Addiction was not part of your plan. Prescription medications and recreational drug use alike can contribute to drug and alcohol dependency. But there is hope. By combining multiple addiction therapy services, you can get your life back. Therapy is a vital component of any high-quality addiction treatment program. Without the help of behavioral and complementary therapies, your chances of a full recovery are much smaller. Addiction is fueled by habit and psychological factors, so you will need guidance to develop new, healthier ways of thinking and behaving.

How Does Addiction Psychology Work?

The psychology of addiction investigates the complex mechanisms underlying substance misuse and dependency, focusing on both biological and psychological variables. It looks into how drug use over time can change the chemistry of the brain, resulting in tolerance, dependence, and obsessive behavior. Understanding the brain’s reward system, in particular how neurotransmitters like dopamine contribute to the reinforcement of addictive behaviors, is a fundamental component of addiction psychology. It also looks into the environmental signals and psychological triggers that lead to cravings and relapses, acknowledging the intricate interactions that shape addictive patterns between social influences, trauma, stress, and heredity.

Moreover, addiction psychology highlights the significance of comprehensive therapies that target underlying emotional and psychological problems that underlie addictive behaviors rather than just helping people stop using drugs. Furthermore, addiction psychology advocates for all-encompassing treatment techniques that take into account the needs of the patient as well as their relationships, recognizing the importance of family dynamics, social support networks, and community resources in the recovery process. Addiction psychology provides a comprehensive understanding of addiction as a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon by integrating insights from behavioral science, psychology, and neuroscience. This understanding informs the development of successful prevention, intervention, and recovery techniques.

Addiction Therapies Offered at Our Rehab Center in Georgia

Addiction therapy programs are delivered in different settings to offer support as needed. This includes individual therapy programs that provide one-on-one counseling as well as group and family therapy programs that provide peer support for recovery as well as support for you and your loved ones. For the most thorough treatment experience, it is recommended to take advantage of individual and group therapies, as each provides different benefits.

Some of the individual addiction therapy services that may be part of your treatment plan include:

  • Trauma-focused therapy – You will identify the degree to which trauma has underpinned and fueled your addiction. Your custom-designed treatment plan will address past trauma so that you can be sure it will not threaten your long-term recovery or result in relapse.
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – MAT combines two different addiction treatment therapies. If your addiction is particularly severe, you receive small doses of specific medications to help you rid your body of the substances as comfortably as possible. At the same time, a range of other treatments is used to identify the root cause of your addiction and treat it accordingly.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – In CBT, you talk through your problems with your therapist and develop strategies to help you develop healthy coping skills. This helps prepare you for the triggers and pressures you will encounter as you reintegrate into society. CBT sessions are always one-on-one and focused on setting goals and planning strategies for life after addiction therapy.
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – DBT also relies on a cognitive-behavioral approach, but it focuses on helping you cope with stress so you can regulate your emotions and respond healthily. DBT also helps you learn to improve or repair relationships that have been affected by your addiction.

Through addiction therapy, many of our clients can find the healing that they need.

Group Therapies for Addiction

Social therapy activities are a great way to bond with others in similar situations, share your experiences, practice patience, and support one another’s recovery journeys. Some of the group therapy programs you may find at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center include:

Recreational Therapy

This can consist of local visits, planned social activities, and hobbies to support your psychological and physical health. Activities like sports, dance, yoga, tai chi, arts and crafts projects, and structured community outings are therapeutic tools. Recreational therapy allows for authentic social interaction while learning, developing skills, reducing stress, and exercising, all of which can support your long-term recovery.

Expressive Therapy

This type of addiction therapy program aims to help you better express yourself. Artistic ability is not a requirement. Making visual art, dancing, writing, performing in dramas, and making music enables you to address addiction’s emotional issues. Artistic expression also allows you to get in touch with your feelings and express yourself better by giving you a creative outlet.

Group Therapy

Recovery cannot happen alone. Sharing your experiences with others is a crucial component of addiction therapy programs. Group addiction therapy allows you to develop a strong support network while building successful coping strategies and mastering the skills that will aid your long-term recovery.

Family Therapy

Addiction has a long history of straining family relations. In a family therapy program, all members of your family work with therapists to mend these broken relationships, develop healthy boundaries, and build workable strategies for strengthening the family unit as you move forward.

Using Therapy for Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment, which includes therapy for co-occurring mental health illnesses as well as addiction, tackles the complex relationship between substance misuse and mental health difficulties. It acknowledges that many people who struggle with addiction also deal with illnesses like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which can make their substance use worse. Treatment options that incorporate therapy assist patients in dealing with the underlying emotional and psychological issues that underlie their addiction by providing them with comprehensive support that is customized to meet their specific needs. Therapy sessions offer a secure environment for people to examine their ideas, emotions, and experiences, promoting self-awareness and coping mechanisms to successfully manage their substance abuse and mental health issues.

In dual diagnosis treatment, therapeutic approaches address the underlying causes and triggers of co-occurring mental health disorders in addition to addiction behaviors. Individuals can acquire vital skills to confront problematic thought patterns, control their emotions, and create healthy coping mechanisms by using evidence-based techniques such as CBT or DBT. Through the simultaneous treatment of mental health issues and addiction, therapy enables people to end the cycle of self-destructive behaviors and provides the groundwork for long-term recovery. Additionally, therapy within dual diagnosis treatment promotes a holistic wellness approach, stressing the value of mental health in addition to sobriety and ultimately leading to long-term healing and an enhanced quality of life.

Learn More About Our Georgia Treatment Center Therapies

At Georgia Addiction Treatment Center, we incorporate our wide array of addiction therapy programs into your customized treatment plan. In doing so, we provide a unique combination of evidence-based treatment and a holistic approach to recovery. The former focuses on treating the addiction by providing you with the tools you need to overcome withdrawal, cravings, and triggers. The latter heals your mind and body as a whole to ensure that your recovery is a success.

You never planned on becoming addicted. But at some point, your recreational use of drugs and alcohol became a substance abuse problem. But there is hope. By combining multiple addiction treatment therapies, the experienced staff at our drug rehab in Georgia is waiting to design a course of treatment just for you. We offer a range of substance use treatment options, including care for alcoholism and heroin addiction.

Take the first steps on your journey of recovery. Reach out to us online today or call us at 855.952.3546.

Take Your Life Back Today!

If you or someone you care about is struggling with a substance abuse problem or mental health issues, the expert medical team at the Georgia Addiction Treatment Center is here to help.