The Benefits of an Evidence-Based Practice

In the last 20 years, the health care system has greatly improved addiction treatment. Several state and federal efforts have made guidelines for what evidence-based practice (EBP) should and must include. However, you might not know the term if it’s your first time looking for rehab. Having more info can help you choose a drug and alcohol rehab center that offers the services that will work best for you or your loved one.

If you are looking for addiction treatment therapy for yourself or a loved one, call 866.957.7885 to speak with an addiction specialist in Texas.

What Does Evidence-Based Practice Mean?

Health care people coined the term “evidence-based medicine” in the 1980s. The evidence-based practice emerged about twenty years later as the research and data about types of medical treatments became clearer.

In 2001, the Institute of Medicine highlighted the shortcomings of quality health care. Further, it emphasized the significant gap between clinically supported treatment and the care that people received. The group’s report recommended and described EBP as integrating the best research evidence with patient values and clinical expertise.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, EBP refers to validated treatments studied by science. It requires that more than one study or investigation replicates and proves their effectiveness. The purpose of these practices is to ensure that people are getting treatments that have been proven effective and safe.

Evidence-Based Practice Types

Researchers create and study new addiction treatments all of the time. Therefore, new methods can qualify as evidence-based practice as the science of medicine moves forward. Currently, a few types of therapy qualify as evidence-based, including:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that helps patients understand how their thoughts and feelings influence their actions. This insight can help people with addiction learn new coping mechanisms to deal with triggers and cravings.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is similar to CBT, but it also helps patients tolerate difficult situations and emotions. It is especially useful for people with borderline personality disorder, which commonly co-occurs with substance abuse.
• Exposure therapy: This helps patients confront their fears in a safe and controlled environment. This type of therapy can be used to treat all sorts of phobias.
• Assertive community treatment: Assertive community treatment (ACT) is a type of care that helps patients with mental illness. It provides support in all areas of life, including housing, employment, and sobriety.
• Functional family therapy: Functional family therapy (FFT) helps patients repair their relationships with the people closest to them. This type of therapy can address conflict and communication problems within a family. It is especially useful for young people with addiction.

Among these, cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are two common treatments that rehab centers for addiction treatment offer. Further, they’re both helpful for treating co-occurring mental disorders, which are distinct disorders that occur at the same time in the same person. For example, a person with an alcohol use disorder might have a co-occurring major depressive disorder or social anxiety disorder.

Benefits of Evidence-Based Practice

One of the main benefits of EBP is how well it works. Many large-scale studies and trials have proven that these treatments work in a large portion of patients. Further, the research also proves that evidence-based practice treatments are safe.

Using EBP, experts can create treatment plans that increase the chances of a good result. Some of these treatments include standard guidelines for proper care. Therefore, the best alcohol rehab centers employ trained workers who know how to use the tools they need to safely treat people.

Treatments based on EBP work with patients rather than against them. Also, they help people to improve their lifestyles, change their views on drug use, and be more independent. EBP promotes seeking support from friends and family members as well. Finally, it offers rewards for staying sober and helps people learn skills to deal with stress and avoid relapse.

A Facility That Provides EBP: San Antonio Recovery Center

Do you or someone you know have a substance use disorder? The San Antonio Recovery Center provides addiction treatment for people who struggle with alcohol and other drugs. In addition, we use evidence-based practices to ensure effective and successful treatment. We also use a 12-step approach and tailor a full spectrum of treatments based on your individual needs and preferences.

Some of the services and treatments we offer include:

• 90-day treatment program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Behavioral therapy
• Talk therapy

You don’t need to let substances control your life or the life of a loved one. Find out first-hand how evidence-based rehab can help you become sober. Contact San Antonio Recovery Center today by calling 866.957.7885 to find out more.