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Harrison Aunspaw
ENG.1201.500 English Comp II
Dr. Cassel
December 5, 2021

The Best Treatment for Addiction

Picture a small blonde woman with an infectious smile who loved to read me stories,
build blocks and bake cookies. That same person is capable of unfiltered rage, so much in fact
that as a young child when I would see her coming, I would yell “Incoming” and head in the
opposite direction. Holidays, special occasions, and even something as simple as dinner out
has been held hostage by my aunt’s mercurial moods and drug addiction. I have had a front-
row seat to her addiction, struggles, years of sobriety, and relapses. Our family has supported
her, sought treatment and despite almost 9 years of sobriety at one point, she relapsed. We
live in constant fear for her wellbeing. To say that my aunt’s struggles have impacted me
significantly is an understatement. Drug addiction is one of the world’s oldest challenges.
Mental health, understanding addiction, availability of treatment, the types of treatment
options, and cost for treatment are all factors that need to be taken into consideration when
seeking assistance to end an addiction. To reach sobriety, a tailored approach that meets the
needs of an individual’s mental, physical, and spiritual health as well as treatment that is
accessible and affordable.

Addiction is a part of our nation’s history. Founding Father, Benjamin Rush initially
believed that alcohol itself was at the root of people’s abusive nature. Unlike so many of his
time, Rush didn’t think that the abuse of alcohol was due to moral ineptitude but instead saw
it for what it was, an addiction and this began the movement towards recognizing that the
abuse of alcohol is a disease. Drug addiction is a long-lasting disease categorized by the
obsessive, or overpowering need for substances that leaves lasting destruction on the mind,
body, and soul. Further, the destruction not only impacts the user but their family, friends, co-
workers, neighbors, and in some cases even strangers. The fallout from this abuse can impact
their way of life fully. Homes have been lost, cars repossessed, jobs lost and in many cases,
incarceration is a result of decisions made while under the influence or while seeing a fix.
Substance abuse is one of our country’s oldest struggles. Dating back to the 1800s, abuse of
Morphine, Heroin, and Cocaine. Starting in 1930;s, there was a focused effort to end drug use.
Exotic drugs became readily available during the 1960s. Amphetamines, hallucinogens, and
marijuana were now the drugs of choice. Alcoholism has plagued our nation since its
founding and continues to be a challenge numerous Americans face. It has been reported by
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, that 22. 5 million people
need treatment for alcohol or drug abuse. Of these 22.5 million, 4.2 million people will
receive a generic form of treatment and 2.6 million will have access to specialized treatments.
This leaves about 16 million substances abusers that are not receiving any form of treatment
for their addiction.
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Substance abuse and mental health disorders are not specific to one age group, race,
socioeconomic background, or nationality. You are often able to observe mental disorders and
drug addiction simultaneously. Anxiety and depression are included in this group. There are
significant factors that can influence the partnership between mental illness and substance
abuse. Collective factors put people in danger and can add to mental illness and substance use.
Likewise, the psychological affliction may contribute to substance abuse and dependency.
Finally, substance abuse and compulsion can cause the development of mental
illness. Everyday hazards towards substance abuse are aggressive behavior as a young person,
exposure to substance abuse, living in an environment without involved parents, the
availability of drugs as well as poverty. Poverty can be identified as displacement,
homelessness, and/or lack of funds to maintain a functional lifestyle. The National Institute
for Drug Abuse advocates for defensive factors to counteract these endangering
factors. Defensive factors are the development of self-regulation and coping skills, involved
parents, success at school with your academics, drug resistance education, and a strong
neighborhood attachment. Maintaining a balance between protectivity and risk factors can
make a significant difference. It is important that the protective factors outweigh the risk
factors. Having a focused and supportive family, learning self-control, and coping skills, and
excelling in school are just some of the ways an individual can avoid being a substance
abuser. Likewise, receiving anti-drug use education and having a strong sense of community
are further ways to support staying drug-free. Studies have reported that about half of the
users who experience SUDs (substance use disorder) within their life, will also experience a
coinciding mental illness. Some of the co-occurring disorders are depression, anxiety, bipolar,
personality disorder, and schizophrenia. There are a couple of possibilities to explain why
SUDs and other mental disorders co-occur, but researchers are quick to point out that one
does not cause the other. These may run in families, environmental factors such as trauma or
stress can cause genetic changes. Finally, substance use can be a byproduct of mental
disorders, likewise, abuse of substances can impact the body heavily and lead to mental
disorders as well.

