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What Is CBT Therapy?

Alexandra Kraska on November 15, 2022

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of behavioral therapy offered by Aliya Health Group’s treatment providers to help treat and manage mental health and substance use disorders.

CBT is often referred to as talk therapy. This is because the main portion of healing in CBT occurs during discussions with your therapist. The evidence-based practices found in cognitive behavioral therapy focus on altering unwanted behaviors by teaching you to identify and change unhealthy or inaccurate thoughts. 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy include:

  1. False beliefs and unhealthy thought patterns are partially responsible for psychological distress.
  2. Unhealthy learned behaviors can negatively influence symptoms of mental health conditions.
  3. Problems with mental health can be minimized with healthy coping skills.

Together, the core principles of CBT are meant to help you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can influence each other. 

What Is CBT Used For?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people identify, understand, and change dysfunctional behavior. CBT focuses on the “now” rather than the past. As a result, CBT can help you understand underlying core beliefs that feed self-doubt, anxiety, and anger. Integrating cognitive behavioral therapy as a psychological treatment can also be effective for a range of conditions. 

CBT assists in the treatment of:

Cognitive behavioral therapy has helped all different types of individuals and can also help you by identifying unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that feed addictive behaviors. There are many CBT strategies used in individual and group therapy during alcohol and drug rehab that can help you reframe your mind and recover from addiction.

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How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work?

CBT is an incredibly beneficial therapy approach that instills healthier ways of thinking by teaching you to notice the negative patterns in your day-to-day thoughts. In general, cognitive behavioral therapy works by combining two therapeutic approaches—cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy.

Centered around the term cognitive, meaning “to recognize,” cognitive therapy helps you develop a clear understanding of your own thoughts, moods, and expectations. The goal of cognitive therapy is to identify your false beliefs and change them to reflect a more positive outlook. In doing so, this form of therapy aims to lessen the negative impact of stressful situations by minimizing the importance you attach to the issues in your life.

Behavioral therapy functions under the belief that human behavior is learned and can be unlearned or relearned. The focus of behavioral therapy is to find out which behaviors contribute to the problems in your life. Afterwards, you and your therapist work to change your unwanted behavioral habits.

By integrating cognitive and behavioral therapy practices, CBT provides an engaging environment to help you change your thoughts and behaviors for the better.

CBT’s therapy approach includes:

  • Identifying unwanted behaviors or issues
  • Analyzing unhealthy thought patterns and their impact on life
  • Challenging false beliefs and reframing mindset
  • Learning and practicing healthy alternative behaviors

CBT techniques help you cope with and decrease maladaptive thoughts to promote a healthier internal monologue. As you work through CBT therapy, you will engage in mindful strategies that introduce healthier, more realistic expectations. As a result, you can use coping methods to handle negative emotions, stress, and low self-esteem.

What Happens in CBT Therapy?

You and your therapist will analyze your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to better understand how you perceive yourself and the world around you. In doing so, you are able to identify irrational and unhealthy thought patterns and determine how your beliefs affect your day-to-day life. As a result, your therapist can help you figure out how to challenge unrealistic or unhelpful thoughts and encourage healthy behaviors.

CBT sessions for substance use can include:

  • Motivational intervention
  • Contingency management
  • Relapse prevention
  • Psychoeducation
  • Cognitive reframing
  • Skills training
  • Behavioral strategies

CBT is effective in both individual therapy and group therapy. For example, clients practice CBT techniques in group settings to work through unhealthy thought patterns with the help of others. Similarly, those with co-occurring disorders can participate in cognitive behavioral therapy to help work through emotions with their primary therapist.

CBT therapy can help you work through emotions including:

  • Fear 
  • Stress
  • Anger
  • Worry
  • Self-doubt
  • Low self-esteem
  • Guilt and loss

CBT coping skills allow you to engage in healthier ways of thinking by teaching you to notice the negative patterns in your day-to-day thoughts. You learn to engage in mindful strategies that introduce healthier, more realistic expectations as a result. 

Addiction treatment programs that utilize CBT for substance abuse help you instill healthy alternative reactions to triggers and cravings in the same way. In time, you learn to cope with and lessen destructive thoughts and behaviors, ultimately feeling more power over your life in recovery.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques

CBT techniques highlight the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This can provide clarity and support logic-based responses to handle stressful situations. As you reframe your perspective and address unhealthy beliefs, you also learn healthier, alternative coping skills. In doing so, CBT techniques can help relieve your symptoms and allow you to become more effective in your life.

Core CBT techniques include:

  • Emotion Management: Addresses insecurities while treating anxiety and depression for a healthier state of mind.
  • Behavior Shifts: Replaces negative behaviors and reduces emotional reactions to everyday situations by introducing healthy coping skills.
  • Mental Maintenance: Applies cognition and reasoning to focus on the connection between emotions, behaviors, and the healing process.

As you practice CBT therapy techniques, you will begin to recognize false narratives within your thinking patterns that lead to irrational thoughts, overwhelming emotions, and unwanted behaviors.

