The United States has been battling the opioid epidemic for well over a decade now. The National Institute on Drug Abuse mentions that over 67,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2018, a figure that has been climbing since the early 2000s. Addiction recovery has evolved over the years; medical professionals have accepted that dealing with addiction shouldn't be criminalized but should address the mental health problems that lead to dependence on the drug. Combined with physical support, many outpatient facilities treat addiction by checking boxes. Clearly this isn't the optimal way to treat addiction as every individual has their unique struggles in life. Some doctors are looking at a more holistic approach, where the entire individual is taken into account. Here, we look at the successes of this method.
Modern Medical Approaches to Addiction Treatment
Modern medicine sees drug addiction treatment from the perspective of treating symptoms. Yet, the success rate of this methodology is questionable. The journal Addictive Behaviors notes that during rehab, those individuals who tended to relapse (as much as 37% of the sample size) were the ones who also suffered from psychological issues. Unfortunately, some modern treatment methods do not acknowledge these factors. While inpatient and outpatient facilities may provide medication and support for those who suffer from addiction, they may not treat the core issues that lead to their clients' addictions. After the individual leaves these safe locations, they fall into their old habits and end up back on the substance they tried so hard to kick.
A More Well-Rounded Approach
Some doctors believe that a better way to deal with addiction is to treat the individual holistically, in other words, looking at the person as a whole. Among them is Joseph Yi, MD who is the founder of the Modern Behavioral outpatient clinic. Dr. Yi sees addiction as 'the opposite of connection'. Depending on the patient, he helps the individual reconnect with their purpose. The treatment they receive at Modern Behavioral focuses on more than just the physical symptoms of drug addiction. Dr. Yi goes more in-depth with his targeted treatment, looking to help on an emotional and spiritual level as well. That's not to say that his treatment methods lack the fundamentals of science. Dr. Yi is a board-certified physician and knows how much medications can help overcome chemical dependency especially during the acute withdrawal phase. "Once the individual can overcome the point of maximum physical terror, then we can shift the consciousness into a more naturopathic perspective."
Learning From Experience
Dr. Yi has become successful in helping his patients recover from substance dependency because he sees them as unique individuals and not just as a recovery statistic. He speaks with them on a personal level and adapts his treatment plan to each person based on their specific needs. Having witnessed the devastation of the opioid crisis firsthand, Dr. Yi believes that it is his calling to revolutionize the way the recovery community is medically treated. Since founding Modern Behavioral, he's also taken great strides to improve how people embark on their mind & body wellness journey. Alongside three other doctors, he developed Beyond Recovery, a supplement geared toward helping people cleanse their bodies and revitalize their minds. While Dr. Yi's practice continues to grow since it opened in the Spring of 2015, he believes most of its success comes from using his own experience that can be relatable to others struggling during their active recovery process. He is fond of stating that knowledge may come from education, but true wisdom is derived from experiences.
