5 Crucial Benefits of Therapy for Addiction Recovery

According to an article from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 7.7 million adults in the United States are affected by co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders. Of those 7.7 million adults, only 9.1% receive dual diagnosis treatment and only 3.9% receive SUD treatment. Therefore, more than 52% of American adults struggling with addiction are living without any form of therapy or other kinds of support.

Living with SUD, a mental health disorder, or both can make it difficult to function day to day. Maintaining work, school, healthy relationships, and even daily tasks can feel overwhelming or impossible. No one should be barred from setting and achieving goals or living a fulfilling life because of mental health or substance use disorders. 

Seeking support through services like therapy can help people start improving their overall health. Therapy has many benefits for both addiction recovery and mental health treatment. Here, we will discuss five of these crucial benefits.

What Is Therapy?

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that talk therapy, or psychotherapy, is a variety of treatments designed to help individuals identify and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In therapy, clients typically work with a mental health professional like a therapist one-on-one setting or in a group setting with other clients.

However, therapy is about more than talking to someone in a room for an hour. Therapy is an expansive and collaborative treatment base that may use a plethora of different approaches, modalities, and interventions to support clients. 

Types of Therapies for SUD and Mental Health Disorders

People often talk about whether they are visual or auditory learners. Many may also discuss whether they consider themselves an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between. These are just a few examples of how people discuss their differences in experiencing and understanding the world and other people.

The same basic idea can be applied to how each person experiences SUD and other disorders. Everyone’s experiences and needs for support are unique to them. Therefore, a wide variety of treatments exist to meet each individual’s specific needs. 

Evidence-Based Therapies

As listed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), below are some common evidence-based therapies used to treat SUD and mental illness, along with their core strengths:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Build skills to change unhealthy behavior
• Support setting goals
• Challenge unhealthy thoughts that lead to substance use
• Develop coping skills to deal with triggers and pressures

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Develop skills to control unhealthy and impulsive behaviors toward substances
• Build a healthier perspective on experiences and opportunities
• Increase motivation to participate in activities
• Develop and maintain healthier relationships
• Engage in mindful thinking and behavior

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

• Increase awareness of reasons for seeking change
• Deepen understanding of commitment to change
• Develop healthier habits and behaviors
• Decrease participation in risky activities and behavior

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• Deepen understanding of values and goals in treatment
• Explore reasoning for seeking healthy behavioral changes
• Commit to healthier choices related to multiple areas of health
• Supports commitment to seeking additional support for treatment goals

Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT)

• Increase engagement between clients and loved ones
• Build communication skills
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Education to support clients’ loved ones’ understanding of disorders

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Decrease negative thoughts and feelings
• Increase awareness of and connection with others
• Deepen understanding of values
• Take action to achieve client’s vision for life

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Discover emotional management techniques
• Relaxation techniques
• Deepen understanding of the relationship between traumatic memories and the beliefs/physical symptoms attached to them

These are only a few examples of therapies individuals may utilize in their treatment plans to support their recovery. At 12 South Recovery, we offer a variety of therapeutic techniques to help address the underlying causes of each person’s disorders.

5 Crucial Benefits of Therapy

Each kind of therapy mentioned has numerous benefits for recovery support. However, at the core of therapy are five elements that can support long-term recovery:

• Motivation
• Skill building
• Awareness
• Community 
• Purpose

These five core benefits give people the tools, skills, and techniques they need to achieve and maintain a healthier life.

What Is the Right Therapy for You?

Therapy is not and should never be treated like a one-size-fits-all approach to care. Everyone’s experiences with SUD and co-occurring disorders are unique. Therefore, their treatment plans should reflect not a so-called standard of care, but rather what works for them. 

Mental Health America (MHA) notes that the first step toward healing is reaching out to local resources like primary care doctors or crisis centers. Remember, this is about growth and well-being, so individuals should not feel pressured to stick with the first name that pops up on Google or that someone recommends. While providers found this way can be amazing, each person deserves the best, most personalized support and opportunity for long-term recovery. 

At 12 South Recovery, we know therapy is an integral part of every treatment plan and long-term recovery. Recovery does not stop at detox or even initial treatment. The work of recovery is an ongoing process to build healthier individuals for lifelong wellness. Together, we can build a plan of care that is tailored to each client and their needs. 

Therapy is a fundamental part of the recovery process. When left untreated, SUD and mental health disorders can lead to difficulties performing daily tasks, maintaining work and school, and building healthy relationships. However, with therapeutic support, you can start building a healthier you for long-term recovery. At 12 South Recovery, we offer a wide variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques to support you and your specific needs because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care. Having a variety of therapy options gives you choice and access to support that supports your lifelong well-being. Call us today at 866-839-6876 to learn how therapy can help you on your recovery journey.