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by Anirudh Yakkanti
Reasons behind addictive behavior come in many shapes and forms, whether it is through depression, or seen as an escape from reality. These reasons could push others to find something that can ease their pain, which has led to the surge of opioids. Not all opioids are bad, such as prescribed opioids used to manage pain (injury, surgery, etc). Because these opioids make them feel better, people could potentially abuse them and either take too much or take the wrong ones, leading to addiction.
This also means that different types of therapies and ways to address addiction come in many different forms as well. Depending on the severity of one’s addiction, therapies can be found in many different ways-some useful, and some not so much.
Which therapies do we use, and how effective are they?
Behavioral therapy is essentially therapy that treats mental health disorders. Through behavioral therapy, people most commonly look to treat depression, anxiety, panic disorders, and more. Behavioral therapies that have built a good reputation over the years include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM), although their immense costs and resources have created barriers for widespread use.
CM is a therapy where patients have a motive for meeting specific behavioral goals and is known as one of the most efficient behavioral treatments for substance use disorders. In terms of longevity, CBT has some advantages over CM. However, CBT receives more criticism due to the mixed effect in early use in treatment. The effect limits focus on patient motivation and engagement, as well as the challenges of implementation within community clinics, according to the National Library of Medicine. Combining both CBT with either CM or motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a possibility to address these weaknesses, but dissemination of treatment is the ultimate goal.
The National Center of Health Statistics, in 2023, wrote about how the surge of both illicit and legalized substances in the United States made a major impact in 2022, leaving behind deaths of over 100,000 people across the nation due to drug overdoses, a major jump since 2019. Fentanyl, an illicit substance that has 50 to 100 times more of an effect than heroin, was an opioid that was a major factor in the deaths of thousands of people over the past couple of years.
The American Psychological Association stated in its “Trends for 2024” report that illicit drugs and drug makers are only spreading in the United States. Easier access to drugs results in higher drug abuse rates, higher mortality rates, and more.
One type of solution that psychologists are working with is building new alliances with other centers and networks, such as the HEAL Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network led by Rosemarie Martin, a principal investigator in the Nation Institutes of Health’s “Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative”. According to the American Psychological Association, the program equips probation officers to collaborate with community treatment providers.
Another solution is creating “novel medications for withdrawal.” These medications are made to help people reduce drug use.
Healthy coping mechanisms
Every person has their own way of coping, but not all ways are healthy. For example, some people resort to smoking or using mind-altering substances when going through a hard time, such as losing a person close to them in life. This is also one of the main components of the opioid crisis as everyone has their own reason for having an addiction.
Instead of adopting bad and harmful habits from coping, some healthy mechanisms include attending “mindful-based treatment programs for people with alcohol use disorders,” according to the American Psychological Association. These programs are meant to teach people dealing with alcohol use disorder skills to cope with stress and resort to healthier habits, such as communicating with close people in your life and working out.
Psychologists are working hard to find new ways to prevent the spread of opioid abuse and deaths. Whether the solution is already found or a work in progress, the sense of urgency seen by scientists and psychologists over the past couple of years is definitely a promising sign.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