How Can CBT Techniques Promote Positive Change?

Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques can assist people in making positive changes in their lives. While participating in treatment, CBT techniques can help you reframe unhealthy thinking patterns by:

  • Identify your cognitive distortions (false beliefs) and then reevaluate them from a rational perspective with fact-based thinking
  • Gain a better understanding of the behaviors of others instead of taking their actions personally
  • Use healthy problem-solving skills so that you can cope with stressful situations
  • Develop a greater sense of confidence in your abilities

CBT therapy techniques can also assist you in unlearning unhealthy behavior patterns as you:

  • Face your fears instead of avoiding anxiety-inducing situations
  • Participate in role-playing activities to prepare for stressful scenarios
  • Practice relaxation techniques to calm your mind and body

This form of behavioral therapy focuses on the “now” rather than the past, which develops goal-oriented thought patterns. So, instead of focusing on past wrongs or harboring resentments, CBT therapy teaches you how to move forward and succeed in recovery. Participating in CBT can also help you identify high-risk situations and triggers to prevent relapse.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Addiction Treatment

The goal of CBT during substance abuse treatment is to lessen the mental hold of addiction by building coping skills. For this reason, a key benefit of cognitive behavioral therapy in addiction treatment is that it teaches you how to identify high-risk situations and triggers. In addiction treatment, CBT therapists guide relapse prevention groups in developing ways to cope with those triggers and manage the effects of cravings.

Studies support CBT as an effective treatment for substance use disorders due to its successful outcomes in the following:

  • Thought analysis
  • Strategies to avoid triggers
  • Building problem-solving skills
  • Drug refusal
  • Coping skills

By understanding the impact cravings have on your moods and reactions, you also can practice mindfulness throughout your daily life and utilize CBT skills as a form of relapse prevention. As a result, you begin to build self-confidence and self-motivation as you continue to maintain your sobriety. 

Reach Out

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call us today at 888-965-3085 to find the right level of care for your unique situation. CBT is one of our evidence-based therapy offerings and it has helped many of our clients heal during treatment and in recovery.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Alexandra Kraska on November 8, 2022

To achieve your goals in recovery from substance abuse, it’s essential you know about your treatment options.  Many people are aware of traditional treatments like individual and group therapy, but there are also several holistic techniques available like hypnotherapy. Whether you struggle with impulsivity or self-destructive behaviors, hypnotherapy sessions could be an effective option for you.

Does Hypnotherapy Work?

A lot of people disregard hypnotism as a pseudoscience (practices that claim to be scientific, but are not). As a result, you may associate the healing practice with things like palm reading and fortune telling. While mainstream portrayals of hypnotism often make it out to be a humorous side act, hypnotherapists know it is the main event.

In fact, the healing power of hypnotism speaks for itself. In treating various conditions, our hypnotherapists obtain quicker results that otherwise may have taken months or even years to unearth. While many find healing through traditional therapeutic interventions, hypnotherapy is a unique therapeutic approach to mental health counseling.  In certain cases, hypnotherapy has been known to provide faster results than evidence-based practices like psychotherapy and behavioral therapy.

This is not to say that traditional therapy practices are without merit — in fact when paired with regular group therapy sessions, you may be able to embrace hypnotherapeutic methods with even more success. Learning additional coping skills in group and individual therapy alongside hypnotherapy may help you discover a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that once fueled your substance misuse. For this reason, hypnotherapy is a beneficial holistic service during substance abuse and mental health treatment.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is an alternative form of psychotherapy that offers relief from symptoms of anxiety, substance abuse, and other disorders. Working at a subconscious level, hypnotherapy uses the power of suggestion to change your behavior, thoughts, or feelings. 

In order to be effective, hypnotherapy requires a trained therapist who uses repetition, visualization, and imagery techniques. These hypnotic techniques aim to relax you into a state where you’re more open to suggestions. In fact, hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool that eases the process of healing and creates lasting change. Hypnotherapy helps you to:

  • Uncover negative patterns and beliefs
  • Untangle false narratives
  • Resolve trauma
  • Restore inner peace 

Through the use of relaxation techniques, guided hypnosis lulls you into a tranquil state of intense concentration. This hypnotic state helps you to achieve a heightened state of mindfulness.

Hypnosis is a psychological therapy process that’s often misunderstood. As a result, it is not widely used in the treatment of substance use disorders. In spite of this, medical research continues to support hypnosis as an incredibly beneficial therapy tool.

Is Hypnosis the Same Thing as Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the practice of hypnosis within the parameters of a therapeutic treatment. This means that hypnosis is the tool and hypnotherapy is the healing application of that tool. Another way to look at it: hypnosis is to hypnotherapy as horses are to equine therapy.

Simply put, hypnosis is a state of relaxation and concentration in which the hypnotherapist can access the subconscious mind. The therapist then gives suggestions that are intended to help you overcome your condition. 

Without the guidance of a qualified hypnotherapist, hypnosis is whatever the person providing the service wants it to be. This is why it’s important to experience hypnosis in a professional, therapeutic setting with licensed hypnotists.

