Author: Hannah Friedman

Hannah is a writer with a focus on holistic wellness. Her work explores post-traumatic growth and mental health as an intersectional issue. In addition to writing for Recovery.com, she’s composed meditations for the NatureSpace app, articles for the Cardea app, and essays on the connection between physical and mental health. In her private practice as a massage therapist, she works primarily with LGBTQIA+ clients and survivors of assault.
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Breaking Toxic Bonds: How to Get Help for Love Addiction

Humans naturally seek love and connection. But because relationships are innately complex, it can be hard to tell the difference between an incredible feeling and a harmful dynamic. There’s not a lot of agreement among professionals about what love addiction is, exactly. But regardless of how they’re labeled, unhealthy patterns in romantic relationships can seriously affect your quality of life.

Fortunately, treatment for love addiction is available. It can help you find a healthier approach to your relationships with others—and most importantly, yourself.

Is Love Addiction Real?

Also called pathological love or relationship addiction, love addiction is not officially recognized in the DSM-5. ((What’s the DSM-5? (2022, August 3). Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/lib/dsm-5)) While some professionals view it as a behavioral addiction that has to do with impulse control, others see it as a mood disorder.

Some researchers even believe that all romantic love has addictive qualities, ((Earp, B. D., Wudarczyk, O. A., Foddy, B., & Savulescu, J. (2017). Addicted to love: What is love addiction and when should it be treated? Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology : PPP, 24(1), 77–92. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5378292/)) as it produces a similar effect to drugs and alcohol:

“Studies suggest that the subjective state (or states) of ‘being in love’ is intimately tied to characteristic biochemical reactions occurring within the brain. These reactions involve such compounds as dopamine, oxytocin, vasopressin, and serotonin and recruit brain regions known to play a role in the development of trust, the creation of feelings of pleasure, and the signalling of reward…Consequently, scientists have begun to draw a number of parallels between the naturally rewarding phenomena associated with human love and the artificial stimulation afforded by the use of addictive substances such as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine.”

This may explain why it’s so common—one study estimates that 5-10% of the U.S. population experiences love addiction. ((Sussman, S. (2010). Love Addiction: Definition, Etiology, Treatment. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 31–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720161003604095))

When Does It Become a Problem?

Humans are social beings. As such, seeking out and prioritizing love is natural and normal.

Love addiction becomes a problem when you get stuck in a relationship (or cycles of relationships) that are unsafe or unhealthy for you. Often, these cycles form bonds that make the volatile dynamic between you and your partner addictive—which makes it very hard to know when you should leave. In abusive relationships, this is known as trauma bonding. ((Resnick, A. (2021, November 5). What is trauma bonding? Verywell Mind; Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/trauma-bonding-5207136))

If you are experiencing any type of abuse, you can get help immediately. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 to speak with an expert.

These patterns usually arise from insecure attachment issues, which are rooted in codependency and childhood trauma.

How Pathological Love Shows up in Your Life

While there’s no official criteria, one group of experts names 6 core dimensions of love addiction: ((Costa, S., Barberis, N., Griffiths, M. D., Benedetto, L., & Ingrassia, M. (2021). The love addiction inventory: Preliminary findings of the development process and psychometric characteristics. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19(3), 651–668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00097-y))

1. Salience: Your life comes to revolve around your love interest.
2. Tolerance: The time you need to spend with them, or the time you spend thinking about them, increases over time.
3. Mood modification: You use time with your partner as your go-to strategy to cope with your feelings.
4. Relapse: You can’t cut down on how much time you spend with, or preoccupied with, your partner.
5. Withdrawal: You get frustrated, sad, or even have physical symptoms when you can’t spend time with them.
6. Conflict: Obsession with your love interest affects all other aspects of your life.

This kind of fixation is typical of early-stage relationships. But normally, the “honeymoon phase” eventually subsides. This level of obsession isn’t meant to be sustained long-term, and doing so causes other important parts of life—like friendships, family, work, and your own interests—to suffer.

People also report feeling these symptoms of love addiction: ((What is love addiction? (n.d.). Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-love-addiction-5210864))

  • fear of being alone
  • feeling “empty” without their partner
  • a need to constantly be around their partner
  • no strong sense of self outside of the relationship
  • losing interest in life outside of their partners
  • a history of emotionally unavailable love interests

(Note that identifying a condition like this can be tricky, so it’s best to speak to a professional about your concerns.)

Neglecting other areas of your life causes it to fall out of balance, which affects your mental health. Obsessive love interferes with priorities like your performance at work and your relationships with others in your support network.

Staying in relationships to your own detriment can diminish your trust in, and respect for, yourself.

See our article on sex and love addiction for more on recognizing the difference between healthy, toxic, and abusive relationships.

Love Addiction and Other Mental Health Diagnoses

Like other mental health conditions, sex and love addiction commonly occur alongside other disorders ((Tripodi, M. F., Guiliani, M., Petruccelli, I., & Simonelli, C. (2012). Sexual Addiction Theory, causes and therapy. Institute of Clinical Sexology, Rome. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234118847_Sexual_AddictionTheory_causes_and_therapy)) like depression, anxiety, and bipolar. The traits of certain conditions, like ADHD and borderline personality disorder, can complicate relationships and play into struggles with love addiction.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Impulsiveness and craving stimulation are hallmarks of ADHD. This means that for people with ADHD, there’s a biological reason why relationships might swing between extremes.

“A rush of biochemical euphoria comes with ‘new love,’” says marriage and family therapist Jonathan Halverstadt. “Those of us with ADHD often hyperfocus on romance, not just for the sake of romance, but also to increase those pleasure-producing neurotransmitters (dopamine) that are in short supply in our brains. Highly charged emotions are not part of lasting love. They are just feelings — strong and wonderful feelings — but you need much more to make an ADHD relationship last.” ((Halverstadt, J. (2010, June 17). 10 ways to save your relationship. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/save-your-adhd-relationship-marriage/))

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

BPD makes it difficult to regulate your emotions. People with BPD struggle with setting boundaries and maintaining their sense of self in relationships. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, symptoms of BPD ((Borderline personality disorder. (n.d.). NAMI California. Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://namica.org/illnesses/borderline-personality-disorder/)) can include “unstable personal relationships that alternate between idealization (‘I’m so in love!’) and devaluation (‘I hate her’),” also known as “splitting.”

The Mighty contributor Catherine Renton describes how BPD affects her romantic relationships: ((Renton, C. (2018, August 11). The “obsessive” way i fall in love as someone with borderline personality disorder. The Mighty. https://themighty.com/2018/08/love-triggers-bpd-borderline-personality-disorder/))

“I am obsessive in love — falling quickly, deeply and I always put my partner’s needs before my own…Once I become attached to someone, I get drunk on lust as dopamine floods my body. I’ve fallen in love so many times, it’s like an addiction. I crave the affection and touch of another human so much I have overlooked some questionable personality traits just so I don’t end up alone.”

It’s important to distinguish between BPD (which is a diagnosable disorder) and love addiction (which is not). These 2 conditions share some of the same symptoms, but BPD involves much more than just a predisposition to love addiction.

Learning How to Have Healthy Relationships in Rehab

Removing yourself from your usual cues and getting into a recovery-focused environment is a great way to set yourself up for success. Plenty of residential rehabs offer programs specifically for this addiction and the unique challenges it entails.

Treatment varies from program to program, but often involves these components:

  • Gender-specific care: Treatment may take place at a larger, co-ed facility with gender-specific housing and therapy groups, or at a dedicated center.
  • Healing underlying trauma: Love addiction often stems from core wounds like abandonment, which are rooted in childhood experiences.
  • Developing healthy coping skills: Patients grow their toolkit for managing their own lives and their connections with others.

Rehabs That Treat Love Addiction

Gentle Path at The Meadows is a men-only program that provides specialized treatment for sex and relationship addictions. Gentle Path’s approach is based on the Meadows Model, ((The meadows model. (2022, September 7). The Meadows of Wickenburg, Arizona. https://www.themeadows.com/about/the-meadows-model/)) developed by leading codependency expert and author of Facing Love Addiction, ((Pia Mellody Books. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.piamellody.com/books.html)) Pia Mellody.

Recovery Ranch in Nunnelly, Tennessee combines clinical, holistic, and experiential therapies to help patients explore past traumas and shift towards more mature, authentic love. ((Love addiction treatment center. (n.d.). The Ranch TN. Retrieved from https://www.recoveryranch.com/mental-health-treatment-programs-nashville-tn/process-addiction-treatment-center/love-addiction-treatment-center/))

Love is an important part of life—but it doesn’t have to come at a price. Rehab can help you navigate relationships in a way that keeps your best interests at heart.

Visit our sex and love addiction treatment directory to learn more about available programs and reach out to rehabs directly.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

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Treating Addiction With Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Addiction can hijack your behavior. This condition makes it easy to lose sight of your goals, values, and even immediate needs. Instead, many people prioritize drug use over the things that matter most to them.

In rehab, you’ll have space to take a step back and look at your life as a whole. That perspective can inspire lasting change. Acceptance and commitment therapy (or ACT, pronounced like the word “act”) shows people how to make those changes. This treatment empowers you to behave in ways that align with your own highest ideals.

In a rehab with acceptance and commitment therapy, you won’t work toward standardized goals, or fight against your own needs. Instead, you’ll start building a life that works for you.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

ACT is a type of behavioral therapy founded by psychologist Steven Hayes in the 1980s. In some ways, it resembles dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). All of these behavioral treatments include talk therapy, but focus on teaching you practical skills. Between sessions, you’ll put those skills into action. Then you can tell your therapist about your progress, and strategize ways to do even better.

Dr. Russell Harris, world-renowned ACT therapist, explains that acceptance and commitment therapy is based on mindfulness. ((Harris, R. (2006). Embracing Your Demons: An Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Psychotherapy in Australia, 12(4), 2–8. https://www.sjsu.edu/people/jennifer.gregg/courses/c4/s1/act_article_russ.pdf)) He writes, “the goal of ACT is to create a rich and meaningful life, while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it.” Therapists use metaphors and exercises to guide you toward your own values. The goal is to reach a state of balance, in which you can navigate life’s obstacles with grace.

This treatment gives you the tools you need to define your own personal values. Those values might be different from those of the people around you—including your therapist. And that’s okay.

In ACT, you’ll learn to do what’s right for you. Patients achieve this by focusing on a few core ideals.

The 6 Principles of ACT

ACT has 6 central principles ((Acceptance and commitment therapy (Act): An overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.psychotherapy.net/article/Acceptance-and-Commitment-Therapy-ACT#section-six-core-principles-of-act)) that inform all the exercises you’ll do with your therapist. These concepts aren’t prescriptive—meaning, they’re not there to tell you what to do. Instead, they describe a general approach to living well. To quote Dr. Harris, the principles are as follows:

1. defusion
2. acceptance
3. contact with the present moment
4. the observing self
5. values
6. committed action

You’ll learn how to put these into practice during rehab. Then, once you complete initial treatment, you can use them to build a meaningful life back at home.

Defusion

Think of defusion as de-fusing with overwhelming emotions. This principle asks you to take a step back. You learn to see thoughts, feelings, and events as what they are. You can assign meaning to anything—that’s a natural human impulse. But it doesn’t mean that you should. It can be helpful to recognize that some things don’t have greater implications.

This idea can be life-changing for people with addiction and co-occurring disorders. It’s all too easy to get lost in self-doubt, judging yourself harshly for your own experience. Defusion illustrates that you are not your thoughts or your feelings. These are experiences you have. They don’t need to define your identity or your behavior. You can just accept what’s happened, and move forward.

Acceptance

In ACT, acceptance is just what it sounds like ((Acceptance and commitment therapy(Act). (2017, February 27). Recovery Research Institute. https://www.recoveryanswers.org/resource/acceptance-commitment-therapy-act/)) —accepting present reality just as it is. This includes external events, and your own thoughts and feelings. The act of resisting a feeling is usually exhausting, and rarely effective. These strategies teach you to save that energy, and focus instead on ways you can affect change.

Acceptance isn’t passive. On the contrary, ACT teaches you practical skills to accept what’s happening in your life. For example, people with OCD and addiction can both benefit from urge surfing. In this ACT technique, Dr. Harris says patients learn to “ride urges like a wave. ((Harris, R. (2007). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) ADVANCED Workshop Handout . ACT Mindfully. https://www.actmindfully.com.au/upimages/Russ_Harris_-_Advanced_ACT_Workshop_Handout.pdf)) Let the wave crest and fall. Don’t resist it.” You can engage with your cravings as an observer, without acting on them. This mindfulness technique helps people stay present in their own lives.

