Cathedral City is home to over 65,000 individuals, according to the latest information on its government website. With the majority of families earning between $50,000 and $75,000 dollar annually, the lifestyle one thinks of for this desert community is one of hardworking individuals who simply want to enjoy their lives and their homes. Even in communities with a strong sense of pride and friendship, drugs can find their way in.

Sometimes, they might be prescription drugs to which an individual develops a tolerance, followed by dependence, and eventually an addiction. Other times, the drugs may come from more nefarious and deliberate entities looking to take advantage of others. It doesn’t necessarily matter to the individual who suffers from addiction how the drugs were introduced into lives. The more immediate concern is finding the help needed to recover and learning how to cope with future challenges in Cathedral City in a healthier manner.

Do 12-Step Programs Really Work?

According to a report published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, participation in 12-step self-help meetings can greatly improve the chances of success in recovery. The study, conducted in outpatient treatment programs in Los Angeles in 1999, found several points of interest, including:

• Participants in 12-step programs attended more group counseling and individual counseling than those who did not participate.
• Participants used drugs significantly less than non-participants after the end of the formal treatment.
• Twice as many non-12-step recovering addicts used drugs during a six-month follow up than those who participated in a 12-step program.
• Individuals who utilize a 12-step self-help group while waiting for a treatment program are more likely to complete the program.

There are two ways to take part in a 12-step treatment program. The first is to attempt the treatment on your own using only the self-help 12-step meetings in your area. While participation in this type of setting is beneficial, your other option is to choose an addiction treatment program that includes the 12-step model of recovery in partnership with other evidence-based therapies.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Is One Form of Evidence-Based Treatment

How we think and how we react to our thoughts are the basis for behavior therapy. Sometimes, whether as a result of addiction issues or some other, co-occurring reason, our thoughts become skewed and our resulting behaviors become erratic, irresponsible or even dangerous. Cognitive behavioral therapy was created to help individuals who have developed misguided or inadequate coping skills learn how to make better decisions. This type of program, unlike traditional talk therapy, has a beginning, middle and end. The therapist and the client work together, adjusting the program as necessary to focus on the individual needs of the recovering addict.

Medication for the Treatment of Addiction

Treating an addiction with another drug, which may be addictive, may sound a little odd, but according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it can be quite effective. For instance, methadone is used to treat opioid addiction successfully in a controlled environment. The purpose of methadone is to prevent the sometimes crippling effects of opioid withdrawal, thereby allowing the recovering addict to build strength and further desire to remain in recovery. It is important to note, however, that methadone alone is not nearly as effective as when used in partnership with a behavioral treatment plan.

As you’re looking for treatment help for yourself or your Cathedral City loved one, please contact us here at Axis. Our trained and compassionate staff can develop an individual treatment program which encompasses all of these evidence-based treatments and more. Call us today to find out how you and your Cathedral City family can benefit from such a program.