Therapy Aids Individuals Recovering From Substance Abuse

    SAN DIEGO, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In observance of National Recovery
 Month, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
 reminds Californians that therapy is effective to aid on the path to
 recovery.
     Many substance abusers suffer from at least one serious mental illness
 according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. In California alone,
 2.6 million persons twelve and older use drugs and 6.2 million persons
 twelve and older binge on alcohol. Substances are often used as a form of
 self-treatment to alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders, such as
 depression or anxiety.
     Cognitive-behavioral therapy and twelve-step programs have been found
 to be beneficial toward recovery. Therapy is a cost-effective alternative
 treatment plan that is used effectively with any age group and can offer
 short- and long-term intervention.
     Substance abuse is a treatable disease and therapy can help identify
 the needs of an individual affected by substance abuse and help the person
 recover mentally by:
     *  Strengthening the ability to heal and recover
     *  Helping manage and decrease mental health symptoms
     *  Promoting open discussion of the addiction
     *  Recognizing the negative impact of substance abuse on an individual
        and those around him or her
     *  Reinforcing personal growth and development
     *  Exploring alternative ways to deal with life's everyday challenges
        rather than drug use
     *  Modifying the addictive behavioral patterns which promote the use of
        a substance
     Family therapy has also been found to be of assistance as part of a
 treatment plan. Family therapy can be effective by increasing participation
 and retention in treatment, reducing the individual's substance use,
 improving both family and social functioning, and discouraging relapse
 according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's
 (SAMHSA) Treatment Improvement Protocol Report, Brief Interventions and
 Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse.
     Substance abuse not only affects the individual, but it interferes with
 relationships, performance at work, and in social situations. Help a person
 recover from substance dependence by getting help for this illness. Help
 comes from seeking a mental health professional, such as a Marriage and
 Family Therapist.
     To learn more about the services offered by Marriage and Family
 Therapists and where to locate a therapist, visit California's online
 mental health resource, www.TherapistFinder.com.
     About CAMFT
     The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, with 27
 chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional organization,
 representing the interests of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.
 CAMFT provides www.TherapistFinder.com as a resource to the public looking
 for Marriage and Family Therapists located in California. For more
 information about CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638 or visit www.camft.org.
 
 

SOURCE California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists