When it comes to addiction treatment programs, therapy is expected. However, not all programs have the same format. Some types of therapy, such as multisystemic therapy, are ideal for some patients’ addiction recovery but not for others.
Addiction therapy can use many methods and even include participants other than patients and therapists. For example, systemic therapy in a psychotherapy sense addresses how patients move and react within their relationships. In therapy sessions, the focus is on how patients deal with group interactions and dynamics. Therapy after detoxification can last anywhere from a few sessions to a few years and can become an integral part of a patient’s recovery process.
If you or someone you care about needs to join an addiction treatment program, contact Zelus Recovery today. Reach out to our team online or call us at 208.518.0797 for more information on multisystemic therapy or other ways we can help.
What Are the Types of Addiction Therapy?
There are many types of therapy, each with a different method and a different purpose. However, several are common components of addiction treatment programs.
Patients can benefit from evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and alternative therapies like music or art therapy. Addiction therapy can help patients in recovery understand and manage their substance use disorders, along with any underlying mental health conditions and mental or physical damage caused by their addiction.
Below are some types of addiction therapy that can be included in recovery programs:
- Biofeedback therapy – This focuses on the connection between the body and the mind and helps patients learn to control the various voluntary responses of their bodies, such as blood pressure and heart rate. Patients gain greater awareness of what their bodies can do and how to encourage wellness within them.
- Psychotherapy or talk therapy – This is a method involving one or more therapeutic interventions. Psychotherapy is a process by which psychological problems or disorders are treated by a therapist with a background in psychological theories and methods. The goal of this type of therapy is to increase a patient’s overall mental health and well-being. Types of psychotherapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and psychoanalysis.
- Massage therapy – Massage therapists often describe this therapy as the opposite of talk therapy. Described as manual manipulation of soft body tissues – muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin – massage techniques generally fall into two categories: rehabilitative massage and relaxation massage. Patients in recovery often feel uncomfortable due to a sharp decline in the release of dopamine. During a massage, the body releases more dopamine and serotonin.
- Meditation therapy – This works on the amygdala or the area of the brain devoted to memories, decision-making, and regulating emotions. When the amygdala is relaxed, the body begins processes that counteract anxiety. A patient’s heart rate lowers, their breathing slows, and cortisol and adrenaline release stops in their body.
- Art therapy – Many patients in recovery have discovered a new passion through art therapy. Art can also be a distraction from old habits. Most art therapy techniques center on the creation of art as a therapeutic exercise. Art therapy may include drawing, painting, sculpting, or other artistic techniques.
- Music therapy – This was first used in the 1970s to help patients express their emotions. However, treatment providers soon discovered that music therapy was also a motivating factor for patients to continue their treatment. Playing an instrument, writing lyrics, dancing, and listening to music are all therapeutic exercises in music therapy.
What Is Multisystemic Therapy?
Unlike most types of addiction therapy, multisystemic therapy does not focus only on the patient. A master-level therapist uses a treatment model that includes the patient along with their family and community. The therapist works with everyone in the patient’s life – from caregivers and family members to schoolteachers and office workers – to understand the challenges of the patient’s recovery and to develop and implement interventions that lead to positive outcomes.
Multisystemic therapy is an intensive treatment program. It addresses all aspects and natural environments of a patient’s life – including home, school, community areas, and social gatherings. Programs with this type of therapy usually last about three to five months. With multisystemic therapy, you can expect therapists to:
- Be on call 24/7
- Empower caregivers, parents, and close family and friends
- Focus on helping the patient succeed in school or work
- Introduce the patient to alternative recreational activities
- Spend time in the patient’s environment
How Does Multisystemic Therapy Help in Addiction Recovery?
Multisystemic therapy is often part of addiction treatment programs for teens and young adults. A therapist’s intense involvement with the patient and their support system works to get everyone involved in their recovery. When used as addiction therapy, multisystemic therapy can include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Detoxification and treatment for substance use
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Follow-up sessions when issues arise
The goal is often to prevent patients from spiraling out of control due to their addiction. Before teens and young adults have problems at school, engage in criminal behavior, or run away, a treatment program with multisystemic therapy can help.
Learn More About How Multisystemic Therapy Solidifies Treatment at Zelus Recovery
If you or someone you care about needs addiction therapy or an addiction treatment program, we can help. At Zelus Recovery, we provide a wide range of therapy options, including multisystemic therapy. Call us at 208.518.0797 or contact the Zelus Recovery team online to learn more about our therapy programs.
