Treating addiction requires a wide variety of methods and approaches. One of the most effective forms of therapy for addiction treatment is CBT. Explore the value of this therapy, what it is and how it fits into the addiction recovery equation.
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 patient and therapist.
Cognitive therapy fits in well with the overall goals of addiction recovery. Some of these goals including increasing personal awareness, coming to terms with personal responsibility and boosting self-worth. Therapists can address each of these issues in cognitive behavioral treatment.
Raising 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.
Understanding 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. An action always has a reaction. Learning this can make it easier to make the right decisions moving forward. After all, relapse is a personal choice that individuals can avoid.
Eliminating 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 black and white thinking.
Good people can make mistakes. Those struggling with addiction may need help. Accepting this makes it easier for patients to acknowledge mistakes without suffering from low self-esteem.
Treating Mental Health Disorders
Finally, 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 the addiction, mental health also has to be addressed.
Dual diagnosis treatment is the treatment of mental health issues and addiction at the same time. Cognitive behavioral treatment is just one of the addiction programs useful in dual diagnosis. Other beneficial treatment methods include:
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Mindfulness therapy
- Pharmacological therapy
CBT is an often vital element of comprehensive addiction recovery. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, it’s just one of the many treatment options available to you. If you’re ready to overcome addiction, start by calling 866.262.0531.
