Some addiction treatment programs are strictly by-the-book, offering “evidence-based” treatments to aid addiction recovery. Others focus on alternative and experiential therapies to help people heal from addiction. With so many different rehab programs and treatment options out there, which one will give your loved one the best shot at long-term recovery?
At The Raleigh House, we believe it requires both evidence-based treatments and experiential therapies to heal the mind, body and spirit from substance abuse. Let’s dive into these two different approaches and how they are included in our “east to west” approach to treatment.
What is Evidence-Based Treatment for Addiction?
When the term “evidence-based” is used in addiction rehab, it’s referring to treatments that have been studied, researched and shown to help people recover from substance abuse. These types of treatments are typically recognized by reputable organizations and found to be consistent and effective across various environments.
For example, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is considered to be an evidence-based treatment because the drugs used to combat addiction have been scientifically shown to produce the desired outcomes.
Other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), individual therapy and group therapy are also considered “evidence-based” and are oftentimes used in addiction treatment programs.
What is Experiential Therapy for Addiction?
On the other hand, experiential therapy is considered a nontraditional approach to addiction treatment. Instead of medications and working one-on-one with a therapist, experiential therapy includes more hands-on, recreational activities.
Experiential therapies like yoga, equine therapy and rock climbing are beneficial because they allow people in addiction treatment to come to terms with trauma, emotions, negative thinking and impulsivity in their own way.
If your loved one is struggling to communicate what they’re thinking and feeling, experiential therapy gives them the chance to dig into all that without saying a word. Once experiential therapy has helped them process, they can go back to individual and group therapy to talk through their thoughts, feelings and experiences.
The East to West Approach to Addiction Treatment
At The Raleigh House, our approach to addiction treatment and recovery aligns with integrative medicine where we embrace both western medicine and eastern therapeutic and healing modalities.
With our “east to west” take on addiction rehab, your loved one will experience a variety of treatments that target the changes triggered in the brain by addiction and aid different aspects of your loved one’s well-being.
For example, MAT is an evidence-based treatment that we leverage post detox to aid treatment and recovery. Yoga and rock climbing will be built into their daily schedule in treatment to help strengthen their body and mind and improve their self-worth and confidence. Equine therapy will offer them a unique experience to process their emotions and behaviors that they’ll then be able to talk about in their individual and group therapy sessions.
These different treatments and therapies combined will help to heal and strengthen your loved one’s body, improve their mental health and set them up for long-term success in addiction recovery.
Get Your Loved One Help at The Raleigh House Today
It’s not easy to find just the right addiction treatment program for your loved one. That’s why The Raleigh House has built a treatment approach that combines a solid foundation of science with beneficial and valuable experiential therapies.
With over 10 years of experience, we know how to help people like your loved one overcome their addictive behaviors, get to the bottom of trauma and mental health challenges, and develop healthy habits and lifestyles that support long-term sobriety.
If you’re ready to get your loved one into credible and reliable addiction treatment, contact our admissions team today.
