Most effective therapy for addiction

[kitty_cat]

I am fresh out of heavy addiction and am trying to ensure that I never fall that low again. I simply can't afford to - I feel that I will lose everything that matters if this happens again. I have been blessed to have people who truly love me in my life who have stood through the bad and ugly but I fear that they won't be able to stomach another round of self-destruction. I have to act now and work on prevention, while my mind is awake and aware.

What are my options in terms of the available therapies? One that I've been reading about and attempting to self-administer is DBT (Dielectical Behavioural Therapy). Has this worked for any of you? Are there better options? I refuse to do 12 step or use any other approaches proven to be ineffective - I want things which are pragmatic and have clinical evidence of effectiveness behind them.

 

[herbavore]

You might try online support groups like Smart Recovery--they basically use cognitive behavioral therapy. Personally, I would choose to explore a more spiritual view of life; I'm not advocating religion, just something to take you beyond the confines of the ego. Addictions have at their core a small-mind view of life--one in which the ego is the center of everything. And we all know where that usually leads us! Fear about ourselves lead to insatiable hungers, misleading comparisons, superficial solutions and meaningless comforts. Developing a deeper relationship with life inside and out gives you a strong base from which to weather everything from boredom to deep anxiety to the real crises and all the suffering that is inevitably part of life.

 

[kitty_cat]

You might try online support groups like Smart Recovery--they basically use cognitive behavioral therapy. Personally, I would choose to explore a more spiritual view of life; I'm not advocating religion, just something to take you beyond the confines of the ego. Addictions have at their core a small-mind view of life--one in which the ego is the center of everything. And we all know where that usually leads us! Fear about ourselves lead to insatiable hungers, misleading comparisons, superficial solutions and meaningless comforts. Developing a deeper relationship with life inside and out gives you a strong base from which to weather everything from boredom to deep anxiety to the real crises and all the suffering that is inevitably part of life.

I am actually in the process of doing just that - getting back to meditation and mindfulness and reading Wherever You Go, There You Are, a great book on the subject. I've looked into Smart Recovery before but didn't make use of their online support, so I will give that a try. Thank you c:

 

[Fig]

Self administration of DBT without a a clinical anchor and group is not going to be effective, although I would encourage practicing the mindfulness component regardless as it is a very positive direction.

You need support of some sort, doing it alone is unnecessary. SMART Recovery is a good option. Finding a counselor, psych or LCDC might be a good place to start.

AS to 12 Step, I have my own isues with that for a number of reasons, but I have to say, as someone who used to be very hung up on the God thing, I have since come arount to understaning that it really doesn't matter at all what I think of it, it only matters that it works for mamy people, so who am I to judge? I used to judge a lot.

The percentage of substance abusers or all varieties who relapse after 1, 3 and 5 years of sobriety is very high. Most people relapse. Those who do it on their own with no support are considerably more likely to relapse after the first year. Whatever route you take, I would encourage you to actively engage and seek help and support if at all possible.

 

[Roxi808]

I'm n the same boat as you...I've been to NA meetings but I didn't really take it seriously (didn't seek out a sponsor, etc)...the first time I got clean for like 3 years I always felt like I had a strong mind will power blah blah blah, I've realized that I cannot dabble with drugs AT ALL and I need help, I can't do it alone. Been researching SMART recovery as it seems like it addresses those urges that you inevitably get and how to see those thoughts coming, recognize them and be able to combat them successfully,..