Evidence Based Rehab Treatment has become such a buzzword in the mental health and substance abuse treatment communities that it is frequently used without any explanation. While the name “evidence-based treatment” gives a hint, the subtleties are frequently lost or left unclear to the general public seeking treatment. It can be tough for a person to identify the ideal addiction program for his or her needs, and even more difficult for family and friends to find a good facility for someone they care about, because there are so many different types of addiction programs. Even though evidence-based substance abuse therapy is highly effective, it is estimated that just 10% of recovery clinics use it.
What is Evidence Based Rehab Treatment, and How Does It Work?
Evidence based rehab treatment, at its most basic level, employs therapies and procedures that have been demonstrated to be effective for addiction recovery through research and scientific testing methodologies. Evidence-Based Treatment (EBT), also known as science-based treatment or evidence based practices (EBP), was first utilized in the medical industry in the 1980s, but it didn’t achieve widespread favor until the 1990s. The creation of evidence based treatment models based on scientific research spread to many different disciplines in the early 2000s, including mental health and substance addiction treatment.
The following are included in evidence based rehab treatment practices:
- Research-based evidence – This entails employing research-backed therapeutic strategies that have been proven to be beneficial and effective in the rehabilitation process.
- Clinical knowledge – Patients are in the hands of skilled specialists who do a thorough clinical evaluation and specialize in various modalities.
- Values, Preferences, Needs, and Goals of Patients – When it comes to treatment for their specific ailment, each patient’s distinctive needs and aspirations are taken into account. This could be due to his or her age, gender, environmental concerns, willingness to change, and other personal aspects that affect his or her rehabilitation.
Evidence based practices, according to the American Psychological Association, combine “the best available research with therapeutic competence in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences.” This decision-making process gives clinicians a framework to use when determining the appropriate treatment plan for each patient’s recovery from their individual disease.
Conducting clinical assessments, referencing research, communicating with the patient, and adopting treatment approaches that have been demonstrated to be effective for a specific ailment are all examples of evidence-based therapy procedures.
Evidence based rehab treatment methods are beneficial for a wide range of illnesses, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, drug or alcohol addiction, and mental health and addiction co-occurring disorders. Although many patients find maximum success with a full program that lasts 90 days or more for specific diseases, these therapies can be short-term interventions that run for a predetermined number of sessions or weeks. Depending on the therapies required and the unique model of rehabilitation, treatment can be done with individuals, families, or groups.
Evidence-based rehab therapies can be delivered in a variety of venues, including outpatient clinics and residential treatment centers. After mastering these therapies, a patient can employ at home the skills and strategies they gained in their formal therapy program. Some popular evidence based modalities include:
- Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- 12 Step Facilitation Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
To properly administer specific interventions using multiple phases and technologies, most evidence based treatment approaches necessitate significant training. This enables practitioners to follow a consistent and systematic approach to intervention.
Evidence Based Rehab Treatment Components
While each recovery model is unique, certain common elements can be found in all of them. The models are meant to give patients with the required abilities to manage their wellness across time because they are time-limited.
Psychoeducation Clinicians give information on a patient’s health problems, allowing them to get insight into triggers, warning signals, and symptoms. The goal is for patients to become more self-aware, recognize their needs, and solve any issues that occur.
Education and Training Patients are taught how to cope with their symptoms by developing suitable coping mechanisms and distress tolerance abilities. They practice these skills regularly during quiet periods so that they are better prepared when triggers occur.
Relapse Prevention and Maintenance Patients are ready to be discharged once their symptoms have been consistently alleviated. Patients should be able to control their symptoms independently over time at this point.
The goal of evidence based rehab treatment is to help people achieve their goals. While science backs evidence-based rehab strategies, not every treatment option will work for everyone. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all treatment, but there are plenty of possibilities, especially as new models appear. Evidence based rehab’s ultimate goal is to provide effective treatment approaches that allow each patient to rehabilitate for the rest of their lives. However, depending on a variety of conditions, healing may look different for each individual.
Evidence based rehab attempts to improve a person’s overall quality of life, as well as their physical and mental health and personal connections. It also aims to prevent dangerous behaviors that may result in unfavorable outcomes.
At Scottsdale Providence, we offer PHP, IOP and Evening IOP. Our therapists work with you to identify your goals and develop a program that fits you. Our comprehensive addiction treatment program includes individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, and 12-Step Facilitation. The clinical foundation of our program is in Interactive Journaling, an innovative experiential modality that puts the client at the center of their change process. Our expert treatment team blends CBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, EMDR, Neurofeedback, and Occupational Therapy to promote long-term recovery. Psychiatric care, case management, discharge planning, acupuncture, yoga, and fitness all make up a truly comprehensive treatment experience.
Contact us to learn more!