Contact With the Present Moment

When we act mindfully, we stay in contact with the present moment. With this core principle of ACT, you’ll cultivate resilience. ((Hayes, S. (n.d.). The Six Core Processes of ACT: The Psychological Flexibility Model. Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://contextualscience.org/the_six_core_processes_of_act)) As Steven Hayes writes, the goal is for people to “experience the world more directly so that their behavior is more flexible and thus their actions more consistent with the values that they hold.”

To stay in touch with the present, you can implement a variety of mindfulness techniques. You might learn these from your ACT therapist, or from another treatment provider. For example, many rehab centers offer yoga and meditation. These strategies help you stay open and centered, even when you’re facing great challenges.

The Observing Self

This principle of ACT builds on the ideas established by defusion. ((Acceptance and commitment therapy (Act): An overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.psychotherapy.net/article/Acceptance-and-Commitment-Therapy-ACT#section-six-core-principles-of-act)) Dr. Harris writes that these strategies let you access “a transcendent sense of self; a continuity of consciousness that is unchanging.”

This greater self is always observing your life. You can go to rehab, relapse, move to a new city, get promoted, or take up swing dancing. It doesn’t matter how much you change. Your observing self will always be there, with you and for you. Once you recognize this, you can learn to trust yourself again. This can be powerful for anyone, especially people in addiction recovery.

Values Guide Your Recovery Process

Early in ACT, your therapist will take you through the process of defining your values. ((Barney, J. L., Lillis, J., Haynos, A. F., Forman, E., & Juarascio, A. S. (2019). Assessing the valuing process in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Experts’ review of the current status and recommendations for future measure development. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 225–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.08.002)) There are a few different ways to achieve this. They might have you go through a deck of cards with different values, and rank them in order of importance. Or, you might do a writing exercise. Whatever method you use, you’ll end up with a list of core values that are unique to you.

Your values serve as a guiding light, informing every decision you make. These ideals may change over time. But in any given moment, you can know what your highest values are, and act in a way that honors them.

Committed Action

When you take committed action, you act in accordance with your personal values. This principle is the culmination of ACT’s other ideals—but it doesn’t have to come last. Healing isn’t a linear process. For example, you can act on your values while you’re still learning to stay in contact with the present moment.

Committed actions are creative ways to work toward the life you want. You can examine your impulses, and reframe them in light of your ideals. For example: do you really value drug use? Or do you actually value feeling emotionally stable? If it’s the latter, you can achieve that by going to therapy, meditating, or engaging in a healthy hobby. And by doing those things instead, you can honor your values in a more sustainable way.

ACT Makes Healing Sustainable

In acceptance and commitment therapy, you’ll learn to experience your feelings safely. You can act in accordance with your values even when you’re triggered.

It may seem counterintuitive, but when you stop trying to change how you feel, you take back control of your life.

According to Steven Hayes, ACT is uniquely helpful for people in addiction recovery. ((Act: Addressing addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZp6XGzbY1s)) As he explained in one interview, the very word “addiction” explains how it can leave patients feeling out of control. “That dict part of ‘addiction’ is ‘being spoken to,’ like a dictator. Having the rule laid down. And who’s laying down that rule? It’s your own mind. And part of what our perspective is, is trying to back up and catch how it is that your own mind could become your own dictator. Your own body can become your own dictator. And you can find yourself involved in patterns that lead you farther and farther away from what you really care about.”

ACT interrupts the spiral Hayes describes. This treatment teaches you how to move toward the things you care about. But it emphasizes that those things are philosophical and emotional. They might even be spiritual. And because of that, there is no finish line.

Escaping “The Happiness Trap”

Dr. Harris talks about a common behavioral pattern he calls “the happiness trap.” ((Harris, R. (2008). The happiness trap. Robinson Publishing.)) In this pattern, people run themselves ragged trying to achieve happiness. They think of this emotion as an end goal. But feelings aren’t permanent. And when you act like they can be, you set yourself up for failure.

If you value security, for example, you can look for a stable job and living situation. That’s all well and good. But it’s not the end of the story. If you get promoted, you might have to move to a new city. You’ll have more job security, but you’ll need to find a new home. Only you can decide which option aligns with your values. By using the mindful techniques you learn in ACT, you can make the best possible decisions for you.

Actively Engage With Recovery

ACT skills aren’t only a way of processing your feelings. It’s more accurate to call them a way of life. And during addiction recovery, you can use these tactics to build a life that meets your needs, in a fulfilling and meaningful way.

To find a rehab program that offers acceptance and commitment therapy, browse our directory of treatment centers to learn about what therapies they offer, compare your options, and reach out directly.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

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Recovery Doesn’t End With Rehab: Why Aftercare Is So Important

Recovery doesn’t end when you complete rehab. Instead, this ongoing process will continue for the rest of your life. Aftercare, or continuing care, helps people transition back into life after rehab.

Rehab removes you from everyday stressors. This lets you focus on yourself, and on healing. But the reality is that you can still expect to face stressful situations once you return home. To support you through this, continuing care helps keep you on track and gives you the structure you need to thrive.

Most facilities recognize their patients’ need for aftercare. As such, they may offer online therapy sessions, check-ins with staff members, or meetings with peers after you leave residential treatment. A rehab program with a robust aftercare component can smooth out the transition from treatment to everyday life.

Each center offers different forms of continuing care—when looking into treatment centers, keep in mind that this will be a critical stage of your recovery journey.

Structured Aftercare Programs

Some people benefit from a more structured approach to continuing care. Perhaps you’d like to ease back into daily life in a safe, controlled environment. In sober living communities, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), you’ll be in close contact with treatment professionals and other people in recovery. Sobriety is mandatory in these settings, and your peers can help hold you accountable. This might be exactly what you need in the next chapter of your healing journey.

Sober Living Communities

Sober living environments are designed to bridge the gap between rehab and daily life. These facilities house people who are learning how to navigate life without alcohol and drugs. They provide structure with house rules and a recovery-focused schedule, but allow more freedom than a residential rehab center would.

Many of these therapeutic communities will only admit patients after they complete residential rehab. However, some sober living environments also accept people recovering from other mental health conditions.

In these settings, you can socialize with peers in an organized way. You might attend support groups, go on planned outings, or even play team sports. You may also attend 12-step meetings, therapy sessions, and other group activities, all of which may be optional or mandatory depending on the facility. These may or may not take place off-site.

Many sober living communities require you to find a job (or already have one). They may even provide career coaching and other resources to help you look for work. This is your chance to set your life up for success, in a way that aligns with your new goals. And you’ll have support from those around you to do just that.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

An intensive outpatient program may be a good fit if you prefer a more structured approach to aftercare. In an IOP, you’ll live on your own (or in a sober living environment), but attend a recovery program every day. While each program is different, most require at least 10 hours of therapy per week. You’ll probably attend both 1:1 and group therapy sessions, as well as meetings that support your sober lifestyle, like SMART or 12-Step. IOPs may also partner with community organizations for resources like job-related services or specific types of treatment.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

Patients in PHPs spend the majority of their day at the facility, and only go home at night. In that sense, they’re similar to IOPs—except that patients spend even more time in treatment. You can either enroll in a PHP instead of rehab, or after you complete it. PHPs may be a good option if you require the intensiveness of an inpatient program but prefer to live at home with your family.

Continued Individual Therapy

Therapy is an important part of maintaining your personal growth and tracking the goals you set for yourself in rehab. Some rehab programs offer individual or group therapy sessions as part of their aftercare program, which may or may not be included in the program cost. If you’d like to keep working with the therapist you saw in rehab, you can ask them if that’s an option. However, there’s a good chance that a therapist who’s regularly working at a treatment center may not have availability. You can also ask your treatment center for resources to help you find a new one.

Looking for a new therapist takes time. You may need to meet with a few to find one you feel comfortable with, and whose approach aligns with your identity and values. Keep in mind that every practitioner has different specializations, and not all of them treat addiction. Ideally, it’s a good idea to find a therapist before you leave rehab, with the support of your treatment team, to avoid a gap in sessions. Having this support in place can help with any uncertainty or overwhelm in the weeks following your discharge.

Therapy is crucial to the recovery process, but it’s not a quick fix. It takes time to work through trauma and develop new habits. But with the right therapist in your corner, you can continue your healing journey with expert support, long after you leave rehab.

Support Groups

Peer involvement is an essential component of the recovery process. It can be affirming to hear stories from other people in similar situations. You’ll learn from other people’s experiences, and they may even share helpful advice.

Support groups are a great way to connect with the local community and stay accountable. If you enroll in an IOP or PHP, you’ll likely join a support group as part of treatment.

Although the core components of specific groups are usually the same, you may prefer some more than others. For example, some meetings might look different, or you might connect with people in one group more than others. For this reason, it’s a good idea to try out several different meetings. You can even attend multiple groups if you’d like, and as many in one day as you want. Ultimately, you get to determine what is most helpful for you.

12-Step Fellowship

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) ((Have a problem with alcohol? There is a solution. | Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/)) is probably the most well-known 12-Step program. However, there are now 12-Step groups for almost any type of addiction. These meetings are available around the world. They take place in person in most major cities, or you can join some sessions remotely.

In these groups, members follow 12 steps to recovery. 12-Step programs are faith-based, though anyone can attend. They often reference a higher power or God, and typically start meetings with a prayer. If you don’t feel comfortable in spiritual settings, this might not be the best program for you. But if you already feel strongly about spirituality, or would like to develop a practice, these groups and the social support they offer can be a boon to your recovery.

Meeting formats are usually similar, but may differ depending on the group. As an example, A.A. meetings ((What to expect at an a. A. Meeting | alcoholics anonymous. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/information-about-meetings)) might begin with a prayer, moment of silence, or reading about from the “Big Book.” The Big Book contains passages about the 12-Steps and recovery. After that, people might share stories or discuss a topic as a group. The exact format and activities in each meeting may vary depending on the group goals.

If it feels right, you can also connect with a sponsor. Long-time members can volunteer to become sponsors after some time in a 12-Step group. In this role, they commit to supporting you through any struggles you face. This might look like meeting outside of the group, or talking on the phone when you’re having a hard time.

Interest-Based Groups

You might want to dive into new—and old—hobbies after completing rehab. Finding activities you enjoy can truly be healing. And connecting with interest groups can be a great way to build your support system. The internet and social media make it easy to find people who like to do the same things you do. For example, you can look up “knitting groups in Phoenix,” or “hiking groups in Denver” and find plenty of options. You can even attend classes, like yoga or pottery.

Building sober community is critical to recovery. In fact, supportive relationships can actually help you maintain your sobriety. ((Pettersen, H., Landheim, A., Skeie, I., Biong, S., Brodahl, M., Oute, J., & Davidson, L. (2019). How social relationships influence substance use disorder recovery: A collaborative narrative study. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 13, 1178221819833379. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221819833379)) These positive influences will prevent you from seeking out negative ones. And, they can offer words of encouragement during tough days. According to experts, “Strengthening bonds with the social world can weaken bonds with substance use.”

Social Support From Your Existing Network

Support from those closest to you, like your friends and family, is invaluable. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you—and your recovery—can do wonders for your healing process.

However, your old relationships might be different after you finish rehab. You may need to distance yourself from people who enable bad habits, for example. Alternatively, you might have hurt someone’s feelings before rehab—and they may not want to stay in contact with you. As unfortunate as this might be, it’s also possible to rely on previous healthy relationships or form new bonds with other sober people.

If you decide to work on your relationships with loved ones, you can attend family or couples therapy. And this treatment doesn’t only apply to biological members. You can bring anyone you consider family to sessions, whether they’re related to you or not. In therapy, you’ll learn to communicate in a healthy way. Family members will learn how to better support you through recovery. This may include establishing healthy boundaries or recognizing the signs of relapse.

Relapse Prevention Planning

Relapse is always a possibility. And it’s important to plan around it well in advance. You’ll start this process in rehab, and will continue working on it throughout your recovery.

If you do relapse, it’s not the end of the world. Healing isn’t linear, and sometimes you’ll hit bumps in the road. But that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you need to pick yourself up again—with the help of your support system.

