Addiction is a very complex disorder that can affect almost every aspect of one’s life. Treatment is almost always multi-faceted. Some aspects will focus on your addiction specifically while others will work to help you become a more productive member of society. Employment training, learning about self-care, developing coping skills for stress, and how to not turn to drugs and alcohol to cope are all aspects of treatment plans may include.

Here are some things to consider in order to have the most effective treatment possible:

• There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment plan. Treatment will always depend on the person. Some things may work better for others than for you, and that is okay. It is important that your recovery plan is designed for you and your specific needs. It will be unsuccessful if not.
• Effective treatment programs address the person as a whole, not just the addiction. People who struggle with addiction are just that, people. Find a program that addresses more than just the addiction, but takes into account your whole body, your hopes, your fears, and more. 12-step programs are most common for people looking to deepen their spirituality as part of recovery. It can be so easy to write someone off as an ‘addict’ but you have to look deeper and at the actual person. This is one of the best ways to make recovery effective.
• Addiction is complex but treatable. Addiction will impact both the brain and your behavior, and this may continue long after you stop abusing a substance. This explains why people who struggle with addiction are at risk for relapse.
• Treatment should be readily available. To be the most effective, treatment needs to be ready the moment the struggling person says they are ready. Delaying it may cause further damage or cause the individual to change his or her mind.
• Treatment is not a quick fix. People looking to engage with treatment should remain in it for an adequate period of time. There is no set amount of time, but most research agrees that at least three months will significantly reduce or stop the relapse.
• Modifying and assessing the treatment plan as you go is crucial. A person may go through a few weeks of treatment and find that something else will be more helpful. It is okay to make changes along the way. Remember, the recovery process is about you and what works best for you.
• Medication is an important part of the process. For many patients, medication can be a very effective part of treatment. When you are addicted to opioids or narcotics, quitting can be very difficult without medications that help stabilize yourself. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are particularly effective.
• Lapses during treatment are common. This is important to go in knowing. For this reason, it is important that your program includes monitoring drug use. When people know they are monitored, it is a great incentive to avoid using substances. It is if you relapse, but crucial that you keep going and working through the program.
• Treatment does not necessarily need to be voluntary in order to be successful. Sometimes, treatment is forced onto someone through the justice system, family, or work. These people will have more success being put into the program than if they waited to want to get better. Some people just need the extra push.