Treating addiction is a challenge. Consequently, a wide variety of methods and approaches are required. One of the most effective forms of therapy for addiction treatment is CBT. It’s time to explore the value of this therapy, what it is and how it fits into the addiction recovery equation. For more information on cognitive-behavioral therapy, call Crestview Recovery today at 866.262.0531.
What is CBT?
This acronym is short for cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy. It’s a type of talk therapy that involves a one-on-one approach between the patient and the therapist.
Cognitive therapy fits in well with the overall goals of addiction recovery. Some of these goals include:
- Increasing personal awareness
- Coming to terms with personal responsibility
- Boosting self-worth
Each of these goals play a crucial role in a successful recovery. Therefore, therapists will address each of them in cognitive-behavioral treatment.
Remember that rehab is about far more than simply getting off of a substance. In fact, that’s just part of the equation for a truly successful recovery. Above all, it’s CBT that enables people to enjoy a sustainable, long-term recovery.
Raise Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an important aspect of overall health. If you’re not familiar with it, mindfulness means being aware of personal feelings and emotions without acting on them immediately.
One of the ways that mindfulness helps in addiction recovery is by delaying gratification. Cravings are a normal, expected part of recovery. However, some patients experience cravings and believe that they have to act on them right away.
With mindfulness, individuals can identify those cravings and then choose not to act. Instead, they can think about why those cravings exist. Perhaps there’s an alternative solution, beyond relapse, that can address the deeper issue.
Through cognitive-behavioral treatment, many patients are able to increase their mindfulness. As a result, they’re able to improve their self-control.
Understand the Consequences of Actions
Another critical objective of cognitive-behavioral treatment is learning to accept consequences. Those struggling with addiction often have a hard time with acceptance. Rather than shifting blame to others, it’s important to take personal responsibility.
Through therapy, patients can start identifying cause and effect more clearly. As chemistry teachers were so eager to teach us in school, an action always has an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, learning this can make it easier to make the right decisions moving forward. After all, relapse is a personal choice that individuals can avoid. To do so, they need the right therapy to help.
Eliminate Black-and-White Thinking
Addiction often brings with it an all-or-nothing mentality. Patients are either ecstatic about their progress or devastated by their mistakes. One goal of cognitive therapy is to get rid of such black-and-white thinking.
In fact, good people can (and do) make mistakes. Those struggling with addiction must not be ashamed to admit that they need help. Accepting this makes it easier for patients to acknowledge mistakes without suffering from low self-esteem.
Effectively Treat Mental Health Disorders
Cognitive-behavioral treatment can be an effective way to address mental health. For many individuals, addiction is a direct result of a mental health disorder. In order to treat addiction, mental health also has to be addressed.
Dual diagnosis treatment is the treatment of mental health issues and addiction at the same time. Yet, cognitive-behavioral treatment is just one of the addiction programs useful in dual diagnosis. Other beneficial treatment methods include:
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on the psychological needs of people who have difficulty regulating their emotions. The goal of DBT is to help people learn how to cope with their emotions in a more constructive way.
DBT is based on the premise that people are capable of change and that they can learn new ways of coping with their emotions. The therapy is designed to help people understand and accept their emotions, while also teaching them how to manage their emotions in a more productive way.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves people with similar issues and problems sharing their experiences and ideas with each other under the guidance of a therapist.
Group therapy is an effective treatment for addiction because it provides support, understanding, and encouragement from peers who are going through the same thing. It can help people see that they are not alone in their struggles and recovery.
Mindfulness Therapy
Mindfulness therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes mindfulness techniques to help people cope with their addiction. Mindfulness is a state of being aware of and paying attention to the present moment. It is about being in the moment and not letting your thoughts and emotions control you. Mindfulness therapy helps people to break out of this cycle by teaching them how to be more aware of their thoughts and emotions, and how to control them.
Pharmacological Therapy
Pharmacological therapy is the use of medication to treat addiction. Medications can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and treat underlying mental health conditions.
CBT and Addiction Treatment Programs
People suffer from many types of addiction. As a result, we use CBT for a variety of addiction treatment programs. Our addiction treatment programs include:
- Benzos addiction
- Morphine addiction
- Xanax addiction
- Codeine addiction
- Adderall addiction
CBT is an often vital element of a comprehensive addiction recovery. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, it’s just one of the many treatment options available to you.
No one ever said that recovery is easy. Therefore, if you’re ready to overcome addiction, start by calling 866.262.0531.