To seek a successful treatment, it is important to understand addiction. “People Who

Use Drugs in Rehabilitation, from Chaos to Discipline: Advantages and Pitfalls: A Qualitative
Study” by Nadine Mahboub identifies the emergency themes that are present in an addictive
situation. Drug use or the penalties of drug abuse could lead to a chaotic lifestyle. By utilizing
drugs to escape low self-esteem, depression, stress from daily life, or family conflicts
individuals find their already complicated life further compacted by their substance abuse.
Other themes that lead to drug abuse include chronic pain as well as a gateway for fitting in
with family and friends (Mahboub, 2021). There are other opinions regarding how addiction
develops. One theory is the Disease Theory. Even with the advancements in scientific
research, “brain disease” and the corresponding biological theories of addiction while widely
accepted they are still controversial (AAC, 2021). The environment can play a significant role
with poverty, physical or sexual abuse, living with an addict, stress, parental involvement,
displacement/homelessness, and community involvement all are factors that could lead to
substance abuse. It is important to also consider the following contributing elements that can
lead to drug addiction which include trauma, stress, environmental stimuli, epigenetic and
genetic influences.
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Treatment options are numerous and have varying degrees of success. The focal point
for care is that the individual receives care that moves them towards recovery and that they
have support as they work to manage their addiction. Key factors for their success rest on
health, home, purpose, and community. Within her writing, Nadine Maboub, highlights the
need for improvement in exercise, sleep, therapy, and a support system along with the
implementation of transitional programs following formal therapies. Treatments come in the
form of detox, residential or outpatient care well as hospital care and transitional housing. It
can be challenging to identify the type of treatment that a person needs. There are numerous
resources in print and online to assist an addict or a family member seeking support for a
struggling loved one. Some of the resources offered are a behavioral health treatment service
locator, steps for employing behavioral health emergency care, a resource specifying
psychological health and identifying the disorder that has triggered the abuse of a substance,
information for reclaiming your health, and ways to support this healthy improvement, as well
as hotlines to reach out for help with drug abuse, mental health, and suicide. For example, the
National Institute for Mental Health also offers a variety of support. Similarly, their support
includes articles about health topics, statistics, brochures, and fact sheets as well as links to
find a health care provider, a matrix to assist you in deciding if a health provider is the right
one for you as well as ways to get immediate help in a crisis. There are many models to
explore regarding finding the right treatment for an individual. It may take multiple attempts
to locate a treatment plan that will lead to success. Patience, vigilance, and focus are
necessary to ensure success and health.

There are many models and matrices that outline step-by-step paths towards recovery
and provide individualization which is vital to sobriety. The Transtheoretical Model (TM)
also known as the Stages of Change is one model that may be used to individualize your
recovery.  The TM was created following a study of individuals who quit smoking without
needing outside treatment. How they were able to do so was the central point of the study.
The TM operates on the hypothesis that people do not change behaviors quickly and
definitively. To change behavior, users will move through a recurrent cycle. The model moves
through 6 stages and is cyclical. During contemplation, an abuser is unaware of their struggles
and issues. This gives way to contemplation where the individual realizes they have
an issue. During the preparation/determination stage, people are ready to act and begin doing
so by taking small steps. During the action, people phase out the negative behavior, make a
change, and often substitute the negative behavior with a positive lifestyle change (i.e., stop
smoking, start running). Maintenance is when people keep the healthy habit, it is during this
time that they may relapse but will often find their way back to the healthy habit. Three
methods to progress through the stages of change are that people apply mental, emotional, and
assessing processes (LaMorte, 2019). The advantages of this model are the individual is in
control and ownership is a large part of recovery. The downside to this model is that a person
who is struggling may have a difficult time identifying the healthy behavior to sub out for the
abusive one. This is when a support team is crucial.

