Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a targeted psychotherapeutic approach frequently used to treat substance use disorders. CBT primarily helps individuals identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their substance use. Folks who are dealing with substance abuse can boost their skills in managing tough emotions and cravings by focusing on their thoughts. This can help them stay clean and sober.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a combination of different psychotherapy modalities. CBTs help people recognize negative thoughts or behaviors they often experience. Then, the therapist works with them to change these negative patterns.
Cognitive behavioral therapy suggests that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are linked and arise from core beliefs. Changing negative thoughts to healthier, more positive ones can foster better feelings and promote positive behaviors.
If a person with substance use disorder (SUD) believes “I am worthless,” negative experiences may lead them to think something similar to “I’ll never be good enough.” These thoughts often lead to negative responses, like using drugs or alcohol to briefly relieve bad feelings.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people with substance use disorders learn problem-solving skills to stop negative thinking.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to treat substance use disorders. More than 70% of treatment centers use this approach. CBT techniques focus on reflecting on thoughts to influence behavior.
When patients reflect on their situations, they can find new ways to cope with the emotional pain that drives them to use substances.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people with substance use disorder by reducing cravings and urges. It changes negative beliefs and teaches effective ways to manage substance use. Substance use disorder often involves harmful thought and behavior cycles. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps break these patterns by changing how people think and act.
For CBT to be successful, the patient must be able to:
- Identify negative thought patterns.
- Understand how these thoughts impact their thoughts and behaviors.
- Substitute harmful thought processes with constructive thinking.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals shift their perspectives. For instance, after a breakup, an alcoholic can change her thoughts from “I’m worthless, and everyone leaves” to “I have much to offer the right person. This relationship wasn’t meant to be, and it doesn’t define my worth.” The first thought leads to distress and increased alcohol use, while the second fosters positive feelings and actions.
Key Factors in CBT
There are a few factors that play essential roles throughout the therapy process. They are:
- Automatic thoughts
- Cognitive Distortions
- Self-Talk
- Thoughts Feelings Actions Triangle
- Core Beliefs
The best way to describe automatic thoughts is when a person has a constant slew of negative thoughts imposed in their mindset. These negative thought processes only fuel an anxious or depressed mood.CBT helps people change negative thoughts by finding evidence in their lives that shows these thoughts are not true.
Cognitive distortions, or “thinking errors,” are irrational thought patterns that can contribute to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Recognizing these errors is essential for addressing mental health challenges.
Some common cognitive distortions:
- Overgeneralizing– often includes words like “never” or “every.”
- All-or-nothing thinking– for example, “If ____ doesn’t happen, then I will never get ____.”
- Blaming– for example, “I wouldn’t have ____ if ____ hadn’t happened.”
- Labeling– labeling self in negative terms such as “I’m worthless” or “I’m a failure.”
Self-talk is a constant part of our daily lives, encompassing our internal dialogue about ourselves and our experiences. Those struggling with depression often engage in negative self-talk, expressing thoughts like, “Nothing will ever improve,” “I’m a failure,” and “Why try? I’m never successful, so I might as well keep using.”
The thoughts-feelings-actions triangle concept in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) identifies the connections between self-talk, emotions, and behaviors. Each corner of the triangle represents one of these components: self-talk (automatic thoughts), feelings (emotional responses), and actions (resulting behaviors).
CBT helps individuals identify and challenge distorted or negative thoughts, replacing them with more rational ones. This cognitive restructuring can positively change emotions and behaviors, ultimately enhancing overall mental well-being.
Core beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Each person has a unique set of these beliefs. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify and restructure distorted beliefs, leading to healthier choices and improved behaviors, including overcoming substance abuse.
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is Commonly Used With Substance Use Disorders
Therapists have different views on how to best use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating substance use disorder. Generally, this therapy focuses on how a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, cravings, and substance use are connected.
CBT aims to reduce the strength and frequency of cravings by changing negative beliefs and teaching patients how to handle their urges. Since substance use disorder often involves repeated cycles of thoughts and behaviors, CBT uses specific techniques to break these unhealthy patterns.
- Skills Development: Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people recover by teaching skills to reduce substance use. Coping skills provide ways to handle everyday challenges, replacing harmful actions with positive responses. Self-management skills help individuals observe and control their reactions, allowing for healthier responses to difficult situations.
- Behavioral Techniques: The skills learned in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be applied in everyday life. Two common techniques are homework assignments and relapse prevention. Homework assignments encourage the practice of new skills between therapy sessions. Using these skills in daily activities helps change behaviors that lead to substance use, increasing awareness and the ability to change harmful actions.
- Group Cognitive behavioral therapy: Group cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT) allows participants to explore dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors in a supportive environment. This collaborative setting fosters new insights and strategies, helping individuals challenge negative patterns and promote positive behavior change.
CBT as Effective Treatment for Long-Term Recovery
Cognitive Behavioral Theory fits nicely into the framework of treating addiction. It offers very practical concepts that are easy for patients to understand and put into immediate action.
Therapy varies for each person, but Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has positively impacted many seeking a substance-free lifestyle. It becomes even more effective when combined with other treatment methods, especially for those with substance use disorders or dual diagnoses.
If you feel that cognitive behavioral therapy may benefit you or someone you care about, reach out to Blue Star Recovery today. Our counselors are ready to find a treatment plan that encompasses your needs.
References:
- Mayo Clinic: Cognitive behavioral therapy
- National Library of Medicine: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for Substance Use Disorders
- American Psychological Association: What is Cognitive behavioral therapy?
- National Library of Medicine: Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders: Through the Stage Model and Back Again
