Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice (EBP) within addiction treatment is a multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare practice aimed to rehabilitate those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. While in treatment for substance use disorders, evidence-based practices include medications, therapies, services, and length of services.
What Is Evidence-Based Practice?
In order for a form of addiction treatment to be considered an evidence-based practice, it must follow three basic principles.
The principles of evidence-based practice include:
- Evidence: Extensive research evidence supports and explains why the treatment has favorable outcomes
- Clinical Expertise: Continuous clinical research by addiction neuropsychiatry specialists confirm conclusive results
- Patient Preferences: Patient feedback, experience, insights, preferences, and values all negate bias and validate treatment success
If the addiction treatment methods are deemed credible by federal agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it is considered an evidence-based practice.
Our Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment
Royal Life Centers integrates evidence-based practices throughout the entirety of our addiction treatment program.
We at Royal Life Centers incorporate EBP assessment tools such as Beck Scales, the Columbia Protocol (C-SSRS), and Vista Research Group’s INSIGHT Addiction Pro. These EBP tools assist our addiction treatment professionals in collecting accurate evaluations and assessments.
In doing so, our medical and clinical staff identify addiction factors including:
- Severity of addiction
- Co-occurring disorders
- Suicidal tendencies
- Quality of life
Similarly, assessment tools allow for comprehensive analyses that enable Royal Life Center staff to construct a treatment program individualized to each guest’s unique set of circumstances.
Evidence-based Therapies
At Royal Life Centers, we use evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in both individual and group drug counseling. Additionally, we teach self-management as a relapse prevention technique so that our guests continue recovery once they reenter society. Likewise, Royal’s therapists use social narratives to present guests with hypothetical high-risk situations and brainstorm coping skills and self-management methods to avoid relapse. Royal also utilizes several lesser-known, though widely effective, evidence-based practices within our programs such as EMDR and equine therapy.
The Matrix Model
Originally a treatment for those struggling with stimulant use disorders, The Matrix Model is an evidence-based practice that assists in the treatment of addiction as a whole. Royal Life Centers utilizes The Matrix Model’s treatment methods such as CBT, contingency management, and 12-step therapy for relapse prevention.
12-Step Facilitation Therapy
We promote the evidence-based practice known as 12 Step Facilitation Therapy. During outpatient, Royal Life Centers encourages guests to participate in the 12-Step EBP. To assist in this process, we provide transportation to and from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and other 12-step meetings. In doing so, we aim to instill additional layers of support and relapse prevention into the lives of our guests.
Contingency Management
An integral part of addiction treatment is the evidence-based practice called contingency management. To reinforce the importance of abstinence, Royal Life Centers integrates contingency management methods through positive and negative reinforcement techniques.
For example, Royal Life Centers staff will express pride and praise when viewing recovery-positive behaviors in guests as positive reinforcement. Additionally, staff may provide cigarettes for positive reinforcement—guests can obtain packs for attending group therapy sessions. On the other hand, an example of negative reinforcement and contingency management is Royal’s 72-hour hold policy. Should a guest choose to leave before the end of treatment against medical advice, Royal holds on to their belonging for three days after they AMA.
Why Is Evidence-Based Practice Important?
In short, the importance of evidence-based practices within addiction treatment programs is a matter of legitimacy. While many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers have claims of EBP within their programs, it is vital to research the validity of these programs.
Royal Life Centers dedicates all of our efforts to the healing of people suffering from addiction. Above all, we know that your successful recovery in drug and alcohol rehab is dependent on the quality of treatment you recieve. Unquestionably, addiction treatment must contain evidence-based practices woven throughout each level of care to produce beneficial results.
Change your life with one call.
You can do it, We can help.