What Does Hypnotism Feel Like?

During a guided hypnosis session, the certified hypnotist or hypnotherapist guides you into a deep state of relaxation. Most commonly regarded as a trance-like state, our clients often describe this experience as if they are in a daze, or being gently soothed into a calming daydream, unburdened and light.

While in this state of calm, you may feel as though you drifting off to sleep, yet you remain fully aware of your surroundings.

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How Does Hypnosis Work?

The process begins as a certified hypnotherapist guides you into a state of intense concentration.  The therapist helps you achieve this state through repeated verbal cues. By entering an altered mental state of heightened relaxation and concentration, you can focus on accepting the therapeutic suggestions of a certified hypnotist.

As you settle into tranquility, hypnotherapists introduce suggestions designed to promote introspection and reflection as a means of accomplishing the chosen goal for the therapy session. The course of the session and the content of the verbal cues are dependent on the hypnotherapist and your goals, both for the session and the long term. Sessions can focus on anything from phobias to recalling events. Once the session has come to an end, the therapist will “wake” you from your trance-like state, or you may exit the state yourself.

Why Does Hypnosis Work?

The hypnotic state induced during hypnotherapy is meant to both relax the mind and heighten focus. As a result, you are able to contemplate the guided suggestions without experiencing the instinctual reflex to reject or avoid potentially painful topics. This is because the subconscious mindset helps to put a barrier between you and the painful memory or topic. This allows you to acknowledge the details surrounding the pain without consciously re-experiencing the traumatic event(s).

Hypnotherapy’s mind-body intervention eases you into a mental state of increased suggestibility, offering the therapist a clean slate to work with as they introduce healthier, alternative behaviors in replacement of your unwanted behaviors that were discussed earlier in the sessions.

In essence, the mindset induced during a session of guided hypnosis frees you from experiencing any negative reactions to the suggestions during the therapy session. 

What to Expect During a Hypnotherapy Session

During hypnotherapy, certified master hypnotists help you use your mind in new, unconventional ways to heal from challenges like trauma. Certified master hypnotists aim to strengthen your resolve in recovery by harnessing the entirety of your mind’s power. They do so by accessing your subconscious through a process known as hypnosis.

While using hypnosis techniques, hypnotists guide you into a state of relaxation that is free from negative emotions. As you’re in this hypnotic state, your therapist works with you to replace behaviors that are no longer serving you.

The five steps of hypnotherapy include:

  1. Explanation: Identify and review your problem behavior
  2. Creation: Develop a plan to redirect energy during the sessions
  3. Induction: Encourage a receptive mindset with calming techniques
  4. Suggestion: Introduce the strategy for change through suggestions
  5. Evaluation: Follow up to review the positive shifts in behavior

During hypnosis, the hypnotist will often give suggestions that can help you address the issue at hand. For example, a hypnotherapist may suggest visualizing yourself in a different situation that is more positive or relaxing.

Used to treat symptoms of anxiety, phobias, and substance abuse, hypnotherapy is a helpful therapeutic tool. The altered state of increased relaxation helps to keep you focused and open to the power of suggestion. As a result, you can examine unhealthy beliefs and behaviors without fear. Introducing therapeutic suggestions that encourage positive behavioral change within your subconscious mind is a key part of hypnotherapy’s benefits.

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Looking for quality treatment for substance abuse and mental health that’s also affordable? Aliya Health Group's treatment facilities accept most major insurance providers. Get a free insurance benefits check now!

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What Does Hypnotherapy Treat?

Hypnotherapy’s focus on relaxation can be an incredibly helpful tool for those struggling with conditions like addictive behaviors, anxiety, and trauma. Our certified master hypnotists aim to help you progress in recovery by harnessing the entirety of the power of your mind. As a very effective method for accessing subconscious thoughts, hypnosis helps you remove unhealthy behaviors without triggering any feelings of stress, fear, or self-doubt.

As a treatment geared toward identifying and replacing maladaptive behaviors, guided hypnosis can help if you suffer from mental blocks. Hypnotherapy is a great tool that helps you remove unhealthy beliefs that impede your ability to acknowledge the need for change and introduce new, positive behaviors into your daily life. 

Hypnotherapy assists in the treatment of:

Hypnotherapy can assist you in your recovery from both physical and mental conditions. It can also help you implement healthier alternatives to replace unwanted behaviors like drug and alcohol use. 

How Can Hypnosis Help People With Addiction?

Many who want to end their addiction make several attempts to recover but have a difficult time staying sober. Trying a variety of therapy techniques in treatment without seeing lasting success can be incredibly discouraging and may lead to feelings of hopelessness. 

Hypnotherapy can increase your chance of success by addressing some of the contributing factors to dependence including low self-esteem and emotional trauma. It can also help resolve conflicts between conscious and subconscious motivations.

