According to statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 48.7 million Americans aged 12 and over had a substance use disorder in the past year as of 2022. When you consider the fact that the population of our nation is around 334 million people, that number is staggering.
It’s often hard to fully grasp the number of people affected by addiction in our country, but this figure certainly helps to paint a clearer picture. Fortunately, there is hope. Although the number of people currently struggling with substance use disorder is vast, another 22 million Americans report that they are in recovery from a past addiction. These people managed to break free from their dependency on drugs or alcohol, and today they walk a clean and sober path.
So, how does one get from Point A above to Point B? There are many ways to break free from addiction. Some people believe that the only way to find success is through enrollment in a traditional drug rehabilitation program. There are hundreds if not thousands of drug and alcohol rehabs in our nation, and they come in all shapes and sizes. When most people think of rehab programs, they generally think only of residential treatment programs. Individuals needing treatment sign into one of these programs and then live at the facility for 28 days or longer while they receive intensive treatment and counseling.
This type of rehab can be very effective, and many people have found success in these programs. However, residential, inpatient rehab is not the only option available. There are many alternatives to rehab, and they can be quite effective as well.
Read on to learn more about alternatives to rehab. If you are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol but cannot attend inpatient, residential rehab for some reason or feel that it’s not the right choice for you, you can still get help, and you can still get clean and sober. You can break free from addiction. People do it every day; you can, too.
Why Consider Alternatives to Rehab?
Inpatient, residential treatment doesn’t always fit into someone’s life. There are many reasons that an individual may look into this type of treatment and decide that it’s not right for them. However, that’s no reason to give up on the idea of transitioning to a sober lifestyle altogether. It’s just one of many paths to sobriety.
If you’re someone who is struggling with a substance use disorder but you have responsibilities that you cannot leave for a month or more, then inpatient rehab likely isn’t going to work for you. People raising children, caring for elderly family members, or running businesses often cannot dedicate themselves to full-time, residential rehab due to demands at home.
Also, inpatient rehabilitation programs can be costly; sadly, they are not affordable for all. Although some are covered by health insurance, many are not covered or are only covered in part. This can make them inaccessible to many.
Further, some people may want to avoid inpatient, residential treatment for a variety of other reasons. Some may feel that they want to quit using drugs and alcohol, but may not feel that their problem is intense enough to require full-time, 24-hour a day treatment. Or, they may simply not be comfortable with the format of a residential treatment center; they may not want to live with others in a group setting or they may not want to adhere to the many rules and restrictions of residential treatment facilities.
There are many reasons to consider rehab alternatives. None of the above factors should deter people from seeking help if they need it. Read on to learn about some alternatives.
Holistic Approaches to Addiction Treatment
Some people benefit greatly from holistic approaches to addiction treatment. The concept of holistic care focuses on the idea that everything is connected, and that people benefit most from treatment of the body, mind, and spirit as one whole entity, rather than as separate parts. With this in mind, holistic addiction treatment includes strategies that include counseling, nutrition, yoga, exercise, mindfulness meditation, art therapy, equine therapy, music therapy, nature therapy, and more.
Most residential and outpatient treatment programs include holistic approaches in their treatment programs, but someone who feels very drawn to this aspect of addiction treatment might benefit immensely with special focus on holistic care. People who have found success through holistic addiction treatment often explain that this type of treatment focus helps them get to know themselves better, makes them feel healthier in all ways, and helps foster greater self-esteem.
Often, people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction have become addicted because they were seeking an escape from various personal struggles. Holistic approaches give them a way to work through these struggles in a healthier manner, and give them the tools to face their problems in a more positive way for the rest of their lives – without the use of drugs or alcohol.
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is another alternative to traditional rehab programs. Through the administration of various psychedelic substances – such as ibogaine – under medical supervision, individuals choosing this pathway are able to go inside themselves to discover the root causes of their addictions. By taking psychedelics and working with a counselor, many people uncover trauma that they didn’t even know existed, or find that they are much more easily able to work through trauma they experienced.
This type of therapy is somewhat new, but it has helped countless people break free from their addictions already. Although psychedelic-assisted therapy can be expensive, it can help people to get clean and sober on a short timeline, and many people who take this route find that they are able to remain drug and alcohol-free for the rest of their lives after only a few treatments.
