What is Evidence-based Addiction Treatment?
If you’ve researched options for substance use disorder or addiction programs, you’ve likely come across the term evidence-based treatment. It is important to understand what this term means and how it may impact your drug or alcohol addiction treatment.
What Is Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment?
According to the Evidence-Based Practices for Substance Use Disorders, for a treatment method to be evidence-based, it must have published research citing it as such or be recognized by reputable organizations as evidence-based.
Evidence-based practices or treatment methods should have the following qualities:
- The method has been researched, scientifically studied, and the research has been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
- The method has provided the desired outcome(s) in regards to the objectives of the addiction treatment.
- The method has been standardized so it can be repeated. Usually, this means instructions have been printed, detailing how the addiction treatment method should be used, with whom it should be used, the overall goals of the method, and any other materials needed to complete the method successfully.
- The treatment method has been studied in more than one environment and has provided consistent and effective results.
- A measure could be (or has already been developed) to determine how well the implementation of the treatment method is adhering to the protocol that was originally researched.
Simply put, evidence-based therapy uses treatment approaches, strategies, and components that are strongly supported by real evidence—accepted science, data, statistics, clinical judgement, and proven success.
Why Is Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment Important for Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
When you are struggling with substance addiction, or when a loved one is struggling and you are trying to find treatment, you want to find a program that is going to work.
Scientific research is an extremely reliable source for determining what works. Evidence-based addiction treatment methods are widely viewed as being very effective for helping addicted individuals overcome their drug and alcohol abuse.
Examples of evidence-based treatments frequently used in drug and alcohol rehab include:
- Twelve-Step Facilitation Therapy: This type of therapy involves a series of individual or group sessions. The content of each session is based on the concepts of the 12-step program and helps individuals in recovery accept their disease of addiction and surrender to a willingness to engage in treatment and maintain their sobriety.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that is designed to help clients manage trauma-related depression, anxiety, and stress. Sessions involve repetitive eye and movement exercises led by an EMDR therapist. These exercises are designed to help clients process traumatic memories and maintain a positive sense of self even when faced with the memory of a traumatic incident.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps individuals address negative thoughts and behaviors and modify them. Many therapists at drug and alcohol rehab centers use it to help clients learn how to manage stressful situations, emotions, and cope with loss, grief, or other traumatic life experiences.
- Interactive Journaling: Interactive journaling is a form of written self-reflection that gives clients the ability to think about their substance abuse and how it relates to their current situation. Journaling is also a great tool for guiding change, modifying behaviors, and developing plans and goals for continued progress.
- Motivational Interviewing: This type of therapy helps clients sort through and resolve contradictory ideas about their substance abuse, behaviors, and attitudes.
At Honey Lake Clinic, our staff, licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatric specialists utilize a number of evidence-based treatment methods and specialized therapies to provide an individualized long-term rehab program that addresses the specific needs of each client.
We understand substance abuse and addiction are complex and dangerous mental health concerns, affecting not only the one in its grip, but also others. Let us help.