The Matrix Model for addiction is an organized plan that takes place over a 16-week
period. This intensive model was developed to treat methamphetamine and cocaine users.
Most programs focus on a 28-day period along with 12 steps. The Matrix Model is organized
with exclusive therapy sittings, primary recuperation groups, relapse deterrence, family
instruction, community assistance, 12 step meetings as well as intellectual behavior therapy,
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motivational questioning, and emergency supervision. Programs that utilize the Matrix Model
perform random drug tests on a weekly basis. Drug testing leads to accountability on the
user’s part and is a way to recognize and reward sobriety. A positive drug test is often an
indicator that the user needs further structure within the program. Using the Matrix Model for
treatment utilizes a combination of behavior modifications, therapy, support, and recovery
groups as well as education and ongoing drug testing to protect a patient from relapse.  

Another option for customizing your care would be to seek out options online. One of
the online options is Betterhelp.com. Betterhelp.com is like many of the other web-based
therapies and provides you with a step-by-step survey to match you with a therapist in your
area. They begin by asking who you are seeking therapy for as well as having you identify
your therapy need. Addiction, mental health, etc. They ask identifying questions regarding
gender, sexual orientation, age, faith, relationship status, whether you have been in therapy
before, your feelings about therapy, and what has pushed you to reach out for therapy now.
Once you have completed the survey you are provided with a list of therapists local to you
that also specialize in the areas that you have indicated. The benefit here is that this is another
tailored approach, and you are given multiple options so if you want or need a second opinion
the information has already been provided to you. BetterHelp can report significant progress
for ninety-eight percent of their clients. They can also share that ninety-four percent of their
patients prefer person-to-person treatment and that they have seen a seventy percent decrease
in symptoms of depression. The drawback is that someone in crisis might not be able to attend
to all the steps, thankfully betterhelp.com has the option to identify yourself as a family
member or friend of someone in need. The comprehensive, individualized screener makes this
a strong way to identify the help that someone in crisis needs. 

Private foundations and facilities are an option as well. For example, the Hazelden
Betty Ford Foundation focuses on feedback-informed treatment. This is taking place as the
staff monitors each patients’ recovery plan. Feedback is taken from five areas which focus on
monitoring addiction, the dedication to sobriety with patient responsibility, the level of
addiction that the patient is experiencing, a questionnaire to determine the level of anxiety
disorder as well as a measure to identify the overall physical health of the patient. The
programs at HBF focus on researched therapy sessions. There is evidence and scientific
research which supports the program’s success to treat drug and alcohol addiction.  In addition
to the ongoing assessments and adjustments as a person’s recovery evolves there are
numerous behavior therapies utilized at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. They focus on
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy which balances the behavior change with problem-solving and
emotional regulation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy explores behavior patterns and ways to
change a person’s behaviors to guide them towards healthier choices. Acceptance and
Commitment therapy works with the patient to focus on mindfulness and value-based positive
behaviors. Motivational Enhancement Therapy is a collaborative approach that works with the
patient to recognize “what’s in it for me” regarding their sobriety and choices. Finally,
Medication Assisted Therapy is especially helpful for opioid and alcohol withdrawal and
reduces the cravings associated with these substances. A combination of therapies,
assessments, and monitoring are what make treatment at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
successful. 
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Finally, reaching out to a medical professional or therapist is another way to determine

the type of treatment that would assist an individual in overcoming their addiction.  It has been
claimed that thirty percent who enter rehab programs complete the therapeutic process.
Another statistic is that seventy to eighty percent of addicts will stop therapy by three to six
months after seeking assistance. David Sheff, a writer for the TIMES, noted that many
philosophies are outdated rendering them ineffective just as having a one-size-fits-all mindset
is equally inefficient. Having had a child who struggled with addiction and seeking out
therapies and treatments gave Sheff personal knowledge of the flawed system. Services and
supports to be successful must be flexible. Flexibility enables the user to have small
successes. Like anything else, starting out small and experiencing success reinforces the new
behavior. Over time those successes begin to build up empowering the user to make the
choices that will positively impact their life and promote a lifestyle change.

