Evidence-based addiction therapy relies on scientifically proven methods to help individuals overcome substance use disorders (SUDs). Unlike conditions such as cancer or heart disease, which may have standardized treatment protocols, SUDs require a tailored approach that addresses each person’s unique needs.
Evidence-based therapies have been rigorously tested and shown to be effective for many individuals. Rather than relying on a single solution, most people benefit from a combination of multiple therapies, increasing their chances of achieving long-term recovery.
Types of Evidence-Based Practices
With so many factors contributing to the onset of your SUD, including mental health disorders, trauma, and numerous types of substances, you may not be sure the right treatment is out there. However, you may benefit from one or more of the following evidence-based therapies if you are like most others.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Commonly known as CBT, cognitive-behavioral therapy is a highly effective psychotherapy. It takes on SUD treatment as a conversational therapy, meaning you work one-on-one with a therapist. The goal of CBT is to change the way you think about negative thoughts as they enter your mind throughout the day.
The objective is not to try to avoid or become hung up on negative factors that impact you every day, but to change your thought processes. Instead of focusing solely on the negative, you learn how to transform those thoughts into a strategy that empowers you.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) was once used as a treatment for borderline personality disorder. It is a specific type of CBT focused on providing lessons that help participants to have the tools to manage experiences at the moment.
These lessons focus on behavioral skill development. They help people learn to recognize and handle emotions, resolve conflicts, and manage stress effectively.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapy allows people to heal through self-expression. It stimulates positive thoughts and feelings by utilizing a wide range of activities that people find joy in, such as music, art, or adventure programs. The goal is not just to have fun but to identify emotions associated with disappointment, success, and self-esteem.
Experiential therapy, such as one-on-one conversations with your therapist, is often beneficial to people who do not respond well to talk therapy. There are many forms of experiential therapy, which also open the door to opportunities to find something that interests you specifically.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
In eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), you’ll work with a therapist to navigate the emotional distress you feel in various environments and experiences that often relate back to a previous trauma. This is an eight-phase process that involves the combination of eye movements and other strategies to break the link your past has on your future.
Through the use of trauma analysis, without having to relive the experience, you are able to work through your current distress and emotional pain felt at inappropriate times. By learning how to break away from the intense trauma and emotional stress you have, you gain better control over the actions that often follow those negative thoughts.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder Can Be Effective
Researchers have learned that while SUDs occur for various reasons and impact people in numerous ways, there are strategies that work to provide relief. The key is finding the right combination of therapies that work for you. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared that, in 2022, one in six Americans over the age of 12 suffered from an SUD. However, as extensive as this health crisis is, SUDs are treatable conditions when appropriate strategies are applied.
How Do We Help You?
When you contact The Ranch at Dove Tree, we work closely with you to create a treatment plan that fits your situation. That doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy every moment of every day. Your treatment plan must encourage, teach, and effectively support your recovery.
You are never forced to do or say anything you do not want to in addiction therapy. However, you are given a wide range of evidence-based therapies known to work well. With your medical doctor and counselor, you’ll work towards building the skills you need and developing a plan that helps you recover.
If you are struggling with SUDs, know you are not alone. Instead, contact our team at The Ranch at Dove Tree for a conversation. Our admissions counselors are always just a call away.
