Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a frequently used therapeutic intervention for those in substance abuse recovery. CBT helps individuals identify self-defeating thoughts, which might be partially responsible for a person’s addiction. Negative thinking is common for those who struggle with a substance use disorder and not being able to recognize these thoughts can influence the onset and progression of the disorder.
What we think affects our feelings and our behaviors and the goal of CBT is to teach alternative ways of thinking whereby regulating distressing emotions and harmful behaviors. CBT is often the preferred method of therapy in substance abuse both inpatient and outpatient.
CBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for substance abuse and can provide the following benefits:
- CBT is problem-focused and goal-directed and can provide valuable skill-building in addressing problems and setting goals.
- Exploring the individual’s patterns of behavior, which often leads to self-destructive actions, and the beliefs that influence these thoughts.
- The therapist and the individual will work together to identify harmful thoughts and actively work to find alternate ways of thinking.
- CBT involves assignments that the individual can complete outside of the therapy session.
- CBT can be used with individuals or with groups.
- The skills learned in CBT sessions are practical and can be used by individual in their everyday lives.
- CBT helps individuals find new ways to cope and how to effectively handle stressful situations.
- CBT is an effective intervention for substance abusers as the negative thoughts an individual has can be an obstacle to self-change.
- CBT challenges all-or-nothing thinking that many addicts exhibit. All-or-nothing thinking has to do with thinking in absolutes, meaning if something cannot be this way, it then has to be that way. This creates a sense of powerlessness and lack of control over addictive behavior.
- CBT is helpful in treating depression and anxiety, which is frequently seen with substance abusers.
- CBT is focused and sessions are relatively short term. An individual can learn techniques to combat negative thoughts in the first session.
- CBT focuses on long-term solutions and can help individuals with relapse prevention.
- CBT can teach an individual to recognize triggers and to understand and avoid high-risk situations.
- CBT is engaging and the individual and therapist work together to find solutions.
Our family of dynamic recovery professionals works to serve you and your family through every step of the journey to recovery. Help is one phone call away. From intervention to Safe Passage Transportation, all of the service and coordination by Hired Power is designed to help you and your family focus on bringing recovery home. Call 800.910.9299 today for more information.
