Behavioral therapy is one of the ways you can tackle the symptoms of addiction. This therapeutic intervention is designed to repair the negative thought processes that can happen as a result of addiction. Many treatment centers use behavioral therapy as a treatment for addiction to offer the best chances of sustaining sobriety.
So, does behavioral therapy work? What are the components of behavioral therapy for addiction? Take a look at everything you need to know.
What is Behavioral Therapy?
Behavioral therapy is a talking therapy that helps you to change your perspective. Changing your perspective will lead to changing the way you think and behave. It works on the basis that negative thoughts can trap you in a vicious cycle.
This type of therapy can focus on things that have happened in your past, as well as things that are happening currently. It aims to increase positive thoughts and improve your state of mind.
How Does It Work?
Behavioral therapy works by disrupting negative thought patterns. It teaches patients to respond to stress in a different way and learn new ways of thinking. The aim is to empower you to live a healthier life.
When you feel in control of your thoughts, you can make a choice. You can choose to not accept negative thoughts and build yourself up instead. Negative thoughts can lead to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression which in turn can lead to addiction.
CBT allows you to confront those thoughts and feelings and turn them around. When you’re less likely to think negatively, you’re less likely to try and find comfort in an addiction.
What Happens in Behavioral Therapy?
Your specialist will work with you to identify negative thought patterns and beliefs. This will determine the specific areas to work on during your addiction treatment. Behavioral therapy will help you to focus on more positive beliefs so you can eradicate the beliefs that have led you to addiction thus far.
Negative thought patterns are sometimes linked to coping mechanisms that no longer work. Many addicts try coping mechanisms to stay functional in everyday life. If these methods haven’t worked, behavioral therapy can help you to adopt new ones.
The Benefits of Behavioral Therapy
One of the best things about behavioral therapy is it’s flexible and can be adapted to each patient. It is a highly effective treatment, whether it’s done within a group setting or on an individual basis. This therapy is evidence-based and the benefits are extensive.
For example, this treatment can benefit someone who has struggled to beat addiction with medicine alone. Behavioral therapy is also a short therapy course in comparison to many others. It’s also not something you receive solely from your clinic.
Although group and one-to-one sessions at a treatment center are often the best sources of help, you can also read CBT books at home and study the therapy online. CBT offers a practical solution to a difficult problem and gives you methods you can use in your life long after your treatment has finished.
What to Consider Before Joining Behavioral Therapy
It’s important to remember that you’ll need to fully commit to the process of adjusting your thinking. You can discuss this further with a therapist at your clinic. You’ll also need to do work in between sessions. You’ll be given something similar to homework each time you meet with your therapist.
This type of therapy will make you confront situations and emotions that you may find upsetting. You’ll need to be willing to face the emotions and issues that often lead you to your addiction and that can often feel uncomfortable for a while. CBT will focus entirely on you and your thought patterns so if you’re hoping to mend relationships through your sobriety, you may need additional support.
Contact Us
At Robert Alexander Center for Recovery, we offer many different detox treatment services that can give you what you need to start your recovery. From residential inpatient to intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization, we have something to suit all needs. Our team of professional staff members are ready to offer you support where you need it and provide you with the tools for sustainable recovery.
Drug and alcohol addiction can destroy your life and the lives of those around you. We want to make sure you get that life back on track by providing everything from medication to therapy. If you’d like to talk more about the programs we offer, contact us for more information.
