What's The Best Treatment For Addiction?

Searching for the best addiction treatment for you or someone you know can be challenging with so many different kinds of treatments available around the world today. How do you figure out what's the best treatment or the best rehab for you?

Although the symptoms of addiction are generally predictable (e.g. the increase in risk-taking behaviours if addiction is not treated), it does not mean that there is one formula for treating addiction. There are programmes that have been proven to be effective for treating addiction but such programmes must also allow for some level of individualisation.

The best programme is one that looks at the various imbalances you present rather than prescribe a one-size-fits-all programme based on sweeping generalisations about how an addict must behave. For instance, it considers whether you tend to overthink or be too vague in your thinking (both extremes requiring a different approach in therapy). It should also consider the ways in which you learn, and which level of expression you over or under use that might have had an impact on how your addiction has progressed.

First of all, decide whether therapy in a group or exclusive, one-on-one rehab is more appealing to you. Be aware though that the most comfortable way may not be the best way for you since part of treatment is to stretch you so that you can move into new ways of behaving, relating and being. You should also decide how much time you want to dedicate to being in rehab - take as long as you can possibly afford to take. It takes time to pull apart your old ways and connect to new resources.

Once you have decided on the broad structure, research different programmes, the therapists, and the environment or setting.

A rehab is only as good as its therapists. A good therapist is one who really listens and knows how to strike a fine balance between picking up what's different about your story and helping you put your experience into the framework of addiction. Empathy, professionalism and a non-judgement attitude are some of the key traits to look for in a therapist. He or she should have a good knowledge of addiction and the complex behaviours associated with addiction. Preferably, your therapist will be someone with a high level of self-awareness and who nurtures his or her own personal growth. You may not be able to find out as much as you want about the therapists who will be working with you before you check in to the rehab, but it helps to keep this in mind.

A good programme is one that guides you to resolve deeper emotional issues while offering practical ways out of your addiction. It should include plenty of self-reflective time to promote insights and to allow healing to occur. It should also be balanced with creative activities to help you tap the hidden corners of your psyche to access more options and resources. It should preferably be tried and tested.

The environment and setting is also an important consideration. Does it provide a safe space, with strong boundaries? A rehab is an opportunity to be away from your structure so that you can focus on looking at yourself without being distracted by your usual environmental pressures. This helps you to stay true to what's real for you. A luxurious surrounding is less important and can sometimes distract you from the real work, but an environment that promotes peace and tranquility can support you in your healing. A professionally-run rehab, comprising ground and support staff who have an understanding of addiction (or at least about working in a therapeutic environment), can make a whole world of difference in your treatment.

This article was written by Amyra Mah from Breathing Space Thailand. For more information on Amyra and Breathing Space's Holistic Healing Center for drugs and alcohol. Do not hesitate to visit our site " Breathing Space Thailand.

Copyright - All Rights Reserved. Quoting from and linking to this article is granted by giving credit to: "Breathing Space Thailand's Holistic Healing Center ".

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Internet Addiction and Depression - What's the Connection?

Some recent studies conducted by British psychologists showed striking evidence that Internet addiction and depression seem to be related. The study found that a small proportion of Internet users were considered to be Internet addicts and that these people had a greater likelihood of getting depressed than Internet users who were not addicted.

Psychologists say that the reason behind this is that people who become addicted to the Internet eventually find themselves replacing real-life social interactions with online interactions in chat rooms and social networking websites. Since real-life social interactions are necessary for the psychological and emotional stability of a person, lack of it can lead to depression.

The study was conducted based on a questionnaire that was answered by over 1300 young people and adults aged between 16 and 51 years old who used the Internet regularly. A link to the questionnaire was placed on various UK-based social networking sites. The questions mainly revolved around Internet usage, such as how much time they spent online, what they do online, and so on. The questionnaire also included the Beck Depression Inventory, a series of questions that measure the severity of depression or depressive symptoms.

Only about 1.4% of the total number of survey participants were found to be Internet addicts, and they seem to have had more severe depressive symptoms. It was not clear, however, whether people who are already depressed turn to the Internet to fulfill their basic human need for social interaction, or if Internet overuse comes first.

The psychologists reported that over-engaging in social networking websites can easily occur and can just as easily lead to psychological disorders like addiction and depression. People therefore need to consider the large-scale societal implications of social networking sites on mental health.

A similar study, however, gave light to what was missing in the previous study. Another study was conducted in Australia and China, where over 1000 teenage students in China were exposed to uncontrolled Internet use. The students were completely free from anxiety and depression at the start of the study. Sixty-two of them were moderate pathological users of the Internet, while two were found to be severely unable to control their urges to go online. The study took nine months. In the next evaluation, it was found that an alarming eighty-seven of the students developed depression and another eight showed significant symptoms of anxiety.

The study suggests that Internet overuse comes first before depression. Researchers made it clear, however, that the study was conducted in a developing country, so results may differ in developed and underdeveloped countries where the circumstances are different. Nevertheless, they recommend that young people who may be at risk of getting addicted to the Internet should be screened to see whether they need treatment or counseling.

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