Substance use disorder (SUD), also known as drug or alcohol addiction, involves compulsive, unmanageable use of drugs or alcohol despite the harm it causes.
While SUDs are difficult to manage and recover from, they can be treated by healthcare providers through personalized and comprehensive treatment programs that include various forms of psychotherapy and other psychiatric interventions.
How Psychiatrists Treat Substance Use Disorder
Depending on a person’s condition and personal preferences, substance use disorders can be treated by psychiatrists and mental health professionals serving in hospitals, inpatient treatment centers (rehab or detox), outpatient offices, or even over virtual platforms.
Referral
The treatment process should begin with a referral or self-referral as well as formal assessments to determine the patient’s condition and the presence of a moderate, mild, or severe substance use disorder as well as other co-occurring mental health problems.
Personalized Treatment Plan
These results are then used to develop a formal, personalized treatment plan that will direct and guide a patient’s recovery moving forward.
These plans usually include a heavy emphasis on psychiatric treatment, most notably group and individual behavioral therapies designed to help patients better understand their own behavior and motivations, improve their self-esteem, cope with stress, and address other mental health problems.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapies (talk therapies) used in alcohol or drug addiction treatment programs may include:
- motivational interviewing
- cognitive-behavioral therapy
- family or couples therapy
- contingency management
- psychodynamic psychotherapy
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Those who turn to drug or alcohol abuse may also self-medicate against other issues in their life. These underlying factors may be physical or psychological, and can include conditions like:
- chronic pain
- dysphoria
- high levels of daily stress
- mood disorders like major depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders
- schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
- personality disorders
- OCD
- PTSD or other personal trauma
- ADHD
- eating disorders
- suicidality or self-harm
While substance abuse may temporarily relieve the symptoms of physical or mental illnesses, it can also intensify or even trigger other painful physical and psychiatric disorders.
When this occurs, specialized dual diagnosis treatment programs are available to treat both intertwined conditions simultaneously.
Evidence-Based Treatment Programs
Psychotherapy should also be supported by other evidence-supported types of treatment including:
- medically-assisted detoxification and withdrawal symptom management
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- educational sessions
- peer support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery)
- alternative treatment programming
- personalized aftercare support programs (sober living housing, employment assistance, case management, etc.)
These services are offered by substance abuse treatment programs hosted in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings, each offering intensive and prolonged treatment solutions to address the most severe forms of substance use disorder.
Get Help Today
At Northeast Addictions Treatment Center, we understand the courage it takes to reach out and get help for a drug or alcohol use disorder. Our multidisciplinary intensive outpatient treatment programs are designed to give you the support, guidance, and tools you’ll need to build a lasting recovery from alcohol or drug use and ensure your long-term well-being.
Contact us now and start your recovery journey today.
People Also Read:
- Mental Health Myths & Facts
- How Alcohol & Drug Misuse Affects Mental Health
- Family Support Groups For Addiction & Mental Health
Sources:
- American Psychiatric Association (APA) – What Is A Substance Use Disorder?
- National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus – Dual Diagnosis
- National Library of Medicine: Statpearls – Addiction Psychotherapeutic Care