During a clinical study focused on hypnotic states, Harvard researchers determined that hypnosis elevates two key areas within the brain that control and process the internal workings of the body. Similarly, the area of the brain that controls your actions and your awareness of your actions also shuts down or slows significantly during sessions of hypnosis.

The research suggests that the effects of a hypnotic state include: 

  • A dissociated control state
  • Increased positive feelings
  • Decreased negative feelings
  • Improved visual imagery
  • Heightened attention

Simply put, key portions of the brain — areas that affect our levels of awareness and control — are noticeably altered during hypnosis. For this reason, hypnotherapy is an extremely beneficial form of treatment for those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders when administered in a safe and secure environment.

Recovering From Trauma in Hypnotherapy

Unfortunately, a person’s past experiences — especially after experiencing trauma— can result in the development of defensive mechanisms such as increased anger and volatility when confronted with evidence of their poor behavior. Others may shut down and withdraw from the thought of change following years of shame and rejection from loved ones. 

Normally, once you associate the concept of change with negative interactions from the past, your initial gut reaction to therapeutic healing methods can trigger confrontational responses that will often impede your progress.

It is important to understand that feelings and memories related to trauma can “hide” in your unconscious memory. On a conscious level, you may not realize the impact of the trauma you experienced. In fact, you may not remember the traumatic event at all. During these sessions, you will gain the ability to ruminate over questions that you otherwise might have brushed off, ignored, or reacted defensively against, were you in your default mindset. 

Hypnotherapy provides a space for you to separate yourself from the walls you have built throughout the years. It is within the space between your walls of defense that your hypnotherapist works, guiding you toward healthier emotional outlets, and motivating you to accept change with open minds, hearts, and arms. 

Reach Out

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call us today at 888-965-3085 to find the right level of care for your unique situation. Hypnotherapy is one of our holistic therapy techniques and it has helped many of our clients heal in recovery.

What is a Partial Hospitalization Program?

Alexandra Kraska on October 21, 2022

Aliya Health Group offers several levels of care including a partial hospitalization program (PHP). Our PHP programs teach clients the skills they need to rebuild a life rooted in passion, purpose, and health in recovery.

During our treatment programs, clients have access to medical care, community support, and addiction treatment resources. All of our rehabilitation services aim to help you maintain sobriety in our partial hospitalization programs and beyond.

Partial Hospitalization for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Addiction Treatment

Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) provide a level of care between inpatient treatment and intensive outpatient programs (IOP).  A partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides a smooth transition into less intense outpatient treatment following detox and residential programs. Compared to inpatient, PHP is a more flexible treatment option that’s available to clients who no longer need 24/7 medical supervision.

PHP is developed specifically as a continuum of care for people who have built a strong support system and moderate self-sufficiency. While participating in PHP during the day, typically 5 days per week, many programs provide sober living housing options. In doing so, PHP offers you the opportunity to live at home or move into a sober community.

What Happens During PHP?

PHP programs typically include group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and other types of counseling and addiction education. PHP programs are best suited for people who are highly motivated to recover from addiction.

A typical day in PHP includes:

  • One-on-one counseling sessions
  • Group therapy sessions
  • Psychoeducation courses
  • Skill-building group exercises
  • 12-step and alternative support meetings
  • Medication management
  • Regular check-ins with your personal care team

During PHP, your day will consist of therapy, education, skill-building, and regular check-ins with your personal care team.

In general, evening and weekend hours are free time to work or spend time with family and friends. Partial hospitalization is often very beneficial for people who need structure and support during the early stages of recovery. The program also provides greater freedom by allowing you to live at home or in sober living.

If you choose to return home, it’s important to have people to help maintain accountability in early recovery. Alternatively, if you transition into a sober living environment during PHP you will continue treatment surrounded by a built-in sober support system.

Clinical Care in Partial Hospitalization Programs

While program schedules and treatment services vary from one treatment facility to the next, most centers use a variety of therapeutic techniques. In fact, quality addiction treatment centers include traditional, evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside holistic treatment methods like equine-assisted therapy and trauma-sensitive yoga.

In addition to therapy, you will participate in regular meetings with your psychiatrist for medication management. Medication management ensures that you receive the appropriate prescription for co-occurring disorders or are enrolled in a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program. During these appointments, your doctor reviews medications to ensure that your symptoms are effectively managed. Any treatment questions regarding your mental health conditions, chronic pain, or general health concerns can be answered in these sessions.

PHP clinical services that focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit are incredibly beneficial to your recovery because they address all aspects of addiction. These types of programs go beyond talk therapy and focus on whole-person healing. This helps reinvigorate your passion for life in recovery.

Individual and Group Therapy

During PHP, counselors guide group therapy sessions in skill-building exercises. Often, the discussions teach you how to manage your emotions better. Other times, you will participate in team-building activities to cultivate healthy communication and trust. Partial hospitalization programs also offer additional types of therapy that build off the skills learned in residential treatment.

