to a person’s changing needs.
Contact Providence for Effective Addiction Treatment for Professionals
At Providence Treatment in Philadelphia, we are committed to helping you improve your life when you are struggling with the debilitating effects of alcohol and drug addiction. We provide the individualized cutting-edge treatment you need, as a medical professional, a lawyer, a pilot, or a member of the clergy. We focus on you and your needs as we develop a program just for you. During COVID-19, we offer HIPAA-compliant telehealth to support you while keeping everyone safe and healthy. You can overcome addiction with outpatient treatments at Providence Treatment. If you need help, contact us at 484.321.8297.
