Recovering from addiction is a lifelong journey and one that requires time, patience, and unconditional support. Not only does the recovery process affect an individual’s life on a daily basis, but from moment-to-moment.
A journey to recovery is completely individual, and will significantly impact upon the life goals, relationships, expectations and behaviours of recovering addicts going through the process.
The types of addiction treatment available are as unique and individual as the person needing them. To help, we have compiled the various types of addiction therapy that can support an addict on their road to recovery.
Support can take several forms and includes a crucial mixture of practical and emotional steps. From building life skills to receiving emotional support, accepting your addiction, meeting the challenge of your recovery and entering education, support has multiple meanings and forms.
The below addiction therapies are proven treatment options to help recovering addicts receive the support they need on their road to recovery:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that works by seeing how your thoughts and feelings affect your behaviour. It can work by helping you manage your problems with addiction by changing the way you think and behave.
Often used to treat anxiety and depression, CBT is also an effective technique used to treat other mental and physical health problems. During the sessions, you will work with a therapist, usually on an individual basis, to break down your problems into their separate parts, such as thoughts, physical feelings and actions. The aim of the sessions will be to work with your therapist who will help you work out how to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, to break the vicious cycle and to adapt positive changes to your daily life.
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that takes place within a group setting, rather than on an individual one-to-one basis.
This type of therapy is a useful way for people experiencing a common problem to gain support from each other, while also benefiting from the expertise of the therapist running the sessions. Not only does group therapy empower you to give and receive support, it can also help you find your own voice as you become more aware of your own feelings and how to express them.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art to express and communicate thoughts and feelings. Art therapy is a useful support tool for people of all ages tackling a wide range of diagnoses, challenges and difficulties. From emotional, behavioural, or mental health problems to addiction, neurological and physical illness, art therapy can be tailored to someone’s unique needs.
This form of therapy can take place in groups or individually, depending on the person’s needs. It is important to stress that while this form of therapy uses art as its main medium, it is not an art class or a recreational activity.
Music therapy draws on our unified connection to music to encourage change. A music therapist will draw upon qualities found within music to help support people of all ages and walks of life presenting individual challenges. This form of therapy is a well-established clinical intervention which can help:
While there are several forms of addiction therapy available, an additional course of action to consider alongside therapies is self-education. Self-help can be liberating and a positive step during your road to recovery. From self-education to locating support groups in your local area, there is an array of help available to support you during your journey.
Discover more about the various types of addiction therapy available at ANA here.
At ANA, we work closely with our clients to help rebuild their lives, to gain confidence and self-worth and to believe that they can live a healthy, responsible and productive life, free of addictive substances.
Contact ANA today, our friendly team is on hand and ready to help.
