Substance Abuse Treatment

A number of different methods are used to treat substance abuse. The most common method often used by treatment facilities is 12-step counseling, although little is known about its effectiveness. Treatment modalities include inpatient, day treatment, and outpatient care, usually followed by aftercare. Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy has been scientifically validated but is rarely adopted for use in 12-step treatment facilities. Motivational interviewing has been determined to be an effective means to motivate clients to seek therapy and change substance use and can be particularly effective with unmotivated clients. Numerous cognitive-behavioral therapies have been effective as interventions in substance use disorders. Relapse prevention therapy is the most widely used cognitive-behavioral approach. Twelve-step counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, therapeutic communities, and even Vipassana meditation have been used in ...