What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Drug Addiction?

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The best treatment for drug addiction uses both behavioral therapy and special medicines that fit each person’s needs.

The most effective drug addiction treatment combines detoxification, behavioral therapies like CBT and DBT, medication-assisted treatment, and counseling. Support groups and comprehensive rehab programs provide structured support. Aftercare planning with ongoing support and relapse prevention is crucial for maintaining long-term sobriety, tailored to individual needs and commitment. These treatments aim to help people stay away from drugs long term.

If you or a loved one need help getting treatment for addiction, call our recovery experts today at 877-679-2132.

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Top 10 Most Effective Drug Addiction Treatments

Drug addiction treatment can take place in inpatient or outpatient rehab:

  • Inpatient: This means going to a rehab center and staying there for a while. Inpatient treatment is good for people with severe addictions, those who don’t have much support at home, and those who also have mental health issues like anxiety or depression. They get to have therapy both one-on-one and in groups. This type of care also helps people who have tried to quit before but started using drugs again.
  • Outpatient: Not everyone needs to stay at a rehab center. Outpatient therapy, where you don’t stay overnight, might be better for people who have strong family support. It’s also good for those who have finished inpatient treatment. Even though outpatient therapy doesn’t provide care all day and night, it still offers enough help and encouragement for someone to beat addiction.

Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient rehab, treatments may include:

  1. Detox
  2. MAT
  3. CBT
  4. DBT
  5. Contingency management
  6. Individual counseling
  7. Group therapy
  8. Family therapy
  9. Dual diagnosis
  10. Holistic methods

1) Detox

The first step in treatment is to detox the body of drugs. Doctors watch for vital signs and withdrawal symptoms, sometimes using medications. This makes the process safer and more comfortable.

2) MAT

Medication-assisted treatment uses medications to help lessen cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These medicines work by reducing the urge to use drugs.

3) CBT

CBT helps people recognize and change negative thoughts and actions related to addiction. This therapy teaches healthier ways of thinking and coping with stress.

4) DBT

DBT is a type of CBT that focuses on controlling emotions and reducing bad behaviors. It includes both one-on-one therapy and group skills training to help people handle stress and avoid going back to drugs.

5) Contingency management

This treatment gives rewards to individuals for positive behaviors, like staying drug-free. They get real rewards, which help them keep up good habits and motivation.

6) Individual counseling

One-on-one sessions with a therapist help people explore the reasons behind their addiction and tackle personal challenges in a private setting.

7) Group therapy

In group therapy, people share their stories and support each other during recovery. It creates a community feeling and helps people understand each other’s struggles.

8) Family therapy

Family therapy involves family members to better communicate and solve conflicts. It helps the whole family learn about addiction and how to support their loved one in recovery.

9) Dual diagnosis

This specialized treatment looks at both addiction and any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, at the same time. Treating both issues can lead to better results.

10) Holistic methods

These include activities like yoga, meditation, and acupuncture, which treat the whole person. They focus on mental, physical, and emotional health to aid in recovery.

Each of these treatments can be effective, and often a combination of them works best, depending on the person’s needs.

Where Is the Best Place to Go for Drug Addiction Treatment?

Finding the right place for drug addiction treatment is important for getting better. Here are some things to look out for:

  • Licensing: Make sure the treatment center has the right licenses and accreditations. This means the center follows important rules for taking care of people.
  • Personal treatment plans: Everyone is different, so find centers that offer tailored treatments.
  • Qualified staff: The center should have experienced and licensed professionals like doctors, therapists, and counselors who know a lot about treating addiction.
  • Services: A good center has many services, from helping you stop using drugs to therapy and support after you leave.
  • Support: The best places have a caring and respectful environment that helps people recover.
  • Aftercare: A good center keeps helping you even after you finish the main treatment to help you stay drug-free and keep getting better.

At Ohio Recovery Centers, we’re one of the top-rated rehabs in Ohio. We are accredited and offer personalized plans and a full range of services. Our welcoming experts create a supportive place to start getting better.

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Get Effective Addiction Treatment at Ohio Recovery Centers

At Ohio Recovery Centers, we focus on outpatient treatment of drug addiction. This allows you to receive care based on proven methods while still keeping up with your daily life. For those who need more support, we provide more intense outpatient therapy.

