What Are the Benefits of Drug Addiction Therapy?

Drug addiction is a brain disease, characterized by intense craving and compulsive drug seeking behavior, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Although medications are used to treat the withdrawal symptoms associated with drug addiction, therapy is highly recommended.

Overall Benefits

Behavioral therapies help the patient participate in the treatment process, change his perception and behavior toward drug abuse and increase his coping skills. Behavioral therapies increase the usefulness of medications and assist patients in staying longer in treatment.

Setting

Drug addiction therapy occurs in a safe, controlled and therapeutic environment with the presence of a licensed mental health professional.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy

Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, the patient learns how to pinpoint and avoid the situations that cause the desire to use drugs.

Multidimensional Family Therapy

Multidimensional family therapy helps drug-abusing adolescents and their families address the issues influencing their drug abuse and improve family functioning.

Motivational Incentives

Motivational incentives reward the patient when she has completed a particular achievement in the treatment program such as abstinence; incentives are normally in the form of vouchers or coupons.

References

• National Institute on Drug Abuse: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction
• Help Guide: Drug Rehab and Treatment