Healthy Lives

In Maryland, substance abuse treatment programs support individuals struggling with drugs or alcohol, and those who also have mental health conditions. These rehab programs vary, depending on the level of care you need. That might include inpatient rehab, or an outpatient program. Typically, substance abuse treatment includes evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), recovery support meetings, and skills groups to equip you with new coping strategies when you leave rehab.

Clients who are exiting detox or intensive inpatient treatment often enroll in outpatient rehab programs to ensure a robust continuity of care. Outpatient programs allow clients to remain in or return to their homes and workplaces while continuing to receive treatment, which typically includes addiction counseling and recovery-focused life skills training. Clients in opioid and/or alcohol recovery may also receive medication assisted treatment (MAT), including medication induction and maintenance, at an outpatient facility.

Clients who are leaving inpatient rehab often choose to transition into an intensive outpatient program (IOP) to receive high-level support as they reintegrate into their home, workplace, and community. Intensive outpatient rehab also benefits those at risk of relapse. Clients typically participate in nine to 20 hours of treatment weekly, with modalities ranging from psychotherapy to addiction and recovery education. Many programs also provide medication assisted treatment (MAT) and complementary care, such as nutrition counseling, and acupuncture.

12 step programs provide accessible peer coaching for participants at all stages of their recovery journey. Meetings are peer-led, anonymous, free, and available multiple times per day in most communities. Participants also receive one-on-one mentoring by a self-selected sponsor. 12 step recovery is based on spiritual principles, which enable participants to understand their disease, accept responsibility for their choices, and relinquish control over that which is unchangeable. Religious affiliation isn’t required and specialized formats are available.

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.