Family Counseling & MMT Treatment for Heroin Addiction

Getting treatment for heroin addiction can seem tough. With so many options out there, which one is right for you?

In actuality, there’s no one “right” treatment, because most people require a combination of treatments for the greatest effect.

Multiple studies have shown that medication-assisted treatment, like methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), and therapeutic counseling, such as family counseling, have excellent results in a wide variety of abusers.

What Is Family Counseling?

Family counseling can help to resolve conflict and teach healthy communication skills.

Family counseling, or family behavior therapy, is a type of treatment that relies on the structure and support of family to help a person through a difficult period in their life.

Because a family is built on a series of different parts, a small change in any of these parts could threaten to bring down the entire structure.

In order to ensure the health and happiness of the entire family, this type of counseling may involve any group of people with close emotional ties, such as:

• Children
• Parents
• Spouses or partners
• Stepparents or stepchildren
• Cousins
• Mentors
• Siblings
• Aunts or uncles
• Godparents or godchildren

Family Counseling as a Treatment for Heroin Addiction

As a treatment for heroin addiction, family counseling focuses on more than just substance abuse issues. It also tackles co-occurring issues, such as:

• Conflict within the family
• Lack of a job
• Child abuse or mistreatment
• Conduct disorders

In a family therapy session, the family will learn new skills and strategies for coping in the home environment.

In each treatment visit, a therapist will create new rewards for achieving goals at home. They will also help all members of the family revive their emotional help so that you can have the most support possible during your recovery.

What Is MMT?

MMT is a method of using methadone to help a person get off of opioid drugs.

It works by providing a number of benefits, including:

• Reducing cravings
• Blocking other opioids, like heroin
• Preventing withdrawal symptoms
• Helping you recover your emotional and physical health
• Improving your quality of life

Patients on MMT must travel to a clinic once a day in order to receive a dose of the medication. This is to prevent abuse and to help you establish a routine in your chaotic life.

15 Heroin Addiction Recovery Facts That Can Be Your Reality After Treatment

The following facts will explain how professional treatment will improve your life and help you avoid heroin addiction relapse.

MMT as a Treatment for Heroin Addiction

Because methadone is safe and does not affect your brain as severely as heroin, it will not cause you to get high. In fact, you’ll probably have minimal side effects.

In particular, it helps heroin addicts to:

• Reduce their drug use.
• Reduce the risk of contracting STDs, HIV/AIDS, infections, and more.
• Improve their ability to get a job.
• Reduce their risk of death.
• Reduce their criminal activity.

While some people just use MMT on a short-term basis to help them get away from the clutches of heroin, others stay on it long-term in order to prevent relapse.

Either approach is ok, as long as your doctor allows it.

Overall, both family counseling and MMT are great tools for treating heroin addiction on their own. However, when combined, their power at preventing relapse is nearly irrefutable.

Ready to begin your recovery journey? Call 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) to learn about available treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction.