Today, a big focus for the field of recovery is the need for evidence based practices. Evidence-based practices are those that are based upon research and have been proven to bring health to patients in the fields of psychology and medicine.
The need for evidence practices comes from a deeper need to reintegrate the world of addiction treatment with the medical model. In the past, those addicted to drugs or alcohol and who were seeking sober living were frequently rejected by medical establishments, and so, instead they received help outside of the field of medicine. Part of the re-integration of the medical model and recovery from addiction has to do with a new understanding of seeing addiction as an illness of the brain.
In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is dedicated to providing the public with services that are evidenced based. In addition to SAMHSA, other organizations, medical and otherwise, are attempting to provide these sorts of treatments because they know that they can be effective.
Fortunately, there are many addiction treatment types that have been categorized as being evidence based. In a treatment center or sober living facility, evidence-based therapies that facilitate sobriety include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, 12-step facilitation therapy, and the Matrix model.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT essentially aims to change behavior by identifying negative and distorted thinking patterns. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that addresses unhealthy patterns of thought that lead to making poor choices. CBT also provides healthier coping mechanisms to help manage challenging emotions, triggering life circumstances, and stress, replacing any old methods of coping that may have furthered dysfunction and stress. CBT can also enhance the effectiveness of any treatment medication that an addict might be taking.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing recognizes that an individual using substances, is going to have ambivalence about ending their drug abuse. Essentially, this therapy aims to resolve the ambivalence in someone so that he or she can take steps towards sobriety. This type of therapy can facilitate change in someone at his or her pace.
12-step Facilitation Therapy
This type of treatment encourages a person’s participation in the 12-step model. It might also help a recovering addict move through each of the 12 steps.
The Matrix Model
This form of treatment is most commonly used in addiction to stimulants. It encourages steps toward recovery through the use of education about the process of addiction.
Sadly, about 21 million Americans have a substance-abuse disorder for which they need addiction treatment. Having treatment methods rooted in research and evidence continues to be a strong need of the recovery field, not only to improve addiction treatment, but also to facilitate sober living in the lives of those who need it.
Fortunately, there are a number of evidence based research methods that currently exist. A recovering addict can rely upon these treatment forms to facilitate their sobriety and recovery.