Planning for Life After Rehab

It might feel intimidating to think about what life will look like after rehab. And in fact, it might be completely different from your life now. But that can be exciting. Rehab is your chance to start over. You can use this time to rediscover what you want out of life, and find healthy ways to move toward it.

When you return home, it’s up to you to keep the ball rolling—to take what you learned in rehab and apply to your new life.

This includes working to replace negative habits with positive ones. But you don’t have to do it alone. Instead, you can connect with people who can help you start this new, sober life. This process might be difficult and messy—but also inspiring and exhilarating. And there are plenty of people ready to support you, every step of the way.

Connect with a rehab program that provides aftercare to learn about sober living programs, remote treatment options, insurance coverage, and more.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

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Guide to Online Resources for Mental Health

A lot of life happens online. We rely on online resources for everything from business meetings to yoga classes—and healthcare is no exception. For many people, this is an issue of accessibility. And fortunately, there are more and more online options for treating mental health.

Use this guide to find websites, apps, and even trained experts to support your mental health, no matter where you are. All you need is an internet connection.

Remote Therapy

BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy platform. You’ll connect with a licensed therapist whose expertise meets your needs for treatment. You can text, live chat, talk on the phone, or video chat with them in a private online “room.” The site saves your chat history, so you can go back and read previous messages at any time. You can also sign up anonymously.

Price: Insurance not accepted. Self-pay plans are $60-$90/week, and you can apply for financial aid.

Talkspace offers 24/7 online talk therapy. You’ll answer questions about your needs and match with a licensed therapist. Depending on your plan, you may be able to text, audio message, video message, or have live sessions with your provider.

Price: Accepts most insurance. Self-pay plans range from $69-$129/week

Cerebral offers online counseling and psychiatry. You can choose to work with a therapist, psychiatrist, life coach, dietician, or some combination thereof. If you get a prescription through Cerebral, it will be mailed to you each month. This platform treats many mental health concerns, including opiate addiction.

Price: Accepts some types of insurance. Self-pay plans range from $69-$325/month.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) lists contact information for mental health providers around the country. You can see a list of therapists and psychiatrists in your state, review their areas of expertise, and contact them directly to set up remote therapy sessions.

Price: Varies by provider.

Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous offers online 12-Step meetings for people in any phase of recovery from alcohol addiction. These peer-led groups encourage mutual support between members, rather than offering professional help. You can browse a list of meetings at various times of day, which take place in many different languages. Some also have ASL interpreters for d/Deaf members.

Price: Free

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups are hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). These 90-minute meetings may occur weekly, monthly, or every other week, depending on which group you join. Membership is open to any adult with current or past mental health symptoms. Each session is led by a trained peer facilitator, not a professional counselor.

Various state chapters of NAMI offer these meetings either online or in person. You can check the website to find out which options are available in your area.

Price: Free

Addiction Recovery Tracking Apps

Nomo lets you track the time you’ve spent in recovery. To keep it simple, you can just use the app’s clock feature to record your progress. It also offers many other features, such as a journal, a way to connect with other app users, and exercises to help you get through cravings.

Price: Free

I Am Sober tracks how long it’s been since you started recovery, and how much money you’ve saved. The app also records milestones, like your first month of sobriety, and lets you connect with other people healing from addiction.

Price: Free

Sober Time gives you an inspirational message every morning. It also tracks your time in recovery, and lets you see statistics that help you visualize your progress. You can celebrate the app’s built-in milestones, and add some of your own. People can also post about their experiences in recovery, and read each other’s stories.

Price: Free

Connect With Online Communities

Pace groups meet for 90 minutes every week. After signing up, members join a hand-picked online group of 7 people, led by a skilled facilitator. These guided conversations are not therapy sessions. Instead, they invite participants to socialize and support each other through the challenges of daily life.

Price: $89/month

Meetup groups and events are organized by people with shared interests. Through the site’s search function, it’s easy to find one-off events on topics that interest you, or special interest groups with regular meetings. You can connect online or in person, depending on which meetups you sign up for.

Price: Free for individual members. Paid $30/month per group for organizers.

Mindfulness and Meditation Apps

Headspace lets you access recorded meditations, as well as some articles and short videos. You can easily set up reminders to meditate on a regular schedule. If you’d like to learn even more about mindfulness, you can work through a course of meditations that progress over time. This lets you practice your skills, and learn how to implement them in the rest of your life.

Price: $12.99/month (billed monthly) or $69.99/year (billed annually).

Calm invites users to listen to mindful meditations, sleep stories, and relaxing music. They also offer pre-recorded classes about self-care, and guided stretch and exercise routines.

Price: $69.99/year

Insight Timer has a wealth of resources for everyone interested in meditation, from beginners to experts. The app includes talks and guided meditations from highly respected spiritual leaders. It also offers workshops, yoga classes, and live talks.

Price: Most resources are free. Premium memberships are $60/year.

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation apps are geared toward people in recovery from addiction. Various apps provide daily inspirational quotes, prayers, and meditations.

Price: Ranging from free to $5.99.

Online resources are a great way to start your path to healing. For even more support, learn more about treatment options, stay updated with our latest company news, and connect with facilities in our searchable directory of addiction and mental health providers.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

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Staging an Intervention: Everything You Need to Know to Prepare

When you think of an intervention, you might picture a classic scene from a movie or TV show. A group of family and friends gather together in a living room, talking to a loved one about their addiction. While this is one way to do it, there are many more ways to stage an intervention. And some of them can be even more effective than what you see in the movies.

Staging an intervention requires a great deal of planning. The more you prepare, the more likely you are to achieve your goals—whatever they may be. You can even get help from a trained interventionist, who can help you plan ahead.

If you want your loved one to get inpatient treatment for an addiction, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There are plenty of tools available to help you get through this process. You can use the resources below to define your goals, connect with experts, and find the best way forward.

What Is an Intervention?

Interventions can be helpful when a person doesn’t see how much harm their behavior is doing. This is a regular occurrence, because denial is such a common part of addiction. ((Ponizovskiy, P., & Gofman, A. (2017). Cognitive status and addiction denial in the early stages of alcohol addiction. European Psychiatry, 41(S1), s874–s874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1759))

The Recovery Research Institute defines “intervention” ((Addictionary®. (2017, January 26). Recovery Research Institute. https://www.recoveryanswers.org/addiction-ary/)) as a meeting between an addicted person and their loved ones, to address the issue of drug or alcohol abuse. These conversations include the “expression of care, concern, and explicit demands.” And usually, loved ones urge the person to get formal treatment for addiction.

You can also stage an intervention for someone with unmanaged mental health issues, whether or not they show signs of addiction. In that case, the goal might be for your loved one to get residential mental health treatment.

Despite what you see in the media, people don’t have to “hit rock bottom” before they can recover. ((Kirouac, M., & Witkiewitz, K. (2017). Identifying “hitting bottom” among individuals with alcohol problems: Development and evaluation of the noteworthy aspects of drinking important to recovery(Nadir). Substance Use & Misuse, 52(12), 1602–1615. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2017.1293104)) This might change the way you plan an intervention. You don’t need to wait for their addiction to get worse. It’s okay — and could even be preferable — to have this crucial conversation as soon as you notice a problem.

The ultimate goal of an intervention is for your loved one to change their behavior. But you can’t make that change for them. All you can do is support them through the process of getting professional help. Then, the hard work of recovery is up to them.

How to Recognize Your Loved One Needs Help

If someone you care about is showing signs of addiction, it might be time to plan an intervention. But your exact plans will depend on the severity of their drug abuse, and their level of awareness. For example, people with alcohol addictions don’t always realize they’re drinking too much. But by the time a person has an addiction to methamphetamines, they probably know it’s a problem. These are some of the conditions that might prompt you to stage an intervention:

If you think someone you love needs an intervention, you can begin planning next steps. In most situations, it’s best to start by talking to mutual friends or family members. Their insight can help in 2 important ways. First, it will give you a clearer sense of what your loved one is going through. This might help you make the intervention itself even more effective. And second, by connecting these people, you’ll also get valuable support. These relationships can be a source of strength for all involved—even the person who needs rehab.

Why Interventions Can Work

Data shows that social support is an important part of addiction recovery. ((Rapier, R., McKernan, S., & Stauffer, C. S. (2019). An inverse relationship between perceived social support and substance use frequency in socially stigmatized populations. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 10, 100188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100188)) Connecting with loved ones is powerful. Even in a fun, easy context, seeing all the people you trust in a single room can be inspiring. When all those people come together for a purpose, they can make a huge difference.

There’s little objective data about the long-term success of interventions. ((Association of intervention specialists—Ais—Certified interventionist. (n.d.). AIS. Retrieved from https://www.associationofinterventionspecialists.org/)) This is partly because you can define “success” in a few ways. It could be that the person stops using drugs, goes to rehab, or just admits they have a problem. But no matter what outcome you’re hoping for, it’s important to approach the issue with care.

Who Should Lead an Intervention?

Most interventions tend to have a few things in common. These are loving conversations between friends and family. They take place in non-threatening environments, like a home or a therapist’s office. The exact details will vary, depending which of the following approaches you use. There are 2 main ways to stage an intervention:

  • doing it on your own
  • working with a professional interventionist

DIY Interventions

When you do an intervention yourself, your group will be responsible for every part of the process. You’ll schedule it with the other participants, and carefully plan what to say. You’ll also need to collect resources to share during the conversation. These might include contact information for rehabs, local therapists, and similar. If you feel confident in your group’s ability to take these steps, you can use this checklist to get started.

Someone from your group will have to lead the conversation. You should decide who this will be far in advance, so they have ample time to prepare. Make sure this person is ready to stay strong throughout the conversation. If you’re concerned they might be overwhelmed by their own emotions, it’s better to choose someone else. The leader should be ready to calmly respond to any conflicts that arise.

It’s also essential to have a plan for what comes next, especially if the person agrees to get treatment. Someone from your group should commit to helping with this process. Depending on how the intervention goes, that could mean a number of different things. You might end up helping the person research rehabs, or taking them to a doctor to discuss medical detox.

Even if you don’t hire an interventionist, you can ask someone else for expert support. For example, you might ask a trusted authority figure to participate. This could be the person’s doctor, therapist, or spiritual leader. While their presence isn’t necessary, it may help emphasize the gravity of the situation.

Professional Intervention Services

If a DIY intervention isn’t right for you, you can hire a professional interventionist. These mental health specialists are trained to facilitate difficult conversations. They’ll also help you and your loved one plan for what comes next. For example, this might mean choosing between addiction treatment programs.

If your group of friends and family can’t take on the burden of planning, you might want to work with a professional. This strategy can help people with busy schedules, who just don’t have the time to take the lead. It’s also a good fit for groups who have strained relationships with each other. In that case, the expert can act as a “referee,” helping you process your feelings before the group meeting. This protects the person with an addiction from your interpersonal conflicts. They’ll have to face those issues during treatment, but an intervention is the wrong time to air old grievances.

A professional will also know how to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. They’ll also be more objective than a friend or family member ever could be. For you, this is a life-changing event, and your loved one’s future depends on its outcome. For an interventionist, it’s an opportunity to help a person they just met. That clarity can help them guide you and your loved ones toward the best possible solution.

Working with an expert can be very effective—but it can also be very expensive. Before you hire an interventionist, make sure you understand the cost.

Cost Can be a Barrier

Drug abuse interventions are not covered by insurance. A rehab program might be able to support the process, or send a professional to help. But it can be hard to arrange this before the person commits to treatment. You should expect to pay for intervention services out of pocket.

The cost can vary widely based on your location and specific needs. Some interventionists use a sliding scale, but even that can be a significant fee. In some cases, the cost can be as much as $10,000 or more.

As you put your budget together, you should also consider the cost of inpatient treatment. Unlike an intervention, rehab is often covered by insurance. Some centers even accept Medicare and Medicaid.

If a professional intervention is too expensive, you can certainly try doing it on your own. And remember that it’s okay to change your mind. If you choose to try a DIY intervention, family tensions might still come up while you prepare. At that point, you can always pivot and seek professional help.

To find an interventionist in the U.S., you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) national 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS) also provides a network of professional interventionists across North America and Britain.

Types of Interventions

There are several ways to format these meetings. If you work with a professional, they may have a preferred style. In a DIY intervention, you can choose the structure that works best for you. This can be based on the number of people in the room, or a more philosophical approach.

