Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a promising treatment for a wide range of addictions. Although therapy itself is not a treatment for addiction, it can be used as part of a larger treatment program and can help someone recover faster.
Many people do not understand the basics of cognitive behavioral therapy. The main theory of therapy is that a person has his feelings and actions based on what he thinks, not what he does. Many people may think this is crazy, but there are some rationales for this. Everyone can choose what he thinks and when he thinks. Sometimes, for whatever reason, you get stuck in certain Counselling for Addiction situations from which you can’t get out. However, changing your basic thinking can change how you react and what you do in these situations.
This can sound very confusing. However, depending on the situation, it’s pretty straightforward. For example, when alcoholics receive cognitive-behavioral therapy, they are taught to recognize and avoid situations in which they may have access to alcohol. Addicts also learn strategies they can use to deal with situations where they cannot get out of the situation.
An addict who is not ready to admit they have a problem is not a good candidate for cognitive-behavioral therapy. Not only will they be reluctant to participate, but the training won’t help them at all because they won’t use technology to avoid addiction. There are two levels to the program for addicts who are ready for treatment. The first step is functional analysis. This may sound very scary, but it is a session where a therapist and addict talk about their feelings and emotions surrounding addiction. This can be an “aha” moment for the addict, and they become aware of what is driving them into addiction. A session can actually be multiple sessions. However, it is important to recognize the full picture of addiction before taking the next step.
Once the therapist and addict have finished their functional analysis, the next part of therapy is to have a skills session. This session will help teach addicts what they need to know to avoid relapse. Like the first phase of therapy, this session will actually take you through several sessions. Addicts may need to let go of old habits and learn proper coping skills. The addict can end treatment if the therapist helps the addict learn new healthy coping skills and strategies.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a quick and precise strategy to help all addicts stay sober. They talk about what it was like before, during, and after their addiction. Addicts also talk about how they felt. Once everything is laid out on the table, the addict learns new coping skills with the help of a therapist. The entire treatment takes between 10 and 15 sessions. But it’s worth it.
