Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps addiction specialists implement strategies for improving treatment response. This type of therapy uses incentives to provide positive reinforcement. For example, an individual will receive some type of reward for negative drug testing results. He or she is rewarded for staying sober. The reward could be movie tickets, gym membership, coupons, or other healthy prizes. This type of therapy produces positive thinking and strengthens a person’s determination for recovery.
Focusing on Relapse Prevention
Another type of cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on relapse prevention. This therapy is used to help users identify high-risk situations, where he or she might have a tendency to participate in addictive behaviors. Therapists and the person with the addiction can develop strategies to avoid relapse. When a person suffering from addiction is exposed to people he or she used drugs with, the risk of relapse increases. Places such as bars, a get together at a friend’s house, establishments, or events can trigger a relapse. The person battling drug and alcohol addiction can identify possible high-risk situations and avoid them.
Understanding the Reasoning Behind Drug & Alcohol Use
Cognitive behavioral therapy allows a person with an addiction to understand why they used drugs or alcohol in the first place. This type of therapy can reveal any underlying issues and that led to addiction. Knowing the cause for addiction helps a person to learn how to replace his or her addictive behaviors with healthy choices. Cognitive behavioral therapy is short-term and concentrates on the patient’s goals, not what the therapist thinks he or she should do. The therapist directs the patient toward achieving his or her goals. The objective of cognitive behavioral therapy is to change a patient’s learned behavior that led him or her to addiction by introducing healthy alternatives.
By understanding why a person developed an addictive behavior, therapy helps him or her to learn new substance-free behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective long-term and helps the individual to live a sober life.
Acknowledging you need help is the first step to recovery. If you or a loved one is battling addiction, get help today. Recovery from addiction does happen.
Cypress Lake Recovery offers treatment for addiction in a peaceful, remote, oxygen-rich environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204