Last Updated:

January 30th, 2026

Rehab therapies

Rehab is the part of addiction treatment where you really delve deep into everything that has brought you to this point in your life. It is an intense but transformative experience that provides the foundations for lifelong sobriety. Rehab programmes vary in length and details, but the best always include a broad range of therapies.

rehab center therapy session

What are rehab therapies?

Rehab therapies are approaches that are used in addiction recovery. Some focus on changing thought patterns, others on processing trauma, building life skills, or improving relationships with loved ones.

There are evidence-based rehab therapies, which are the traditional talking sessions that we often picture when we hear the word “therapy”, and holistic approaches, where you learn something new about recovery or yourself through mediums like art, music, exercise, or meditation.

How does therapy work within addiction treatment?

In a typical private rehab programme, you will have both daily group therapy and individual therapy sessions several times a week. For the duration of the programme, you will live in a residential recovery centre, which gives you a break from everything else going on in your life.

This really matters because just attending weekly therapy appointments while living at home (the NHS addiction treatment model) leaves you vulnerable to relapse. Residential treatment gives you space to think and focus, letting therapy actually sink in.

Why is rehab therapy important?

In the UK, over 300,000 people are in contact with drug and alcohol services each year. That’s a lot of people struggling, and most need more than just detox to get better. Addiction changes how your brain works, how you handle stress, how you relate to other people, and even how you see yourself. Rehab therapy addresses these issues systematically so they can’t surprise you in the future.

Without rehab therapy, even after completing drug or alcohol detox, relapse is a huge risk. With therapy, you can recognise your own personal triggers, manage cravings successfully, and slowly build a life you don’t want or need to escape from.

What are the benefits of comprehensive treatment programmes?

The best outcomes happen when drug and alcohol rehab programmes offer multiple therapy types. This is important because addiction is complex, and everyone has their own needs. Rehab therapies and mental health treatment also need to work together. For example, depression and addiction often co-occur, so you may need a certain therapy to help with overlapping symptoms.

Comprehensive rehab programmes also coordinate everything, including alcohol and drug detox, therapy, relapse prevention planning, and post-rehab treatment. This means you’re not trying to manage appointments with multiple providers, and it avoids any high-risk gaps in treatment.

rehab group meditation

What are the different types of addiction therapy and recovery models?

Rehab therapies are usually offered as part of a comprehensive treatment programme, which may be based around a specific recovery model. Two of the most common models used in alcohol and drug rehab are:

The 12-step programme

The 12-step approach comes from Alcoholics Anonymous, but it has been adapted for drug and behavioural rehab too. The steps guide you through recovery stages like admitting powerlessness, examining your behaviour, making amends, and helping others. You may begin these steps during rehab and then continue them in local support groups like AA meetings.
The 12-step programme

Strengths Model

Most addiction counselling focuses on problems, like what you’re doing wrong, and what you need to fix. The strengths model flips this by helping you identify positive things in your life, like skills you already have, or relationships that matter to you. You can then use those strengths as the foundation for recovery.
There is a wide range of therapies used within or in conjunction with these programmes, with some of the most effective including:

Strengths Model

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an umbrella term for a range of talking therapies, including many described below. Different types of psychotherapy have various goals and techniques, but they can all help you work through emotional and psychological issues.
Psychotherapy

 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most common therapies found in rehab programmes across the world. It looks at how your thoughts and feelings affect your behaviour. You can then respond to the thoughts and feelings after more careful consideration instead of reacting by drinking or using drugs.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

DBT was originally created for people with borderline personality disorder, but it is also very useful for addiction recovery. It teaches CBT skills and mindfulness to help you cope with uncomfortable feelings and improve your relationships through better communication.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

EMDR (Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing)

EMDR specifically targets trauma, as many people’s substance use was triggered or is driven by traumatic events. It uses bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements) while you recall traumatic memories, which helps the brain process trauma differently.

EMDR

 

Group therapy

Group therapy can be scary at first, as you may feel awkward about discussing difficult or intimate subjects with strangers. But group sessions can show you that there are others with the same struggles, and help to create a community all working together towards recovery.

Group therapy

Individual therapy for addiction

This is one-on-one addiction counselling where you can talk openly about personal issues like family dynamics, trauma, shame, or whatever else is behind your substance use or addictive behaviour. Your personal therapist can get to know you properly and focus sessions on what you actually need rather than what works for other people.

Individual therapy for addiction

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy digs into your past to understand your present. For example, it may look at how your childhood experiences have shaped your relationship with drugs and alcohol or what unmet needs you are trying to fill.

Psychodynamic therapy

 

Trauma-focused therapy

Trauma-focused therapies (like EMDR explained above) understand that addiction and trauma often exist together. These therapies create safety first, then gradually help you process what happened without being retraumatised.

Trauma-focused therapy

Holistic therapy

Holistic approaches treat the whole person, which means your body, mind, and spirit. The idea is that addiction disrupts everything about you, so recovery needs to address everything too. The therapies below are some of the most common holistic approaches used in addiction treatment.

Holistic therapy

Acupuncture

Specific ear points are thought to reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. Many people find acupuncture calming, and it can be very helpful as part of a broader treatment plan.

Acupuncture

 

Art therapy

Art therapy lets you express what you’re feeling through drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms. This can be a huge help, because when you are struggling with addiction, it’s not always easy to explain everything in words alone.

Art therapy

Music therapy

Like art therapy, music therapy can help you explore and explain things that talking therapies can’t always reach. You may write songs, play instruments, or just listen and process, and this can help you access and release emotions you’ve been avoiding.

Music therapy

Nutrition therapy

Addiction often means you haven’t been eating properly for months or even years. Nutrition therapy helps you understand how what you eat affects how you feel because learning to feed your body properly is a big part of rebuilding it.

Nutrition therapy

 

Physical health

Years of substance use take a huge toll on your body, but physical health support in rehab addresses these issues. It can include medical treatment, exercise programmes, and just establishing basic self-care routines you may have abandoned.

Physical health

Yoga therapy

Yoga teaches you to be present in your body, build strength, and release tension. It also uses various breathing techniques, which can be effective for managing anxiety and substance cravings.

Yoga therapy

Getting the right support

Choosing the right rehab therapy or programme can feel overwhelming when you’re already struggling. Recovery.org can talk through what you’re dealing with, explain what different approaches involve, and help you find treatment that fits your situation. Contact us today to discuss your options and receive expert support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between rehab therapy and treatment?
Rehab treatment is the overall recovery programme, including detox, rehab, and aftercare. You can have therapy without entering formal treatment (like seeing a counsellor while living at home), but comprehensive rehab treatment always includes therapy.
Which therapy is most effective for addiction?
There’s no single “best” therapy because addiction affects people differently. CBT has the strongest research evidence, but someone with complex trauma may need EMDR first. Someone who is isolated may benefit most from group therapy. Effective treatment matches the approach to the person, not the other way round.
How can I encourage my loved one during addiction therapy?
Show up reliably. Don’t judge if they struggle or relapse. Respect boundaries if they’re not ready to discuss certain topics. Celebrate small victories. And most importantly, take care of yourself too. This will give you the strength needed to keep supporting them.

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