In the last decade, addiction treatment has changed in leaps and bounds. Everything—from how addiction is viewed to how it’s treated—has come under close scrutiny as years of data culminate in what has been an unprecedented change. Major steps toward tearing down the stigma surrounding substance abuse and addiction have been taken. It’s time to look ahead, not behind, which is why we’re making some predictions about the future of addiction treatment.
#1: Stigma Will Be Overcome
Travel back to the 1960s and addiction was an odd kind of taboo. Illicit drug use was a major cultural trend, but its negative impact was hardly every broached. In 1969, 48 percent of Americans identified drug use as a serious community concern. Yet, addiction was rarely admitted to or talked about in open forum. It was spoken of in hushed tones and the most private of conversations. Properness and political correctness became the breeding ground for a deeply ingrained stigma; the idea that alcohol and drug misuse, abuse, and addiction were always voluntary, easy to overcome with willpower, and shamefully disgraceful conduct.
Today, our understanding of addiction has dramatically changed. Research and data collection from the past two decades has led to the realization that substance addiction is far less about conscious choice and far more like a disease. As our knowledge base grows and more people become educated about the impact of prescription, illicit, and household substances, the stigma surrounding addiction decreases.
What does this mean for the future? The stigma surrounding drugs and alcohol will continue to be overcome, paving the way to more people in need of help reaching out for that help.
#2: Success Will Be Redefined
What makes addiction treatment successful? In years past, it was defined as the completion of a step program and total abstinence. Today, we are more aware than ever that total abstinence isn’t always feasible. For some, it is the best option, but not for all.
As our understanding of substance abuse and addiction continues to grow, success will be redefined. It will not long be a cookie cutter result or single treatment program or plan. Instead, it will be based on individual goals and needs. Success may even begin to be defined as definitive behavioral and belief changes versus a strict “cured” or “not cured.”
#3: Recognition of Co-Existing Disorders Will Increase
Depression, anxiety, and stress disorders are major risks for patients in recovery. The recognition of co-existing disorders has grown substantially, particularly over the past decade. The link between anxiety and addiction has never been more clearly seen, and now that we see it, we can treat it as a co-existing condition.
Interestingly, co-existing disorders are not always the product of substance misuse. For some, it is the undiagnosed presence of stress related disorders that lead to misuse of alcohol and drugs. We can expect a bigger spotlight to hit this fact as more studies explore it. Mental health has a very real link to substance abuse and addiction, and as our understanding grows, we’re likely to see the giant stigma surrounding mental issues decrease thanks to discovery and education.
#4: Treatment Strategies Will Evolve
As little as 10 years ago, the main treatment strategy for addiction was the 12-step program. Under staffed and often lacking professional assistance, these programs were the only known option to the average citizen who faced an alcohol or drug problem. Today, treatment strategies look dramatically different.
As evidence based treatments (EBTs) lead the cutting edge of substance abuse studies, counseling programs are becoming the best starting treatment strategy available. But strategies don’t stop there. Alcohol and drug abuse and addiction are as much a psychological battle as they are physical. EBTs are paving the way to treatments that target what work for each individual patient.
We can expect evidence based treatments to continue to advance. In addition, treatment strategies will continue to grow in diversity as more viable approaches to treatment are identified.
#5: Medical Science and Addiction Counseling Will Collide
We stand on the brink of a major evolution. Medical science is colliding with addition counseling in new, somewhat unexpected, ways. We’re reevaluating commonly held to belief systems. Our approach to treating addiction is beginning to focus on behavioral factors and core beliefs over pill popping and programs that are not individualized.
Medical science will continue to take strides toward ending the epidemic of addiction. Vaccines for fighting drug abuse are being thoroughly investigated and trialed, opening the possibility to a sort of immunity. Clinical trials include a cocaine and heroin vaccine that show potential.
One thing is certain, we’re likely to see even more stigmas bite the dust as science and counseling work together to assist those who cope with substance issues. Educating patients alongside friends, family, and the community will pave the way to a brighter future where the focus is on practical help versus popular opinion and fades.
The Future of Addiction Treatment
No one likes sterile medical environments, but for those struggling with the stress of addiction and co-existing conditions, sterile is an even bigger stumbling block. Warm, welcoming, judgement free zones are the key to facilitating a safe place to discover and recover; a place someone will want to come to for help.
The future of addiction treatment is bright. As our understanding of addiction grows, our treatment methods evolve. We’re excited about the course treatment is taking, and we’re even more excited about our growing team of substance abuse professionals. Not only are we helping populate the industry with needed professionals, but we’re on our way to becoming a leading resource for substance abuse pros to maintain their edge and continue their education. What better way to continue helping those in need in our community than to help educate the professionals here to help them?
Stay tuned for exciting announcements as we power forward. It’s time to make a better tomorrow our today. Are you ready for change?