Enrolling in an alcoholism treatment program represents a commitment of both time and money. Programs like this can also be emotionally strenuous, as they require the person to step away from commitments of work and home in order to focus on an issue immersed in shame, pain and trauma. It makes sense, then, that people would do all they can to ensure that the program is as effective as it can possibly be, so they can get a good return on the steep investment they’re making. These are four tips people can follow to ensure that they’re getting the most out of the treatment plan they’ve chosen.

1.  Accept That Addiction Is a Problem.

Denial is a pervasive part of the addiction process, and according to a study published in the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, reducing denial is associated with effective treatment. Therapy will help to reduce the sensation of denial, but therapy only really works if people admit that a problem exists. Some people believe, deep down in their hearts, that they can:

• Stop drinking anytime they want to, without help
• Persuade the family that drinking isn’t a problem
• Fool therapists and “play along” without changing
• Leave the program at any time it’s convenient to do so

Thoughts like this place a wall between the therapist and the addicted person, and addictions can flourish in this environment of secrecy and denial. While it can be hard to admit that therapy is vital and that the addiction is overpowering, those who do so may be rewarded for their efforts with effective therapy that takes effect quickly.

2.  Strengthen the Motivation to Improve.

Addiction treatment can be tough, and most programs are voluntary, so people can just stroll out the door when they feel as though they’ve had enough. Overcoming the powerful urge to just walk away when the conversations are difficult can be hard, but it can be done. Some people keep a list of their goals with them, and they remember how those goals move out of reach when alcohol is at play. Others hang onto the notes families read aloud during the intervention, and they find that these words spur them to keep improving, so they won’t cause their families further pain. Any method like this can strengthen the motivation to stick with treatment, and improvement could soon follow.

3.  Pull the Family Into Treatment.

Alcoholism has its roots in individual choices, but family dynamics can also play a role. There may be hidden patterns that lock a drinker into the aggressor mode and place the family in supportive roles. When the rehab program is complete, the family might be tempted to take up these roles again, and a relapse could follow. By including the family in the treatment program, those old wounds could heal and the therapy might be more effective than the person ever thought possible. For example, a study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that behavioral therapy for couples during an addiction program resulted in abstinence as well as happier relationships and lower levels of divorce. This kind of therapy could make life just easier to live, and that could be a benefit that keeps a person working toward sobriety for the rest of life.

4.  Work the Program.

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are designed to help people work through the trauma that the addiction has caused, and build up a skillset that can be used in order to resist future temptation. The meetings are run by peers, rather than therapists, so it’s easy enough for people to simply sit in the meetings without really listening or taking the messages to heart. By really focusing and learning, or “working the program,” as they say, people can bring about lasting change. For example, a study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment suggests that long-term participation in AA is related to long-term sobriety, but those who don’t actively participate in AA during rehab don’t tend to participate in meetings at home either. They don’t take the lessons to heart and they don’t really change, and the addiction could come right back as a result. Listening and learning could make all of the difference.

At Axis, we use motivational techniques to help our clients stay committed to the care we provide, but we also rely on our clients to make a choice to be sober and we fan that flame with therapy. We have great success in helping people to overcome addiction, and we’d like to help you. Please call us to find out more.