If you’re looking for behavioral therapy in North Carolina, there are plenty of options out there. The number of options for therapy and treatment can be overwhelming. It’s important to do your research before you start speaking with a therapist and enrolling in treatment programs so you know what you’re getting into. There are a lot of different options for therapy in treating meth addiction, and it’s all about finding the one that works best for you, so don’t be worried if you have to try one or two before something really sticks. What works well for others might not be the best option for you personally.
Types of Therapy for Meth Addiction
Many treatment centers use a combination of different types of therapy to get the best results in their patients. Therapy is also used outside of treatment facilities as a way to continue learning and growing after you’ve left a treatment center. Here are some of the most common types of therapy used to treat meth addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used types of therapies amongst both addiction and mental health treatment. It’s frequently used because it has a high success rate, helping patients relearn and cope with everyday struggles.
During CBT, patients are encouraged to look at their thought patterns and think about how their brain is influencing their everyday decision-making. By looking at intrusive thoughts and relearning how to process them, patients can avoid relapse.
CBT teaches trigger avoidance and coping mechanisms, making it easier for meth addicts to go out into the real world and avoid relapse. Without relearning these thought processes and rewiring the brain, addicts may find it difficult to return to everyday life. CBT is a great foundation that other types of therapy can easily build on top of.
The Matrix Model
The Matrix Model is used exclusively to treat the use of stimulants, helping patients achieve sobriety long term. During their sessions, the therapist functions as both a teacher and coach, helping addicts and reinforcing positive change throughout their time together. Not only will these therapists encourage their patients to grow, but they’ll also teach them about addiction and relapse, information some addicts may not be familiar with.
During these therapy sessions, patients are monitored with urine testing to ensure they’re staying sober and to course-correct if they are not.
Contingency Management (CM)
Contingency management is used in group therapy settings to encourage members to stay sober throughout a long period of time. This strategy uses incentives or rewards in order to keep members from engaging in stimulant use. Each week, members who stay sober unlock a reward. If they make it to a certain deadline without relapsing, they receive all the awards they unlocked during that timespan.
If they relapse, those rewards are lost and they have to start from square one. Contingency management is a great way to encourage people to stay sober by providing them with material rewards and encouragement along the way. During these sessions, members often form strong bonds with other participants, which can help to prevent relapse as well.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is a type of therapy that encourages patients to look inward at their own motivations. By discussing these motivations with a therapist, a treatment plan is developed and reinforced by the patient’s motivators. For example, if a patient is looking to become sober in order to care for their family, that’s something that would be heavily discussed during sessions. It would also be used to reinforce ideas and actions.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is probably the most familiar type of therapy in treating meth addiction, as it’s always featured in TV shows and movies depicting addiction and treatment. Group therapy plays a large role in recovery, as it’s important for patients to see that there are other individuals dealing with the same thing that they are. Group therapy also provides a safe space for patients to share their struggles and receive helpful advice from other like-minded individuals.
Group therapy is used in both treatment facilities and as a continuing option after in-facility treatment has been completed.
Why it’s Important to See a Therapist
Addiction almost always stems from mental health issues or trauma, so it’s important that patients meet with a therapist in order to discuss what’s going on in their lives. Therapists will help patients come up with treatment plans, courses of action, and tips and tricks that will help them prevent relapse.
By learning healthy coping mechanisms and how to deal with triggers, recovering from meth addiction can be much easier. Of course, it will still be difficult, but having a therapist to support you through the process makes a world of difference.
Continuing Therapy After Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment
After you leave inpatient or outpatient treatment, it’s vital to continue seeing a therapist. While seeing a therapist in the middle of treatment is a good start, continuation is vital for success. There are many options for people looking to continue therapeutic treatment outside of a treatment facility, including all of the options listed above. Seeing both a one-on-one therapist and taking part in group therapy sessions once a week is a great way to continue learning and growing throughout your recovery journey.
Those who don’t continue treatment after leaving a facility may be more prone to relapse, as they’re not consistently reinforcing the behaviors that they learned in rehab. Don’t make this mistake, keep seeing a therapist after your stay in a treatment facility comes to an end.
Find Behavioral Therapy in North Carolina
If you’re trying to find behavioral therapy in North Carolina, look no further. Here at Asheville Recovery Center, we’ve got your back. To learn more about our treatment options, including inpatient treatment programs, outpatient treatment programs, and, individual and group therapy for meth addicts, call today. We’re eager to answer any questions you may have and help you on your road to recovery.
