How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction Recovery Work?

For many, addiction treatment is a great unknown. They don’t understand what goes on behind the gates of a rehab facility. Obviously, therapists help program participants overcome the need to use drugs. And cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction is one of the tools they use.

Understanding the Disease Model of Addiction

Therapists and researchers now agree that addiction is a brain disease with physical symptoms. They recognize that it’s chronic and doesn’t come with a cure. However, because it responds well to treatment, it’s possible to achieve remission. The use of psychotherapy in general and cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, is one aspect of treatment.

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction Works

Using drugs is an unhealthy behavior. It’s in step with negative thought patterns. But most people who use drugs lack awareness of these patterns. They know they want to quit, but they don’t quite recognize what compels them to keep reaching for a drug.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction opens the door for a program participant to see patterns. From there, it’s a small step to identifying negative elements that require changing. A therapist won’t tell you what she or he sees that you need to change. Instead, it’s a process of self-discovery that allows you to make changes you’re comfortable with.

This approach is one of the reasons why the therapy works. You’re not following someone else’s direction but instead focusing on self-identified problems. Doing so then allows you to avoid stressful situations and peer groups that enable your drug use. The insights you gain during treatment can last a lifetime.

What Makes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction So Effective

Psychotherapy takes place in one-on-one sessions with an expert in the field of addiction recovery. The therapist takes on the role of collaborator in your recovery. You’re in the driver’s seat. You work together to pinpoint areas you want to change to affect sobriety now and in the long term.

When undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction, the therapist will eventually take the lead in skills training. After all, it’s not enough to know what needs to change. You need the tools to make the changes. Examples of skills training include stress relief strategies, interpersonal skills, coping mechanisms, and how to live day to day.

Other Modalities Augment Psychotherapy

Of course, psychotherapy can’t stand alone. Addiction is a complex condition that requires an equally multifaceted approach to overcome. For this reason, rehab facilities offer a broad range of treatments that include:

• Group therapy for the creation of strong peer relationships with an eye on relapse prevention
• Family therapy that opens doors to communication and healing
• Anger management sessions for program participants who understand that they need help with overcoming destructive tendencies
• Fitness therapy that encourages you to start looking after your physical health with appropriate exercises and activities
• Other psychotherapy approaches that include dialectical behavior therapy and EMDR treatments

Learn more about the use of specific psychotherapy approaches in drug recovery. If you’re using today and want to quit, this might be your way out of addiction. Connect with therapists at Beaches Recovery today by calling 866.605.0532.