Types of therapy in PHP include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Trauma-sensitive yoga
  • Wilderness therapy
  • Equine therapy
  • Sound therapy
  • Writing therapy
  • Dance/movement therapy (DMT)
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy

Within group sessions, you discuss healthy alternative behaviors to replace maladaptive coping skills. Alongside addiction-related topics, groups also cover similar problems that result from low self-esteem and poor self-image. During these therapy sessions, you will work with other group members to dismantle unhealthy thought patterns, build healthy coping skills, and develop a relapse prevention plan.

Counseling topics in group therapy:

  • Relapse prevention plan topics
  • Life skills and goal-setting topics
  • Addiction psychoeducation lectures
  • Trauma and mental health topics
  • Social skills activities
  • Gender-specific topics
  • Veteran-specific topics
  • LGBTQIA+-specific topics
  • Coping skill-building topics

Along with group therapy, you and your individual therapist discuss your personal needs and goals in recovery. As you grow in treatment, one-on-one sessions help you to appreciate your progress and problem-solve any specific roadblocks you may face during the early stages of recovery.

Case Management During a Partial Hospitalization Program

In some partial hospitalization programs, you will also meet with a case manager to resolve any legal, housing, or personal issues that you may have. Your rehabilitation case manager also works with your doctor, primary therapist, and care team to plan, monitor, and evaluate your progress during treatment.

As an advocate for your success in treatment, your case manager will assist in any issues you may have during rehab. To set you up for success outside of PHP, case managers are available to help guests in solving their problems in and outside of treatment. During partial hospitalization, your case manager makes sure you are prepared with the necessary skills, education, and employment so that you can become self-sufficient once you complete treatment.

Employment Assistance in PHP

Some treatment programs include employment specialists to help you build and create resumes in preparation for searching and applying for a job. All of these resources are intended to support a new and healthy sober life.

Employment specialists also assist you during your search for employment through community connections. As you practice job readiness skills during mock interviews, you will become confident and prepared as you re-enter the workforce and life in recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long are PHP programs?

A: A partial hospitalization program can run at varying lengths depending on the provider. That being said, the average length of treatment in PHP is three to four weeks.

Q: How long do you have to be sober before enrolling in PHP?

A: During PHP and outpatient, a common requirement for admission is a urinalysis free from illicit substances and a breathalyzer that returns a 0.00% BAC.

Depending on the rehab, you may have to complete an inpatient program prior to entering the outpatient portion of treatment. We recommend clients attend treatment in a residential inpatient program prior to attending one of our outpatient programs.

While outpatient levels of care provide amazing programming and support, we believe that the best chance of life-long success is through a foundation of knowledge and insight into your clinical needs and goals. The best way to truly understand what you need in recovery is through intensive therapies in inpatient.

If you choose to enter treatment at an inpatient level of care, you will likely spend 2-4 weeks in intensive individual and group therapies as you integrate healthy coping skills. Following inpatient, you can join an aftercare program with PHP, IOP, and OP services.

Q: What type of clinicians are on staff during PHP?

A: During PHP and all levels of care, Aliya employs:

  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Psychiatrists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC)
  • Substance use disorder professionals (SUDP) 
  • Social workers

We maintain a robust team of medical professionals to benefit the treatment process for each client. We also uphold a high level of support staff like counselor’s assistants and behavioral health techs (BHT) to ensure our team members and clients receive the support they need.

Q: Do you recommend any inpatient treatment centers prior to entering PHP?

A: As a provider, we are incredibly selective in referring you to other programs because we can only ensure the highest quality of treatment within our programs and other centers that we maintain close relationships with.

Aliya Health Group provides inpatient treatment services within the following locations:

Q: Do you recommend any treatment centers that offer PHP?

A: To ensure that your time in treatment is a positive, beneficial experience, we will only recommend facilities with program details and service offerings that have been personally reviewed and discussed by our team.

Aliya Health Group provides PHP treatment services within the following locations:

Reach Out to Join a Partial Hospitalization Program

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call us today at 888-965-3085 to find the right level of care for your unique situation. Partial hospitalization may be the perfect step in your journey to recovery.

References

Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care – Substance Abuse 
The Benefits of Partial Hospitalization for Alcohol Abuse | Sober.com 

How To Detox From Medication

Alexandra Kraska on October 17, 2022

Undergoing detox from medications like stimulants, benzodiazepines, and opioids  can be a difficult and uncomfortable process. However, there are ways to detox safely and comfortably. Comfort medications, medical tapers, and medical care can help relieve some of your withdrawal symptoms during detox.

Regardless of the drug, it is important to remember that detoxing from medication is a process. It can take time and there may be setbacks along the way. However, if you are committed to starting your new, drug-free life in recovery, there are several ways you can detox from medication.

How to Detox From Drugs

Detox is a necessary step in recovery from drug use disorder as it removes the toxins from your body. During detox from drugs, you may experience mild symptoms or more severe symptoms.  In general, the severity of withdrawal symptoms during detox will depend on:

  •  The type of drug
  •  How long it was used
  • How much was used
  • Your physical health
  • If you have co-occurring medical conditions or mental health disorders
  • If you’re also abusing alcohol or other drugs 

There is no way to know what type of withdrawal symptoms you will experience and the severity of them until the process begins.  That’s why the best way to detox from drugs is to receive medical care in a detox program for substance abuse. When you enter our detox program, medical professionals identify the key factors related to your drug abuse during a medical evaluation. Our staff of doctors and nurses determine the best treatment for you to detox from medication. 

