Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Its Role in Addiction Treatment

When you enter a drug treatment program, treatment staff will utilize many tools to help you get clean and sober. One of the most important tools staff uses is various forms of therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective therapies and is a cornerstone is almost every individualized treatment program.

In this article, you will become more familiar with cognitive behavioral therapy and how it can help you address and overcome addiction in the long term. If you are struggling with substance abuse, you need evidence-based treatment programs that are customized to fit your unique needs. Located in Burbank, CA, Multi-Concept Recovery (MCR) is a top-tier outpatient treatment facility committed to your well-being. We offer CBT substance abuse treatment programs that are time-tested and proven to work.

Call MCR today and throw off the shackles of substance abuse.

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

If you have been looking at treatment programs and centers, you no doubt have heard about CBT or seen it on rehab websites and brochures. In simple terms, CBT is a form of talk therapy that can be done one-on-one or in group settings. This powerful form of therapy helps you become aware of inaccurate and negative situations that shape your thinking and actions. Once those thought patterns are identified, trained counselors will help you develop healthy coping skills so you can effectively deal with those thoughts.

CBT addiction treatment is used in conjunction with other therapies and programs to help you build a strong foundation for recovery. In general, CBT sessions last between 30 to 60 minutes and spread over 12 to 20 sessions depending on the severity of your issues. Not only is CBT effective in helping treat substance abuse issues, but it also is very effective in treating mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks.

How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help In Addiction Treatment

As stated in the previous section, CBT substance abuse treatment helps you identify unhealthy thought patterns that keep you stuck in a pattern of substance abuse. In the larger picture, cognitive behavioral therapy helps you in the following ways:

Helps identify the people, places, things, and problematic moods that lead you to use substances.
Helps identify false beliefs about yourself and your relationship with drugs and alcohol.
Help identify those automatic thoughts that increase cravings and the intention to drink.
Stop those “permission” beliefs that are used to justify using substances.
Targets the rituals and behaviors that lead up to the use of drugs and alcohol.
When negative thoughts and behavioral patterns are identified, your counselor will work with you in developing the following skills:
Learning healthy ways to delay cravings by engaging in constructive activities like journaling, exercise, mindful breathing, and going to support meetings.
Identify problematic thinking and rehearse responses to counter those thoughts.
Learning how to address problems head-on and not revert to substance use to cover up feelings.
When cravings arise, you carefully weigh the pros and cons of using substances as well as the tremendous benefits of being clean and sober.
Replacing thoughts and self-beliefs that undermine your progress.
Making the necessary lifestyle changes that support your sobriety. This includes meetings, building your support network, and engaging in meaningful hobbies among others.

The coping skills learned in CBT are designed to help you in the long term. This makes complete sense in the fact that you are vulnerable to relapse in recovery—and especially early recovery. These coping skills help you reduce stressors and triggers in your everyday life and make you less vulnerable to a relapse event.

Build A Brand New You With Help From Multi-Concept Recovery

Making the decision to get sober is a major life decision. In order for you to achieve the goal of lifelong sobriety, you need the right professional help. As one of the premier Los Angeles outpatient treatment facilities, Multi-Concept Recovery offers personalized evidence-based treatment programs that will change your life. Our dynamic approach to addiction treatment in Los Angeles, healing, and recovery will empower you to transform into the healthy and happy person you are meant to become.