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Psychological Drug Rehab Methods

When an individual is addicted to drugs or alcohol, he develops a physical and psychological dependency on the substance. Psychological addiction leads to mental withdrawal symptoms such as, irritability, cravings and insomnia. Medications are available to treat the withdrawal symptoms of some drug addiction. However, drug rehab facilities often rely on psychological methods to treat the addict's mental dependency on the substance.

  1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

    • According to the cognitive-behavioral principle, your thoughts are what perpetuate your feelings and actions, not outside forces, such as people, events and situations. Based on this premise, you can change how you think, even if the situation remains the same. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches you how to change your negative thoughts to enable positive ones, which ultimately lads to positive feelings and behaviors. You also learn the coping skills necessary to abstain from drugs so you can lead a healthful life. After leaving the rehab facility, even if you abstain from seeking out environments and people that fuel your temptation to use drugs, the situation may still inadvertently present itself. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches you the strategies needed to say "no" in these situations.

    Multidimensional Family Therapy

    • Multidimensional family therapy is an outpatient program designed for adolescent/teen drug abusers and their families. Meetings are conducted at clinics, family court, in the home, school or in other related community areas. By examining the feelings of the parents and the child, the therapist locates the appropriate treatment for both. For example, the child may feel angry toward her parents, while the parents feel helpless in finding the right ways to influence her. Through multidimensional family therapy, the teenager learns how to communicate her thoughts and feelings, plus the coping skills necessary to handle life's stresses. Parents learn how to examine their parenting skills to accept what can or should be changed.

    Motivational Incentives

    • Motivational incentives offer you positive reinforcement to help you abstain from drug use. According to the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (funded by SAMHSA), motivational incentive programs that use prizes and vouchers along with onsite urine screening promotes a greater percentage of individuals who remain in treatment and refrain from drug abuse. For example, if an addict has been clean for a few months, he may be rewarded with concert tickets. Gifts cannot be redeemed for cash.

    12-Step Programs

    • Overcoming drug abuse and addiction is a lengthy process--one that is susceptible to relapses even after treatment is complete. 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are aware of this pitfall. Their program is designed to provide a bonding experience for recovering addicts. These people understand where each other are coming from; they do not judge each other. They share their experiences with drug abuse and addiction willingly. They learn from each other, providing great mental and emotional support.

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