Dorchester House

Alcoholism

A person who has alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) builds up a physical tolerance to alcohol. If they try to stop drinking, they experience withdrawal symptoms. Treatment is available for this condition, through alcohol rehab in Massachusetts. Treatment options include AA, detox, counseling, medication, residential programs, and outpatient treatment. Social and family support systems are crucial during and after treatment of any kind.

Drug Addiction

Addiction is a highly complex problem, and drug rehab in Massachusetts is often necessary to address it. These programs treat physical, mental, and relational issues that are involved. Treatment empowers individuals to manage these issues without the use of drugs.

Dual Diagnosis

Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

In Massachusetts, dual-diagnosis rehabs are usually the appropriate solution to treat co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. These facilities typically employ medical and behavioral experts who use a range of interventions, together with the right healing environment, for you to achieve and sustain long-term recovery. Treatment usually includes evidence-based therapies (like cognitive behavioral therapy), recovery support meetings, 12-step facilitation, psychoeducation, skills training, and group therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

If you are experiencing intense, negative emotions, dialectical behavior therapy can help you learn how to regulate painful emotions and manage the interpersonal situations that generate them. This method is often used during substance use treatment in Massachusetts to help you develop better coping skills and avoid relapse.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

Individual Therapy

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Motivational Interviewing

Four principles are key to motivational interviewing in Massachusetts. First, the therapist offers empathy for the client's feelings and experiences. Second, they encourage the client to believe in themselves and their ability to change. Third, the therapist refrains from imposing their own viewpoints. Lastly, the therapist helps the client identify discrepancies in their circumstances and future goals.

Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.

Couples Therapy

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Family Therapy

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Life Skills

The life skills you'll learn in rehab range from financial management to practicing healthy self care. They help you learn how to solve problems and make decisions, as well as develop healthy interpersonal relationships – all of which are key to successful recovery.

Recreational Therapy

Recreational therapy helps you as you recover from drug and alcohol addiction in Massachusetts by giving you structured activities to improve your physical and mental health. By participating in sports, creative arts, or nature activities, you have a positive outlet for emotions and stress that may have otherwise triggered alcohol or drug use. This helps to foster a healthy sober lifestyle.