Choosing Who Should Be Present

The number of people in the room might have a noticeable effect on the person you’re addressing. It’s best to put some pressure on them, without making them feel so overwhelmed that they shut down. Some people may even respond best to private conversations.

  • 1:1 Conversation: In this format, a close friend or family member approaches the person by themselves. It’s important to start the conversation in a safe, neutral setting. Although it may seem more casual, it’s important to prepare what you’ll say in advance. You should also plan to follow up with them, to make sure they’re following through on any agreements you both made.
  • Group Conversation: This is the classic intervention style you may be familiar with from the media. A group of people gather to talk to one person about their concerning behavior. The group should meet beforehand to plan together and set clear goals.
  • Crisis Response: These conversations are normally unplanned. Instead, they happen after an emergency. When you can’t ignore the problem any more, you might have to confront your loved one without preparation. By the time you reach this point, paramedics or police officers may be present. This can make the situation feel more intense, but it may also give you direct access to more resources.

Choosing a Treatment Approach

You can also think about what type of format you’d like your conversation to follow. These styles work best during planned group conversations. They may be less appropriate for 1:1 interventions, or crisis interventions.

  • The Johnson Intervention model ((Johnson intervention. (n.d.). Https://Www.Apa.Org. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/practice-settings/intervention/johnson-intervention)) is non-confrontational. Instead, family and friends communicate facts as simply as possible. You’ll take turns describing the effect your loved one’s addiction has on your own lives. An interventionist will help you plan the session, but it may be a surprise to the person you’re speaking to. With their help, you’ll present possible treatment options for the person to choose from.
  • ARISE Interventions ((Comprehensive interventional care: Recovery network. (n.d.). ARISE® Network. Retrieved from https://www.arise-network.com/arise-intervention/)) are invitational. In other words, your group will invite the person of concern to take part in every step of the process. This method is a gentler, more gradual alternative to the Johnson model. These interventions are led by professionals trained in the ARISE method.

With or without expert guidance, it can be hard to pick which format is best for you, your group, and your loved one. As you begin that process, you may find it helpful to set some clear goals. Once you have a destination in mind, you can decide which route you’ll take to get there.

Setting Clear Goals

It’s important for everyone in your group to agree on a specific goal. This will become the focal point of the intervention. And you may already know exactly what you’re working toward. If not, consider the following list of potential outcomes:

  • The person acknowledges that their actions have caused harm.
  • They admit that they have a problem with drugs or alcohol.
  • They agree to talk to a professional, and get more information about treatment.
  • The group schedules another meeting to discuss the situation further.
  • The person checks into a rehab facility.

In most interventions, you’ll communicate your goals during the first meeting. If all goes well, your loved one will start working toward them right away. Because of this, it’s best to show up with resources in hand, so they can get started quickly.

Resources for Addiction Treatment

If the person you’re talking to is receptive, you can end the intervention by suggesting a path forward. These resources can help them move forward:

  • information about how to get treatment using their insurance
  • contact information for rehab programs that might meet their needs
  • a doctor’s appointment with their primary care physician for the next day
  • contact information for a medical detox center
  • information about the medical leave policy at their job
  • the meeting schedule for a local or online support group
  • a person in the room who’s willing to help them research treatment options
  • someone who can drive or accompany them to rehab
  • a person to host or stay with them that night and provide emotional support
  • a small group of people willing to clean their home before they return, getting rid of any drugs and drug paraphernalia

Depending on your situation, some of these resources may be more helpful than others. Whatever you decide to share, make sure you have a list prepared in advance. That way, you won’t have to take time out of the meeting to do research on the fly. You should also be ready to talk about the consequences if they don’t accept your help.

Defining Consequences

Ideally, your loved one will do as you ask. But at first, they might resist what you’re saying. It’s important to explain that there will be consequences if they refuse to get help. There are 2 reasons for this. First, doing this might convince your loved one to take action. And second, if they keep using drugs, it protects you from their behavior.

Any consequences you set should have these qualities:

  • Enforceability. You should be able to follow through on your commitments. For example, it’s not realistic to say you’ll never speak to a roommate again. Even if you move out, there will be logistics to discuss.
  • Proportionality. Any repercussions should fit the situation at hand. You’d respond one way to someone who shows up late to work, and another way to someone who threatens their family.
  • Sense of safety. This process isn’t only for the person with an addiction. It should also help you keep yourself safe. Setting and enforcing healthy boundaries can empower you to meet your own needs.

After you define these goals and consequences, you can make more specific preparations. Use your big ideas to inform the details. You can use the checklist below to take the next steps.

Your Intervention Preparation Checklist

When you start planning, emotions may be running high. It’s best to write everything down, and refer to your notes if you get overwhelmed. Use this checklist to stay on track.

  • Decide on a type of intervention. Will you hire an interventionist, or stage it yourself? If you’re working with a professional, get them involved as early as possible.
  • Plan who will be present. If you want a group of people to be there, keep the number small. Everyone attending should help with the planning process.
  • Choose a format. You can choose the Johnson method, the ARISE model, or something else that works better for you.
  • Pick your location. You might meet in someone’s home, a therapist’s office, or another neutral location. It should feel as safe as possible for everyone attending.
  • Rehearse what you’ll say. Plan what you’ll say in advance. This can help you avoid getting sidetracked or flustered. You might also look up words to avoid, like “alcoholic” and “junkie.”
  • Manage expectations. Your loved one might respond well, or they might get angry. They might even walk out. If that happens, it’s up to you to follow through anyway. Hold your boundaries and keep yourself safe.
  • Conduct the intervention. Many people find excuses to avoid difficult conversations. Don’t lose sight of your goal. Once you start planning, it’s important to go forward.
  • Follow up. Enforce any consequences you set, no matter how the person responds. And unless you decide to cut off contact, someone should check in with them soon after your meeting.

1 intervention alone might not be enough to motivate change. And even if someone agrees to get help, they may not know where to start. To effectively support your loved one, your group might need to keep working together for some time.

Planning for Long-Term Recovery

Staging an intervention requires courage and preparation. Make sure to care for yourself throughout the process. You might want to see a therapist or join a support group. This meeting is just the first step in a much longer recovery journey. As you prepare for that process, remember that your mental health matters, too.

To plan for the next phase of recovery, learn more about inpatient rehab centers that treat drug and alcohol addiction. Get the information you need about pricing, family therapy, relapse prevention, and more.

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Yes, Massage Therapy Can Treat Addiction

Addiction affects every aspect of your being: mind, body, and spirit. As you lose yourself in drug abuse, these parts of your identity disconnect from each other. For some people, that disconnect has a major impact on physical health. 

When you can’t tell how your body feels, you can’t care for it properly. You might ignore issues great and small, from hunger to serious medical symptoms. Or, you might start feeling like drug use is the solution to every problem. But that just isn’t sustainable. 

If you choose a rehab program with massage therapy, you can get back in touch with your body during recovery. And when you feel safe inhabiting your own body, it’s much easier to make sense of your thoughts and feelings. 

How Does Massage Help With Recovery?

For most people, it’s easy to look forward to this treatment. Most types of massage feel good, both during and after the session. And you might just want to relax in between emotionally taxing talk therapy sessions. Massage lets you keep moving toward recovery, but feel like you’re taking a break. 

More importantly, massage has many benefits for people in recovery.1 It can help people in treatment for depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders. Massage can even alleviate some of the symptoms associated with PTSD, like dissociation. And of course, it can also improve your physical health.

Physical Benefits of Massage for Addiction Recovery

Massage has well-documented physical benefits for almost everyone. It can relieve muscle tension, joint pain, and more complex issues, like headaches. Massage therapists with some types of training can even treat serious chronic illnesses. But most people associate massage with pain relief. 

Pain Relief

Massage alleviates physical pain2 for a few reasons. On a mechanical level, it releases muscle tension and brings your joints into alignment. Over time, this teaches clients to maintain better body mechanics. Those healthy habits may protect you from future injuries.

On a neurochemical level, massage interrupts your nerves’ ability to process painful stimuli.3 Neutral or pleasurable touch stimulates the same nerve fibers that send pain signals. And according to the gate-control theory of pain, they can only process so much information at a time. As a result, being touched in a non-painful way can actually stop you from feeling pain. 

This can be helpful for anyone, but it’s uniquely important for people with some addictions. Chronic pain often leads to opioid addiction.4 If you have both of these issues, you’ll need to learn healthier ways to manage your pain. Massage can help with that, in every stage of recovery. 

Withdrawal

When you stop using drugs, you might go through withdrawal. Depending on your specific health history, you may even attend a medical detox program. Supervised detox is essential if you’re healing from alcohol, benzodiazepine, or opioid abuse. 

Data supports massage as a treatment for alcohol withdrawal.5 It’s no substitute for medical attention, but it can be a valuable aspect of your care plan. And in addition to its physical benefits, it may help you find emotional relief from the stress of detox.

Emotional Benefits of Massage Treatment in Rehab

There’s a fine line between physical and emotional health. In some holistic philosophies, they’re seen as one and the same. Depending where you go to rehab, you may be able to get a massage designed to treat mental health issues.

A growing body of research supports this application of massage therapy. Andy Bernay-Roman is both a massage therapist and mental health counselor. In his book, Deep Feeling, Deep Healing, he writes, “feelings are not disembodied experiences of some separate ‘mind’, but rather, are contained in a very physical biochemistry that modulates and marks every bodily event.”6 From this perspective, massage can have a direct impact on emotional well-being.

Neurochemical Effects

Addiction changes the way your brain’s reward system functions.7 The act of taking drugs releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Over time, that dysregulates your brain chemistry. If you have a serious addiction, drug use might be the only thing that makes you feel a sense of accomplishment. 

Massage increases levels of dopamine,8 serotonin, and oxytocin. All three of these neurochemicals are related to good feelings: 

  • Dopamine makes you feel satisfied. 
  • Serotonin has an impact on happiness, which is why some people take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat depression. 
  • Touch releases oxytocin,9 a chemical that encourages social bonding. 
  • Massage also decreases cortisol, which is commonly known as “the stress hormone.”

Any of these effects can improve your mental health. But for people with addiction, dopamine regulation might be the most important. Massage doesn’t only help you feel better during the stress of residential treatment. It can also play a role in the neurochemical process of recovery. 

Cravings

Massage can reduce the severity of cravings.10 That’s especially true for people with certain addictions. For example, self-massage can help you quit smoking. Some types of bodywork may even decrease opioid cravings.11 More research is needed on this subject, but the available data is promising.

Cravings can be both physical and psychological.12 But because massage affects both your body and mind, it can protect against relapse in either case. Over time, this can empower you to build a more stable life—and sense of self.

Self-Awareness Is a Form of Self-Care

Receiving a massage is a deeply personal experience. As the provider draws your attention to your own body, you may notice areas of tension or pain for the first time. And that’s not only a physical process. It can also happen on an emotional level. 

Massage improves self-awareness13 and mindfulness. Cynthia Price, Ph.D. and L.M.T., writes that “by paying attention to thoughts, feelings, sensations—our internal life—we become more aware of internal cues and thus more able to engage in self-care.” And self-care is an essential part of ongoing addiction recovery. In this process, you’ll learn how to meet your own needs in a sustainable way. That often means letting go of things you want—or things you’re craving—to make room for better habits. 

Self-care is hard work, but it can also be comforting. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that “all addictions are about self-soothing.” So are most types of massage.14 Bodywork helps people in recovery unwind in a safe way. And “giving them a pathway with which they can connect to their bodies can be enormously empowering,” AMTA experts explain. This is especially helpful if you’re healing from trauma.

Trauma-Informed Massage

Addiction is usually related to trauma. Some people start taking drugs to self-medicate PTSD. And no matter what led to your drug use, addiction also causes trauma.15 These experiences can leave you with both physical and mental health concerns. 

Massage can treat the symptoms of trauma.16 It relieves pain, depression, anxiety, and irritability. It can also mitigate more complex issues, like dissociation and isolation.

Dissociation

When you dissociate, you may feel disconnected from yourself or your surroundings. This survival strategy is usually a symptom of trauma. If it’s not safe to be in your own body, your mind creates a sense of distance. During a traumatic event, this is adaptive. But in response to a trigger, it can range from being inconvenient to putting you in real danger. Dissociating while you’re watching a movie might be frustrating. But dissociating while you’re driving a car is a serious problem. 

