Motivational Interviewing
Professional Counseling to Help Individuals Embrace, Rather Than Challenge Their Internal Conflicts
Highly Effective Treatment
Motivational Interviewing has the strongest scientific support for being a highly effective therapy for those
with a substance abuse problem.
"I want to quit." "I don't want to quit." One minute, an argument makes sense, and the next minute, just the opposite seems like a better choice. Do you know someone who has this type of internal conflict about making a tough change in their personal behavior? We all may experience conflict, and argue with ourselves because there are costs and benefits to both sides. Substance abusers are caught in this internal struggle because they recognize there are valid reasons to change behavior, but are stuck in the physical, psychological and social reasons not to do so.
Instead of trying to convince an individual of the benefits of stopping substance abuse, Gateway's professional counselors help each person weigh the pluses of this behavior against the minuses.
Counselors assist individuals in exploring their core values and deeply held goals. These values and goals are usually inconsistent with continued substance abuse, so they become the guiding force toward behaving in a way that is consistent with positive, healthy living.
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Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) and Twelve-Step Recovery
Introducing and acquainting Individuals to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Many people, including substance abusers and family members, may have heard of twelve-step peer support groups such as
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Yet they may be anxious or reluctant to attend their first and second AA or NA meetings, even though
it is well documented that involvement in these groups increases a person's success in maintaining abstinence from alcohol and drugs.
Individuals in Gateway's program are encouraged to attend twelve-step meetings while in treatment, and given referrals to meetings and resources as part of the discharge process.
Research Supported Curriculum Leads To Successful Outcomes:
- Explains the basic concepts of the twelve-step approach
- Actively supports initial involvement in AA/NA
- Reduces anxiety about attending meetings
- Facilitates participation and helps individuals learn to turn to AA/NA as a resource in times of crisis.
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Family Involvement
Family therapy can have a huge impact in conquering the substance abuse that has most likely affected every aspect of an individual's family life
Substance abuse can isolate a person and cause him or her to keep secrets from family members, steal money, even lose custody of
their child. Yet it is the love, support and understanding of family members and healed interactions between family members that can play a pivotal role in
lasting recovery. That is why Gateway programs involve families in two related ways: Multi-family groups and family counseling.
Multi-family groups educate families about alcohol and drug addiction and abuse in a group setting. These groups provide support
and an opportunity for families to discuss their situations, while hearing how others have coped with substance abuse problems in their loved ones.
Sessions are held weekly, and sometimes more often.
Gateway also provides Family Counseling for individual family support, and to guide each family in ways that best assist their loved one in recovery
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Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medications that Can Treat Withdrawal Symptoms, Depression, Anxiety and Sleeplessness
Medication-assisted addiction treatment -
New and highly effective medicines are now part of holistic treatment of physical and social substance abuse problems. These medicines reduce cravings
and lessen symptoms related to withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. When clinically indicated for an individual, a Gateway program physician may
prescribe medication to assist addiction recovery for those 16 years of age or older.
Psychiatric Medications -
Many individuals with substance abuse problems also have mental health disorders. Psychiatric medications may be prescribed as clinically indicated to
assist in the treatment of co-occurring mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
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Boys' Town Social Skills
Teaching Adolescents the Appropriate Skills for Different Social Situations
Boys' Town Social Skills
A Curricula-based therapy used in Gateway's Adolescent Residential Treatment Programs.
We use social skills every day, such as greeting co-workers, asking a clerk for help or telephoning a friend. When we use these
skills appropriately, it greatly influences how other people treat us and how we get along in the world. If we have learned a wide variety of social skills,
we can effectively handle more situations and get along better with more people.
This curricula-based therapy teaches adolescents how to refine their social skills and learn the more complex skills necessary
to interact with their peers and to successfully transition to adulthood. It helps boys and girls develop the skills needed to communicate and react
appropriately with adults and society in general.
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Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
How Thinking Affects How We Feel and What We Do
Have you ever noticed that the way you think can affect how you feel or your outlook on life? Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
emphasizes the important role that thinking plays in our physical and emotional stability, and what actions and behaviors we choose. Several CBT approaches
are used in Gateway programs to assist individuals in learning new, healthy and effective ways of understanding and coping with life situations and challenges.
CBT involves education about mental illness, developing new perspectives on life and building better skills. CBT approaches are used to help individuals plan
their recovery and prevent substance relapse.
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Co-Occurring/Dual-Diagnosis Disorders Program (CDP)
Committed to Quality Care
Gateway maintains an ongoing relationship with a Dartmouth University initiative committed to maintaining quality
in treating co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems.
Expertise in Treating Individuals with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems
Co-occurring mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder are common among those with substance abuse
problems. Effectively treating these problems at the same time provides the best results for both.
All Gateway programs provide group treatment which includes the CDP. The CDP was developed by faculty from Dartmouth Medical School
and is the first comprehensive program on how to provide evidence-based, integrated mental health treatment services for people with substance abuse disorders.
Gateway measures the effectiveness using established tools to modify treatment as needed.
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Seeking Safety
Teaching the Skills Needed To Cope With Stressful Situations Without Alcohol Or Drugs
Research shows that many persons with substance abuse problems have experienced some sort of traumatic event, and that 12-59% of
individuals in substance abuse treatment suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Research also confirms that untreated issues related to trauma
greatly increase the risk of substance abuse relapse. Seeking Safety helps individuals realize they may have abused substances as an attempt to cope with
overwhelming emotional pain.
Dr. Lisa Najavits of Harvard University developed "Seeking Safety" as an approach to treating trauma issues for persons with
substance abuse disorders. Many of Gateway's professionals have received Seeking Safety training directly from Dr. Najavits. All Gateway programs provide
Seeking Safety group treatment for clients with trauma issues.
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The Matrix Model and Teen Matrix Model
Providing a Treatment Foundation and Framework to Individuals in Outpatient Programs
Matrix Model and Teen Matrix Model
Curricula-Based Therapy used in Gateway's Outpatient Treatment Programs
Individuals who abuse substances often have issues understanding and setting proper boundaries, limits and frameworks for
achieving sobriety and behaving appropriately within the family and society.
That is why Gateway offers approaches to help those in treatment work within a supportive, appropriate framework or "matrix."
The Matrix Model is a core component of Adult Intensive Outpatient Treatment, and the Teen Matrix Model is a core component of Adolescent Intensive Outpatient
Treatment.
The goal of the Matrix Model and Teen Matrix Model is to provide a framework to help persons:
- Stop substance use
- Stay in treatment
- Learn about issues critical to addiction and relapse
- Receive direction and support from a trained therapist
- Receive education for family members affected by the addiction, and become familiar with the self-help programs
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> Learn more about Gateway's Treatment Programs, Counseling Therapy & Education or Evidenced-Based Practices.
