The addiction treatment field is shifting away from self-help recovery methods toward a more measurable recovery program. The newer methods are known as evidence-based recovery options. A guide to these programs from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is shown below in #4.

1. From Brooke Feldman: “Multiple Pathways to Recovery: It is Time That We Lead The Way”:

Although history has shown us many examples of the oppressed becoming the oppressor, the emergence of this human habit in the addiction recovery communities is one that raises great concern.  Infighting within any social change movement is a common, perhaps even necessary stage, but when people’s lives and well-being are at stake, it seems to me that we ought to shorten this period by taking a step back to regroup and unite.  In addition to there being a clear urgent need to break down all silos and any either/or approaches to recovery, the strengths and skills of people in recovery make us ripe to tackle this human habit with a grace that could be a model for the world.  It is time that we lead the way.

The bottom line is this: there is no one recovery pathway, resource or strategy that works or doesn’t work for everybody.  No resource ought to be excluded if it works for even just one individual and their family, as should none be forced upon those for whom they do not work.          Read more here.

2. From theinfluence: “The Rehab Industry Needs to Up Its Act. Here’s How”:

We’re far from that, however. Currently, at least 80% of American inpatient and outpatient drug-free rehab is dominated by the goal of getting patients to accept the ideology of 12-step programs and to attend as aftercare. To my mind, while 12-step programs do help some people, there is absolutely no reason that taxpayers or insurers should pay for the exact same social support and information that can be had for nothing at meetings.

Instead, treatment providers need to cull from their programs the elements that are redundant with 12-step groups—and instead offer evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy. Patients don’t have the option of getting these for free outside of formal treatment—and the role of treatment should be provide professional medical and psychological care, not self-help. Read more here.

3.  From alcoholrehab.com: “Evidence-Based Substance Abuse Treatment“:

There are a number of potential problems with addiction treatments that are not evidence based:

* If there is no real evidence to back up the claims that an addiction treatment works then there is no reason for why it should work for the individual. This means that they may be wasting their time with a treatment option that is ineffective.

* Some people may only have one shot at recovery. If they choose an ineffective treatment option then this could mean that they have lost their chance to get sober.

* When people fail in a treatment option it can reduce their self efficacy, and this makes it harder for them to quit in the future. This is why it is so important to choose an option that is likely to be effective.

* Choosing options that are not evidence based can mean wasting time and money.

* Some treatment options might not only be ineffective but they could even be ultimately harmful to the individual.

* Treatments that are not evidence based can be used by scam artists to con people out of their money. Often these individuals are able to manipulate language so that their claims are not breaking any laws.

* Those treatments that are not evidence based can harm the reputation of the recovery treatments. This means that those individuals who need help may be reluctant to ask for it.  Read more here.

4.  SAMHSA: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practices (EBP)

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