Drug addiction is a progressive neurological disease requiring clinical treatment. The only way an addict can achieve long-term sobriety is through a holistic treatment program that addresses the physiological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of addiction. Some of the most proven techniques for treating addiction are known as “evidence-based therapies” because of their rigorous testing and government approval. These methods include individual counseling sessions, group therapy, and family therapy. Overall, these therapies are designed to teach the addict coping mechanisms to deal with future cravings.
However, many rehab clinics use other highly successful treatment methods. To treat mental problems related to Counselling for Addiction, clinicians often use cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy teaches the addict that his emotions and actions are controlled by his thoughts, so he can be in control even when he is sober. This is very important for addicts because control issues often lead to drug use in the first place.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has two main components: analysis and response training. During the analysis phase of this therapy, clinicians help patients discover some of the underlying causes of drug use and addiction. Addicts learn to recognize the thoughts and feelings they experience when they crave drugs.
For example, some alcoholics may find that they drink impulsively whenever they feel nervous or scared. On the other hand, people addicted to cocaine, methamphetamine, or other stimulants may turn to drugs because of high workloads and anxiety. Overall, learning about these drug-related emotions is important for addicts to develop effective mechanisms for dealing with cravings. By identifying dangerous emotions, you can learn to think through your problems and change your mental state in a healthy way.
Addicts learn these coping mechanisms during response training. After identifying the emotions that trigger substance use, patients learn healthy ways to actively prevent and respond productively to negative emotions when they arise.
For example, people who normally use marijuana when stressed can instead learn to deal with stress through meditation or an objective analysis of a problem. They can also learn to avoid stressors in the first place by analyzing the areas of their lives that most often trigger depressive thoughts and feelings. Negative relationships, co-occurring mental illness, and financial hardship are problems that addicts can address during cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Like most other addiction treatment methods, like the disease of addiction itself, cognitive-behavioral therapy is progressive. Rehabilitation requires consistent effort from both the patient and clinician and is usually only one of many components of a comprehensive treatment program. Although residential inpatient programs are the most involved and most effective in treating severe cases of poisoning, patients can also receive this therapy during partial hospitalization and outpatient treatment.
Whatever your situation, help is available now. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, follow the link below for free, free counseling. A dedicated addiction specialist will help you find a treatment plan that fits your budget, lifestyle, and specific drug problem. Don’t wait until it’s too late, get help today.