Treatment (abbreviated Tx) refers to a medical intervention designed to remediate a disease or disorder. Treatment may include drugs, psychotherapy, or other methods such as acupuncture. Each method has its own indications and contraindications. Treatment decisions are made by weighing benefits, risks, and evidence, as well as taking into account a person’s values and preferences.
In the case of addiction, psychological treatments are often used. These can range from one-on-one therapy sessions to group counseling. Behavioral therapies help people cope with stress and identify triggers for drug use. They can also teach new coping strategies to avoid relapse. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy seeks to change people’s attitudes and behaviors that relate to their drug use. Medications may be added to the treatment regimen to decrease withdrawal symptoms or to reduce cravings and intoxication effects.
Some states have attempted to clarify the terms treatment and recovery by defining what they call a “continuum of care”. However, this definition has not been consistent in terms of the elements that are included in the continuum, the sequence of settings or levels of care, or the combination of treatment modalities required for particular groups of persons with alcohol problems.
It is important to realize that treatment is only one part of the recovery process. Recovery is an ongoing process in which a person works toward a life of sobriety and strives to reach his or her full potential. During recovery, people learn to recognize and deal with stressors that could cause relapse and continue working to reclaim their lives.