Addiction is a chronic condition that comes in two forms: behavioral addiction and substance use disorder. In all its forms, addiction affects most aspects of your life, including relationships, career, and overall health.
Medical experts define addiction as a brain disorder. This is because it causes functional changes to the brain circuits responsible for feelings of pleasure, reward, stress, and inhibition.
Nevertheless, addiction can be treated with the proper therapeutic methods and techniques.
In this post, we’ll go over all the treatments at Garden State Treatment to help you conquer addiction and embark on a new path to recovery.
Table of Contents
Understanding Addiction
Before we talk about the various addiction treatments, let’s start by understanding what addiction is and how it affects families and communities.
Addiction Explained
The term ‘addiction’ derives from the Latin word meaning ‘bound to’ or ‘enslaved by.’ Anyone who has struggled with addiction or has helped someone overcome it knows why.
This type of obsession involves an intense craving for something so profoundly that you lose control over its use. This leads to the continued use of the substance or action despite adverse consequences.
Over time, addiction changes how the brain functions.
First, it subverts how you register pleasure by providing your brain with a shortcut to its reward center. So, you only feel good when you do, use, or have the thing you’re addicted to because your brain is flooded with dopamine and other neurotransmitters.
Nothing else seems to satisfy your cravings, which leads you to rely on it more and more. Then, after a while, the desired substance or act no longer provides the same amount of pleasure because your brain has adapted to a certain amount, and it hungers for more.
So, you have to take more of it to get the same ‘high,’ which is an effect of addiction referred to as ‘tolerance.’
In a nutshell, addiction can be described by the four Cs:
- Craving
- Loss of Control of the frequency of use or the amount
- Compulsion to use
- Repeated use despite the Consequences
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
The harmful repercussions of addiction can vary from a mild hangover to the more severe like contracting a serious disease or even becoming homeless.
They build up over time bit by bit until, all of a sudden, a person’s life has been turned upside down as a result of their habit.
Here are some common signs:
- Feelings of irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Relationship troubles
- Trouble focusing and thinking clearly
- Falling behind at work
- Feeling hopeless and out of control
- Spending money on addiction rather than on essentials like food and rent
The Impact of Addiction on Individuals, Families, and Communities
Addiction has been shown to cause rifts between family members and tear relationships apart. Anyone struggling with addiction can’t help but push their families and friends away because their habit is much stronger.
This leads to secrecy, lies, and deceit. Sometimes it even escalates to violence, emotional turmoil, and manipulative behavior.
Overview of Garden State Treatment Center
Ever since it opened its door to struggling addicts, Garden State Treatment Center has prided itself on being the first step toward recovery.
From the licensed therapists and medical professionals to the registered nurses and administrators, everyone at Garden State Treatment understands the intricacies of this disease and how much it affects not just the individual, but their families and loved ones as well.
Each of the center’s treatment programs focuses on uncovering the root causes behind the addiction. Then, slowly but surely, therapists work with clients in a collaborative and supportive environment to help repair the damage caused by this ravaging disease so that they can rebuild their lives and relationships as they work their way back into society.
All clients are provided with an individualized plan designed to meet their unique physical, mental, and emotional needs.
In addition to its highly successful therapy techniques, Garden State Treatment has another thing going for it: its peaceful setting.
Located in the picturesque countryside of New Jersey, about 40 miles northeast of the airport, this treatment facility is renowned for being comfortable and inviting. The tranquil surroundings and clean air provide clients with the perfect ambiance for some soul-searching and self-reflection.
An In-Depth Look at Treatment Modalities at Garden State
Garden State Treatment Center has been recognized for excellence in substance abuse and behavioral health treatment by the Joint Commission.
One of the highlights of the Garden State Treatment Center is the wide array of programs it offers clients. While there’s no in-patient or residential program, the center does offer dual diagnosis, partial, and intensive outpatient care.
In some cases, hospitalization may be required. In instances like these, the center can provide clients with a short-term residential program, which typically lasts a maximum of 30 days.
The center’s experienced team of professionals provides a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach that allows them to collaborate and share ideas.
This team has created a treatment strategy that comprises evidence-based therapy and the 12-step philosophy.
Through these strategies, clients receive a step-by-step recovery process. Depending on each client’s personalized plan, their recovery process can include individual and group therapy, adventure therapy, relapse prevention, and much more.
Here’s a comprehensive dive into the treatment programs provided by the team of medical professionals at Garden State:
Medical Detoxification
Medical detoxification is often recommended for those suffering from mild to moderate substance abuse disorders, mainly drugs or alcohol. This program offers a combination of holistic treatment methods, which focus on treating symptoms of alcohol and drug withdrawal.
While these symptoms may not be life-threatening, they can cause severe discomfort. Through this medically monitored detox program, individuals can clear their bodies of the abused substance to restore it to its natural state.
Psychotherapy Methods
Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy allows individuals to express their thoughts and emotions to a licensed and trained therapist.
Garden State Treatment psychotherapy methods include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT works to transform negative thought patterns into more positive ones. The goal is to help clients improve their emotions and foster positive development
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is used primarily to treat various psychiatric conditions, such as personality disorders and suicidal tendencies. It teaches individuals how to overcome destructive behaviors and strong emotional reactions.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is a counseling technique designed to help individuals find the motivation to want to change their lives for the better. It’s carried out with the help of four central principles, represented by the acronym PACE:
- Partnership
- Acceptance
- Compassion
- Evocation
Group Therapy
Group therapy has long been hailed as one of the most effective ways to help addicts recover. Facilitated by a trained therapist, there are two types of group therapy: big groups and small groups.
The former allows for a more diverse setting. It provides individuals with a wide range of perspectives, which offers a more significant dynamic within the therapy session.
On the other hand, small groups provide individuals with a better opportunity to voice their feelings and share their thoughts with fellow addicts. It gives each participant more time to open up about their struggles while boosting empathy for other people’s battles. As a result, small groups help foster a strong support system they can rely on during recovery.
Family Therapy
As we mentioned above, addiction affects the entire family, young and old. It destroys the dynamics of the family that once was.
As such, family therapy is a vital part of every addict’s recovery process. It sheds light on the negative impact of their addiction on those closest to them without making the individual feel like they’re being attacked or reprimanded.
At the same time, it helps family members understand how the addiction started and its various triggers. It also brings families closer together by allowing them to play a major role in the individual’s treatment and recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
The dual diagnosis program is a comprehensive treatment created for individuals struggling with mental health issues while suffering from substance abuse disorders.
Once the client has been evaluated, they’re provided with a personalized combination of treatment methods to ensure a safe and speedy recovery.
Success Stories and Testimonials
The facilities and staff at Garden State Treatment Center are constantly receiving high praise. Here are a few personal stories from past clients:
“This place is so much more than a treatment center! The staff is there to help you in any way you need.”
“The clinical staff coupled with the tech staff are unique, everyone in their position goes above and beyond to really help the clients and get to know each one on an individual basis.”
“The team there gave me hope for my future and nurtured the foundation I needed to move forward in my recovery. With their love and support, I arrived at the decision to live a sober life.”
“My experience at this facility was amazing.”
“Great place, the best staff I ever encountered.”
Conclusion
The team of experts at Garden State Treatment Center knows that addiction treatments can’t be the same for everyone.
As such, they’ve developed multiple programs that cater to the unique needs of each of their clients. This diversity allows them to treat the individual and their family using in-depth, up-to-date techniques.
Counselors are always available to talk. You can also chat or text with a licensed counselor 24/7.
Learn more about our treatments: