Nearly 9.2 million adults impacted by substance use disorder (SUD) or addiction also live with a mental health diagnosis. The most common mental health disorders found to co-occur with SUD include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Evidence-based treatment includes services that are able to effectively treat both mental health disorders alongside SUDs. This is detrimental to the success rate of someone entering treatment and their ability to have success in recovery long-term.
Those living with PTSD, and sometimes anxiety and depression, are also living with untreated trauma. When looking at the benefits of evidence-based treatment, incorporating care for all symptoms the client faces is the only way the symptoms may be addressed. Including medication as necessary, counseling services, and group therapy with other interventions, the whole person has the opportunity to heal.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes evidence-based practices as one of the top five signs of quality treatment. Evidence-based practices use strategies and programs that have been proven to be effective. Part of offering a true evidence-based treatment program is ensuring that program implementation continues to be successful with clients.
When describing quality programs, SAMHSA states that they should offer “a full range of services that are accepted as effective in treatment and recovery, including:
- Motivational therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Drug and alcohol counseling and education
- Peer support
- Care for or help accessing care for other physical and mental health needs”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that recovery is possible due to evidence-based approaches, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) alongside behavioral therapy. Using a combination of therapies and medication as needed will support the trauma being targeted as a root cause of the additional symptoms the client is living with. It would be impossible to address the bleeding of the wound without addressing the wound itself.
How Destiny Recovery Center Incorporates Evidence-Based Treatment
Not only does Destiny Recovery Center (DRC) provide care that is based on evidence-based practices, but we also demonstrate the four other signs of quality treatment stated outlined by SAMHSA. DRC is proud to offer all of the following:
- Is licensed and accredited
- Offers only FDA-approved medication in treating alcohol or opioid use (not relapse prevention, as there is not an approved medication yet available)
- The inclusion of families in the treatment process and education on addiction
- Support for aftercare services as addiction is a life-long chronic disease that will need continuous treatment
While an individual is attending detoxification or inpatient treatment at DRC, they are provided with only evidence-based practices, including dual diagnosis treatment. For those clients living with SUD and a mental health disorder, they will be guaranteed to receive care and compassion for both diagnoses throughout their time with DRC.
Opportunities to reflect and share with their peers, participate in natural therapies, and have one-on-one support allow a client to address ongoing feelings and thoughts throughout their recovery and explore new solutions for healing and growth. Access to additional therapies, such as acupuncture, mindfulness and meditation, music and art therapies, and didactic group therapy, demonstrate DRC’s evidence-based treatment.
Evidence-Based Treatment and Trauma
How does evidence-based treatment benefit those that are trauma survivors? Incorporating SUD treatment while also treating the root of trauma with one-on-one counseling services, peer support, medication intervention, support, and additional mental health support all promote healing from trauma while attending treatment for addiction.
Overlapping into the category of a holistic approach to medical care, evidence-based treatment is the consideration of all that a person is impacted by and having symptoms of during treatment. They are able to receive services for all signs that are being displayed or traits that are causing a disruption in their ability to live the way they would like.
Allowing for time to be concentrated on healing from the trauma while still treating everything else that may be going on with an individual, including other mental health disorders or substance abuse issues, will support one of the major triggers for the individual to be dealt with and to learn strategies on how to manage successfully.
By becoming confident in not only one’s abilities but overcoming fears and symptoms that may be experienced due to underlying trauma, clients are able to thrive. Clients will learn and be able to utilize new intervention strategies for handling triggers. They will adopt new feelings towards situations that once may have seemed impossible; they now are able to take on with assertiveness.
Recovering from trauma will result in a vital impact on the foundation for one in early recovery. Living with trauma and SUD are lifelong battles. However, with the right tools, one may continue the fight with success and happiness.
Evidence-based treatment utilizes methods based on proven research, along with the background of the client being treated, to provide the best possible mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Keeping up to date with the most current treatment strategies and continually being culturally aware and sensitive to the individual needs of clients, Destiny Recovery Center is a model for evidence-based treatment. We offer not only solid evidence-based treatment options but a holistic approach to treatment for our clients. This allows us to help not only successfully assist clients struggling with SUDs but those trying to heal from trauma as well. To learn more about treatment options, call Destiny Recovery Center today at (909) 413-4304.
