A variety of treatments can help support recovery from drug or alcohol problems. In most cases, effective plans include an addiction therapy program of some kind. Therapy can help you address some of the underlying factors contributing to addiction. It can also help you develop the skills required for long-term substance abstinence. One common option for achieving both of these crucial goals is cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT. This form of therapy is known for its many science-backed recovery benefits.
CBT and Behavioral Therapy
The methods and goals of CBT are reflected in its name. Doctors use the term cognitive to refer to your everyday thoughts and emotional responses. The term behavioral refers to how you act in daily life, both in private and public. Together, the two terms mean that CBT addresses your typical:
- Thoughts
- Feelings
- Emotional reactions
- Behaviors and behavioral patterns
These areas are focus points due to their impact on your addiction risks and addiction recovery. Specific ways of thinking, reacting, and behaving can increase your exposure to substance problems. They can also help keep those problems active once they occur. In contrast, certain ways of thinking, reacting, and behaving tend to decrease your addiction risk. They also help you avoid future problems once you get sober.
There are multiple forms of behavioral therapy. CBT is probably the best-known and most widely used option. However, other options include dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT.
What Happens in a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program?
Our well-designed cognitive-behavioral therapy program has multiple goals. Specific things you work on include:
- Familiarizing yourself with the effects of addiction on your brain and behavior
- Recognizing addiction-supporting thoughts, emotional responses, and behaviors
- Replacing these thoughts, reactions, and behaviors with others that support sobriety
- Developing real-life coping skills that help you stay sober when treatment ends
- Knowing the limits of your coping abilities and staying within those limits
You learn these skills under the guidance of a trained therapist. A cognitive-behavioral therapy program may be conducted through one-on-one sessions, or you may receive help in a group setting. In addition, your plan may include both individual and group sessions. A range of techniques may be used in CBT. Some of these techniques will likely be more beneficial for you than others. You and your therapist will work together to determine the best options for your situation.
The Benefits of a CBT Program
Cognitive-behavioral therapy programs are evidence-based, which means that they have been the target of extensive study. It also means that such programs offer proven benefits for many people. Research shows that CBT is often beneficial for people with substance problems. This fact helps explain the widespread use of the therapy. In addition, a cognitive-behavioral therapy program can help you recover from other kinds of mental health issues. This is vitally important. Addiction and other mental illnesses often occur together. If this happens to you, you need treatment that addresses both problems. A CBT program can help you meet this need in a fairly straightforward way.
Turn to Northpoint Colorado for Addiction Treatment in Loveland, CO
Northpoint Colorado specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy in Loveland, CO. When needed, we include this form of treatment in your overall recovery plan. Along with your other treatment options, it can significantly improve your odds for both short- and long-term success.
We customize all of our treatment plants at Northpoint Colorado. We also offer a number of treatment settings. Your options include state-of-the-art inpatient care and two forms of outpatient care. For more information on how we can help, call us today at 888.231.1281. We’re also available through our online message form.