You’re struggling with an addiction. You know you need professional help. Now, you learn about the importance of evidence-based practice during detox. What does this mean, and how does it benefit you?
Treatment Customization at the Detox Level
No two people present with identical addiction issues. Some have different reasons for using. Others suffer from a broad range of side effects that they don’t share with everyone. Still, others have varying levels of at-home support.
Because everyone’s different, intake counselors must customize a detox protocol to suit program participants. No matter how much a facility seeks to individualize care, it must use evidence-based practice. Doing so means that the modalities therapists employ are the results of peer-reviewed medical research. The scientific community agrees that the treatment method has merit for dealing with addiction.
On the other end of the spectrum are boutique treatments that may be personality driven. A facility operator wrote a book that outlines a healing method she or he firmly believes. It’s not necessarily something she or he based on an evidence-based practice. Typically, it’s a good idea to stay away from these types of settings.
Examples of Evidence-Based Practice in Detox
Overcoming severe symptoms of withdrawal with pharmacological therapy is an evidence-based practice. Physicians specializing in the field of addiction recovery recognize specific medications for the treatment of the symptoms. They do so, in part, because historical evidence shows good successes with this approach. A literature review also proves that the absence of medication during specific types of withdrawal can be dangerous for program participants.
Another evidence-based practice involves psychotherapy. It’s a common misconception that you just wait out the withdrawal symptoms during detox. In fact, you undergo therapy even as you deal with the physical aspect of the drug’s removal from your system. Empirical support favors treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as dialectical behavior therapy.
Why a Focus on Proven Methods Benefits You
When your detox treatment plan incorporates evidence-based modalities, you benefit from years or decades of research. For starters, addiction specialists will match their interventions to your individual needs. As needs change during your stay at the facility, the treatments undergo reviews and revisions. Moreover, treatments target not just the physical aspect but also begin to delve into the psychological reasons for using.
Examples of these types of treatments at a good-quality facility include:
- Individual therapy with one-on-one meetings that provide an opportunity for confidential psychotherapy
- Group therapy, which makes it possible to learn from others and dig deeper into reasons for using
- Family therapy to help you build a support network for relapse prevention after discharge
- Gender-specific therapeutic settings that create a safe environment where you feel comfortable with sharing your thoughts
- Co-occurring disorders therapy, which benefits individuals with mental health conditions that require concurrent treatment
Another set of modalities frequently provides a holistic approach to wellness. You may undergo nutritional counseling, which is vital for independent living after discharge. By maintaining your health, you are less likely to relapse. Exercise is also part of a holistic approach.
The goal is to offer you evidence-based alternatives for stress management and endorphin release, which don’t call for drugs. By practicing these disciplines during detox, they are easier to incorporate into daily life afterward.
How Detox Makes a Significant Difference in Your Life
When you go through the vicious cycle of substance abuse, remorse, shame, and craving, you don’t see a way out. It feels like drug abuse will be a way of life forever. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. You can find a way out by starting your recovery with detox.
The first victory in your fight against addiction is the realization that you can break the physical dependence. At a good-quality facility that uses evidence-based treatments, this success may come in seven to ten days. Learn more about your options today by talking to an intake counselor at Serenity House Detox & Recovery. Dial 866-294-5306 now.