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Addiction Therapies at Meridian Recovery

Therapy for Addiction and Dual Diagnosis

At Meridian Recovery, addiction therapy is an essential part of every recovery program we offer. Our experienced, licensed staff delivers a variety of treatment modalities, combining therapeutic approaches to create a plan tailored to each client’s individual needs. Through therapy, clients learn about the underlying reasons for substance use, develop skills for coping with cravings and emotions, rebuild relationships, and establish the foundation for their post-treatment lives.

Therapy is offered at all levels of our program, using evidence-based modalities delivered by a licensed clinician. Those with dual diagnosis will also receive integrated treatment for their addiction and co-occurring mental health disorder.

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Our Therapies

The following therapies may be used in the client’s treatment based on the client’s individual assessment and will be integrated into their program as deemed appropriate by the clinical staff.

Individual Therapy

One-on-one sessions provide clients with a private space to explore their unique personal history, thought processes, and emotional experiences related to their substance use. Each client’s individual sessions will be tailored to their needs and adjusted throughout their course of treatment.

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Group Therapy

Through licensed clinician-facilitated group therapy, clients come together to share experiences, gain insight, and build social skills in an environment that promotes structure, guidance, and support. Group therapy has been studied extensively and will provide peer connection that cannot be experienced in individual therapy, making this one of the most effective components of addiction treatment.

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Family Therapy

Families and loved ones are impacted by addiction, and healing within a client’s family will often require their participation. Family therapy sessions involve both clients and their family members, as they work together to establish communication patterns, improve trust, address the effects of addiction on their relationships, and create a clear vision for future recovery.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an evidence-based treatment modality that addresses cognitive distortions and provides clients with skills for developing adaptive response patterns when faced with addictive behaviors.

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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is an evidence-based approach to treating clients with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. It includes techniques for emotional regulation that will help clients achieve and maintain recovery.

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Trauma-informed Care

Trauma-informed care is an overall treatment approach that recognizes the pervasive nature of trauma and how its effects impact recovery. The trauma-informed approach is integrated into all aspects of the treatment process to continuously build a safe and empowering environment for clients.

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Medication Management

When clinically necessary, our team coordinates all psychiatric and addiction-related medications to ensure prescriptions are optimized for both substance use recovery and mental health stability. We partner with you to develop a streamlined medication management plan tailored to your progress.

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Relapse Prevention

Clients work with their treatment team to create a detailed, individualized relapse prevention plan based on their personal triggers or warning signs, and to develop appropriate coping mechanisms for use in high-risk situations.

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Holistic Therapies

Mind-body therapies such as yoga are supported by research as providing support for recovery from addiction and promoting general health and wellness. Art therapy provides an outlet for clients to use their creativity to articulate feelings or experiences that may be difficult to express through words. Music therapy addresses cognitive, emotional, and social needs of the recovery process.

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How Therapy Addresses Brain and Behavior Changes in Addiction

Addiction impacts both brain function and behavior, which is why therapy plays such a critical role in recovery.[1] Substance use can alter the brain’s reward system, decision-making processes, and impulse control. Evidence-based therapies such as CBT and DBT help clients retrain these patterns by identifying harmful thought loops and replacing them with healthier responses.

Through structured therapeutic work, individuals begin to recognize triggers, manage cravings, and improve emotional regulation. Over time, these changes support the brain’s ability to form new, healthier pathways. Therapy also helps restore a sense of control, allowing clients to make intentional decisions rather than reactive ones driven by substance use.

By addressing both the psychological and neurological aspects of addiction, therapy provides a comprehensive approach that supports lasting behavioral change and improved mental clarity throughout recovery.

How Treatments and Therapies Work at Meridian Recovery

Each client who comes into Meridian Recovery receives a full clinical assessment before treatment. Based upon the completed assessment, an individualized treatment plan is created, outlining the therapy and treatment modalities most appropriate for the client based upon their substance use history, any co-occurring mental health condition, their personal goals, and what their clinical needs are during that stage in recovery. Therapies are utilized in all of our programming, with which specific therapies included determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with each client’s individual needs as determined by the care team.

Clients may not experience all therapies offered. The care team will determine what combination of therapies will best meet the needs of each client, evaluating and adjusting throughout the treatment process.

At Meridian Recovery, we believe that effective addiction treatment is not generic; the right therapy for one person may not be the right therapy for another. One of the most important things we can do is to take the time to learn about who you are and what your recovery will require prior to making any clinical decisions regarding your treatment.

Why a Multi-Therapy Approach Is Most Effective

Addiction is a complex condition that affects individuals differently, which is why a single therapeutic approach is rarely sufficient.[2] At Meridian Recovery, treatment plans often incorporate multiple evidence-based therapies to address the full scope of a client’s needs.

For example, cognitive behavioral therapy may be used to address negative thought patterns, while group therapy builds interpersonal skills and accountability. Trauma-informed care helps uncover underlying experiences that may contribute to substance use, while holistic therapies support overall wellness and stress reduction.

By combining different therapeutic modalities, clients receive a more comprehensive and personalized treatment experience. This integrative approach allows clinicians to adapt care as needs evolve, ensuring that each individual receives the right type of support at the right time.

A multi-therapy model increases engagement, improves outcomes, and better prepares clients for the complexities of long-term recovery.

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You Deserve a Treatment Program Built Around You

The right therapy can positively change someone’s life. At Meridian Recovery, we take an in-depth look at who you are and what you’ve gone through so that we can develop a treatment plan that will provide the necessary support while you are in recovery.

Reach out today. Our admissions team is ready and waiting to assist you or your loved one in taking the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Therapy

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What kind of therapy is used for addiction?

Addiction treatment is provided through a combination of evidence-based therapy types based on the individual’s needs. According to SAMHSA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most researched and used therapeutic techniques include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), individual, group, and family therapy, as well as holistic approaches such as art therapy, music therapy, and yoga.[3]

What is the most successful treatment for addiction?

The most successful treatments are those that take evidence-based therapeutic modalities and incorporate them into each individual’s personalized treatment plan, with ongoing support. The reason it is important to conduct a comprehensive clinical assessment and create a personalized treatment plan is that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. The best statistically based outcomes come from encouraging sustained engagement with treatment, the establishment of strong therapeutic relationships, and a commitment to continuing care.

What are the goals of therapy in addiction treatment?

Therapy provides clients with structure and a professionally guided framework for changing their thought processes, emotions, and behavioral patterns that contribute to their substance-use problem. People who participate in therapy as part of their addiction treatment have improved long-term recovery outcomes compared to people who do not.

What are the benefits of therapy for addiction?

Therapy provides a structured, evidence-based framework for understanding and changing the thoughts, behaviors, and emotional patterns that contribute to substance use. Individuals who engage in therapy as part of their addiction treatment have significantly better long-term outcomes than those who do not. Beyond sobriety, therapy supports overall mental health, relationship functioning, and quality of life throughout the recovery journey.

Do people with addiction ever fully recover?

Yes. Recovery is always possible. Most people who complete addiction treatment have a chance to lead a full, healthy, and productive lifestyle. Substance use disorder is a chronic, but treatable illness. When clients receive ongoing support and participate in a combination of evidence-based therapies and receive individualized therapy, long-term sobriety can be a realistic and reachable goal.

Sources

[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2020, July 6). Drugs and the brain. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain

[2] National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2018, June 6). Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction

[3] National Safety Council. (2023). Substance use disorder treatment: Specific treatment methods and components. https://www.nsc.org/getmedia/c6717439-54d4-41e9-b118-998222614fca/sud-treatment.pdf