Our treatment programs in Cincinnati are customized to meet the needs of each person’s drug addiction. They include a mix of medications, different types of therapy, and counseling.

When you’re ready for effective drug addiction treatment, call 877-679-2132.

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Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
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Christopher Glover CDCA

My name is Christopher Glover, and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am currently in school and working to grow in competence to better support our community. As a recovering individual I know the struggles that you or a loved one can go through and that there is help for anything you may be struggling with.

The hardest part is asking for help and we are here as a team to best support you and your decision to start your journey towards a better future. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

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Amanda Kuchenberg PRS CDCA

I recently joined Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers as a Clinical Case Manager. I am originally from Wisconsin but settled in the Cincinnati area in my early 20s.  My career started in the fashion industry but quickly changed as I searched to find my drive and passion through helping others who struggle with addiction. 

As someone who is also in recovery, I wanted to provide hope, share lived experience, and support others on their journey.  I currently have my Peer Recovery Support Supervision Certification along with my CDCA and plan to continue my education with University of Cincinnati so I can continue to aid in the battle against substance addiction. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

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Patrick McCamley LCDC III

 Patrick McCamley (Clinical Therapist) is a Cincinnati native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2019. Patrick received his bachelors degree in psychology from University of Cincinnati in 2021 and received his LCDC III (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2022. Patrick has worked in Clinical Operations, Clinical Case Management, and Clinical Therapy throughout his career.

Patrick has tremendous empathy and compassion for the recovery community, being in recovery himself since 2018. Patrick is uniquely qualified to be helpful because of the specific combination of his academic background and his own experience in recovery.

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Bill Zimmerman CDCA

Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018. Bill received his (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2020.

Bill has worked in Clinical Operations in both support and supervision, and Program facilitating and 12 step recovery support during his career. Bill has a passion for the recovery community, having been in recovery himself since 1982. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn

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Taylor Lilley CDCA, PRS

Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family. A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me. I remember what it was like sitting across from someone thinking there is no way they could ever understand what I was going through.

Sharing my experience offers a credibility and a certain type of trust with clients that only someone who has walked down this road can illustrate. To immerse myself further into the field of addiction, I am currently studying at Cincinnati State for Human and Social Services.  I hope I never forget where I came from, if I can do it, so can you!

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Thomas Hunter LSW

Hello my name is Thomas Hunter. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a licensed social worker.In my scope of practice I have worked in the areas of mental health and recovery for thirty years. The clients I have worked with in my career have ranged in age from seven to seventy.

I strive each day to serve my purpose of helping those in need and I believe I do so by utilizing all of my experiences to accomplish my goal of supporting those who desire to establish their sobriety and maintain it in their recovery. Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn.

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Mary D.Porter,LICDC

 My name is Mary D. Porter. I received my Masters of Social Work in 2008 from The University of Cincinnati. I received My Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure in 2001. I retired from The Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center on April 14, 2014. Currently, I am the Associate Clinical Director for The Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers in Cincinnati.. Due to the fourth wave of the Opioid Epidemic in 2019,  I decided to enter back into the workforce to assist the addicted population.

The overdoses were astounding and I wanted to help.  I consider myself  to be an advocate for the addicted population. My compassion, resilience, empathy, wisdom, knowledge, experience and  love I have for this forgotten population goes beyond words. I consider what I do for the addicted population as a calling versus a “career,” because I too was once an “addict and alcoholic.” Today I am 45.5 years alcohol and substance free.

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Ben Lemmon LCDC III

Hello, my name is Ben Lemmon, and I’m the Vice President and Clinical Director at Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers. I’ve been working in the addiction and mental health field since 2013 and decided to enter the field after overcoming my own challenges with addiction.

When I first meet a client, I always explain to them that the reason we are meeting is because they are not capable of obtaining or maintaining sobriety, and my goal is to create a person that can maintain sobriety. I believe a person’s personality is made up of their thoughts, feelings and actions and my job is to help clients identify the thoughts, feelings and actions that have them disconnected from recovery and provide them with the tools to live a healthy and happy life. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn