Addiction treatment works by addressing the multiple needs of an individual. During treatment, a variety of therapies are used to address the:

•Underlying causes of the addiction
•Brain changes and dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns resulting from the addiction
•Legal, financial, health and relationship problems stemming from the addiction

Traditional Therapies and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The most commonly used traditional “talk” therapy in any addiction treatment program, regardless of age, is cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT.

CBT is an evidence-based treatment for addiction and mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.

It addresses faulty thought patterns that contribute to the unhealthy behaviors that accompany addiction. Changing dysfunctional patterns of thinking and behaving is an important foundation for long-term recovery.

The principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy are used in a variety of other traditional talk therapies that may be part of a young or midlife adult treatment plan, including:
•Family therapy, which helps individuals in treatment repair damaged relationships and restore peace and balance to the household
•Dialectical behavior therapy, which is used to treat trauma, which is a common underlying cause of addiction
•Motivational interviewing, which helps people identify their own personal reasons for wanting to recover from an addiction
•Acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps to treat trauma and fosters emotional regulation

Other traditional therapies used in treatment include pharmacotherapy, or the use of medication to treat addiction or symptoms of mental illness, and psychoeducational classes, which provide education and practical skills for issues surrounding addiction and mental illness.

Holistic Treatment in Recovery
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stresses that a holistic approach to treatment is crucial for successful recovery. Complementary therapies round out the treatment plan and help engage clients in the program. These therapies don’t treat addiction on their own, but they enhance self-awareness, promote emotional healing and offer hands-on experiences that facilitate meaningful change.

Many traditional and complementary treatment therapies take place in a group settings, which has been shown through extensive research to be highly effective for treating addiction.

Complementary therapies commonly used in high quality treatment programs include:
•Art therapy, which involves creating, viewing and talking about art. Art therapy helps to heal emotional wounds, and it reduces shame and stress.
•Adventure therapy, which is more common in young adult treatment programs. Adventure therapy takes place in the outdoors and involves a variety of hands-on activities that are physically and mentally challenging.
•Horticultural therapy, which is more common in midlife adult treatment programs. Horticultural therapy involves growing and tending to plants as a metaphor for self-care, and it reduces stress and promotes growth and change.
•Meditation, which promotes mindfulness, enhances spirituality, increases self-awareness and reduces stress.
•Yoga, which increases body awareness, reduces stress and promotes physical and mental balance and flexibility.
•Group therapy promotes healthy relationships and provides a high level of peer support during early recovery. In an age-specific treatment program, group members are more likely to have issues and problems in common, which enhances feelings of camaraderie and belonging within the group.

Young adult treatment groups will have a different focus and energy than midlife adult treatment groups.