Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a collaborative psychotherapy effort that focuses on how a person’s thoughts and beliefs affect their behaviors. CBT can have a positive influence on how people cope in difficult situations that otherwise may trigger the use of drugs or alcohol. CBT can help uncover issues of depression or anxiety; unfortunately, if left unaddressed, have the potential to result in drug or alcohol abuse. This broad concept of therapy covers topics ranging from specific problems to social challenges.
During the course of CBT therapy, a person can educate themselves in their personal behaviors and then learn the proper coping mechanisms to react positively in future situations. Some of the techniques that are taught in CBT therapy are as listed:
The benefits are never-ending once equipped with the proper tools to function positively.
CBT has been proven effective when used in tandem with other standard addiction, mental health, and behavioral treatment protocols. The support provided within CBT leads to a rise in self-esteem, and when an individual feels good about themselves, they are more receptive to learning from the therapy.
Some of the most significant benefits of CBT include the following:
Therapy can feel revealing and uncomfortable at first, but the benefits are significant, and the work is worthwhile. Learn if CBT is the right fit for you by speaking with your addiction treatment specialist and therapist about your treatment plan.
Over 50 years ago, cognitive-behavioral therapy was created to help those who struggled with depression. In recent years, there has been an array of structured CBT models that can help heal from a range of mental health conditions. The list below highlights some of the mental health conditions that CBT can be effective in treating:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can take place in an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment setting. It focuses on present thoughts that can help individuals identify toxic thought patterns that shape their reality. When given the tools to identify and change certain thought processes that dictate a reaction or behavior that is not helpful to the person, they are then given the freedom to heal from it.
Often, dual diagnosis therapy for co-occurring disorders is another helpful therapy to be used alongside CBT. For example, when someone experiences anxiety, they may want to turn to alcohol to reduce the symptoms; however, they are left with anxiety induced by alcohol withdrawal when the alcohol leaves their body. This scenario could be an example of a dual diagnosis: anxiety disorder and a substance abuse disorder. CBT can be an effective therapy for someone who has a dual diagnosis.
