Sponsored Content Spotlight
This sponsored content is produced for Gateway Foundation by Treatment Magazine Content Studio.
By Lauren McCaffrey, Treatment Magazine Content Studio
At the top of treatment’s arsenal for combatting substance use disorder (SUD) is an established and scientifically vetted approach that continues to offer successful results today: evidence-based practices (EBP). That’s why the Illinois-based Gateway Foundation, a famously data-driven treatment center that embraces innovation rooted in research, has long championed EBP. Its forward-looking championing of modalities and programs across the full continuum of care have established this addiction-medicine specialized center as a national leader in EBP treatment.
EBP helps clients with substance use disorder (SUD) have the greatest chances of achieving and sustaining recovery. We want to use interventions that have been proven to work.”—Jim Scarpace, executive director, Gateway Foundation
The reason is simple, says Jim Scarpace, executive director at Gateway Foundation. EBP works. “EBP helps clients with substance use disorder (SUD) have the greatest chances of achieving and sustaining recovery,” says Scarpace. “We want to use interventions that have been proven to work.”
And while Gateway continues to evolve its EBP techniques and programs, says Scarpace, great care is taken to ground every new decision and approach in the ever-evolving science and data. “The addiction treatment industry has been around for a long time, which means that evidence-based principles and services have been in place for around 34 years.”
Evidence-Based Programming in Action at Gateway
Today, Gateway offers programming and practices based on 12 EBP-based interventions, with all the appropriate certifications and training for its staff. This range of approaches helps the clinicians create customized approaches for each client struggling with SUD.
“We recognize that when you have a substance use disorder, or mental health disorder, the way you think about things, the way you may focus or fixate on certain things can become distorted,” Scarpace said. For example, “using evidence-based practice like cognitive behavioral therapy has shown effectiveness over the years and helps manage the psychological components associated with the illness.”
What we know, bottom line, is that people are more likely to stay in recovery long term if they have evidence-based intervention.”—Tom Britton, president and CEO, Gateway Foundation
Another evidence-based practice used at Gateway with positive results is staying connected with clients long after they graduate to learn what works—and what does not. “Something that Gateway does, which is unique, is we have an extremely robust outcome measurement system,” says Thomas Britton, president and CEO of Gateway Foundation. “We want to understand: If I provide you treatment, what happens if you don’t have a good outcome? And what we could’ve done differently to have a better outcome?”
National research shows that those who participate in treatment for 90 days or less have a 30% success rate 12 months later. Thanks in part to EDP and offering longer treatment programs, Gateway’s rate of success is twice that: 60%, says Britton.
What to Look for When You Seek Treatment
If you are considering treatment programs for yourself or a loved one, Gateway recommends coming prepared with questions to assure the best treatment possible is available. Important questions to ask: what evidence-based interventions does the center use? Who does them? Gateway experts also tout the importance of viewing the disease of addiction through the lens of a medical condition. This will help you ask the right questions and look for the most reliable treatment options.
“If you’re not using evidence-based practices, the chances are: You’re not really giving people the full opportunity to get what they need to achieve recovery,” says Britton. “What we know, bottom line, is that people are more likely to stay in recovery long term if they have evidence-based intervention.”
