Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) For Addiction
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a research-proven treatment approach. CBT for addiction is a therapy modality frequently used for individuals struggling with substance abuse and alcoholism. This evidence-based therapy is an effective way for individuals to become abstinent. For this reason, cognitive behavioral therapy for drug addiction and alcoholism is an important part of the integrated treatment model (ITM) at DARA.
Cognitive behavioral therapy involves both how someone thinks, and the connection to the way they react and behave. The CBT techniques for addiction that are learned and practiced at DARA during residential treatment are an extremely important part of a client’s relapse plan.
Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Drug Addiction
Cognitive behavioral therapy for drug addiction and alcoholism is a way for an individual to understand, and change, two important things:
How they think about themselves, the world, and other people
That how they act affects their thoughts and feelings
CBT helps someone change how they think (the cognitive aspect) and what they do (the behavior aspect). These changes can help someone feel better. Unlike some other types of talk therapy, CBT concentrates on the immediate “here and now” problems and difficulties. Instead of focusing on the causes of distress or other physical and emotional symptoms in the past, this approach looks for ways to improve the current state of mind.
CBT for addiction is particularly helpful for those with a drug or alcohol issues combined with co-occurring issues including:
Anxiety
Depression
Agoraphobia
Social phobia
Eating disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Schizophrenia
DARA’s certified counselors have specialized training in CBT. CBT for addiction is used in conjunction with other modalities in a highly individualized care plan created for the client.
How Does CBT for Addiction Work?
CBT for addiction focuses on helping clients:
Recognize the situations in which they are most likely to use drugs and alcohol
Avoid these situations when appropriate
Cope ore effectively with a range of problems and problematic behaviors that are associated with substance abuse
CBT techniques for addiction at DARA help the client make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This makes it easier to see how the parts are connected, and how they affect an individual on a very personal level.
The situation is the first part that is considered. A situation may be a problem, an event, or a difficult situation. After the situation is identified, the thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, and actions are examined. Each of these five areas are closely connected, and affect the others to varying degrees. For example, a problem can affect how someone things or feels. It can also affect the action that can be taken.
CBT Techniques for Addiction at DARA
When a client comes to DARA they may feel nervous or apprehensive. These feelings of anxiety are common during the detox and in the early stages of treatment. CBT for addiction is initiated in this way:
The primary therapist will evaluate a patient to makes sure that cognitive behavioral therapy is an appropriate choice, and will discuss this approach with the client, to makes sure that they are comfortable using CBT
The client will determine what specific issues they want to deal with in the short, middle, and long-term
The client and therapist will agree on a care plan that addresses these goals and issues
The cognitive behavioral therapy program at DARA is implemented in a group setting. During group therapy client will meet with a therapist and their CBT core group five days a week for CBT techniques for addiction. Each group session lasts 90 minutes.
Although CBT concentrates on the here and now, at times clients may need to talk about the past in order to understand how it affects the present. DARA’s therapists will talk to the client about the client’s life and background, to help guide them, and maximize CBT techniques. The CBT core program is a rolling program, meaning that as clients move through residential treatment, other clients are just beginning. The CBT group is a dynamic one, and adapts to it’s the members’ needs. Each person will focus on their own personal areas of life and substance abuse history, while at the same time providing support to other group members.
With the therapist and group, the client will break down each problem into its separate parts of components. To facilitate this process, the therapist guiding the group may ask the client to keep a diary. This active process of writing helps clarify personal patterns of thoughts, emotions, bodily feelings and actions.
Along with the therapist, the client will look at their thoughts, feelings and behaviors in order to: