Addiction Treatment

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What is addiction treatment?

What are some different treatment options?

What's the difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment?

What are the steps to finding an effective addiction treatment program?

Where can I find listings of treatment programs in my community?

What questions should I ask when contacting treatment centers?

Is a patient considered 'treated' once they complete detox?

Are there any support programs for friends or relatives of addicts?

How do I find a physician to prescribe Buprenorphine?

I'm a current methadone patient. How can I switch to Buprenorphine?

What is addiction treatment?

There are a wide variety of treatment options available for people dealing with addiction. These treatments are offered as both out-patient and in-patient programs and usually involve behavioral therapy, medications (or a combination of both), support groups and/or self-help.

To learn more about your treatment options, talk to your doctor or health professional. You can also read NIDA's Drug Addiction Treatment Methods or call SAMHSA's toll free referral helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

What are some different treatment options?

Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapy for addiction involves counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (skills training) or psychotherapy. It provides strategies for dealing with drug cravings, avoiding relapse, and coping with relapse if it should happen.

Medication: There are a wide range of medications used for treating addiction. For more information on medications, visit the Center for Addiction Treatment (CSAT) pharmacologic therapies website.

Support Groups: Support groups provide encouragement and crisis intervention but don't attempt to teach new behaviors. Support groups can include face-to-face support as well as on-line support meetings and communities.

Self-help: Many people believe they can stop drug and alcohol use on their own, but this can be very difficult due to the highly addictive nature of some drugs. You may need the additional support of outpatient or inpatient care. Here is a list of some popular self-help groups:

What's the difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment?

Inpatient treatment involves helping patients while they live in a treatment center, most of which are run by private, non-profit organizations. Treatment is usually provided under medical supervision and is structured.

Outpatient treatment is designed for patients who can commute to a center for treatment. This type of treatment is common and usually costs less than inpatient care. It is more suitable for people who are employed and/or have strong social support. Many outpatient programs offer several different services, including detoxification, intensive day treatment, weekly sessions, group therapy, and drug education programs.

What are the steps to finding an effective addiction treatment program?

1. If you have health insurance provided through your employment or a family member, call to find out if your insurance includes treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. Be sure to check the specifications of what it covers (i.e. type of treatment program, length of care, etc.), whether you are responsible for co-payments and/or deductibles, and if there are limits on your insurance reimbursement (how much you will get back from your insurance company).

If you don't have health insurance, contact your state substance abuse agency, as they can help you access treatment. Another option is to call the Referral Helpline operated by SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Some treatment programs may be willing to work with you on a payment plan, or help you find other means of support.

2. Search treatment listings for treatment programs near you. For information on certified or licensed private and public treatment facilities, visit the Treatment Center Locator. This database of over 11,000 alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs is maintained by SAMHSA and can help you find the treatment facilities in your area.

Your state substance abuse agency can also provide you with assistance in finding treatment.

3. Make sure that the program is approved by the State Alcohol and Drug Abuse authority as an addiction treatment facility. (All facilities listed in the Treatment Center Locator have been approved.)

4. Make sure that the program is run by state accredited or licensed professionals. Look for state certified Alcohol Counselors, counselors who have been individually certified as Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) through the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), or physicians certified through the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).

For more information and resources, visit out Support and Recovery webpage.

Where can I find listings of treatment programs in my community?

The Treatment Center Locator is a searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs from across the U.S. This Locator is maintained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and includes more than 11,000 addiction treatment programs, including residential treatment centers, outpatient treatment programs, and hospital inpatient programs. To find the treatment facilities nearest you, click here.

For additional assistance and advice, call the Referral Helpline operated by the SAMHSA Center for Addiction Treatment at 1-800-662-HELP or contact your state alcohol and drug agency.

What questions should I ask when contacting treatment centers?

In order to find the best treatment program for you or your loved one, call a few different centers in your area with a list of questions. Most facilities will be open to talking with you in person or by phone (without charge) to describe their treatment programs.

Some recommended questions:

Please describe your treatment program. (If they offer an unconventional therapy, request published medical references supporting their treatment methods.)
What strategies do you use to target problem behaviors?
What are your therapists' qualifications? (Certified or licensed professionals? How many years of experience do they have?)
How much does the program cost? Can you support those without insurance?
How often are the treatment sessions? (i.e. daily, once a week, etc.) And how long is each session?
Do you provide behavioral therapy such as individual and/or group counseling?
Do you offer services or referrals to family members of addicts?
Do you recommend detoxification before treatment begins (in a hospital or detox unit)? If so, under what circumstances?
Do you assess an individual's treatment over time in order to ensure it meets their needs?
Is your staff trained to deal with mental health issues and other medical problems (including infectious diseases) as well as addiction?
Does your program offer medication as part of its treatment regimen? If so, under what circumstances are medications prescribed?
Is long-term support provided? Does it include monitoring for possible relapse?

Is a patient considered "treated" once they complete detox?

Medical detoxification is the process of getting rid of addictive substances from the patient's body (in an inpatient or outpatient setting) while managing the intense physical symptoms of withdrawal, usually under a physician's care. However, it is only the first stage of addiction treatment. While detoxification is rarely effective enough on its own to help addicts quit long-term, for many individuals it is a recommended step before starting drug addiction treatment.

Are there any support programs for friends or relatives of addicts?

Friends and family who have been affected by addiction should consider individual or family therapy with a psychologist or family physician.

Al-Anon and Alateen, 12-step support programs for adults and young people affected by a loved one's drinking, are popular self-help options.

Children of alcoholics can also find support and information on-line at the National Association of Children of Alcoholics

How do I find a physician to prescribe Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a medication that is used to treat heroin and other opiate addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created an online directory of physicians who can prescribe Buprenorphine for opiate addiction. It is updated daily and contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of those physicians who have received credentials from SAMHSA and an I.D. number from the Drug Enforcement Administration. It may be easier to find a hospital-based physician than a private physician to prescribe Buprenorphine, as they are no longer restricted by the 30 patient treatment limit.

If you are a veteran, contact your VA Hospital for more information.

I'm a current methadone patient. How can I switch to Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine may not be the best treatment for patients who are currently enrolled in a methadone treatment program, as the two drugs are very different. Buprenorphine is safer and more convenient than methadone for some patients, but if your current treatment is working well you may want to consider staying on your existing program. Talk to your physician for more information and a personalized recommendation.

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