Whether you receive treatment during an observational detox or a medically assisted detox, our staff monitors your progress around the clock to safely and comfortably remove the toxins from your body.

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Detox For Specific Medications

For the most part, specific types of drugs are more likely to result in physical withdrawal symptoms while others are more prone to mental symptoms of withdrawal. As a result, it is important to receive detox from medication in a medical detox program that offers treatments specific to the drug.

Detoxing From Stimulant Medication

During detox for stimulant medications, treatment plans place a higher focus on the psychological withdrawal symptoms. For instance, if you enter treatment to detox from Adderall, you will primarily experience symptoms of mental distress. 

Throughout the early stages of detox, the absence of Adderall commonly results in mental side effects such as anxiety, depression, and agitation. 

The discomfort of Adderall withdrawal may also make you restless and fatigued. For this reason, detox for drugs in the stimulant family provide comfort medications in the form of natural sleeping aid and nutritious meals to satiate your appetite and lessen your irritability.

Detoxing From Pain Medication

In contrast, during detox for opioid medications medical professionals place an emphasis on the treatment of physical withdrawal symptoms. This is because withdrawal from opioids like Oxycodone is known to cause physical pain. While physical pain can impact your mental state, Oxycodone withdrawal is known for symptoms like: 

  • Aches
  • Cramps
  • Fever
  • Nausea

This is due to the rebound effect, in which a person experiences withdrawal symptoms that are the opposite of the drug’s initial effects. As a result, people detoxing off of opioid pain killers are more like to experience pain and discomfort.

The Dangers of Benzodiazepine Detox

Alternatively, benzos, or benzodiazepines, are one of the most dangerous drugs to detox from, especially if you attempt to detox outside a medical setting. Unlike stimulants and opioids, benzodiazepine withdrawal comes with both severe mental and physical side effects. In fact, detoxing from benzos requires a medical taper to prevent potentially fatal side effects. This is why it is vital for people suffering from benzo addiction to seeking professional treatment.

No matter what substance is being abused, detox can be uncomfortable, but it is important to remember that it is only temporary. Drug withdrawal symptoms will eventually go away and you will feel better.

Withdrawal Symptoms To Expect During Detox

Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on factors like what drug you were abusing and for how long, as well as your physical makeup. While your experience during treatment is unique to you, there are some common withdrawal symptoms to expect during detox.

Common drug withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Distractibility
  • Cravings
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Heart palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Tension
  • Tremors
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Shaking
  • Sweating
  • Weight fluctuation

In general, withdrawal symptoms during detox from drugs can range from mild to severe and vary from person to person. The severity of drug withdrawal symptoms will depend on a number of factors, including the drug being withdrawn from, the length of time the drug was used, and your physical and mental state. 

Severe drug withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Confusion
  • Delusions
  • Feeling like you’re observing yourself from outside your body
  • Disorientation
  • Tremors
  • Panic attacks
  • Paranoia
  • Psychosis
  • Seizures
  • Death

Depending on the length of use and type of drug, symptoms of drug withdrawal can last for days, weeks, or longer. For example, someone who has been using Xanax for years is likely to experience more severe withdrawal symptoms than someone who has been using Xanax for six months. Knowing that drug withdrawal is often worse if you abuse drugs for a long period of time, it is best to seek treatment for drug use disorder as soon as possible.

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Medication?

It is a relatively short process to medically detox from medication, lasting anywhere between four and eight days. That said, the length of detox isn’t set in stone. This is because each person’s addiction factors affect how long a drug stays in the body. 

Factors affecting the length of detox include:

  • Type of drug(s)
  • Length of abuse
  • Amount of drug(s)
  • Age
  • Weight
  • Sex
  • Physical health
  • Metabolism

Using your unique addiction factors, your medical team will determine the time required for your detox from medication. That said, if you require more time in a detox level of care, your team will continue your treatment.

While there is no way to perfectly calculate how long a drug will take to be eliminated from your body, you can lessen the impact of withdrawal in treatment for substance abuse.

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Reach Out To Detox From Medication

If you are struggling with an addiction to medication or drugs, it is important to get help as soon as possible. While receiving treatment to detox from medication can be difficult, it is worth it. With the right support, you can overcome addiction and live a healthy and happy life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a prescription drug addiction, it is important to get help right away. Many resources are available for people dealing with this condition, and there is no shame in seeking out assistance. We can help. Get a free, confidential consultation by calling 888-965-3085.

The Four Subtypes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Alexandra Kraska on October 10, 2022

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is the most common personality disorder found in clinical settings. Even so, not many people know that there are subtypes of borderline personality disorder.

