What Is Evidence-Based Treatment?
Evidence-based treatment (EBT) is a method of care in recovery that has been proven effective through scientific research. It may seem unusual to have an EBT method for substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring conditions, as you might assume that all treatment methods are based on scientific evidence. However, according to the Northcentral University Library (NCU), while study results can be a source of evidence-based knowledge, the transfer of that knowledge between a researcher and clinician is difficult. Taking theoretical findings and applying them to real people and real-world situations is not a simple process.
Therefore, evidence-based treatment was formed to act as a guideline for finding, critically analyzing, incorporating, and applying knowledge in practice. Within the guidelines, the EBT process is broken down into four steps.
EBT Steps
The EBT process is comprised of the following steps:
- Formulate a question
- Search for and acquire evidence from scientific literature
- Assess the evidence for method accuracy and analyze the study results for statistical significance and importance
- Apply the study results when appropriate to clients
Types of Evidence-Based Treatments
There are several types of EBT that clinicians have used to support clients on their recovery journey.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- 12-Step program
- Relapse prevention
- Contingency management (CM)
- Family behavioral therapy (FBT)
- Experiential therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Psychodynamic therapy
To learn more about the Emerge Recovery TX approach to treatment, visit our Trauma Recovery page.
What Disorders Can Evidence-Based Treatment Support?
Through the use of evidence-based treatment, researchers and clinicians have seen better outcomes for clients with SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Some examples of disorders treated with EBT include:
- Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
- Alcohol
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Benzodiazepine use disorder (BUD)
- Mental health disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Trauma
- Schizophrenia
- Eating disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
To learn more about the conditions we treat at Emerge Recovery TX, visit our Substance Abuse Treatment page.
What Are the Benefits of Evidence-Based Treatment?
According to an article from the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, EBT has proven to be an effective means of care for clients struggling with a wide range of conditions and co-occurring disorders. In particular, research has shown that EBT can address and effectively treat multiple areas of concern in a client’s life, from SUD to family and other interpersonal issues.
Co-Occurring Issues:
- Family relationships
- Social relationships
- Legal issues
- Job and career
- Health and other medical issues
- Mental health disorders
There are numerous intersecting factors involved in seeing more positive outcomes for clients in recovery, such as therapeutic alliance and conveying deep understanding. However, the success and benefits of EBT itself have been linked to the principles and common tasks taught in its various therapeutic modalities.
Common Tasks in EBT:
- Addressing motivation
- Maintaining motivation
- Developing coping skills
- Changing thinking and behavior patterns
- Developing an understanding of social norms
- Learning pain management
- Increasing self-efficacy
- Improving interpersonal relationships
- Building healthier social supports
- Fostering compliance and retention in medication-based treatment
Moreover, while complex, EBT has shown that SUD treatment goes well beyond treating the disorder itself. Treatments that lead to long-term recovery cannot be based only on SUD but must consider all aspects of the person in body, mind, and spirit. Therefore, EBT works with you to reshape the way you think about your SUD, become independent, and set goals that help you build a life you are excited about.
Importance of Evidence-Based Treatment for Women
The use of EBT in women-only treatment programs allows for more flexibility in treatment options that meet your specific needs. Research has shown that EBT allows for more personalized care, collaboration, and life-long learning on your recovery journey. While many people, regardless of gender, experience co-occurring issues with SUD, for women, the intersecting nature of co-occurring disorders and life roles is particularly complicated.
According to Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 51, clinicians must consider the numerous factors that impact women’s lives and SUD, like family and partners, pregnancy and children, trauma, and mental health disorders. Through EBT, researchers can support clinicians in sharing knowledge on how external and internal factors impact women’s retention in recovery to better serve the needs of women and increase the likelihood of long-term recovery.
Some Approaches to EBT Care for Women:
- The need for relationships and connection
- Women thrive more on healthy connections
- Supportive
- Equal
- Empowering
- Women feel unheard, lack self-esteem, and feel powerless in disconnected relationships
- Disparity in levels of support
- Unequal
- Disempowering
- Women thrive more on healthy connections
- Family therapy can be a vital approach to care for women
- The extended family, both positive and negative, plays an important role in women’s lives as a safety net
- They can provide childcare
- Financial support
- Emotional and spiritual guidance
- The extended family, both positive and negative, plays an important role in women’s lives as a safety net
- Partner relationships
- Women can find themselves in unhealthy or unsafe relationships
- Abusive
- Undermining
- Economic dependence
- Social dependence
- Learning about healthy relationships and support networks, rather than focusing on the importance of relationships:
- Helps women understand healthy and unhealthy boundaries
- Build autonomy
- Engage in healthy solitude
- Develop individuality
- Form strategies to identify positive and negative influences
- Women can find themselves in unhealthy or unsafe relationships
Our evidence-based treatments can help you discover and build a flexible treatment plan to address your specific needs. At Emerge Recovery TX, we believe long-term recovery takes action that can support you in body, mind, and spirit for every aspect of your life. Call us today at (737) 237-9663 to learn how EBT can support you on your journey to recovery.