An alternate view on living with addiction is “Harm Reduction”. “Harm Reduction”

refers to strategies, programs, and habits that aim to minimize harmful social, physical, and
legal influences associated with drug use, drug policies, and drug laws. (HRI, 2021). The
principal themes of “Harm Reduction” are prevention, harm reduction, treatment/recovery,
and community safety. The goals of “Harm Reduction” focus on keeping people alive,
working to increase the positive influences in their lives, reducing the harm of drug use and
drug policies as well as seeking alternative approaches to reduce or end drug usage. For some
abusers, completely eradicating a substance(s) from their lives is not a realistic goal.  “Harm
Reduction” works with the abuser to manage their addiction while pairing this with functional
and healthy lifestyle behaviors. “Harm Reduction” practitioners recognize that some users are
going to be life-long users and they do not place the stigma on using that is often found in
other therapeutic environments. The goal is to reduce usage, respect the rights of the user, and
avoid the stigmas that are often associated with abusing a substance.  Instead of thinking of it
as ‘abuse”, it is labeled “use”. Tools and coping mechanisms are put in place to help the user
ration their substance to create functional and safe individuals. This is not a treatment that
works for everyone and in many cases, the family and friends of an abuser cannot accept that
their loved one will never be free of their addiction and that they are not working to eradicate
their drug addiction from their lives. Instead of being 100% sober, hard reduction patients are
“reducing” their usage and when functional are considered to be in “ongoing” recovery.  

The expense also serves as a roadblock towards achieving sobriety, but it doesn’t have
to be a challenge. There are free to low-cost programs (UDHHS, 2021). These programs are
often hard to gain entrance to as well as often produce the one-size-fits-all and therefore are
not as successful as tailored programs. Poverty and the use of these low-cost or subsidized
programs create a large disparity regarding treatment and successful recovery. Financial
burdens brought on by addiction are a significant challenge. Loss of insurance due to loss of
employment, no income, and rising debt are all challenges that a drug addict
faces. Additionally, poverty and homelessness are often resulting factors. The Mental Health
Parity and Addiction Act of 2008 require health insurers and group health plans to provide the
same level of benefits for mental and/or substance use treatment and services that they do for
medical and surgical care (UDHHS, 2021). However, the data and people’s personal
experiences highlight a different experience. “Eleven years after Congress passed a law
mandating the insurers provide equal access for mental and physical health care, Americans
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are actually finding it harder to obtain affordable treatment for mental illness and substance
abuse” (Gold, 2019). There are many families that suffer the consequences not only of the
destruction felt from a personal or loved one’s addiction but also the financial burden that
exists. The fall out of the financial burden can result in fees due to health and legal reasons,
this can cause further issues such as poverty and homelessness.
On the American Addiction Center website, there is information to obtain financial
assistance and grants as well as cost and payment options for drug rehab. State-funded
substance abuse programs and state-funded detox addiction treatment programs are also listed
on the AAC website. Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, are listed as contacts regarding securing treatment funds. Additionally, The
Affordable Care Act (ACA) is referenced as well. For many grappling with an addiction to
alcohol or drugs, the expense of care is discouraging to all parties involved and negatively
impacts their search for assistance. Numerous treatment plans are so expensive that it limits
access to those treatments for many sufferers. The American Addiction Center partners with
countless insurance companies to cover treatment expenses. Public assistance options help
offset the cost to help people begin the recovery process.

