Treatment is the process a person goes through to get clean and sober from drugs or alcohol. It includes detox, rehab and other therapies and interventions that are part of a continuum of care that guides people on their recovery path.
The term “treatment” is sometimes used to refer specifically to a medical procedure. But it’s more often used to describe the overall journey of getting well. That journey has many stages, including the initial treatment phase, the early recovery stage and the long-term maintenance stage.
Treatment options vary by cancer type and stage. Your doctor will explain the risks and benefits of each option, so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you.
Some treatments are local, meaning they target a specific area of your body. Others are systemic, meaning they treat the whole body with chemotherapy or other medicines. Your doctor may also recommend other types of treatment, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound or cryoablation, which use intense cold to destroy cancer cells.
Treatment also may include behavioral therapy to help you cope with stress and other triggers that can cause a drug relapse. This can include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI) and relapse prevention (RP). You can also seek support from other people who have cancer, either in person or online through cancer support groups. Ask your healthcare team to connect you with a local group.