Addiction is a complex disease that has a history rooted in stigma. Historically addiction has been viewed as a moral failing of people who actively chose to relinquish self-control. Thankfully, modern science and medical research have proven that addiction is a chronic, progressive brain disease, which has helped to alleviate much of the stigma previously attached to it. Addiction is characterized by the structural and functional changes in the brain that result from prolonged drug and alcohol abuse. Harmony Hills offers a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program that addresses the underlying causes of addiction, allowing individuals to understand that addiction is much greater than a lack of self-control. To learn more, call 855.494.0357.
Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Treat Addiction
When individuals are abusing or are addicted to drugs or alcohol, their thought processes and behaviors become deeply maladaptive. Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between substance use disorders and mental health disorders. While it cannot be proven that one causes the other, there is ample evidence to show that they are deeply intertwined. In some cases, severe addiction can be directly linked to the onset of particular mental health disorders. For the most part, however, treatment for substance use disorders usually uncovers underlying mental health disorders, including but not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Trauma
Individuals suffering from untreated mental health disorders frequently turn to drugs and alcohol to numb their emotional pain. While the effects of these substances may provide temporary relief, when they wear off, the individual is left not only with the emotional distress they were trying to numb but the consequences of their substance abuse. For many, this becomes a cycle that entraps them.
The Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program at Harmony Hills helps our clients confront the maladaptive thought patterns that drive their addictive behaviors and promotes the learning of healthy behaviors that support their quest for sobriety.
Benefits of CBT for Sobriety
Many people who suffer from addiction have negative thoughts and feelings that impact their behaviors. CBT focuses on identifying these thoughts and feelings and replacing them with more adaptive ones. For individuals who have never been taught or learned how to manage stress and difficult emotions, CBT offers the opportunity to learn coping skills and strategies to handle situations without turning to drugs or alcohol.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy was initially developed as an approach for treating alcohol addiction, so it is no wonder that it is a significant component of addiction treatment across the country and throughout the world. One of the critical benefits of CBT is that it is a short-term form of therapy, making it ideally suited for addiction treatment programs, as they are generally between 30 and 90 days.
CBT is highly goal-oriented and patient-centered, making it very adaptable to each individual’s unique needs. Through CBT, the therapist helps clients recognize a problem, identify the sources of the problem, and learn coping skills and strategies to overcome the problem. While the past is not ignored, the primary focus is on treating the client’s most urgent issues and finding immediate solutions.
Through the many applications of CBT, clients can:
- Strengthen communication skills
- Heal from trauma
- Resolve relationship conflicts
- Cope with grief or loss
- Learn more adaptive ways of thinking
- Learn to identify and monitor thought patterns
Research on the effectiveness of CBT shows that the skills obtained through CBT are long-lasting and can be applied to many areas of life. By learning to think more positively, individuals can have more balanced emotions and make healthier choices. These changes help support recovery and continued sobriety.
Find Out if CBT Can Help You by Calling Harmony Hills Today
For many, CBT is a highly effective option for treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. At Harmony Hills, we offer various mental health therapies to meet the uniques needs of our clients. If you are ready to begin a life of sobriety, call us at 855.494.0357 to determine if CBT therapy is right for you.
