Addiction is a complex problem that is different for every person. Because all our clients are individuals, with their own stories, traumas, and successes, every treatment plan is different, which is why SCA Recovery uses such a wide variety of therapies as part of an overall individualized treatment plan. Here are some reasons CBT works in addiction treatment.
It is important to recognize that addiction is a complicated disease. In cases of addiction, people engage in drinking or drug use as a means to cope with the trauma, depression, and anxiety that cloud their everyday lives. Every time you drink or use drugs, you are reinforcing those negative behaviors over and over again, which means your brain continues to react in old ways. For example, an alcoholic might keep a bottle of whiskey in a desk drawer, or in a purse, to take into the bathroom and drink when work stress gets too high. The longer someone keeps that whiskey bottle for “emergencies,” the more entrenched the behavior becomes.
However, CBT can work with you to change your behavior surrounding drug and alcohol use. First, you and a therapist will work together to identify negative behaviors that might cause you to drink or take medication. Second, you will work on the triggers that cause substance abuse as well as the set of behaviors that surround your addiction, so you can slowly begin to change the negative self-talk into gaining the tools you need to refrain from using substances to cope with stress, emotions, or trauma. CBT can both disrupt and change your thought patterns, which makes it less likely you will turn to drug use in the future.
There is no doubt CBT works. Researchers have been studying the effects of CBT on the lives of people for over 50 years, and have found cognitive behavioral therapy works well for addiction. If you have questions about our therapy program or CBT, we encourage you to reach out to us today and see if CBT might be a good fit for you.
