Traditional therapy is a great option for many people struggling with substance abuse disorder. However, not every person is the same. For some patients, the processes of traditional therapy might not work. In that case, they might feel untreatable.
Just because traditional therapy does not work for some people, does not mean that they are beyond hope. For those who have trouble addressing the cause of their addiction, solution-focused therapy could be the right choice.
Solution-focused treatment works just as its name promises. Instead of a long-term protocol that addresses a patientโs past, solution-focused brief therapy incorporates hope for the future. Treatments consist of using optimism. Like traditional therapy, solution-focused treatment may not be for everyone. But there are many people that it could work for.
What is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?
Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a form of therapy that focuses on finding solutions in the present and exploring a patientโs hope for the future, instead of analyzing the past. One of the most widely used therapies in the world, it aims to find quick and pragmatic resolutions based on the needs and wants of the patient.
Developed in the late 1970s by Insoo Kim Berg, Steve de Shazer, and their colleagues, SFBT understands that patient knows what they need to do in order to improve their life. Instead of asking why problems exist, SFBT coaches a patient to find the best solutions. SFBT trusts the patient to know what is best for them. Instead of imposing a solution onto the patient, the therapist is encouraged to cooperate with them.
How does it Work?
SFBT works through goal setting. With a starting theory that all individuals are at least somewhat motivated to find solutions, SFBT uses specific questioning techniques, 0-10 scales, empathetic support, and compliments to help a person recognize their strengths. In doing so, they learn what techniques will work for them. The focus is always on what is possible to do to change a personโs life for the better.
โShould a strategy not work for a patient, theyโll be able to search for something that works better for them instead.โ
This process works by looking for the โexceptionsโ to a problem when a patient is taking steps to manage it. A patient and therapist would then figure out the cause of these exceptions and amplify them. Should a strategy not work for the patient, theyโll be able to search for something that works better for them instead.
SFBT begins very simply. Near the start, the therapist will ask their patient something known as โthe miracle question.โ
What is The Miracle Question?
The miracle question is one of the first questions a therapist asks. Theyโll ask: โIf a miracle occurred while you were asleep tonight, what changes would you notice in your life tomorrow?โ In answering the miracle question, a patient not only considers what their goal is but how they might get there.ย
Who is It For?
SFBT can be used in conjunction with other therapy styles or on its own. And it can be applied to anyone who needs it. Its flexible nature means it can be applied to a variety of situations and mental health issues.
SFBT can be especially helpful for patients who have trouble fitting into traditional long-term programs and have given up on themselves. By focusing on respect for and collaboration with thepetient, SFBT helps these people construct a future for themselves.ย
But can SFBT help with substance abuse disorder? Absolutely!
SFBT was designed to address many issues, including addiction. While it is applicable to many troubles outside of substance abuse disorder, its effectiveness in addiction recovery is most well-known.
Benefits of SFBT for Addiction Recovery
One study found that SFBTwas highly adaptable and applicable to many patients recovering from substance abuse. Another study found that the use of SFBT in addiction treatment can provide an alternative approach focused on strengths rather than problems.
As well, SFBT does not impose treatment on a patient but instead focuses on working with a patient within their belief system to propose change. Not to mention, it can be applied to 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or work alongside more formal inpatient programs. With SFBT, versatility is a priority.
There is promising evidence that SFBT improves substance use behaviors and related psychosocial problems. One review of the available literature discovered that SFBT can change substance use, as well as concurrent mental health problems, such as depression, trauma, and school- and work-related behavior problems.
Find Your Solution with Purposes Recovery
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy might not be for everyone, but for the people who donโt work well with traditional therapies, it might be what they need. Not everyone works the same way. SFBT is able to accommodate and adapt to a patientโs needs.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse disorder, there isnโt any shame in asking for help. With a medical detox in LA, Purposes Recovery might have the treatment that you need. Call us today to see if our program is right for you.
