One of the most common and studied forms of psychological treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It is effective for various problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, alcohol and other substance use disorders, marital issues, eating disorders, and other severe mental illnesses. A cognitive-behavioral therapy program is usually conducted on an outpatient basis, meaning that patients come to sessions with a therapist and return home afterward.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful for addiction treatment because it helps patients to identify and change the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their substance use. CBT for addiction combines other types of treatment, such as 12-step programs or medication. To learn more about Evoke Waltham and our addiction therapy programs, contact us at 866.276.1920.
Using CBT for Addiction
Integrating CBT into addiction treatment can help patients in several ways. First, it can help them identify the thoughts and behaviors contributing to substance use. Second, it can teach them healthy coping skills to deal with triggers and cravings. And third, it can help them to develop a support system to prevent relapse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps the person become aware of any negative thinking to view the situations that they find challenging and respond to them more effectively.
What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial tool when in combination with other therapies. It is used to treat a wide range of issues and is a preferred method of psychotherapy because it can quickly help you identify and cope with your challenges. It also typically requires fewer sessions than other forms of therapy and is done in a structured but free-flowing way. CBT is helpful when addressing emotional difficulties, including:
- Preventing a relapse of any mental health symptoms
- Addressing any symptoms of mental illnesses
- Treating a mental illness when medications aren’t the right option for you
- Learning different techniques for handling stressful situations in life
- Identifying the way you can manage your emotions
- Resolving conflict in relationships
- Knowing more effective ways of communication
- Coping with grief or loss
- Overcoming trauma related to abusive or violent relationships or situations
- Coping with a medical illness
- Managing physical symptoms
Cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment typically involves making an effort to change thinking patterns. It helps you learn to recognize when your distortions and perception of thinking are creating problems in your life and then allows you to reevaluate them in the light of reality. It can also help you develop greater confidence in your abilities to figure things out and get through them.
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What Happens During a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program?
During cognitive-behavioral therapy, patients work with their therapist to identify the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors contributing to their distress. The therapist will also help the patient to practice using these skills in real-world situations. This allows someone to build their coping skills and learn how to think and problem-solve on their own when problematic behavior and emotion arise. CBT incorporates various approaches and techniques to address thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Several therapeutic approaches involve cognitive behavioral therapy, including:
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)
- Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)
Although each type of cognitive-behavioral therapy takes a different approach to get the same result, they all work to address underlying thought patterns that can contribute to your psychological distress. The number of sessions will depend on the severity of the patient’s issues and treatment progress. Some patients may benefit from booster sessions after they have completed their cognitive-behavioral therapy program to help them maintain their progress.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy at Evoke Waltham
Cognitive-behavioral therapy could prove to be helpful in your addiction treatment program. Our cognitive-behavioral therapists will help you identify the thoughts and emotions contributing to your addiction. They will then work with you to develop coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills. If you or someone you love believes that a cognitive-behavioral therapy program at our Waltham, Massachusetts, facility would benefit them, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. To learn more about addiction therapy programs at Evoke Waltham, call us at 866.276.1920.