Massage reduces dissociative symptoms17 in clients with a history of trauma. This treatment helps you reconnect with your body, on your own terms. You can also practice setting boundaries that feel right to you. That skill keeps you safe in your own body, and it empowers you to build healthier relationships.

Interpersonal Skills

Touch is a form of communication. Even if you don’t speak, you’ll communicate with your massage therapist throughout every session. You might tense up if they use too much pressure, or wiggle your fingers if your hand falls asleep. They’ll even notice when the rhythm of your breathing changes. And that will inform how they communicate with you. 

Massage teaches you how to connect with another person in a structured way. Treatment is interpersonal, but not social. You’ll learn to describe your boundaries clearly, and answer questions about yourself. And if you forget to say something, you’ll be able to mention it during the massage. There’s plenty of space for you to make mistakes, correct them, and try again in your next session. 

Trauma can make you feel like you don’t have control over your own life. When you have an addiction, that might even be true. During rehab, massage can show you how it feels to have authority over your own body. You have the right to set clear boundaries. And in any modality of massage, you can trust that your therapist will respect them, and act in your best interest.

Types of Massage Therapy

Most cultures have developed their own styles of massage therapy. And many of these are now popular worldwide. But if you’d like to get a certain type of massage during recovery, make sure to ask whether it’s available at your rehab.

Swedish Massage

This is one of the most common forms of massage in the Western world. When you go to a day spa in the U.S., for example, you can assume it offers Swedish massage unless otherwise specified.

Swedish massage uses long, gentle strokes to relax the body.18 It may also include some invigorating movements, like kneading or tapping. Many massage therapists have training in both Swedish massage and other modalities. They may even combine different approaches during a session. For example, many deep tissue massages begin with Swedish techniques. These lighter strokes function as a warm-up before the therapist applies deeper pressure.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is very popular, even though it’s not a formalized treatment modality. These sessions are less relaxing, and more focused on solving specific problems. If you have acute pain, or chronic pain caused by a muscle injury, this approach might be a good fit for you. 

Thai Massage

Thai massage is very different from most Western techniques.19 This form of bodywork is more active than Swedish massage, for example. Both the practitioner and the client are fully clothed throughout the session. Your provider will use their hands, feet, knees, and elbows to perform various stretches and compressions. 

Thai massage is ideal for people who want to improve their mobility. It can also be relaxing, but it’s unlikely that you’ll fall asleep during a session. The providers at Jintara Wellness Center and Rehab, in Chiang Mai, offer massage as one aspect of holistic recovery.20 Treatments are designed to improve your physical fitness and energy levels. You can expect to move around during these sessions, instead of lying still on a table.

Ayurvedic Massage

Ayurvedic massage originated in India, and is available at many rehabs there. At Abhasa Rehabilitation Center – Coimbatore, for example, this style of massage is an important part of recovery. Sessions include the use of special oils and herbs, tailored to meet each client’s needs. This combination of physical touch and aromatherapy activates your “sensory and olfactory organs21 through sweet and subtle fragrances, thus rejuvenating the mind, body, and spirit.”

This type of bodywork is an aspect of Ayurvedic medicine. You may receive massage in combination with other therapies, as part of a larger care plan. Whether you’re getting holistic Ayurvedic treatment or not, make sure to talk to your healthcare team before an Ayurvedic massage. It may have wide-ranging benefits–but it may not be the right treatment for you. It depends on your personal health history.

Should You Get a Massage?

Massage is hugely beneficial for most clients. But this treatment shouldn’t be taken lightly. It has a significant impact on your physical and mental health, and even your body chemistry. This can be an issue for people with certain health issues, including addiction. Make sure to talk to your care team before getting any type of bodywork. 

Massage therapists are trained to recognize both local and absolute contraindications.22 In layman’s terms, a contraindication is a reason not to give someone a massage. With a local contraindication, like a papercut, the therapist will skip that body part. An absolute contraindication means the person shouldn’t get treatment at all. 

These standards may be different in various traditions of bodywork. One issue may be an absolute contraindication in Thai massage, but treatable in the Ayurvedic style. And some of these concerns might surprise you. For example, most Western styles include the following contraindications:

Local Contraindications

  • open wounds of any kind, including burns and severe rashes
  • warts23
  • varicose veins

Absolute Contraindications

Some of these conditions might not seem serious. Many people even schedule massages because of them. For example, if you have a mild cold, bodywork might sound comforting. It’s your therapist’s job to protect your health by setting clear boundaries. To help them do that, you should give them as much information about your own health as possible. That way, they can make decisions that keep both of you safe.

Massage and Drug Use

Massage is absolutely contraindicated while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.22 These providers are highly trained, but they’re not doctors. If you have a bad reaction to a drug during the session, they might not know how to help. 

Drug use also interferes with your ability to communicate. During the intake conversation, you might forget to share important information. And during the massage itself, you may respond differently than you would while sober. But nonverbal communication is an essential part of massage. If the therapist can’t understand what your body is telling them, they can’t properly treat you. 

It’s especially dangerous to get a massage when you’ve been drinking.26 Because treatment increases circulation, it amplifies the effects of alcohol. This can increase your risk of alcohol poisoning. And in addition, alcohol acts as a pain reliever. This makes it even more dangerous to get bodywork.

Taking painkillers of any kind can interfere with a massage.27 This still applies when you take them as prescribed, or use mild medications like Advil. Because these drugs dull your senses, you might not know if the therapist is using too much pressure. As a result, they might accidentally injure you. But if you’re taking painkillers as directed, you might still be able to get a gentle massage. Tell your therapist in advance, so they can decide whether it’s safe.

Get Back in Touch With Yourself

Through massage, you can get to know yourself again. Reconnecting with your body will give you new insight into your own needs. And that insight empowers you to build a life you love. 
Connect with a rehab that offers massage therapy to learn more about the styles of body work they offer, other available treatments, pricing, and more.

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FAQs: Involuntary Rehab

Seeing a loved one struggle with addiction can be extremely difficult. Addiction has a huge impact on the person experiencing it. It can also affect the mental health of loved ones, and put a strain on their entire community.

You want to help as best as you can. You may have already looked into rehabs near you, but found that your loved one resisted. This isn’t uncommon. Remember that they are in a delicate place. While they may be ready to accept some help, the idea of going through treatment can seem daunting. At the same time, their behaviors can impact your mental well-being. You deserve healing too.

If your loved one is reluctant to seek treatment, you might wonder if you can do anything to get them into rehab. And the short answer is yes: there are a number of ways you can help.

General Questions

Involuntary Rehab for Different Family Members

Efficacy Rates and the Treatment Experience

General Questions

How Can You Help Someone with an Addiction Problem?

There are several ways to help someone struggling with addiction. But before you make a plan, there are some factors you should keep in mind. You can start by answering the following questions:

  • How severe is their addiction?
  • Will they need help detoxing?
  • Are they open to receiving treatment?
  • What is your relationship with them like now? Even if you were close in the past, addiction can isolate people from their loved ones.

Just offering to help can be effective. People are more likely to recover from addiction ((Bartlett, R., Brown, L., Shattell, M., Wright, T., & Lewallen, L. (2013). Harm reduction: Compassionate care of persons with addictions. Medsurg Nursing : Official Journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 22(6), 349–358. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4070513/)) with the support of a loved one.

Communication is the first step. But it can be difficult to know exactly what to say or how to say it. Talking to someone about getting treatment requires compassion, empathy, and honesty. This conversation might be a painful one, and that’s okay. Stay focused on your goal of getting them the help they need.

If your loved one is at risk of harming themselves, or they refuse to get help, it may be time to stage an intervention. Sometimes, this means using the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) intervention model. ((An underappreciated intervention. (n.d.). Https://Www.Apa.Org. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/12/underappreciated-intervention))

In the CRAFT model, a therapist teaches you how to encourage a person to enter treatment. You’ll learn to reward your loved one’s positive behaviors without reinforcing unhealthy ones. CRAFT can also teach you to care for yourself and regain control of your life.

If they agree to get help, they may or may not benefit from residential rehab. Data shows that some people with less severe addictions respond well to talk therapy. ((Bartlett, R., Brown, L., Shattell, M., Wright, T., & Lewallen, L. (2013). Harm reduction: Compassionate care of persons with addictions. Medsurg Nursing : Official Journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 22(6), 349–358. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4070513/))

If your loved one’s struggle with addiction is more severe, you may consider a treatment program. The good news is, substance use disorder can be treated. ((Early intervention, treatment, and management of substance use disorders. US Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424859/)) And, recovery rates are higher at rehabs with comprehensive continuing care programs.

Can I Force My Loved One to Go to Rehab?

If your loved one needs treatment but has refused to get it, you may be wondering if you can force them into rehab. You can, but only in certain states.

Some form of involuntary treatment is allowed in 47 states and the District of Columbia. ((Fuller, D., & Pinals, D. (n.d.). Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Community-Based Civil Commitment. National Initiative to Improve the Court and Community Response to Mental Illness. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.ncsc.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/16964/mhf2-assisted-outpatient-treatment-jan-2020.pdf)) Connecticut, Maryland and Massachusetts are currently the only states where you can’t commit a loved one to treatment. Make sure to check your area’s regulations before taking any action. The exact laws vary from state to state, and can change over time.

In many areas, a person needs to meet certain requirements to qualify for mandatory rehab. ((State Standards for Initiating Involuntary Treatment. (2020). Treatment Advocacy Center. https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/state-standards/state-standards-for-initiating-involuntary-treatment.pdf)) These requirements also vary between U.S. states. Generally, you will need to prove that a person is in the middle of a crisis or is currently addicted to substances.

This process can also change depending on your loved one’s exact health concerns. Some states have different requirements for people with addictions and mental health issues. Others even distinguish between alcohol and drug addictions. And some even have one set of rules for current patients, and another for people who are new to treatment.

These policies can be hard to navigate. Before you start this process, make sure you know exactly which laws apply to your situation. Once you get the ball rolling, it can be hard to control what comes next. The more you plan, the more likely you are to get the best possible result.

How Does a Person Qualify for Mandatory Rehab?

A person must meet specific criteria to qualify for involuntary treatment. ((State Standards for Initiating Involuntary Treatment. (2020). Treatment Advocacy Center. https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/state-standards/state-standards-for-initiating-involuntary-treatment.pdf)) These criteria vary by state.

Most states require proof that a person is actively using drugs or alcohol. They may also need evidence from a psychology expert that the person is a danger to themselves or others. ((Saya, A., Brugnoli, C., Piazzi, G., Liberato, D., Di Ciaccia, G., Niolu, C., & Siracusano, A. (2019). Criteria, procedures, and future prospects of involuntary treatment in psychiatry around the world: A narrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 271. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00271)) Additionally, many states have separate processes for evaluating those in a mental health crisis and current patients.

Usually, anyone can ask for another person to get evaluated for involuntary care. But that isn’t always the case. In California and Florida, the request needs to come from a designated professional. This might mean the member of a crisis team, a physician, or a social worker.

The first step is filing a petition for evaluation. Next, a qualified expert will perform the assessment. In some states, that expert must be associated with a treatment center. Others allow psychologists, psychiatrists, and addiction counselors to facilitate this process.

Which States Let You Send Someone to Involuntary Treatment?

Most U.S. states allow for 3 forms of involuntary rehab: ((Fuller, D., & Pinals, D. (n.d.). Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Community-Based Civil Commitment. National Initiative to Improve the Court and Community Response to Mental Illness. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.ncsc.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/16964/mhf2-assisted-outpatient-treatment-jan-2020.pdf))

  • In an emergency evaluation, or psychiatric hold, someone is admitted to a hospital in crisis. In most states, they can be held for a maximum of 72 hours. During that time they’ll undergo a thorough evaluation.
  • Inpatient civil commitment is a legal intervention. This occurs after a person meets their state’s criteria for civil commitment. Then, a judge can order them to undergo inpatient treatment. Even if they do meet all local criteria, this decision is in the judge’s hands.
  • Outpatient civil commitment is also known as assisted outpatient treatment, or AOT. This is court-ordered outpatient treatment for qualifying people with mental health issues. Criteria to qualify for AOT civil commitment ((State Standards for Initiating Involuntary Treatment. (2020). Treatment Advocacy Center. https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/state-standards/state-standards-for-initiating-involuntary-treatment.pdf)) vary by state.

If you or someone you know is suffering a mental health crisis and may be a danger to themselves or others, you should call 911.

