Addiction therapy is primarily a psychological process aimed at the resocialization of people addicted to alcohol or drugs, among other things. Such addiction psychotherapy is to help return to proper functioning in society, develop ways of coping in everyday life, and ultimately stop reaching for stimulants.
At Reliant Family Psychiatry – a private center in Mansfield for the treatment of alcohol, drug and gambling addictions, you can count on the full support of our team. The same goes for your closest family, whom we will provide with free psychological consultation. We will not only explain what substance abuse treatment is, but we will also carry it out effectively.
Addiction therapy - what is it?
Treatment of addiction should begin with arousing motivation in the alcoholic, drug addict or gambler to take up the fight against this serious disease, which takes away not only the joy of life, but above all the ability to make independent decisions and function in society.
What is alcohol therapy? The entire treatment process can be reduced to three most important stages. So, substance abuse treatment or therapy – what does it look like?
➡ Stage one
Familiarization with the problem and motivation to start treatment – contrary to appearances, this is one of the most difficult stages of addiction therapy. Because in most cases the doctor activates the defense mechanism and the addicted person denies the problem, rationalizes it or blames others for this state of affairs.
➡ Stage two
Basic therapy – when the motivation to act appears, you can focus on the next stage, which is basic addiction therapy, usually taking place in addiction therapy wards or in closed private centers, such as Reliant Family Psychiatry.
This phase is full of various therapeutic activities, including group and individual therapies. It is based on a schematic program designed by experienced specialists and practitioners from our facility. We can divide this stage into two parts, each of which fulfills a different goal.
One of these parts aims to make the patient aware of the effects of their addiction, so that they can understand what consequences their actions can lead to.
The second part is learning how to function in a society without stimulants, which is to help them maintain abstinence, cope with alcohol and drug cravings, and also with emotions.
➡ Stage three
In-depth therapy – the next stage is usually held on an intensive outpatient basis and is referred to as in-depth addiction therapy. These are still therapeutic sessions, group and individual meetings, but the program of these meetings is usually less rigid and is constantly adjusted to the patient’s needs.
➤ Leaving an addiction treatment center is walking on thin ice. Many patients immediately return to their addiction, which is why further therapy is so important.
Substance abuse treatment is sometimes also associated with detoxification of the body. However, this only applies to physical addictions such as alcohol or drug addiction. Therefore, it is not treated as a therapeutic process.
Doctors may also use additional pharmacological agents in justified situations, especially when the patient notices a mood drop or experiences mood disorders. In such cases, they often prescribe various types of antidepressants.
Alcohol therapy - what does it involve?
Alcoholism is a progressive disease that results from both physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. As with any other addiction, the most important thing in alcoholism is to be aware of the problem. So, what does alcohol therapy look like once you understand that you should start the process of regaining control over your own life.
First, if possible, you should decide where you want to receive treatment.
Alcohol therapy – forms of addiction therapy:
- ✅ Outpatient – in an addiction treatment center;
- ✅ Day – in the addiction treatment ward;
- ✅ Stationary – in a 24-hour center such as the Reliant Family Psychiatry, addiction treatment center, which gives you the opportunity to start therapy right away.
Regardless of the type of addiction, therapy in a closed facility is always the most effective form. This is because it is very intensive and allows the addicted person to be cut off from external factors, allowing them to focus on fighting the disease.
So, what does therapy for alcoholics look like at our mental health care center? Our original addiction therapy program consists of four stages:
🟢 Introductory stage
This is usually the first contact, which includes diagnosis, familiarizing the patients with therapy models and motivating them to start fighting the problem;
🔧 Basic stage
Includes work with the patient, which allows them to understand the addiction, cope with alcohol cravings, and integrate with the community. It is also about working through one’s own emotions, learning self-acceptance and eliminating behaviors characteristic of alcoholics.
🔎 In-depth stage
This is a time of working on minimizing the risk of reaching for substances, building a constructive environment and appreciating the achievements made so far in the fight against addiction;
🚀 Intensive stage
In this phase the patient develops his/her skills: life, interpersonal, intrapsychic, repairs the damage caused and, above all, prepares for life outside the facility.
The duration of alcohol therapy depends on the selected package and can range from 2 weeks to 4 months. Getting to know the patient and their problems takes a lot of time, which is why we do not offer shorter stays, such as weekend addiction therapy.
A stay with us may include detox, the aim of which is to break the alcohol habit and alleviate the mental and physical effects of sudden withdrawal from alcohol. For this purpose, the patient is given intravenous electrolytes, mineral salts and vitamins, primarily vitamin B1. In addition, in order to minimize the negative effects of the withdrawal syndrome, our doctors prescribe sleeping pills, painkillers, sedatives, among others.
Break free from addiction—your healing starts here.
What is drug addiction therapy?
Drug addiction is, in short, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system of a person. Similar to an alcoholic, a drug addict must also become aware of their problem at the beginning of the treatment path. So, how to treat drug addiction? The most popular methods of treating drug addiction are:
1. Minnesota model
This is a therapy focused on lifelong abstinence. This model assumes that addiction is a disease, therefore doctors treat drug addicts, but also alcoholics and other addicts with appropriate respect and understanding.
2. Cognitive-behavioral model
This model involves the use of repetition and learning mechanisms. As a result, the patient becomes familiar with situations in which they reach for drugs or other stimulants and trains to fight these temptations. This method is often supported by pharmacological methods of treating addictions.
