“What are the different approaches to treating addiction?”

Treatment for addiction includes therapy (individual or group), medications (for withdrawal or cravings), lifestyle changes, and support groups. A combination approach works best. If you have any further questions or need more clarity, please consult with a psychiatrist. If you`re in Texas, we welcome you to reach out to www.MidCitiesPsychiatry.com, we`re here to help you.

I don't treat addiction. I would suggest talking to an addiction specialist.

excellent behavioral therapy and I have has the most success with Naltrexone and Marijuana

There are so many....CBT. EMDR protocols. Group therapy....

It may varry person to person on what clicks/works for you, but simple starting points would be AA/NA or some sort of support group, simply for the premise of being surround by people who understand what you are going through. Simple treatment approaches through therapy would be CBT as a staple, as the approach's looks to break down how your thought, behaviors, and experiences all affect and interact with one another, and can be a good way to start getting an understanding of why you use a certain substance.

Evidence shows alcoholism to be a neurologic(receptor-neurotransmiters)
often genetic disease. Recovery is 12% without using medication assistance
with medications such as naltrexone,acamprosate, buproprion-drxtromethorphone which results in 75% success. Believing in yourself and relating to others,doing meaningful-kind things is necessary.

Addiction can be a significant challenge, as it often requires more than sheer "willpower" to overcome. The appropriate approach depends on the severity of your alcohol addiction. The first critical step is recognizing that there is a problem, followed by seeking the necessary support to maintain sobriety. If detoxification is needed, it is highly recommended that this step be prioritized. Although the detox process may take several days, consider this time as an investment in your health, family, and overall well-being. Just as we justify taking time off for vacations, shifting your perspective can help you understand the long-term benefits of this process (SAMHSA, 2020).

Following detoxification, engaging in therapeutic services is essential to provide ongoing support and address the underlying factors contributing to addiction. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a widely recognized and evidence-based therapeutic approach that has been shown to effectively enhance motivation for change in individuals struggling with substance use disorders (Miller & Rollnick, 2012). This method emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and supporting clients in exploring their own reasons for change. Research also highlights MI's effectiveness across diverse populations and settings (Lundahl et al., 2010).

I hope this response guides you toward a positive and successful recovery journey.

References:

Lundahl, B., Kunz, C., Brownell, C., Tollefson, D., & Burke, B. L. (2010). A meta-analysis of Motivational Interviewing: Twenty-five years of empirical studies. Research on Social Work Practice, 20(2), 137-160. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731509347850

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2020). Treatment improvement protocol (TIP) series: Clinical guidelines for withdrawal management and treatment of substance use disorders. https://www.samhsa.gov

HI - Addiction affects many people - it can be caused by both what was modelled and/or the genetics from the family. Also, your age is important - as we define how long you have been over-using alcohol. The people you surround yourself with also has a significant impact on your success. Are you wanting to work on your addiction or is someone else mandating that you address it. Also, when did you start with alcohol and do you have any other addictions such as exercise, food consumption - prescription drugs or even marijuana. I would design a treatment plan that would have you coming into session or doing teletherapy 1 - 2 times per week; depending on your coverage. I would ask that you would consider reducing your consumption of alcohol and possibly contact your physician to get a prescription of antabuse which will make you vomit if you consume alcohol. You can also begin to take injections for meds that will reduce cravings. Therapy would be Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change the cognition (thoughts) to change the behavior - (hopefully reduce drinking) You would be addressing how alcohol became a part of your life - while addressing the triggers to cause temptation to drink. Good Luck to you - Julie I hope you find this helpful - Julie Schaefer-Space, MS, MLLP Julie Schaefer-Space, MS, MLLP Michigan Limited Licensed Psychologist Under Ph.D Supervision - Dr. Urminda Firlan *"CHOOSE KIND"* *616-262-5982* Cell 616-262-5982

I have treated addictions with the AA model for over 35 years. I recently came upon This Naked Mind, by Annie Grace. She has an addictions program that is very cost effective, non-shaming, supportive one year program that can be accessed completely on-line in the privacy of your home. I found this program to be much more effective in the long term to help people reduce their drinking and make alcohol small and irrelevant in their lives. Look up This Naked Mind on line, read the book, and join the Alcohol Experiment for free to have a Dry January. Best healing to you.