Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Substance Abuse Disorders
CBT can be an invaluable aid for substance abuse disorders, as it teaches you how to think and act more rationally. It may even alter your perceptions about yourself and your life so you feel good about yourself again; ultimately leading to recovery from addiction and living a full and contented existence.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for substance abuse involves teaching you to recognize negative thoughts and behaviors that lead to substance use, then changing them into healthier alternatives. It may also equip you with helpful coping techniques to manage cravings or temptations when they arise.
Throughout your treatment program, you’ll be introduced to various techniques designed to alter your thinking and behavior. These may include situation exposure, systematic desensitization, and homework assignments.
Your therapist may require that you attend multiple sessions, and it’s up to you to follow through on their recommendations. Your therapist may also ask that you keep track of life events and how you respond, in order to gain a more comprehensive insight into the difficulty at hand.
Your therapist can also teach you new coping skills for addiction and prevent relapse. This is an integral part of treatment, as it ensures long-term sobriety while keeping you motivated to reach your objectives.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely-used form of psychotherapy. It’s effective at treating mental health and substance abuse disorders such as anxiety, depression, and phobias.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be found at many mental health agencies and addiction treatment centers, typically on an outpatient basis. When searching for a therapist to work with your specific issues, make sure they have the appropriate expertise.
The initial step in any psychotherapy treatment is for the therapist to comprehend your symptoms and history. They need to know how you came to need treatment, as well as gauge how severe your addiction may be.
After this initial assessment, your therapist will work with you to identify the core beliefs driving your substance abuse disorder. These are known as cognitive distortions. These thoughts may lead you to believe your problems are worse than they actually are; for instance, believing you’re worthless and unable to stop drinking or using drugs.
When dealing with substance abuse, it’s normal to experience negative thoughts and emotions. Unfortunately, these can contribute to your addiction and often go undetected until working with a therapist.
Your therapist can also help you comprehend how negative emotions shape the decision-making process. For instance, if you perceive problems to be larger than they actually are, then you may feel more tempted to turn towards drugs or alcohol as a way of masking them and escaping.