Treatment is the process of helping people overcome a mental health disorder. It includes psychotherapy, education, family support, and medication management. Treatment may be voluntary or mandated, and is often provided in a group setting. A variety of modalities are available, and each person will respond differently. Generally, the more treatments a person undergoes, the better their chances of success in recovery.

Ideally, treatment should be customized to the person, taking into consideration their medical, social, and emotional needs. However, this is not always feasible. Choosing the right treatment is a complex and emotionally charged decision. Among the most important factors are the risks, benefits, and evidence for each option. A patient should consider the potential side effects of each treatment, as well as its affordability and accessibility.

In the early stages of treatment, clients are usually emotionally fragile and ambivalent about relinquishing their substance use. Consequently, effective treatment strategies tend to focus on immediate concerns, such as maintaining abstinence and managing cravings. To build a stable working group, a leader emphasizes therapeutic factors like hope, group cohesion, and universality. Emotionally charged interventions, such as catharsis and reenactment of family of origin issues, are deferred until later in treatment.

In the late stages of treatment, clients are usually more receptive to change. This stage marks a transition from coping with cravings and triggers to making active plans for their future. During this phase, clients set attainable and realistic goals for their life without drugs or alcohol, such as establishing a budget, finding employment, and improving personal relationships.