Substance Abuse and Addiction

Residential (live-in) treatment centers provide the most intensive addiction treatment. Such centers are ideal for people who have been unsuccessful recovering through less intensive approaches. Often these treatment settings are most attractive... Full Answer

The well-established "stages of change" model for addressing problematic health behaviors is widely applied in addiction treatment programs. According to this model, behavior change rarely occurs quickly. Instead, people are more likely to... Full Answer

Most mental health professionals readily refer patients to 12-step programs for addiction, and many draw on these principles or use 12-step-related counseling (often called 12-step facilitation) in their approach to therapy. In treatment... Full Answer

When people first realize that they want support in the recovery process from addiction, they often turn to peer support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). By some estimates, as many as one in 10 Americans, including two-thirds of those... Full Answer

The most effective treatment for addiction is the one that you will stick to, so first figure out what you need, and then find the treatment that can offer you a program that matches your needs best. For example, treatment can be low-key and... Full Answer

Research shows that the following five action steps can help you quit addiction and, when taken together, these steps offer the greatest chance of success. 1. Set a quit date. It might be helpful to choose a meaningful date like a special event,... Full Answer

If you have addiction and decide to make a change, you'll have to sort out exactly what, when, and how you want to change. That will depend a lot on your view of the problem. Those who are most invested and motivated to change will have the best... Full Answer

If you have addiction and you'd like to change your behavior, consider all the costs and benefits of the choices you could make. Don't think only about the negative aspects of your object of addiction; think, too, about the benefits it offers.... Full Answer

Although there are not enough data to support recommending mind-body approaches (such as yoga and meditation), a handful of studies suggest these practices can make it easier to recover from addiction. Studies also suggest that people who are... Full Answer

If you're interested in natural recovery from addiction, realize that this approach is more difficult if the addiction is severe or if other psychological disorders are present. Those who have severe addiction, depression, anxiety, or other... Full Answer