If you call 911, you can request a Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) officer with special training in mental health emergencies. A CIT officer may or may not be available to help, but you can always ask.

It depends, but it’s possible.
In some cases, court-ordered rehab is available as an alternative to jail time. This is only available in certain states, and the case has to meet specific criteria:

  • The charges are non-violent.
  • The defendant is eligible for parole.
  • The charge is no more serious than a 3rd-degree felony.
  • The defendant has no history of violence.
  • The defendant has no history of sexual assault.

If your loved one is in possession of certain drugs—like cannabis, in certain states—they won’t face charges. But the possession of other substances can have serious consequences. As more municipalities decriminalize drug possession, ((Oregon’s drug decriminalization may spread, despite unclear results. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://pew.org/3pYDLxY)) these rules may change rapidly.

Court-ordered rehab doesn’t necessarily protect them from criminal charges. For instance, if they fail to complete court-ordered treatment, they may face fines or even jail time.

Legal consequences can be a barrier to some kinds of treatment. But this shouldn’t stop you from asking for help. If you’re concerned about what will happen if you send a person to involuntary drug rehab, reach out to a lawyer. They’ll be able to walk you through your state’s options and advise you on what to do next.

Getting Treatment for a Family Member

Can I Send My Teen to Rehab?

You may be able to send your child to rehab depending on your location and their age.

Different states have different legal requirements for minor consent to involuntary rehab. ((Kerwin, M. E., Kirby, K. C., Speziali, D., Duggan, M., Mellitz, C., Versek, B., & McNamara, A. (2015). What can parents do? A review of state laws regarding decision making for adolescent drug abuse and mental health treatment. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 24(3), 166–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2013.777380)) In Washington state, for example, parents can initiate treatment for teens at a behavioral health treatment facility without the minor’s consent. ((Age of consent for behavioral health treatment in Washington. (2018). Washington State Health Care Authority. https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/program/fact-sheet-age-consent-behavioral-health-treatment.pdf)) A minor in Washington is considered someone who is 13 to 17 years old.

The consent laws for teens vary from state to state, much as they do for adults. But it might be easier to send your teen to rehab for mental health issues than for addiction. And more states give parents authority over inpatient treatment compared to outpatient care.

In some states, parents need to prove they’ve exhausted all other treatment options before sending a teen to rehab against their will.  And in most areas, parents need to prove their teen is a danger to themselves or others if they don’t get treatment.

Can I Send My Spouse to Rehab?

You can send your spouse to rehab in certain states.

Some states allow any interested persons, including a spouse, to petition for inpatient or outpatient commitment of a loved one. For example, this is the case in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana. Because specifics still vary widely depending on your location, it’s best to check your state’s regulations on involuntary commitment. ((State Standards for Initiating Involuntary Treatment. (2020). Treatment Advocacy Center. https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/state-standards/state-standards-for-initiating-involuntary-treatment.pdf))

Some states let anyone, including a spouse, petition for someone else to get involuntary treatment. For example, this is the case in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana. However, the specific regulations vary widely depending on your location. Learn more about the local mental health treatment regulations ((State Standards for Initiating Involuntary Treatment. (2020). Treatment Advocacy Center. https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/state-standards/state-standards-for-initiating-involuntary-treatment.pdf)) before you take action.

In some situations, you won’t have the time to do research. And by the time you’re thinking about mandatory rehab, you might already be in crisis. In many areas, anyone can request an emergency psychological evaluation for someone else. You can usually do this in response to a mental health crisis, including a crisis caused by substance use.

If you or someone you know is a danger to themselves or others, get yourself to safety and call 911.

If your spouse is putting you in physical danger, get yourself to safety FIRST. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) if you need help.

Efficacy Rates and the Treatment Experience

Do Interventions Work?

Interventions may work with the help of a professional interventionist.

There aren’t many studies on the effectiveness of interventions. But limited data suggests that interventions can be successful when led by professionals. ((Nededog, J. (n.d.). Here’s why reality show “Intervention” has a higher success rate than most rehab programs. Business Insider. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.businessinsider.com/ae-intervention-success-rate-data-2015-8))

Professional interventionists often have an educational background in psychology or social work. Exact education requirements vary by state. But for the most part, these experts are trained to teach you about addiction, rehab, and recovery. Many interventionists are in recovery themselves. This gives them a unique level of empathy for both your and your loved one’s experience.

If you hire a professional to help you stage an intervention, they’ll help you prepare for days or weeks in advance. These events usually include a group of people close to the person with addiction. When you’re ready, you’ll all sit down together to discuss the impact of your loved one’s substance use. Usually, the goal is to encourage the person to seek treatment.

A strong community can impact someone’s decision to seek treatment. In a 2019 study of soldiers who decided to seek addiction treatment, ((Black, K., Britt, T., Zinzow, H., Pury, C., Cheung, J. (2019). The Role of Social Support in Treatment Seeking Among Soldiers. Occupational Health Science. 3. 10.1007/s41542-019-00044-2. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334269504_The_Role_of_Social_Support_in_Treatment_Seeking_Among_Soldiers)) social support was “rated as most influential to that decision.”

Is Forced Rehab Effective?

Experts have diverse opinions on the effectiveness of forced rehab. ((Werb, D., Kamarulzaman, A., Meacham, M. C., Rafful, C., Fischer, B., Strathdee, S. A., & Wood, E. (2016). The effectiveness of compulsory drug treatment: A systematic review. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 28, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.005)) Some argue that it doesn’t help people recover. Others state that forced treatment is just as effective ((Is legally mandated treatment effective? National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations-research-based-guide/legally-mandated-treatment-effective)) as voluntary treatment.

According to a 2016 analysis, nearly 75% of studies find no improvement in mandatory rehab. ((Werb, D., Kamarulzaman, A., Meacham, M. C., Rafful, C., Fischer, B., Strathdee, S. A., & Wood, E. (2016). The effectiveness of compulsory drug treatment: A systematic review. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 28, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.005)) But this research has some limitations. Because states have such different laws, the definition of “mandatory” is far from universal.

In states where court-ordered rehab is an alternative to jail time, some rehabs resemble detention centers. Many of these programs don’t offer evidence-based treatment. They also often lack proper detox facilities for those who may need it. In these areas, experts say we should focus on removing barriers to care. This would be a more effective solution than mandatory treatment. ((Poser, R. (n.d.). Does forced rehab work? Mother Jones. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/06/does-forced-rehab-work/))

There are some cases of successful recovery following forced addiction treatment. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, outcomes for people who attend court-ordered rehab ((Is legally mandated treatment effective? National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations-research-based-guide/legally-mandated-treatment-effective)) are just as effective as they are for people who seek treatment voluntarily.

How Long Does Mandatory Rehab Last?

This depends on a few factors, including your location and your loved one’s mental health status.

If someone is in the midst of a mental health crisis, they may be held for up to 72 hours during an emergency evaluation. This is also called an involuntary hold. Each state has their own set of guidelines regarding the length of an involuntary hold. ((Know the laws in your state—Treatment advocacy center. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/component/content/article/183-in-a-crisis/1596-know-the-laws-in-your-state))

During this time, an expert evaluates the person to see if they need further treatment. If so, they may be held for up to 2 weeks in most states. If they need further treatment after that time, they may attend inpatient rehab.

My Loved One Won’t Go to Rehab: How Can I Help?

Involuntary rehab is often the last resort for families who have tried all other avenues. If your loved one refuses to get help, it’s your job to care for yourself. You may need to set boundaries, or focus on your own mental health. Remember that you also deserve to heal.

There are many mutual support groups for people impacted by addiction. Most of these groups are free, open to anyone with a commitment to healing. You can find in-person groups in most areas, and online meetings are accessible from anywhere. These of the best-known groups for loved ones:

These groups follow the 12-Step model of recovery. They are peer-led, with a focus on fellowship and mutual support. If 12-Step groups aren’t right for you, you can look for other support groups in your area. And whether or not you join a group, you might benefit from seeing a 1:1 talk therapist.

If your loved one does agree to attend rehab, finding a program can be daunting – not just for them, but for your whole family. Visit our directory of addiction rehab centers to learn about treatment options, including detox services, pricing, and family therapy programs.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

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How to Find an LGBTQ+ Friendly Rehab

As an LGBTQ+ person, it can be hard to find supportive, affirming treatment for addiction. In some cases, it can actually be dangerous to disclose certain aspects of your life to a provider. Other doctors may have good intentions, but lack cultural competency. And if your care team struggles to understand you, recovery can be much harder than it needs to be.

Today, we’re in the middle of a cultural shift. Information about LGBTQ+ issues is increasingly accessible. And doctors are starting to understand why that matters. A growing number of rehab centers cater to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ patients.

Finding the Right Rehab for You

Recovery means building a life that works for you. Everyone has unique values, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. In an affirming rehab, your team will guide you through that process without judgment. When you’re ready to choose a treatment program, you can ask these questions to see if a particular center is a good fit:

  • What experience does your team have treating people of my identity?
  • I prefer to be called a name that doesn’t match my ID or insurance. Will your staff respect that?
  • Does your standard intake form ask for new patients’ pronouns?
  • Is your program faith-based? If so, how does that inform your approach to treatment?
  • Do you have a dress code? If so, what is it?
  • Are rooms assigned by gender?
  • Are private rooms available?
  • Are any activities segregated by gender?
  • What types of medical care do you offer?
  • Does anyone on your team specialize in hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
  • Which support groups can I attend during treatment, if any?
  • Do you offer family therapy? If so, can I include my chosen family?

You have the right to get answers to these questions, and any others you might have. And with those answers, you’ll be able to assess whether a rehab can support your recovery goals.

What is LGBTQ+ Affirming Treatment?

The healing process is different for everyone. And skilled providers will understand that there’s more to you than your gender or sexuality. But most LGBTQ+ affirming programs should have certain qualities in common.

Respectful Therapy

The goal of therapy is to become your best self, not to artificially “fix” who you are. Culturally competent therapists honor their patients’ identities. Your counselor will help you define your own values, instead of urging you to change them.

1:1 therapy may focus on your personal history and your emotional experience. But feelings don’t happen in a vacuum. LGBTQ+ affirming therapists also understand the cultural context that informs your life. Or, if your lifestyle is new to them, they’re willing to learn. Their job is to support you in defining yourself; not to debate your identity. And as you become your best self, you can also start building healthier relationships.

Chosen Family Therapy

A family is just a group of people who have things in common. Some families share DNA, or a last name, or an address. But family can also include people with shared history and values, no matter where you first met them.

For many LGBTQ+ people, the idea of “family” is complex and even painful. You might be much closer to your chosen family than your family of origin. No matter how you define the word, your health can have a huge impact on your loved ones. Because of this, family therapy is an important part of addiction recovery. ((Filges, T., Andersen, D., & Jørgensen, A.-M. K. (2018). Effects of multidimensional family therapy (Mdft) on nonopioid drug abuse: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research on Social Work Practice, 28(1), 68–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731515608241))

LGBTQ+ affirming rehabs offer treatment for both biological and chosen families. Connecting with your loved ones can give you valuable insight into your sense of self.

Body Image

There may be a link between body image issues and drug addiction. ((Grant, J. E., Menard, W., Pagano, M. E., Fay, C., & Phillips, K. A. (2005). Substance use disorders in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66(3), 309–405. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2504687/)) And body image is an issue for people of any gender or sexuality. However, it might be an even greater concern for LGBTQ+ people.

One study found trans and non-binary people are 2-4 times more likely to have eating disorders. ((Gordon, A. R., Moore, L. B., & Guss, C. (2021). Eating disorders among transgender and gender non-binary people. In J. M. Nagata, T. A. Brown, S. B. Murray, & J. M. Lavender (Eds.), Eating Disorders in Boys and Men (pp. 265–281). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67127-3_18)) According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), this may be due to a few types of social pressure. If you’re bullied or targeted because of your identity, you might be more vulnerable. But social pressure within LGBTQ+ communities is also a risk factor.

Fortunately, inpatient treatment isn’t just for addiction. You can also go to rehab for a number of mental health issues, including eating disorders. In LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, you’ll do more than work through your feelings about your body. You’ll also consider the social pressures that contribute to those feelings. The right therapist will be able to help you find balance, without asking you to give up your community.