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the U.S.). According to the DSM-5, the main features of BPD as “a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, as well as impulsive behaviors.”

In this article, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of each of the four subtypes of borderline personality disorder, as well as how to get help.

Subtypes of Borderline Personality Disorder

According to the DSM-5, a person must have at least five of the nine DSM-5 criteria to receive a BPD diagnosis. That means that there are 256 different combinations of the criteria needed for a BPD diagnosis. With such a large amount of combinations, there is an incredibly diverse range of personality types within this one mental health disorder.

While they have yet to be officially outlined in the DSM-5, the subtypes of BPD are characterized by certain diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder. In fact, the main subtypes of borderline personality disorder are based on many studies of the condition. 

The four subtypes of BPD include:

  1. Quiet borderline personality disorder 
  2. Impulsive BPD 
  3. Petulant BPD 
  4. Self-destructive borderline personality disorder

With that said, studies have shown that all forms of BPD experience:

  • Significant psychological and social distress
  • Lower quality of life
  • Excessive death rates 

For instance, people within each of the BPD subtypes often feel like they don’t have control over their emotions, and may engage in reckless behavior and self-harm. Chronic feelings of emptiness can also fuel impulsive, risk-seeking behaviors that endanger themselves and the people around them.

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Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder

People with borderline personality disorder frequently struggle to control their emotional reactions to catastrophic events, extreme stress, or abandonment crises. Instead of lashing out, quiet BPD sufferers will lash inward at themselves and internalize their feelings as self-hatred and shame.

Some examples of the quiet subtype of borderline personality disorder include:

  • Internal (and external) verbalization of self-hate
  • Extremely negative internal monologue 
  • Self-blame and shame
  • Approval-seeking behavior
  • Burnout
  • Emotional instability
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Self-harm (cutting, burning, bruising, starvation)
  • Self-destruction
  • Suicide attempts 

Commonly, quiet BPD sufferers pressure themselves to be “the best” until they break. Instead of setting healthy boundaries, they push their own limits trying to be all things for all people.

While public perceptions of BPD typically associate the disorder with the inability to hold a job, this isn’t always the case with the quiet, high-functioning borderline personality disorder type.

In contrast, people with quiet BPD typically lean toward professions related to helping others such as nursing, teaching, and mental health counseling. Job settings that lend to helping others have a natural draw to those with quiet BPD. In essence, those with quiet BPD wish to provide others in need the help they were never provided as children.

These settings are often where individuals with quiet BPD can flourish and gain a sense of purpose. However, if they meet challenges within a professional setting — whether it is a large roadblock or a small inconvenience — they often have a strong reaction. The response to the challenge, unlike the typical BPD personality, will be an internal battle. An individual with quiet BPD is more likely to turn inward and become self-blaming, sometimes even self-harming.

The Role of Stress in the Subtypes of Borderline Personality

When there is a trigger, or activation, of borderline personality traits, those with quiet, high-functioning BPD typically turn inwards with their intense emotional reaction. Overwhelming feelings of guilt, humiliation, and fear can set off an episode of catastrophizing—thinking the worst—which presents as “pure” borderline traits.

“Pure” BPD personality traits include:

  • Despair
  • Fragility
  • Abandonment crises

Similarly, sufferers of borderline personality disorder—especially quiet BPD—are often incredibly perceptive of other people’s moods. In the case of quiet BPD, the person’s natural empathy helps them to understand the wants and needs of others. Unfortunately, this often results in codependent relationships in which they continue to give everything they have to offer but refuse to take the help they need. 

Due to the prevalence of negative self-talk and blame, people who suffer from different types of borderline personality disorder are much more likely to have co-occurring mental health disorders. Unfortunately, struggles with depression and anxiety disorders only work to make the symptoms of BPD worse. 

Petulant BPD 

Not all subtypes of BPD react inwardly following a traumatic event, immense stress, or perceived abandonment. Easily overwhelmed by negative emotions, petulant BPD sufferers will express their displeasure outwardly, defining their role as the victim. 

If a person with petulant-histrionic BPD fears judgment, rejection, or abandonment, they will likely display their emotions in a dramatic fashion. Instead of a sincere apology, this form of BPD presents histrionic traits, seeking out pity and comfort during confrontational situations. 

Some examples of the petulant subtype of borderline personality disorder include:

  • Manipulation
  • Victimization
  • Passive-aggression
  • Controlling
  • Entitlement
  • Narcissistic
  • Defiant
  • Irritable
  • Temper tantrums

Histrionic traits found in petulant BPD include:

  • Child-like attention seeking
  • Superficial reactions
  • Overwhelming emotions
  • Distorted self-image
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Relationship dissatisfaction

Individuals with petulant BPD traits often suffer from cycles of feeling unworthy and unloved to fits of intense rage and sadness. Due to unmanageable feelings of inadequacy, petulant BPD sufferers often believe they can only gain love through trickery. As a result, they develop relationships based on manipulation and exploitation to avoid being rejected or abandoned. For the most part, the unequal power dynamics result in friendships and partnerships that feel hollow and one-sided.

