Evidence-based treatment or EBT is a term referring to treatments that have been objectively proven to work. This is a process involving a standardized tier of five steps. If the therapy holds true through all five steps, it’s said to be evidence-based. For example, Suboxone treatment for opioid use disorder is an evidence-based treatment because numerous studies have proven that it works. On the other hand, AA is not evidence-based because there are no studies proving its effectiveness.
Evidence-based can refer to either psychological or pharmaceutical therapies. This article will now discuss the following question: what exactly is “evidence-based treatment” and is it actually more effective? The Five Steps of Evidence-Based Treatment
- First, you pose a clinical question
- Second, you get the best research data
- Third, appraise the evidence
- Fourth, combine the evidence with patient preferences and clinical expertise
- Fifth, evaluate outcomes
Any therapy may not be called evidence-based unless it has been proven to work through numerous objective clinical studies. So, yes, evidence-based treatment is actually more effective overall than those not evidence-based.
Pharmaceutical Evidence-Based Therapy for Substance Abuse
Suboxone has become the gold standard for evidence-based treatment of OUD or opioid use disorder. The drug is safe when used as directed and has a low potential for abuse and overdose. It’s a partial narcotic that binds to the brain’s opioid receptors without causing sedation or euphoria. It activates the receptors just enough to control withdrawal symptoms and dampen drug cravings.
Methadone is also highly effective for OUD, but it’s not as safe as Suboxone and carries a fairly high risk of overdose. The drug is unpredictable and dosage must be adjusted for each individual. Still, it’s useful for people who have failed to respond to Suboxone.
Acamprosate and naltrexone are two encouraging medications to help alcoholics cope with intense cravings for alcohol. Both work to fight cravings and reduce the urge to drink.
Psychological Evidence-Based Therapy for Substance Abuse
Some examples of this type of EBT include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT including RP or relapse prevention
- Contingency Management or CM
- Motivational Interviewing
- Brief Interventions
- Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment
CBT is a psychological treatment method used for substance abuse, mental illness, depression and anxiety. It focuses on changing negative and unproductive ways of thinking. CBT recognizes that psychological problems are based at least in part on learned patterns of nonproductive thinking. CBT strategies include comparing faulty thinking patterns with reality,, so the participant can learn to recognize the difference.
Contingency Management or CM
This is a type of behavior modification that uses a reward system for positive behavior. For example, in exchange for continuing clean urine tests, a substance abuser may receive cash or other valuable incentives to continue the positive behavior. Actually, parents and schools have been using a form of CM for many years by rewarding kids for desirable behavior with trinkets, treats, trips, toys and even cash.
Motivational Interviewing
This is a type of guided communication intended to empower changes in thinking. It’s particularly helpful to resolve feelings of ambivalence, low confidence, low drive and feelings of low self-importance.
Brief Intervention
Also known as SBI for screening and brief intervention, this form of EBT helps to initiate changes for risky and unhealthy behaviors like smoking, substance abuse, binge eating, and substance abuse. The therapist begins a BI session by questioning the participant about their unhealthy behavior. The therapist then uses logic and information to help the participant stop the behavior and make better life choices. BI is sometimes used as part of a professional intervention to convince a substance abuser to get help.
Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment
Dual diagnosis means that there is an underlying mental condition present along with s substance abuse problem. This is very common. In fact, the mental condition may have driven the substance abuser to self-medicate their symptoms. Integrated dual disorders treatment addresses both the substance abuse issue and the mental disorder, providing treatment for both at the same time.
More About Evidence-Based Treatment
If you’d like to know more about EBT or to be sure you choose a treatment facility that offers it, call us at 833-610-1174. anytime. We’re a group of professional drug counselors with the resources to refer you to drug rehab near you with the EBT treatment you seek. We’re here 24 hours a day to provide hope and help to all who call.