There are a number of therapies for substance abuse. Different experts advocate different therapies. Some advocate drug-assisted therapies, while others advocate drug-free therapies. Which therapy is right for a particular person is a subjective determination. Before choosing an addiction therapy, you should always investigate the methods used by the treatment center and the philosophies behind those methods.

Not everything works for everybody. That is most obviously evidenced by the poor national average for recovery success rates. They are between 10 and 20 percent. Many people are repeatedly treated in inpatient treatment centers only to return to using when on the outside. There must be a disconnect somewhere in our current thinking. The most obvious disconnect is the idea that there is a system that works for everyone.

Finding What Works for You

The most popular and accepted substance abuse treatment program is the 12-Step program. The 12-Step program uses a 12 step guideline to end drug and alcohol abuse through surrendering to a higher power. Members attend regular group meetings to talk about their personal experiences as a way to support their total sobriety. Millions of people have found help and support in the 12-Step approach. Unfortunately, millions of people have not.

There are alternatives to the 12-Step approach out there. Some people may have philosophical differences with the 12-Step program, and others may have tried to work it but failed. That doesn't mean that there is no help for those people. There are some treatments that include methods such as biochemical detoxification, relearning fundamental life skills, dealing with causes of addiction, and other ways of taking control of one's life. Though these alternative treatments are not guaranteed to work any more than the 12-Step program, they may be a better fit for some people's sensibilities. The key is to find the right therapy for you.