Opioid addiction has physical, emotional and social elements. Methadone maintenance treatment involves the use of medicine to address the physical aspects of addiction. When you take methadone as directed, it reduces your withdrawal symptoms to help you commit to recovery. Support services like counseling address the emotional and social aspects of opioid use disorder. Once you have fewer withdrawal symptoms, you can use counseling to build recovery skills and increase your chance of a successful recovery. Discover why experts recommend combing methadone treatment with counseling.
1. Combining Counseling With Methadone Treatment Results in Higher Success Rates
Research shows that counseling and other psychosocial services increase treatment success rates for patients who take methadone. Counseling gives you a space to navigate the emotional aspects of addiction. During your sessions, you learn how to make the most out of your treatment so you can stay off opioids. With methadone addressing the physical symptoms of withdrawal, you can focus on building coping skills in counseling.
2. Counseling Services for Addiction Can Also Address Other Mental Health Conditions
An addiction to opioids can happen alongside a mental health condition in a phenomenon known as co-occurring disorders or comorbidity. Every patient with opioid use disorder has different triggers and histories. However, a co-occurring mental health disorder and addiction can make recovery more difficult. Many therapists who specialize in opioid addiction also understand how to work with mental health conditions. They can also refer you to other counselors and services who can help with your mental health disorder.
3. Receiving Counseling Services With Methadone Gives You Added Support
Counseling helps you address all aspects of addiction by providing social support. People with opioid use disorder can isolate themselves or disconnect from the people they love. During recovery, social connection becomes more important than ever. A counselor acts as a social support and provides regular human interaction. They can also assist you with rebuilding past relationships and forming new connections.
4. Methadone Maintenance Counseling Can Use a Style Suited to Your Needs
Like counseling for other disorders, opioid addiction therapy involves multiple models. You can find therapists who use counseling styles such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Contingency management therapy
- Motivational interviewing
While some counseling styles target addiction specifically, others find use in a variety of situations. Your therapist will work with you to find the right counseling technique for your needs.
5. You Can Attend Opioid Addiction Counseling With Family and Loved Ones
Some opioid addiction treatment centers offer group or family counseling as a supplement to individual therapy. During family counseling sessions, your therapist leads a discussion among you and your loved ones. When opioid use disorder affects your loved ones and family, these sessions can help you rebuild your relationships. Family counseling also helps your loved ones understand how to support you throughout your recovery. Group therapy allows peers to support one another, reducing the shame and guilt that often comes when individuals struggling with addiction feel alone.
Discover More About the Benefits of Methadone Counseling From MedMark Treatment Centers
To learn more about methadone maintenance and opioid addiction counseling, contact the MedMark team today.
