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How Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help Someone with Addiction?

people holding hands in cognitive behavioral therapy and addiction treatment

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and unsure where to begin the process of recovery, try a cognitive-behavioral therapy program.

At A Better State, we offer a range of addiction treatment options, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Our experienced team can help you find the optimal treatment path to achieve the addiction recovery outcomes you desire. For more information or to get started, contact us today at 781.412.1488.

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment modality that has its roots in psychology, and it has been used since the 1950s to treat a range of disorders.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for drug abuse and dependence. It was one of the first forms of talk therapy widely accepted by the general public. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has now been adopted into many primary care settings to help patients with substance use disorders understand the social, emotional, and behavioral factors that lead them to begin using substances.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) uses psychological strategies called cognitive strategies. This type of therapy aims to reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with substance dependence. These symptoms include withdrawal, craving, and the desire to use substances.

A primary strategy of CBT is avoiding and reframing harmful thoughts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a psychotherapy approach that focuses on changing how people think. It offers a non-judgmental and confidential way to work through emotional issues, such as depression, anxiety, or relationship problems. It can be used with anyone from children to adults.

CBT involves identifying negative thoughts, such as “I am a loser,” “I will never be successful,” “I will always be addicted,” and so forth, as well as learning how to change these thoughts into positive ones like “I have something desirable that I want” or “I enjoy my life.

How Cognitive Behavior Therapy Supports Addiction Recovery

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is especially effective in helping people who suffer from addiction recover. It helps people learn new coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and risky behaviors like binge drinking or unprotected sex. CBT engages specific techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and behavior modification training. It is also helpful when individuals have been diagnosed with co-occurring disorders by a qualified health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist who has specialized knowledge about alcoholism or drug abuse issues.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals overcome their cravings for drugs or alcohol by changing their thinking about how they consume substances and potentially how they will feel after using them again if they choose to do so again. Individuals become less likely to relapse into chemical dependence on drugs like cocaine or heroin by consistently practicing self-soothing skills.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a type of therapy used to change behavior. The term “behavior” refers to actions people perform, often in response to environmental or personal events.

CBT can specifically help people with addiction by:

  • Reducing cravings for drugs or alcohol
  • Increasing motivation to quit using substances
  • Changing thinking patterns that promote substance use, such as beliefs about the consequences of substance use and addiction, and other factors not directly related to the effects of drug use
  • Teaching coping skills that help people manage feelings associated with drug dependence as well as other root causes

Addiction is a disease of the brain. The most effective treatment methods target the same brain mechanisms that cure other diseases, such as depression and schizophrenia. If your goal is to convince people to stop using drugs, you need to understand those mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective way to help people change their attitudes and behaviors.

Contact A Better State Today for CBT Recovery Support

At A Better State, our team has extensive experience and a history of proven success in integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy into addiction recovery treatment. If you or a loved one are ready to learn more, or try CBT for addiction recovery, contact us today at 781.412.1488.