Many people struggle with addiction. Many wish to break free from their addictions and dependencies but wonder how to do so. Most people are familiar with the concept of drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Unfortunately, many people think that the only way to get addiction treatment is to enroll in a residential treatment program of 28 days or more. This is not necessary, possibly, or feasible for some individuals for a variety of reasons, but because of their belief that this is the only way to start walking on the road to recovery, they avoid getting help altogether and continue to use and abuse drugs and alcohol for years to come.
There are, however, many alternative treatments for drug addiction that can be quite effective and that can save lives. Alternative addiction treatment is becoming more common, prevalent, and available, and these modalities are helping many people who have struggled with substance use disorder for a long or short period to get their lives back on track.
You may not be familiar with alternative drug treatment programs yet, but if you are struggling with addiction yourself or if you know anyone who is, these types of programs should be on your radar. They may be exactly what you or your loved one needs to break free from dependency on substances that are ruining your or their lives.
Read on to learn more about the many options in this realm that are currently available to people struggling with addiction. You may learn about one that sounds perfect for your own situation or for that of someone you love.
Understanding the Need for Alternative Addiction Treatment
There’s a need for alternative addiction treatment today. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.9 million people ages 12 and over struggled with alcohol use disorder in the past year, and 27.2 million people ages 12 and over struggled with a drug use disorder over that same period. Around 8 million people suffered from dependencies on both drugs and alcohol.
This is a large portion of the American population, and in many places around the world, the figures are similar. This is a big problem that affects a vast number of people, and so many people need help to stop using drugs, alcohol, or both.
However, addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Different people can benefit from different types of treatment. Not everything works for everyone because everyone and every situation is different.
Not only do different treatments work differently for different people, but there are other factors as well. Not everyone can afford to go to a 28-day-long inpatient drug or alcohol treatment program. Even if they can afford it, not everyone can take a break away from their busy lives, jobs, and parenting to go to a treatment center of that kind.
Furthermore, some may not have access to treatment facilities of this kind for other reasons. When someone lives in a rural, remote area, he or she may not be able to travel to a residential treatment center. Or, someone may live near a residential treatment center, but they may find that all of the beds in accessible facilities are full at the time that they need them the most.
And, in certain cases, some people may be dependent on drugs or alcohol, but may not actually need to attend a residential treatment program to break free from these dependencies. In many cases, therapy, counseling, and support groups may be enough to do the trick.
Because of all of the above reasons and others, alternative rehab programs are needed.
Types of Alternative Addiction Treatments
Many find that an alternative treatment for drug addiction is exactly what they need. Due to the need for alternatives, many alternative options have become available in recent years. As mentioned above, there are a vast number of alternative addiction treatments and some may work better for certain individuals than others. In many cases, people may need to try several different options before they find one that works well for them.
Some alternative addiction treatments that are available today are medical-based. A shorter-term stay in a residential treatment facility may be helpful to some individuals who cannot stay in a program long-term; they may benefit from staying in a residential treatment center on weekends only while they live their lives as normal during the week. Others may benefit from psychedelic therapies like ketamine therapy or an ibogaine experience at an ibogaine clinic to help them get started on their recovery journey.
Other alternative addiction treatments are therapy or community-based. Through counseling, therapy, or participation in support groups, some individuals who are struggling with addiction may find that they can break free from their addictions and dependencies without even having to go to a residential treatment program or facility at all.
Some people find much success through participating in holistic treatment methods such as art therapy, equine therapy, or yoga and mindfulness-based therapies as well. These alternative treatment programs can help these people to become better acquainted with their internal selves, and as a result, they may find that ceasing the use of drugs or alcohol is much easier. Holistic treatment for substance abuse can be helpful not only in the early stages of recovery but for the rest of any individual’s life.
Still others benefit from all of the above when combined together in a personalized way. Again, everyone’s recovery journey is different; each person seeking to pursue recovery may find that an individualized plan is most effective for him or her. What works for one person may not work for someone else, and what doesn’t work for someone else may be extremely helpful for another person.
Exploring Peer and Community-Based Alternatives
Peer and community-based alternatives can be helpful for many. It’s helpful for people affected by substance use disorder to be continuously reminded that they are not alone. One can enjoy immense support from others who have been through the same thing. Meeting other people who are also working on their own recovery can help people new to this sort of life change learn helpful methods to help them stay on the right track.
