It takes a lot of effort and hard work to free yourself from any kind of addiction, whether it’s alcohol addiction, drug addiction, or any other type of addiction. For instance, you have to go through a detox which can be extremely uncomfortable.
Even later, you may still deal with cravings and resist them to avoid relapse. Fortunately, addiction therapy has been proven to help with recovery, and there are many types of therapy available to address the underlying problems that are related to addiction.
Benefits of Addiction Therapy
Addiction therapy offers the following benefits to recovering addicts:
- Stress relief: Dealing with addiction and trying to kick the habit can be stressful. Addiction is not just about being physically dependent on a substance; there are also certain mental aspects involved. Seeking counseling and discussing your unique situation can help you process things better since it provides stress relief.
- Identifies triggers. You’re still at risk of relapsing long after detox when your body is no longer physically dependent. Things like your environment, stressful events, or even nostalgia can act as triggers that push you towards addiction again. The good news is addiction therapy can help you identify these triggers, making it easier to avoid them.
- Provides social support. Having a social network of like-minded individuals around you can go a long way towards recovery from addiction. That’s because you can opt for group therapy or join a peer support program, where you can get support, strength, and courage from associating with people who understand what you’re going through.
- Private and confidential. If you’re dealing with addiction, you may not always be able to fully disclose your struggles for reasons known only to yourself. Thankfully, every reputable addiction treatment facility will keep your records private and confidential. That means your information will not be released to your family and friends unless you give consent.
Inpatient Therapy vs Outpatient Therapy
Whether you opt for inpatient or outpatient therapy services depends on your particular situation. Typically, it’s best to opt for inpatient therapy if you’re struggling with severe addiction and are finding it hard to kick the habit. Most rehab centers and addiction treatment centers provide an immersive environment that’s conducive to fighting and beating drug addiction.
On the other hand, outpatient therapy services allow you to make appointments and attend group sessions as you attempt to get back on the path to a normal life. Therefore, you can come and go but still be able to meet up with friends or go to work while still receiving treatment.
In any case, seeking therapy for addiction is a brave and laudable decision. If you’re suffering from addiction, it’s the best thing you can ever do for yourself. However, whatever choice you end up making – inpatient or outpatient – should be made after carefully considering all factors, as well as seeking recommendations from professionals.
Individual vs Group Therapy
Seeking addiction therapy is always recommended, whether it’s a group or individual therapy. However, it has been documented that group therapy can be more beneficial to some individuals. Take programs like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholic Anonymous, which involve twelve steps to recovery and are classified as peer-support groups. They have been some of the most successful addiction treatment programs in the world.
That’s because they make sure you’ll be both held accountable and supported by other people who are also dealing with addiction. However, individual therapy can still help you deal with depression and other mental health conditions that need to be separately addressed. Therefore, you might need to attend both individual and group therapy sessions when recovering from addiction.
