Evidenced Based Rehab

What is evidence based rehab? Evidenced based rehab is applying and translating research findings in our patient care practices and decision making. Evidence based rehab also involves integrating the best available evidence with clinical knowledge and expertise, while considering patient outcomes are more likely to be achieved. Evidence based rehab means abandoning outdated care delivery practices and choosing effective, scientifically validated methods to meet individual patients’ needs. Duke University Medical Center defines evidence based practice as the integration of clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision-making process for patient care. Why is evidence based rehab important? Evidence based rehab is important because it aims to provide the most effective care that is available with the aim of improving patient outcomes. Patients expect to receive the most effective care based on the most available evidence. Evidence based rehab is an important part of addiction treatment

Goal of Evidence Based Rehab

The goal of evidence based rehab is to utilize current knowledge and connect it with patient preferences and clinical expertise to standardize and improve care processes and ultimately, patient outcome.

Approaches to Evidence Based Rehab

Each evidence based rehab approach is designed to address certain aspects of addiction and its consequences for the individual, family, and society. The following are examples of treatment approaches and components that have an evidence base supporting their use. The following section is broken down into Pharmacotherapies, Behavioral Therapies, and Family Behavioral Therapies.

Behavioral Therapy approaches help engage patients in drug abuse treatment, provide incentives for them to remain abstinent, modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse, and increase their life skills to handle stressful circumstances and environmental cues that may trigger intense cravings for drugs and prompt another cycle of compulsive abuse.

The approaches are not exhaustive, and new treatments are continually under development.

Types of Evidence Based Behavioral Therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – CBT strategies are based on the theory that in the development of mal-adaptive behaviors patterns like substance abuse, learning processes play a critical role.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – DBT strategies strengthens a person’s ability to handle distress without losing control or acting destructively. DBT teaches four critically important skills to help balance overwhelming emotions, Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness.

Motivational Interviewing Therapy (MIT) – MIT strategies help patients resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behavior.

Family Behavioral Therapy (FBT) – FBT strategies demonstrate not only substance use problems, but other co-occurring problems as well, such as conduct disorder, depression, family conflict and child mistreatment.