Navigating Addiction and Treatment: A Guide for Families is a helpful book created by the Addiction Policy Forum. It gives clear and simple advice on different ways to treat addiction, how to talk to loved ones about it, and how to take care of yourself during this challenging time.
With tips from top doctors and researchers, this guide helps families find the best ways to support their loved ones and shows that recovery is possible for everyone.
Treatment Settings
Inpatient/Residential Programs: These provide intensive care in a residential setting, ideal for those requiring a structured environment.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): These are suitable for patients who need intensive care but can still live at home.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): These offer substantial support while allowing patients to maintain their daily routines.
Outpatient Programs (OP): Less intensive, these programs are ideal for those with strong external support systems.
Detoxification: This setting is crucial for managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision.
Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP): Specialized programs for those with opioid use disorders.
Office-Based Opioid Treatment: Treatment administered in a doctor’s office, often involving medication.
Types of Services and Interventions
Assessment: Comprehensive evaluations to identify the severity of SUD and any co-occurring conditions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps patients identify and change harmful behaviors and thought patterns.
Counseling: Individual or group sessions to provide emotional support and guidance.
Contingency Management: Uses positive reinforcement to encourage sobriety.
Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT): Includes medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and treat co-occurring conditions.
Mutual Aid Support Groups: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), LifeRing, Wellbriety, SMART Recovery provide peer support.
Family Therapy: Involves family members in the recovery process to improve support systems.
Medications for Addiction Treatment
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD): Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Use Disorder: Medications like disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone are used to reduce drinking.
Tobacco Use Disorder: Nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gum) and medications like bupropion and varenicline are used.
Long-Acting Injectables and Implants
Long-acting formulations (e.g., naltrexone injections) provide extended relief from cravings and help ensure medication adherence.
Payment Options for Treatment
Coverage from private insurance, employer-sponsored plans, government insurance (Medicaid/Medicare), self-pay and scholarships.
It is important to check with insurers about coverage specifics, prior authorization requirements, out-of-pocket expenses, and treatment limits.
The Guide serves as a starting point for understanding the many treatment options available for addiction recovery. We encourage you to explore the guide, and share your experiences to help others.
The Addiction Policy Forum aims to integrate all aspects of addiction response—from prevention and treatment to recovery and support—into a unified action plan, addressing the crisis at both local and national levels. Visit them at addictionpolicy.org