How Do Addictions Happen? 

Alcohol and drug addictions or other behavioral addictions occur for a number of reasons, and are usually the result of more than one factor. Often, there are cooccurring disorders at play. This means that along with dealing with addiction, an individual may be struggling with a mental health condition, whether it has been diagnosed or not.

These can be mental illnesses—like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and eating disorders— or other factors including chronic diseases, a family history of substance abuse, or even social factors like peer pressure that can lead to addiction. For example, take a client who is experiencing severe chronic pain and is prescribed opioids by their doctor to manage their pain levels. At first, they find relief from the drug and experience the positive feelings of endorphins being released into the body. However, over time, their body and mind become dependent on the drug, and they cannot function without it, resulting in opioid addiction.

It is important to remember that addiction is a disease, and is not your fault. The recovery process takes time and commitment, but it is possible to live a life free from active addiction!

Types of Treatment Available

There are many evidence based treatments available to get you on the road to recovery. In many cases, this process starts with detox and managing withdrawal symptoms under the supervision of a rehab facility and their medical team. Once withdrawal is complete, you can transition to residential treatment or outpatient treatment, depending on the level of care needed. Therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can be used in an individual, group, and family therapy setting to help you process how to handle your addiction and any cooccurring disorders or triggers moving forward, and give you coping mechanisms to employ when treatment is complete. Other effective treatment models include alternative treatments like equine therapy, wilderness therapy, art therapy, and more.

Often, medication assisted treatment (MAT) can be another effective form of treatment for clients dealing with substance use disorders. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drugs like Methadone and buprenorphine, used with therapy and other psychological support, can reduce symptoms of withdrawal and greatly lower the risk of relapse. Medically assisted treatment can also help to manage alcohol or drug cravings, improve mood and anxiety, and improve quality of life for clients while undergoing treatment.

The Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

Both inpatient and outpatient treatment have their own unique advantages.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment, also referred to as residential treatment, provides a higher level of support to clients who need round the clock care. In most cases of addiction recovery, the individual has to go through 5-7 days of withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs. This process requires careful supervision by an experienced team of medical providers. Once detox is complete, clients can join the residential population for treatment and therapy, or can continue on to outpatient treatment.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment options—like partial hospitalization programs (PHP), or intensive outpatient programs (IOP)—are ideal for clients with more “mild” or less severe addiction. These programs are set up to allow individuals to attend treatment while maintaining commitments to work and school. Once you make the decision to pursue treatment, you and your team can decide which path is the right one for you.

The Rise of Online Therapy

Online therapy has been on the rise, especially since the global lockdowns in 2020. This form of treatment is widely accessible, the only requirement is a phone or computer that connects to the internet, and can be a great option for people who do not have a lot of treatment options in their immediate areas. Often, this form of therapy is done when people in recovery have completed more intensive treatment in person, but many treatment centers have begun to offer online group therapy sessions, and even some outpatient treatments can be completed online.

Family Involvement In Treatment

Family and community involvement in the recovery process can make all the difference. When loved ones are involved, individuals in recovery feel supported and encouraged, which acts as motivation to maintain sobriety. In many instances, treatment plans include family therapy. By working with the family unit as a whole, the home environment, and therefore triggers, can be addressed and improved. In many cases addictive behaviors and triggers are rooted in family dynamics and traumatic experiences, and confronting these elements of addiction can be beneficial for the individual in recovery and their family as a whole. Often, participants express an improvement in communication, rebuilding relationships within the family unit, and increased understanding of addiction which leads to higher levels of support for people in recovery when treatment is completed.

How We Can Help

The recovery process for those struggling with addiction can feel overwhelming, and you might not know where to start.

Insight Northwest Counseling offers a multidisciplinary treatment approach to addiction treatments, and will collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits your individual needs. Schedule a free consultation with one of our client care coordinators today, and find out more about how we can work together to get you on the path to recovery.