LGBTQ+ Youth

Historically, it’s been difficult to find adequate health care for young LGBTQ+ people. At its worst, treatment forced vulnerable teens into living inauthentic lives. Mental health care has come a long way since that time, and there’s still a long way to go.

Today, there are many more resources available for LGBTQ+ youth. Providers aim to support this population as they come out and grow into healthy adults. With or without support from their families of origin, LGBTQ+ kids and teens deserve care.

And some rehabs have a special focus on family therapy. For instance, Paradigm Teen & Young Adults Treatment teaches parents and guardians to publicly support their LGBTQ+ teens. This heals much more than interpersonal family dynamics. It also helps young patients connect with community resources. Providers teach that when a family can accept a teen as they are, “it helps a community to do the same.”

If you’re a parent or guardian looking to send your teen to rehab, these programs can help. LGBTQ+ people face unique challenges. And it’s possible to get your teen the exact type of support they need. This can include anything from a change of scenery to specialized medical care.

Medical Care for Trans People on HRT

Drug use can change the way your body responds to other medications. And when you detox, things will likely change again. This can be a serious concern for trans patients who are on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Don’t let this be a barrier to treatment. You can absolutely start recovery without losing access to these important prescriptions.

At some rehabs, like Caron Ocean Drive, endocrinologists offer support for transgender patients. These experts ensure your access to gender-affirming care throughout detox and recovery. They’ll even help you find a qualified provider for ongoing treatment after rehab.

Mental Health Stressors in LGBTQ+ Communities

Certain factors put LGBTQ+ people at higher risk for mental health issues. ((Stress & Trauma Toolkit. (n.d.). American Psychiatric Association.)) People in this demographic face discrimination, harassment, and a lack of community support. These external stressors make you more vulnerable to mental health issues. And mental health problems can lead to addiction. ((Mental health and substance use co-occurring disorders | mentalhealth. Gov. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-substance-use-disorders))

Minority Stress

With or without a diagnosed mental illness, many LGBTQ+ people experience minority stress. ((Minority stress model—An overview | sciencedirect topics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/minority-stress-model)) Minority stress is the state of living under discriminatory conditions. Experts agree that this constant pressure has noticeable negative impacts on your health. Minority stress is common among people who experience oppression, ((The minority stress perspective. (n.d.). Https://Www.Apa.Org. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pi/aids/resources/exchange/2012/04/minority-stress)) including queer and BIPOC communities.

Even people without acute trauma can get worn down by these constant challenges. This is partly because minority stress can affect your conception of self. Experts describe “internalized homonegativity,” in which LGBTQ+ people lack self-esteem and self-respect. While these are mental health issues, they may have external causes. And while rehab can’t take those stressors away, it can help you learn to navigate them.

Trauma and Mental Health Issues

People who do experience severe trauma are likely to develop mental health disorders. For example, LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk for PTSD. ((Higher risk of PTSD for gay, lesbian, bisexual, ‘mostly heterosexual’ youth. (2012, June 19). Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/newsplus/higher-risk-of-ptsd-for-gay-lesbian-bisexual-mostly-heterosexual-youth/)) With that in mind, many rehabs offer trauma-informed care. These programs help you work through difficult memories, and teach you to handle triggers as they come up.

You can even attend rehab to treat addiction and PTSD as co-occurring disorders. In that case, treatment will help you explore the relationship between these conditions.

Addiction in the LGBTQ+ Community

LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk for substance use disorders ((Why the gay and transgender population experiences higher rates of substance use. (n.d.). Center for American Progress. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/why-the-gay-and-transgender-population-experiences-higher-rates-of-substance-use/)) than other demographics. One study found that 20-30% of LGBTQ+ people had addictions, compared to about 9% of the total population. And in the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, LGBTQ+ people had a high risk of mental health issues. ((McCabe, S. E., Hughes, T. L., Bostwick, W. B., West, B. T., & Boyd, C. J. (2009). Sexual orientation, substance use behaviors and substance dependence in the United States. Addiction, 104(8), 1333–1345. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02596.x))

Addiction and mental health issues can amplify each other. Most people need professional help to break out of this cycle. And many LGBTQ+ people lack access to mental health services. ((Moagi, M. M., van Der Wath, A. E., Jiyane, P. M., & Rikhotso, R. S. (2021). Mental health challenges of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people: An integrated literature review. Health SA Gesondheid, 26, 1487. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v26i0.1487)) This may be due to discrimination, or the fear of discrimination due to past trauma. These concerns are valid. And LGBTQ+ affirming rehab centers can address them.

Take Pride in Recovery

Recovery is the process of healing yourself as a whole person. In rehab, you’ll integrate each aspect of your identity, and focus on the parts of your life that bring you joy. But this work can only happen if you have the right support. An LGBTQ+ affirming program will help you become your best and most authentic self.

Connect with one of the many rehabs offering LGBTQ+ affirming care to learn more about their unique approaches to treatment, insurance options, and community programs.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

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How to Identify & Treat Gambling Addiction

Gambling is often seen as harmless fun, and many people are able to do it from time to time without developing an addiction. This makes it difficult for some people to realize when it’s becoming a problem.

Unfortunately, few people who struggle with gambling addiction get the help they need. In fact, many people are unaware that there is rehab available for gambling. But the truth is that there are plenty of effective programs available for treating gambling addiction. Let’s take a look at how this addiction develops, what encourages many people to quit, and how you can find support to do the same.

Spotting Problem Gambling

Gambling can include activities such as buying lottery tickets, playing slot machines at a casino, betting at races, hosting poker nights with friends, and more. While these activities aren’t necessarily problematic in and of themselves, they’re considered a gambling disorder ((Menchon, J. M., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2018). An overview of gambling disorder: From treatment approaches to risk factors. F1000Research, 7, 434. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12784.1)) when they include “recurrent, maladaptive gambling behavior that results in clinically significant distress.”

About 0.5% of Americans experience gambling problems, ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Gambling Problems: An Introduction for Behavioral Health Services Providers. Advisory, Volume 13, Issue 1. Retrieved from https://158bvz3v7mohkq9oid5904e0-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Gambling-Addiction-An-Introduction-for-Behavioral-Health-Providers-SAMHSA-2014.pdf)) according to data from national surveys. However, studies have shown that only 10% of people with a gambling addiction ever seek help, with financial issues being the most common motivation. And often when people do get into treatment, they do so for other symptoms such as insomnia or depression, which they may or may not realize are related.

Treatment Methods for Gambling Addiction

Although medication can be used to treat this condition, studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a much more effective treatment option for gambling addiction. ((Menchon, J. M., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2018). An overview of gambling disorder: From treatment approaches to risk factors. F1000Research, 7, 434. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12784.1)) Other talk therapies are also proven to work well, and can provide both short- and long-term benefits.

However, more research needs to be done in order to fully determine the most effective treatment for gambling disorders. Additionally, every person’s situation is unique, and each treatment plan needs to be tailored to their needs, especially if co-occurring disorders are a concern.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Research shows that CBT is extremely successful in treating gambling addictions. ((Menchon, J. M., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2018). An overview of gambling disorder: From treatment approaches to risk factors. F1000Research, 7, 434. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12784.1)) This psychotherapy aims to change negative and dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors by replacing them with positive ones. When used to treat gambling addiction, this involves “identifying and changing cognitive distortions about gambling, reinforcing nongambling behaviors, and recognizing positive and negative consequences.” This helps people with a gambling disorder understand that the long-term negative effects, such as debt, legal issues, and damaged relationships, outweigh the short-term benefits.

Relapse prevention planning is often used in combination with CBT. In this technique, the patient is taught to recognize and either avoid or navigate situations that could lead to relapse. Someone with a gambling disorder may learn that these include locations like casinos, negative feelings such as anger or depression, and other stressors like work or family issues.

Therapy sessions held online or over the phone are another option that can provide flexibility, anonymity, and confidentiality.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

This technique has shown a lot of promise as an effective approach to treating gambling addiction. ((Menchon, J. M., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2018). An overview of gambling disorder: From treatment approaches to risk factors. F1000Research, 7, 434. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12784.1)) During this approach, a trained therapist works with patients to help them determine why it’s so hard to change their behavior. Normative feedback, which has patients compare their gambling behavior to that of the general population to help them see their maladaptive behavior, is a core part of this approach.

Research shows that motivational interviewing is associated with less gambling, as well as psychosocial improvements and a better overall quality of life. Some studies show that just 15 minutes of MI can be even more successful in treating a gambling disorder ((Yau, Y. H. C., & Potenza, M. N. (2015). Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: Recognition and treatment. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 23(2), 134–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000051)) than longer and more intensive treatment methods.

Medication

At this time, the FDA has not approved any medications for gambling disorder treatment. ((Menchon, J. M., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2018). An overview of gambling disorder: From treatment approaches to risk factors. F1000Research, 7, 434. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12784.1)) Research is taking place but nothing has been proven yet, although one study showed that 2 antidepressant drugs, paroxetine and fluvoxamine, were significantly superior to the placebo in treating people with a gambling addiction.

The opioid antagonists naltrexone and nalmefene have also shown promising results, but further studies are needed to determine if they’re effective for everyone.

Family Involvement

Involving family members in the recovery process shows very positive outcomes for those struggling with addiction. If it’s important to you to include loved ones in your recovery journey, you can look for a rehab that offers family involvement. Many treatment centers offer family therapy (either remote or in-person) and on-site family programming as part of their residential care.

Alternative Treatment Approaches

Mindfulness is another treatment that has positive effects for those recovering from gambling addiction. ((Menchon, J. M., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2018). An overview of gambling disorder: From treatment approaches to risk factors. F1000Research, 7, 434. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12784.1)) This technique is shown to minimize levels of severity, abstinence, and craving in people with gambling disorders, as well as improving quality of life and mental and emotional states.

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a support group ((Gamblers anonymous. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/)) for people in recovery from this addiction. Members go through a 12-Step program (similar to Alcoholics Anonymous) and choose a sponsor to support them along the way. If you attend a 12-Step rehab, you may attend GA meetings as part of your residential treatment program. Many people choose to attend support groups, 12-Step or otherwise, as part of their continuing care plan for ongoing recovery.

You may also choose to sign up for a self-exclusion program to prevent you from gambling ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Gambling Problems: An Introduction for Behavioral Health Services Providers. Advisory, Volume 13, Issue 1. Retrieved from https://158bvz3v7mohkq9oid5904e0-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Gambling-Addiction-An-Introduction-for-Behavioral-Health-Providers-SAMHSA-2014.pdf)) in the future. Studies show that this approach reduces the amount of gambling in people with gambling disorders. Once you sign up, you’ll be prohibited from gambling for a certain period of time, chosen by you﹘even for life if you choose. If you gamble during your banned period, you will be asked to leave, need to return any money won, and may even be charged for trespassing. You can perform a quick online search to see if your state offers an initiative like this.

Risk Factors for Gambling Addiction

There are several risk factors for gambling addiction, ((Menchon, J. M., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Fernández-Aranda, F., & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2018). An overview of gambling disorder: From treatment approaches to risk factors. F1000Research, 7, 434. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12784.1)) including demographic and psychological ones.

Adolescents are especially vulnerable and much more likely to develop a gambling addiction than older adults. Impulsivity is a common factor in all addictions, and gambling disorder is no exception. Other psychological factors associated with gambling problems are harm avoidance, low self-directedness, difficulty making decisions and planning, and sensation-seeking behaviors. Gambling disorders may also develop as a coping mechanism ((Yau, Y. H. C., & Potenza, M. N. (2015). Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: Recognition and treatment. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 23(2), 134–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000051)) for mood and anxiety disorders.

Among older adults, men have a higher chance of developing a gambling problem than other genders, as well as ethnic minorities, people with lower income and socioeconomic status, lower education levels, and unmarried status. One study found that most adults with this addiction use gambling to alleviate boredom or their inability to do an activity they previously enjoyed.

Why People Decide to Stop Gambling

Financial Problems

The extreme financial consequences of gambling addiction make it particularly insidious, because these can spill over into so many other areas of life. If you’re considering getting help for gambling-related problems, you may have already experienced some of the following:

  • Unpaid bills
  • Maxed out credit cards
  • Damaged credit score
  • Struggling with money despite having an adequate income
  • Continually borrowing money from family and friends
  • Refinancing assets or depleting investment accounts
  • Getting trapped in additional debt cycles with high-interest loans, etc.
  • Home foreclosure or property repossession

These monetary consequences of problem gambling ((Financial consequences. (n.d.). Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. Retrieved from https://www.nevadacouncil.org/understanding-problem-gambling/impact-consequences/financial-consequences/)) can also strain relationships with partners, family, and friends.