Peer Support and Community-Based Programs
Another great way to stop using drugs and alcohol is by turning to others in your community for support. Every single community in our nation, from small, rural locations to giant cities, have support groups for people working on their recovery from drugs and alcohol. There are many different programs out there – some are 12 Step programs based on Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous, and others are based on other, lesser known programs – but each and every one of them has the same goal – and that’s to help people get clean and sober and stay that way.
These types of programs and support groups are fantastic because they build community, and those communities are tight-knit and sometimes even become like families. In interacting with one’s peers, anyone can see that it’s possible to overcome addiction. People who have overcome addiction themselves often want to help others reach the same goal, and they are full of knowledge on how to achieve success. These people are ready, willing, and able to help others, and this type of support is extremely valuable.
Therapy-Centered Alternatives
Therapy-centered alternatives are also useful and beneficial for many. Therapy can be helpful for anyone and everyone, but it can especially be helpful for people struggling with addiction. Speaking to a professional about one’s life, struggles, obstacles, and trauma can make these things easier to manage and overcome, and through talk therapy and other types of therapy, one can often get to the root of their addictions and develop healthier strategies to deal with problems that do not involve using unhealthy substances.
There are therapists of all kinds in every community in our nation and many specialize in treating addiction. Patients may find that they do not click with the first therapist that they find, but if that occurs, there are many others to try. In time, anyone seeking therapy for addiciton will likely find someone who can help them with their addiction issues and over time, these professionals can help them to break free from their addictions and can also offer support as they take their first steps on a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle and path.
Technology-Driven Addiction Treatments
Thanks to developments in technology in recent years, anyone who is homebound or unable to leave their home due to things like disabilities or house arrest can communicate with others via video conferencing. And, thanks to the pandemic, more and more programs for people in these situations are readily available and are easily accessible today.
Anyone who wishes to work with a therapist or attend a support group from the comfort of their own home may do so these days, and there are hundreds of therapists and groups that can be accessed this way. Treatment programs offering online, outpatient treatment programs can be found with a quick internet seach. The fact that recovery alternatives like these are so widely available today is wonderful; it’s amazing that the development of outpatient programs like these exist so that anyone, anywhere can be helped.
Alternative Living Arrangements for Recovery
One final recovery alternative worth mentioning is the concept of sober living facilities. This type of program is residential, but sober living is not as intensive as residential rehab often can be. Sober living facilities offer a group living space where drugs and alcohol are not welcome. Residents are usually allowed to come and go from the property at their leisure and can work jobs and attend school and engage in drug and alcohol-free social engagements. Sober living facilities also often offer support groups and counseling to help keep their residents clean and sober.
Sober living can be a great help to people who have managed to stop using drugs and alcohol but who are not yet ready to live independently. The support of other residents can aid in keeping everyone in the house clean and sober in the short and long term, and can keep them stay close and connected on a daily basis with other people with the same goals
How to Choose the Right Alternative to Rehab
There are so many different types of recovery programs out there, there is truly something for everyone. Gone are the days of inpatient, residential recovery centers being the only option for people who are struggling with addiction. Outpatient programs are often just as effective in treating people as residential recovery – you just need to figure out what approach is best for you.
How can you choose the right alternative to rehab? You might consider contacting an addiction recovery specialist to help you determine the best course of action for your situation. He or she can help guide you to services that you can afford that will best work for your lifestyle.
You also may be able to figure out the best approach on your own. Review the different types of addiction treatment discussed above, and think about which sound most attractive to you. You know yourself best, so you think about your likes and dislikes, your schedule, the intensity of your addiction, your budget, your location, and your needs, and the answer may become clear to you immediately.
Further, for many, a combination of several of the above approaches may be best for you. Don’t be afraid to try more than one simultaneously. Or, if you try one and find it isn’t right for you, don’t hesitate to try something else instead.
You can break free from your addiction to drugs and alcohol. People want to help you, and if you are reading this, you are likely ready to help yourself. Don’t hesitate any longer. Find help today. You can succeed, and your life can be happier, healthier, and better than you ever even dreamed it could be.
Conclusion
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. We are confident that we can help you and we can’t wait to welcome you here. Contact us today.