Support groups for addiction have been around a while, but they are more accessible to people today than ever before. Almost every community has a support group to offer, and many are specific to specific types of drugs or alcohol in particular. With the support of others, many people find that they can move forward toward their goals of being drug and alcohol free much more easily than if they tried to tackle their problem on their own.
Therapy-Focused Alternatives
Countless therapists and counselors specialize in drug and alcohol treatment. Due to the rise in addiction issues in recent years, more and more professionals are dedicating their lives to helping people with recovery from substance use disorder. And, because of this, the therapy and treatment that these people offer is becoming more and more effective. New methods are being developed all the time, and many of them are improving at lightning speed.
Not too long ago, many addiction recovery professionals viewed addiction and its underlying causes as two separate issues. Some felt that people must first break free from addiction, and then work could begin on the treatment of other issues such as overcoming trauma or mental health conditions.
Today, professionals in the field have come to understand that these issues often go hand-in-hand and that both issues must be addressed simultaneously. When addiction and other mental health issues are evident, treatment of both problems is crucial. This deeper understanding of dual diagnosis has allowed therapists and other addiction professionals to make great strides in helping people. Because of this newer understanding, many people have been more easily been able to identify the root of their substance abuse issues, and have therefore been more easily able to overcome their problems.
New therapeutic treatments are being developed all the time. EDMR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, for one example, helps people to work through psychological trauma and other distressing life experiences. Biofeedback and neurofeedback are therapeutic methods that train people to monitor their own biological and neurological responses to stress and other experiences and teaches them how to react in a healthy way that does not involve drug or alcohol use. Psychodrama helps people learn how to interact with others in positive ways through roleplaying.
All of the above are examples of therapy-focused alternatives that can help people break free from a life of addiction. When one works with a licensed therapist who specializes in substance use disorders, the therapist will work with the individual to help him or her discover what methodologies are most helpful for his or her past, personality, and overall situation.
Incorporating Technology into Alternative Addiction Treatment
Today, almost everyone has access to the internet, so technology can be a piece of alternative treatment for addiction as well. Most of the alternative therapies described above can be accessed or enhanced by technology in some way, and technology can help make them more accessible to people everywhere. For example, a support group may not be available for someone struggling with addiction with an intense desire to use at 2:00 a.m., but that person may be able to find support online to keep him or her from using – and that access may just save his or her life.
Also, some people may not have easy access to therapists due to where they live or a busy schedule, but thanks to the rise in online therapy options today, anyone can find a therapist who can work with him or her on a regular or even daily basis if needed.
Thanks to technology, more and more people have access to complementary and alternative medicine, treatment, and support than every before.
Benefits and Risks of Alternative Addiction Treatment
The benefits of alternative addiction treatment are numerous and are, in many ways, quite obvious. As mentioned above, not one method of addiction treatment will work for everyone, so the fact that there are more options than ever before means that more people can succeed in breaking free from addiction today than in the past because they can try different methods if the first method does not work for them. Plus, the fact that there are a vast number of options means that for some, a combination of different types of treatment may work best and be most effective.
On the other hand, some people will only be able to break free from their addictions in a traditional, long-term, residential treatment center. This type of substance addiction treatment has been around for a very long time and has saved the lives of many people over the years. If an addiction is severe or long-term, residential treatment may be the very best option. Someone may lose a lot of time trying other methods and may not make much progress.
Each individual who wishes to recover from an addiction to drugs or alcohol must work with an addiction recovery professional. Through discussion and evaluation, a professional can help one to determine which type of treatment will be most effective for a person so no time is lost and to avoid frustration and defeat.
How to Begin Your Alternative Addiction Treatment Journey
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, the first step is to reach out to an addiction recovery professional for support, guidance, and answers. Through discussion with someone who is well-versed in the world of recovery, it will be much easier to determine what type of treatment might work best. Alternative treatment centers can be helpful for some, but others may find that traditional rehab is the best path for their situation. Either way, finding out more information on various types of treatment is the best first step.
At Transcend Clinic, we want to help you break free from your addictions and we have the experience to give you the support you need. Our patient and friendly staff is standing by at our facility in Cancun, Mexico, to answer any questions you may have about ibogaine treatment for addiction and to help you figure out if it’s the right type of addiction treatment for you. We are confident that we can help you and we can’t wait to welcome you here. Contact us today.