Cognitive Therapy
Your Path to Change
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at SCA Recovery
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one of the most popular forms of therapy for addiction. Depending on your needs and the nature of your addiction, your treatment team may decide to add CBT to your treatment plan. There are many reasons CBT is suggested by professionals to treat addiction. Keep reading for more information on cognitive behavioral therapy and why it is so important for recovery for many clients.
1:1 Client Counselor Ratio
Personalized support designed around you, not a group average.
90%+ Completion Rate
Our approach leads to higher program engagement and success.
Whole-Person Healing
We treat trauma, mental health, and addiction together for lasting change.
Led by Those in Recovery
Founded by people who’ve lived it. Guided by those who understand it.
A Proven Approach
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
The ideas that make up the framework for CBT originated in the 1960s with the work of Aaron Beck. Beck was working with many clients who suffered from depression. He found that one of the hallmarks of depression for his patients was a negative image of self and negative core beliefs. Beck found that if he and his patients worked together on self-image, positive messaging, and believing in themselves, they were happier and more fulfilled. This form of therapy is widely used around the world to treat mental illness, trauma, and addiction. It is one of the most effective treatment programs worldwide.
During CBT treatment, clients work with a therapist to discuss the most common triggers that cause them to react poorly and then work to create strategies that will help them cope. They also work together to develop a more positive self-image and outlook, as well as get rid of negative self-talk that can derail progress. One of the most important aspects of CBT is that rather than engaging in negative self-talk when there is a problem, the client and therapist instead view the problem as an opportunity for growth and change. The more often people practice this positive self-talk and outlook, the more likely the new behavior will work to make clients happier and healthier.
Rewiring Thought Patterns
Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an Important Tool in Addiction Treatment
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.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Your new path begins with one step. Reach out today and let’s build your recovery plan together.