The Goal of Addiction Therapy
Addiction treatment therapy is primarily aimed at maintaining abstinence. However, every addiction doctor strives for his patient after therapy to:
- ✅ Develop healthy coping mechanisms
- ✅ Rebuild self-esteem and confidence
- ✅ Restore personal and professional relationships
- ✅ Identify and manage triggers effectively
- ✅ Achieve emotional and psychological stability
- ✅ Regain control over daily functioning and responsibilities
- ✅ Establish a long-term relapse prevention plan
- ✅ Improve overall quality of life
- ✅ Demonstrate the ability to maintain abstinence;
- ✅ Develop the ability to live healthily.
Treating Substance Abuse – What Addictions Do Therapists Address?
Alcoholism and drug addiction are the most common addictions in our mental health center. Treatment can also include other types of addictions. Whenever addiction causes problems in life, whether family or professional, you should reach out for help. The substance abuse treatment may include:
- ✅ Alcohol dependence
- ✅ Illicit drug abuse (e.g., heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines)
- ✅ Prescription medication misuse (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines)
- ✅ Gambling addiction
- ✅ Compulsive shopping (shopaholism)
- ✅ Work addiction (workaholism)
- ✅ Sexual addiction or compulsive sexual behavior
- ✅ Internet and digital device overuse.
➤ At Reliant Family Psychiatry in Mansfield, TX, we specialise in treating addiction to alcohol, drugs and gambling.
Substance abuse Treatments - What's Next?
Knowing how to treat addiction and going through all stages of therapy is not everything. After treatment, the patient remains an addict. Unfortunately, there is no magic method that will guarantee you staying sober. Systematic work on yourself, following the therapist’s advice, but also seeking support and participating in various meetings for addicts can undoubtedly help you with this.
Therefore, there is no clear answer to the question of whether alcohol therapy helps, because everyone is different and will cope with their problems differently. There are people who immediately return to old habits after leaving, but the vast majority of our patients enjoy a new life in sobriety.
Substance abuse treatment with the help of specialists from the Reliant Family Psychiatry in Mansfield
Substance abuse treatment can be undertaken in public facilities, but there is a problem with free places there. The waiting time for therapy can be significantly longer, which is why it is a good idea to use commercial centers such as Reliant Family Psychiatry in Mansfield, where you can start treatment almost immediately.
Although it involves fees, your health is one of the values that has no price. Our many years of experience gained in clinics and private addiction treatment centers will help you regain control over your own life.
Addiction psychotherapy - what is it and what does it involve?
Addiction psychotherapy is a form of therapeutic intervention that aims to help people struggling with addictions – both substance addictions (e.g. alcohol, drugs) and behavioral addictions (e.g. gambling. This process is based on understanding the causes of addiction, its consequences, and developing the ability to cope with difficulties without resorting to addictive substances or behaviors. The main assumptions of addiction psychotherapy is as follows:
🧠 Understanding the problem
The therapist helps the patient understand the mechanisms of addiction, its impact on personal and professional life and relationships with others.
💬 Emotion Management
Participants learn to recognize and cope with emotions that may influence their tendency to use substances or engage in addictive behaviors.
🔄 Changing Your Thinking
Therapy focuses on changing dysfunctional beliefs and thought patterns that may maintain addiction. Patients learn to recognize negative self-talk and cognitive distortions. They are also guided to replace harmful thoughts with healthier, more realistic perspectives that support recovery.
🤝 Social Skills
Developing interpersonal skills and assertiveness is crucial for patients to be able to better cope with social situations without relapse into addiction. Strengthening communication also helps rebuild relationships damaged by substance use.
👨👩👧👦 Family support
In some cases, therapy also involves family members, which can help build support and better understanding of the problem. Methods of addiction psychotherapy:
🧩 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
🤗 Support groups: Such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, which offer support from others with similar experiences.
🎯 Motivational Therapy: Helps patients increase their motivation to change and maintain abstinence.
🌐 Systemic Therapy: An approach that takes into account family and social interactions.
✅ The therapy process
Legally, any addiction psychotherapy usually takes place in individual or group sessions, which are conducted by a qualified therapist. The duration of therapy and its intensity may vary depending on individual needs and the level of addiction.
in summary
In summary, psychotherapy for addiction is an important element of treatment that allows addicts to understand their problem, make positive changes, and build a healthier life.
Frequently asked questions addiction therapy
What happens during addiction counseling at Reliant Family Psychiatry in Mansfield?
Addiction counseling at Reliant Family Psychiatry includes psychological evaluation, individual and group therapy sessions, relapse prevention strategies, and emotional support. Patients also work with therapists to address the root causes of their addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms to maintain long-term recovery.
Is therapy for substance abuse effective without medication?
Yes, therapy can be effective without medication, especially for behavioral addictions or early-stage substance use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and group counseling often produce positive outcomes. However, in severe cases, a psychiatrist may recommend combining therapy with medications to manage withdrawal or co-occurring mental health conditions.
How long does addiction treatment usually take?
The duration of addiction treatment varies based on individual needs and the severity of the addiction. Programs can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. In Mansfield, options include outpatient counseling, day treatment, or residential programs that provide intensive, structured care for long-term recovery.
Can addiction therapy help with gambling and digital device overuse?
Yes, addiction therapy is not limited to substances like alcohol or drugs. At Reliant Family Psychiatry, therapy is also offered for behavioral addictions, including gambling, compulsive shopping, sex addiction, and digital device overuse. Treatment focuses on impulse control, emotional regulation, and restructuring harmful thought patterns.
What support is available for families during addiction therapy?
Families play a vital role in the recovery process. In Mansfield, Reliant Family Psychiatry offers free psychological consultations for loved ones, family therapy sessions, and education on addiction. This helps family members understand the condition and learn how to support the patient without enabling addictive behaviors.