The power imbalance found in the relationships of individuals with petulant-histrionic borderline personality disorder type typically shows up in their professional lives as well.

Their need to dominate the decision-making process and assert power over others can lead to workplace issues and toxic work environments. Unfortunately, their controlling nature will often negatively impact their romantic and professional relationships. Focused on meeting their wants and needs above all else, their decisions are rarely in the best interest of their partnerships and group objectives.

Petulant-Histrionic BPD Versus Histrionic Personality Disorder

The difference between someone with petulant-histrionic BPD and a true histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is the relationship to rejection. Someone with HPD isn’t overwhelmed with hurt from another person’s disappointment or rejection. As opposed to emotional devastation, a person with HPD will experience feelings of discomfort when they are not the center of attention.

On the other hand, when an interaction begins to veer from the petulant BPD sufferer’s way of doing things, they interpret the other person’s involvement as a direct assault on their needs and outright rejection. Even more, they would be significantly affected by the potential for rejection, losing control of their emotions. This is because the feeling of rejection holds so much weight in their interpersonal relationships.

Impulsive BPD

Similar to petulant-histrionic BPD, impulsive BPD expresses itself outwardly when triggered. That being said, impulsive BPD may include fits of inconsolable rage. Incapable of managing their emotional response, impulsive BPD sufferers will burn all bridges during an episode, cruelly blaming others for their negative emotions.

Some traits of the impulsive subtype of borderline personality disorder include:

  • 50% narcissistic
  • 50% borderline
  • Manipulative
  • Victim complex
  • Quick to rage
  • Overt aggression
  • Low distress tolerance
  • Impulsive, dysregulated outbursts
  • Volatile, externalized blame
  • Highly unstable identity

Also referred to as angry externalizing-impulsive BPD, this type of borderline personality disorder is the most infamous form of BPD.

Their impulsive displays of dangerous behavior are often a form of stress relief. Whether used to get their feelings out, self-soothe their damaged ego, or as punishment to those who hurt them, these unhealthy behaviors can be incredibly dangerous.

Impulsive behaviors used as unhealthy coping skills include:

Many people confuse these impulsive behaviors with mania, a symptom of bipolar disorder because the person will often appear agitated and out of control. While impulsive BPD sufferers do not have a chemical imbalance that makes them incapable of self-control like those who have bipolar disorder, they often lack the emotional regulation skills to prevent a total breakdown. 

Without proper medical care, these emotional outbursts will typically escalate in severity to maintain the attention of others. As a result, this destructive pattern of behavior ultimately puts the person with BPD and others in harm’s way.

Self-Destructive Borderline Personality Disorder

Self-destructive borderline personality disorder is a particularly dangerous subtype of borderline personality disorder. Also known as depressive-internalizing BPD, people with this type of BPD often feel like they are not worthy of living. They engage in self-harm behaviors to cope with their feelings of emptiness and despair.

Some examples of the self-destructive BPD subtype include:

  • Self-defeat
  • Self-disruption
  • Severe internalized self-loathing
  • Dysphoric and depressive mood
  • Mental and physical exhaustion
  • Difficulty holding and securing employment

This type of BPD is characterized by behaviors and thoughts that lead to self-harm and self-destruction. People with this BPD subtype often feel like they don’t deserve to live, and may engage in passive self-harm behaviors such as neglecting themselves or others in their care. Their self-destructive tendencies can also make it difficult to successfully seek out help in treatment, therapy, and medical visits.

Additionally, self-destructive BPD is characterized by a cruel and unforgiving internal monologue that leads to self-harm and self-sabotage. Ever critical of their own thoughts and behaviors, they read into the facial and body expressions of others, creating false narratives founded on their failures. As a result, their fixation on failure and shame leads to self-isolation and mental flogging.

In fact, people with self-destructive borderline personality disorder will immediately spiral into passive self-harm behaviors. When experiencing rejection, it’s common for someone with self-destructive BPD to think, “I don’t know why I exist. I don’t know who I am or why I exist. I shouldn’t be alive — I deserve to die.” This can be very dangerous, as it can lead to accidental or intentional suicide. 

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Get Help for Co-Occurring Subtypes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Without treatment, each of the four subtypes of borderline personality disorder can be detrimental to a person’s well-being. People with BPD often feel like they are not worthy of living and engage in self-harm behaviors as a way to cope with their feelings of emptiness and despair. These false beliefs may also contribute to substance abuse to cope with overwhelming emotions, which only exacerbates the persons’ BPD symptoms.

If you or someone you know is struggling with borderline personality disorder, it is important to get help right away. There are many mental health services and resources are available for people dealing with this condition, and there is no shame in seeking out assistance.

At Aliya Health Group’s nationwide treatment centers, we provide addiction and mental health treatment services to help individuals find health and happiness in recovery. If you would like to learn more about our borderline personality disorder treatments, reach out. For a free, confidential consultation, call 888-965-3085 or fill out our secure contact form.

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