Therapy and Long-Term Recovery

Maintaining Your Recovery

Recovery from an OUD is a lifelong process, and it is important to have plans in place to maintain recovery following treatment. The support of friends, family, therapy, and medications can all be critical tools in minimizing the risk of recurrent use and promoting long-term recovery.

Supporting Your Recovery with Therapy

Having a support community has been shown to enhance improvements in the recovery process. There are multiple ways to receive support, including weekly meetings with a peer recovery group or meetings with a personal counselor, as well as therapy. There are different types of therapy, and each offer unique benefits that may help an individual cope with the recovery process and after effects.

It is important to keep in mind that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Be sure to consult a care provider to understand the recommended steps for maintaining long-term recovery.

  • Group Therapy

    • Group therapy allows for multiple patients to be treated at the same time by at least one therapist. It is often held in close knit circles of around 10-12 people experiencing similar problems and allows for patients to receive and provide support to their peers.
    • The group setting can provide specific benefits, as participants can provide one another with an additional environment of social support, exposure to differing perspectives on shared experiences, positive pressure to encourage engagement with the therapy program, and models for successful recovery maintenance strategies.
    • The level of personalized attention received by individual participants is not as much as individual therapy is able to provide. Additionally, this setting may not be the best fit for patients with certain behaviors, thus, it is best to consult a physician to understand the best approach.
    • Group therapy sessions are typically less expensive than one-on-one therapy sessions.
  • Individual Therapy

    • Individual therapy focuses on one-on-one interactions between the client and the care provider, allowing for more personalized discussions and treatment approaches. This allows the therapist to provide a greater degree of analysis for the individual client.
    • There is a higher level of confidentiality during these sessions, which can allow a client to explore topics they may not feel comfortable discussing with a group.
    • The therapist is able to provide undivided attention to the client during their sessions. This forms a strong bond, known as a therapeutic alliance, between the client and the provider, which research has pointed to being a key component of successful therapy.
    • Research studies have proven that individual therapy is beneficial in treating nearly every psychological disorder, condition, and problem.
    • Individual therapy sessions may be more expensive than group therapy sessions, and can require a higher level of engagement and participation.
    • One form of individual therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy (psychotherapy) designed to help individuals identify challenges and develop healthy coping strategies. CBT is highly effective at improving a client’s well being mentally and emotionally by directing their thoughts in a positive direction. CBT is a short-form therapy typically ranging from 5 to 20 sessions; this will depend on the specific needs of the client.
    • As CBT is a goal-oriented form of therapy, the client should be prepared to work outside of the therapy sessions to improve their daily lives and relationships.
    • CBT aims to:
        • Identify the client’s current challenges and develop specific goals to focus on improving them.
        • Help the client become aware of thoughts, emotions, and actions and share them with the therapist. The therapist will encourage the client to share their thoughts, feelings, and interpretations, and possibly journal about them to build their self-awareness.
        • Recognize patterns of thinking and behavior that may be contributing to the challenges, given different contexts.
        • Reshape negative thinking and establish new behavioral patterns.
  • Peer Recovery Coaching

    • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines peer recovery support services as those delivered by a person with a history of addiction and recovery.
    • Peer Recovery Coaches (PRCs) serve as a mentor for those recovering from substance abuse disorder. Having gone through a similar situation themselves, they are able to offer support and stability, in a different way than the traditional short-term therapy, which does not take into account the individual situations. PRCs provide a holistic and client-centered approach, by providing instrumental, emotional, and informational support.
    • There is positive emerging evidence in PRCs, specifically for substance use disorder patients. Studies have reported decreased substance use and improved recovery capital (housing stability, independence, health management) for patients utilizing PRC services. It has also pointed to an increased likelihood of abstinence and decreased criminal re-offense rates, when compared to patients not having a PRC.
  • Culturally Specific Therapy

    • Culturally specific programs are typically tailored towards specific groups such as Latinx communities, African American communities, and LGBTQ+ communities.
    • This allows for people with similar backgrounds to share their journey and experiences, thus allowing for a productive road to recovery.
    • Culture is broadly considered to be one of the social determinants of health, which are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes (WHO). It is necessary, therefore, that individuals have access to care and services that are equitable, including health care providers that are respectful of, responsive to, and understanding of culturally diverse traditions, practices, and beliefs.

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