Charlotte Evidence-Based Treatment

Our Charlotte Evidence-Based Treatment Programs

A Charlotte evidence-based treatment program can include several different pharmacological and behavioral treatments that have proven to be effective in the treatment of addiction and/or mental health conditions. This kind of treatment program will likely include both pharmacological and behavioral evidence-based treatments so that the client can benefit from a comprehensive approach to their recovery.

Pharmacological Evidence-Based Treatments

Including the use of medications into an individual’s treatment plan can be extremely effective, and in some cases, necessary. For example, those who are addicted to opioids and opiates such as prescription painkillers, codeine, and heroin are often prescribed methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone when in treatment. Each one of these medications, which are capable of decreasing the severity of painful withdrawal symptoms and curbing drug cravings, are evidence-based in that they have proven to work when administered appropriately.

Other evidence-based treatments that include a pharmacological element are used for those who are receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder. Naltrexone, which is also used to treat opioid addiction, is one of the most commonly used medications for treating alcohol use disorder. It helps to minimize cravings for alcohol, and comes in either tablet form or a once monthly injection. Acamprosate is also another evidence-based treatment for alcohol use disorder, as it works to prevent severe protracted withdrawal. And, disulfiram, commonly known as Antabuse, causes physical unrest including nausea and heart palpitations when an individual tries to drink again.

Each one of these medications is backed by science and evidence, however they do not treat the entire problem. Instead, it often takes a combined approach that includes both pharmacological and behavioral treatments.

Behavioral Evidence-Based Treatments

Charlotte evidence-based treatment also include behavioral therapies designed to treat the emotional and psychological aspects of addiction and mental health concerns. When an individual participates in evidence-based treatments like these, he or she can begin to heal from within and start developing new, healthy ways of functioning in his or her life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is, by far, the most common form of evidence-based treatment there is. Used for a number of psychological purposes, cognitive behavioral therapy can be found in any addiction treatment center in the country. This particular type of therapy shows individuals how to identify negative behaviors and adjust them through the use of several different positive skills. For example, an individual may identify drinking as a negative behavior, so as a response, he or she establishes certain skills to cope with temptations to use.

Contingency Management

Contingency management is an evidence-based treatment that utilizes tangible items as rewards for displaying positive behaviors, such as staying sober for 30 full days. Some Charlotte evidence-based treatment programs will utilize voucher-based reinforcement. The most common use of VBR is to give clients a voucher each time he or she passes a urine test. As he or she collects vouchers, he or she can trade them in for other items, such as gift cards.

Prize incentive contingency management works in the exact same way that voucher-based reinforcement does, only instead of vouchers, clients are given opportunities to win cash. For instance, every time an individual passes a drug test, he or she gets to draw from a bowl in hopes of winning a prize valued up to $100.

Other evidence-based treatments include motivational enhancement therapy, the Matrix Model, 12-Step Facilitation Therapy, and family behavioral therapy.