Relationship Problems

All that additional stress can lead to significant problems at home—which is why gambling disorder is associated with higher rates of divorce ((Svensson, J., Romild, U., & Shepherdson, E. (2013). The concerned significant others of people with gambling problems in a national representative sample in Sweden – a 1 year follow-up study. BMC Public Health, 13, 1087. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1087)) and domestic violence. ((Dowling, N. A., Ewin, C., Youssef, G. J., Merkouris, S. S., Suomi, A., Thomas, S. A., & Jackson, A. C. (n.d.). Problem gambling and family violence: Findings from a population-representative study. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(3), 806–813. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.74)) Family members may also develop depression or anxiety, or use substances to cope.

Legal Problems

It’s also common for people with a gambling disorder to have legal problems. One study found that about 25% of people with a gambling disorder had done something illegal related to gambling, ((Problem gambling and the criminal justice system. (2013). Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. https://responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/documents/131/Problem-Gambling-Criminal-Justice.pdf)) including stealing, writing bad checks, and using unauthorized credit cards.

Drugs, Alcohol, and Gambling Addictions

Gambling disorders often co-occur with substance use disorders ((Barnes, G. M., Welte, J. W., Tidwell, M.-C. O., & Hoffman, J. H. (2015). Gambling and substance use: Co-occurrence among adults in a recent general population study in the united states. International Gambling Studies, 15(1), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2014.990396)) and other behavioral health issues. Gambling and substance use disorders share certain behavioral traits, including loss of control, cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal. (In the case of gambling addiction, “tolerance” refers to the need to risk more money to feel the same thrill.)

Alcohol is often easily available in casinos and other gambling environments. And as the consequences of the addiction (like financial loss and relationship problems) progress, substances can be a way to cope. In turn, alcohol and drug use encourage impulsive behavior—which makes it even harder to stop problem gambling.

Choosing the Best Gambling Rehab Center

If you’re struggling with financial or family problems due to gambling, life can feel out of control. But the good news is that there’s plenty of support available from professionals with experience treating people in your very situation. And so many people who worked through the challenges of gambling addiction recovery are now living happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.

Choosing a few addiction treatment programs that seem like a good fit for you and getting further information from their admissions staff is a great place to start.

See our directory of gambling rehabs to further explore your options and see program information, specializations, staff qualifications, and more.

Reviewed by Lisa Misquith

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Schizophrenia Rehab and Recovery

Schizophrenia is a very serious mental illness that can affect how you think, feel, and behave. If you have this diagnosis, you or those around you may feel as though you have lost touch with reality. These symptoms can make it difficult to access the care you need to begin recovery. Fortunately, many rehab centers are equipped to treat schizophrenia.

Untreated schizophrenia can have disabling long-term effects. But with a coordinated plan of care, you can still engage in school or work, achieve or maintain your independence, and enjoy personal relationships. In order to begin recovery, you can learn more about your illness, its impact on your life, and which types of treatment are currently available.

Choosing a Treatment Approach

It can be overwhelming to receive this diagnosis. Schizophrenia is often unfairly maligned, although those views are changing with time. And despite the associated stigma, appropriate treatment can empower you to manage your symptoms and live a fulfilling life.

Because the symptoms of schizophrenia often appear in early adulthood, ((Gogtay, N., Vyas, N. S., Testa, R., Wood, S. J., & Pantelis, C. (2011). Age of onset of schizophrenia: Perspectives from structural neuroimaging studies. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 37(3), 504–513. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbr030)) many patients benefit from developing certain life skills in addition to receiving medical care. Rehabilitation often involves education, career training, and practicing good self-care habits.

A positive outlook is essential to achieving and maintaining stability. Remember that a diagnosis of schizophrenia doesn’t mean your life is over. You deserve care and compassion. A good-quality rehab program will guide you through addressing challenges while recognizing and supporting your many personal strengths. There are a number of ways to approach this process of recovery; what’s important is choosing an option that suits your unique needs.

Antipsychotic Medications

Antipsychotic medications, ((Mental health medications. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications)) such as risperidone (Risperdal) ((Risperidone: Medlineplus drug information. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694015.html)) or olanzapine (Zyprexa), ((Olanzapine: Medlineplus drug information. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601213.html)) are commonly prescribed for schizophrenia. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), these medications are used to treat patients who have experienced “some loss of contact with reality.” Some symptoms, like hallucinations, should abate within days of starting an antipsychotic. Other symptoms may take weeks to resolve, even if the drug is taken as directed. If you’ve been diagnosed with schizophrenia, your prescribing doctor will likely recommend that you take medication on an ongoing basis, even after completing treatment for an acute episode.

Art Therapy

In art therapy, you can process difficult emotions and experiences through creative expression. This modality may help you get in touch with your feelings and make sense of your inner world.

Because art therapy can include nonverbal expression, ((Schizophrenic communication | diginole. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A181652/datastream)) this technique can help people with schizophrenia practice communication skills in a low-stakes environment. The act of creation can strengthen your sense of self, while the art you produce invites you to relate with other people in a new way. According to one study, art therapy can alleviate some symptoms of schizophrenia ((Teglbjaerg, H. S. (2011). Art therapy may reduce psychopathology in schizophrenia by strengthening the patients’ sense of self: A qualitative extended case report. Psychopathology, 44(5), 314–318. https://doi.org/10.1159/000325025)) in some people.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy can help you cope with hallucinations or delusions in a healthier way. Many experts recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for schizophrenia. ((CBT for schizophrenia: Does it work, benefits, and more. (2022, January 11). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbt-for-schizophrenia))

CBT works by helping you to identify the thought patterns that cause your unwanted feelings and behaviors. You can then use specific tools to challenge these thought patterns and eventually work towards more beneficial, actionable thoughts.

Family Therapy

Family members are an important source of support for people with any mental health diagnosis. And a wealth of data supports the importance of family therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia, ((Caqueo-Urízar, A., Rus-Calafell, M., Urzúa, A., Escudero, J., & Gutiérrez-Maldonado, J. (2015). The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: Challenges and solutions. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 11, 145–151. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S51331)) in particular. Many rehab programs offer family therapy—and some define “family” broadly, inviting chosen family members to participate in the process.

In this type of therapy, you’ll meet with a trained therapist as a group, and may also have individual sessions. These are opportunities to discuss your condition and explore solutions that may help you and your family work towards remission.

In order to maximize your health outcomes and reduce the impact of your illness on your day-to-day functionality, it’s important to maintain a strong support network. The more your friends and family understand your diagnosis, the better equipped they’ll be to help you heal. Although it can go into remission, schizophrenia is a lifelong condition. If you and your loved ones work together, you can make an even more sustainable plan for ongoing care.

Causes of Schizophrenia

This illness is a severe, chronic diagnosis characterized by disturbances in thought, perception and behavior. Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people, ((Schizophrenia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia)) which is 0.32% of the global population.

As scientists seek to pin down its causes, this condition is the subject of plenty of research. Although anyone can develop it, researchers believe schizophrenia may be linked to the following factors: ((Schizophrenia. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia))

  • Genetics: It’s thought that schizophrenia may run in families. However, there is currently no means of using genetic information to predict occurrences of schizophrenia.
  • Environment: Environmental factors such as poverty, acute stress, and prenatal malnutrition may cause or exacerbate this illness.
  • Brain structure and function: Schizophrenia is linked to differences in brain structure, function, and neurochemical interactions. More research is needed to determine why these differences occur.

Understanding the symptoms and causes of schizophrenia is the first step in learning to manage your illness. A serious condition like schizophrenia can impact your life in many different ways.

Effects of Schizophrenia

Because this is a chronic condition, you can expect to have the diagnosis for the rest of your life. Despite this, it’s important to note that schizophrenia can go into remission. ((Yeomans, D., Taylor, M., Currie, A., Whale, R., Ford, K., Fear, C., Hynes, J., Sullivan, G., Moore, B., & Burns, T. (2010). Resolution and remission in schizophrenia: Getting well and staying well. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 16(2), 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.108.006411)) According to one group of experts, “research suggests that remission can be achieved in 20–60% of people with schizophrenia.”

Even if you achieve remission, you’ll likely need ongoing support. To plan for ongoing care, you can start by learning about the most common difficulties people with schizophrenia face. This may empower you to build a support network of loved ones and mental health professionals with the expertise you’ll need if acute symptoms arise.

Relationships

A schizophrenia diagnosis doesn’t only affect the person with this condition. It often ripples outward, having a noticeable impact on your spouse, family, friends, and colleagues. Family therapy isn’t just intended to heal your relationships; it can also help your loved ones cope with their experience.

Because the illness can lead to lower self-esteem and isolation, and also because of the heavy stigma associated with a diagnosis, many people identify personal relationships as the biggest area of their lives impacted by schizophrenia. ((Budziszewska, M. D., Babiuch-Hall, M., & Wielebska, K. (2020). Love and romantic relationships in the voices of patients who experience psychosis: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 570928. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.570928)) In one survey, 27% of people with schizophrenia said that they had experienced discrimination from romantic and sexual partners on the basis of their diagnosis, and over half expected it to occur.

“Schizophrenia makes it hard for people to form close bonds,” says Dost Öngür, MD, Director of the Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Research Program at McLean Fernside in Princeton, Massachusetts.

Social support is crucial for people with schizophrenia. ((Fan, C.-H., Hsu, S.-C., Hsiao, F.-H., Chang, C.-M., Liu, C.-Y., Lai, Y.-M., & Chen, Y.-T. (2021). The association of social support and symptomatic remission among community-dwelling schizophrenia patients: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 3977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083977)) According to one study, “schizophrenia patients with higher frequencies of social interaction are more likely to achieve symptomatic remission.” Another found that being married or living with someone long term even had positive outcomes on employment ((Holm, M., Taipale, H., Tanskanen, A., Tiihonen, J., & Mitterdorfer‐Rutz, E. (2021). Employment among people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: A population‐based study using nationwide registers. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 143(1), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13254)) in people with this diagnosis.

Employment

Schizophrenia can interfere with your professional goals. With untreated symptoms, it can be incredibly difficult to complete your education or job training, and to function in the workplace on a day to day basis.

Data shows that people with schizophrenia may experience a decline in employment ((Holm, M., Taipale, H., Tanskanen, A., Tiihonen, J., & Mitterdorfer‐Rutz, E. (2021). Employment among people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: A population‐based study using nationwide registers. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 143(1), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13254)) after being diagnosed. This can mean reduced hours or a lower position. Some patients stop working entirely, and instead make use of disability benefits.

Several characteristics are linked to a higher employment rate after diagnosis, including a high level of education, older age at the first registered diagnosis, fewer previous hospitalizations, and an absence of substance use issues.

Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorders

Substance use complicates the process of diagnosing and treating schizophrenia. If you are struggling with addiction alongside schizophrenia, you’re not alone. Substance abuse disorders are up to 5 times higher in people with schizophrenia ((Menne, V., & Chesworth, R. (2020). Schizophrenia and drug addiction comorbidity: Recent advances in our understanding of behavioural susceptibility and neural mechanisms. Neuroanatomy and Behaviour, 2, e10–e10. https://doi.org/10.35430/nab.2020.e10)) than the general population.

Addiction occurs in nearly 50% of people with schizophrenia, and presents with a wide range of drug classes (e.g. smoking, cannabinoids, alcohol, stimulants, etc). In addition to complicating diagnosis and treatment, it can also exacerbate patients’ symptoms.

If you’re struggling with schizophrenia and addiction, treatment for both conditions should happen concurrently. Ask centers you’re considering if they offer specialized treatment for co-occurring disorders.

Creating a Brighter Future

There is no cure for schizophrenia. But with the right treatment, healthy habits, and a solid support network, you can still lead a rewarding life with less chance of a severe relapse.

Schizophrenia is one of the most heavily stigmatized mental illnesses, subject to a great deal of misinformation. But cultural norms are shifting towards more acceptance. You are more than your diagnosis and your illness. Because your healing process will be unique, just like you, it’s important to find a treatment program that’s tailored to meet your specific needs.

Discover treatment centers across the U.S. that specialize in this condition and see information on pricing, insurance, occupancy, and more in our schizophrenia rehab directory.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod