Addiction continues to affect millions of American men and women. In the meantime, treatment methods are evolving while new ones are being introduced. TMS therapy is one of the new approaches to helping people recover and abstain from drugs and alcohol. But it is not for everyone, which is why you’re probably asking, “does my loved one need TMS therapy?”
The answer will depend on the findings of a physical and psychiatric evaluation done at an addiction treatment center in Tampa, FL, or another equivalent center. The assessment helps to determine the best way to treat your loved one. Standard treatments include medical detox and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
What is TMS Therapy?
Substance use disorder (SUD), also known as addiction is a relapsing brain disorder. This means that a person can receive professional treatment and still go back to compulsive drug-seeking or alcohol-seeking behaviors. In cases like these, it doesn’t necessarily mean treatment failed. It’s just that some patients respond differently to certain treatments.
As such, TMS therapy for substance abuse is seen as an alternative to evidence-based treatments such as CBT or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). TMS is a type of brain stimulation technique that some treatment centers use for treating SUDs. The non-invasive therapy is relatively new but has so far proven effective in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cocaine use disorder (CUD). Lately, rehabs are also using TMS to treat other types of addiction, including meth and heroin abuse.
Some rehabs combine TMS with CBT or DBT to increase the client’s chance of recovery. Incidentally, treatment specialists also use TMS to treat the underlying cause of addiction. For example, in cases where substance abuse is linked to depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or chronic relapse.
Does My Loved One Need TMS Therapy?
It is okay to ask, “does my loved one need TMS therapy?” considering that the treatment is fairly new and has limited application for the time being. Nevertheless, your loved one may benefit from it if he or she is addicted to alcohol or cocaine or another type of drug. He or she may also make a good candidate for TMS if they are troubling with depression as a co-occurring disorder or as a post-acute withdrawal symptom (PAWS).
Normally, antidepressant drugs are prescribed to regulate mood and reduce sleep problems in those affected by depression while in recovery. With TMS, they may not need to take those drugs. Instead, a device is used to deliver electromagnetic pulses in high or low frequencies across the scalp and skull to regulate mood.
Does My Loved One Need TMS Therapy to Prevent Relapse?
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), TMS is used primarily to treat depression. But it may be an effective treatment for substance use disorders. Furthermore, scientists believe TMS can help rebuild neural pathways and repair the brain’s reward system, which triggers cravings and causes relapse. In a nutshell, TMS can reduce the risk of relapse by limiting brain activity that makes a person respond to drugs or alcohol use cues. The cues or triggers are external (physical) or internal (psychological). They include people, places, things, thoughts, and emotions. Here are some common triggers:
- Cravings
- A party, club, or bar
- Seeing a bottle of alcohol or drug paraphernalia
- Feelings of anger, fear, shame, guilt, or loneliness
- A mental health disorder, e.g., depression or OCD
Addiction Treatment at BoardPrep Recovery Center®
TMS therapy is a treatment option available at BoardPrep Recovery Center® in Tampa, FL. Our mission is to help men and women overcome substance abuse. We even have a young adult rehab center for your child or another family member in need of detox, dual diagnosis treatment, and family therapy services in Florida.
Regardless of which therapies feature in your loved one’s treatment plan, our professional doctors and therapists will care for them at every stage of recovery. Treatment is done through a substance abuse treatment program that matches the client’s circumstances. For example:
- Day-night rehab program
- Outpatient drug rehab program
- Partial-Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our experienced addiction recovery team is waiting to help your loved one reclaim their sobriety. Contact BoardPrep Recovery Center® to help your family member with treatment in Tampa, FL. Call 866.796.4720 to find out more.