Contacting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration hotline
will help you to obtain confidential assistance. The hotline offers support for individuals and
family members dealing with substance use or mental health disorders. The service provides
referrals to local support groups, treatment facilities, and community-based
organizations. There are checklists, questionnaires, and financial information available to help
an individual or family that needs assistance. 

The optimal treatments offer a mixture of rehabilitation and other amenities to meet
the needs of each patient (NIDA, 2021). Since addiction and mental health issues are often co-
mingled, a plan that addresses both the source of the addiction as well as the outlining mental
health issues simultaneously stands a better chance of leading the addict to recovery.  Lifestyle
changes are necessary as well. Exercise creates endorphins and produces a sense of earned
tiredness that leads to relaxation and sleep. Exercise also produces a sense of health in the
mind and body. Joining a rec league for a sport that is enjoyed also is a strong way to create a
network with others who are focused on exercise. Attending a support group or a group
activity that is not associated with substance abuse is also a proactive way to further support
recovery. If alcohol is a stressor, attending a painting class, picnic, or another venue where
alcohol is unavailable further allows the user to distance themselves from their vice. Changes
in routine are also vital. If you drink or use it in a certain setting then avoiding that is
significant. Adding to your routine exercise, non-substance using socialization and groups of
people who support your sobriety is especially important. Finding faith has also proven to
support sobriety. In the form of organized or unstructured religion, a calming habitual outing,
reading, or activity all of which could further support a calm mindset which is vital to healing.
The utilization of yoga, meditation, and massage are also ways to create calm within your
person. The bottom line for the best treatment for drug addiction is that it must be
individualized. Treatment must evolve with the user as they work towards distancing
themselves from their addiction and making lifestyle changes to lead healthy and safe lives.  
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Works Cited

Authored by Editorial StaffLast Updated: October 18, 2021. “Drug Rehab Success Rates and
Statistics.” American Addiction Centers, 18 Oct. 2021,
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/success-rates-and-statistics.

Gold, Jenny. “Affordable Treatment for Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Gets Harder to
Find.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 1 Dec. 2019,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/affordable-treatment-for-mental-illness-and-
substance-abuse-gets-harder-to-find/2019/11/29/a8c689f6-0fce-11ea-bf62-
eadd5d11f559_story.html.

LaMorte, W. “Behavioral Change Models.” The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change),

2019, https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-
Modules/SB/BehavioralChangeTheories/BehavioralChangeTheories6.html.

Mahboub, N. “People Who Use Drugs in Rehabilitation, from Chaos to Disciple: Advantages
and Pitfalls: A Qualitative Study. .” Https://Www.sinclair.edu/, 2021,
http://dx.doi.org.sinclair.ohionet.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245346.

Michelle Loyd, B.S. in Psychology. “Online Therapy: Best 2021 Counseling Services.”
BetterHelp, BetterHelp, 28 May 2020, https://www.betterhelp.com/get-started/.

National Institute for Mental Health, (NIMH). “Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental
Disorders.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 2021, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health.

National Institute on Drug Abuse, (NIDA). “Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction Drug
Facts.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 3 Sept. 2021,
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction.

National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, (N-SSATS). “National Survey of

Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS).” SAMHSA.gov, 2021,
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/n-ssats-national-survey-substance-abuse-
treatment-services.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA). “2014 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , 2014,
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs2014/NSDUH-
DetTabs2014.pdf.

United States Department of Health and Human Services , (USDHHS). “Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration.” SAMHSA, 2021, https://www.samhsa.gov/.
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United States of Health and Health Services, (USDHHS). “Mental Health and Substance Use
Disorders.” SAMHSA, 2020, https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disorders.

Written by: American Addiction Centers Editorial StaffReviewed by: Eric Patterson, MSCP.
“The History of Drug Abuse and Addiction Rehabilitation .” DrugAbuse.com, 14 July
2021, https://drugabuse.com/addiction/history-drug-abuse.