How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work?

Written by

How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work?

Are you looking into cognitive behavioral therapy to help you overcome a mental health disorder, work through mental health symptoms, or overcome addiction? If so, you may want to learn more about how this type of therapy works.

 

After reading this, if you have more questions about CBT or you want to enroll in a treatment program that includes cognitive behavioral therapy, reach out to us here at Harmony Treatment and Wellness of Stuart.

Combining Treatment Approaches

The first thing you need to know about how CBT works is that it combines 2 treatment approaches. One of these is cognitive therapy and the other is behavioral therapy. Basically, this means that you will be talking with a therapist and working on recognizing your behaviors. Then, you can learn to change negative behaviors, so you can heal and develop positive, healthy behaviors in their place.

Treating Addiction with CBT

It is also important for you to know that CBT can work to treat addiction. This therapy is usually combined with other addiction treatments. However, it is quite powerful on its own, as well.

Studies show that when people talk with a professional therapist and work on their behaviors, they are more likely to stop abusing alcohol and drugs than those who don’t work on this. The reason for this is that when you attend CBT sessions during your addiction treatment program, you take the time to recognize which behaviors keep sending you into the cycle of substance abuse. Upon recognizing those behaviors, you can work on a plan to change them.

Here at Harmony Stuart and Wellness, we have helped many people overcome addiction through cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. Some addictions we have been able to help people overcome include:

  • Marijuana
  • Methamphetamine
  • Heroin
  • Cocaine
  • Alcohol

If you have an addiction to any substance, please reach out to us to start your recovery.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Benefits

Now that you understand more about how this type of therapy works, it would be good to review some of the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy. Some of these benefits include:

  • Recognizing and defeating self-destructive behaviors
  • Recognizing triggers and how to manage them
  • Learning healthy coping skills
  • Reducing stress and other mental health symptoms
  • Overcoming trauma and working through other difficult past situations
  • Building a healthy recovery toolbox
  • Learning emotional management skills
  • Getting better at healthy problem solving
  • Improving communication skills
  • Learning how to deal with grief
  • Learning to better manage and cope with chronic health issues
  • Better chance of preventing a relapse
  • Identifying issues that hold you back from living a substance-free life
  • Evaluating why you have certain thoughts and how to change the way you think

Above are some examples of the many benefits you can receive when attending cognitive behavioral therapy during your addiction treatment program.

Use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Change Your Life Today

Now that you have learned how CBT works and how it can benefit you, contact us today, here at Harmony Treatment and Wellness of Stuart, to add CBT to your addiction treatment program.

7 Don’ts for Discussing Someone’s Addiction With Them

Written by

How to not to Talk about Addiction with a loved one

All loved ones of addicts reach the point where they need to discuss the problem with the person directly. In doing so, you have a chance to convince them to get them the help they need. But you also run the risk of pushing them away and further isolating them in their addiction. Learning to talk to your loved one about their addiction in a way that feels safe is the best way to get them the help they need. 

Avoiding saying or doing these important “Don’ts” will help you create a safe space and help get the best possible result for your loved one. 

 

 

1. Don’t Berate, Belittle or Blame

 

Accusatory tactics like these will likely result in your loved one feeling defensive, angry, and even storming out. Addicts are in a fragile state and are quick to emotionally spiral, which typically drives them to use in order to soothe their pain. Avoid these three B’s to maintain a safe and constructive environment. 

 

 

2. Don’t Make It All About You

 

Your experience of their addiction is part of this, of course, but right now the goal is to get your loved one the help they need. Try to make sure you’re focusing on them. Have you noticed they seem unhappy? Do they look different than they used to? Is their health declining? Rather than focusing on how you’ve been treated, focus on them. Your relationship to their addiction can be discussed later, once they are safely in treatment.  

 

 

3. Don’t Attempt to Know What They are Feeling or Experiencing

 

It is best not to talk to your loved one as if you know what it is like to have an addiction (unless of course you actually do). Every addict’s struggle is unique. Instead of trying to assume what they are going through, ask them. Opening the dialogue creates a space for honesty, transparency, vulnerability and ultimately, change. 

 

 

4. Don’t Pass Judgement

 

In creating a safe and open space, you may learn things you didn’t expect. If they are telling you things that make you  feel inclined to judge their behavior. Don’t. Whatever you do, do not judge them. Support them, listen to them, offer to help. Know that addiction is a disease that takes people away from their true selves. Their addict behaviors are not indicative of them as a person. 

 

 

5. Don’t Raise Your Voice

 

This is a surefire way to create a heated argument, which is very unlikely to end in a positive outcome. Sometimes a person in active addiction will feel accused by any discussion of their substance abuse. Keep your voice level, even if your loved one does not. Do not engage with any outbursts, stay calm, and maintain the safe space. 

 

 

6. Don’t use this as an opportunity to air all your grievances 

 

You might be angry or hurt over things that have happened during their active addiction. It’s understandable and ok to feel these things, but now is not the time to raise them. For now, do not criticize, express anger, or bring up the past in a negative way. The only things you should be talking about are your concerns for their safety and wellbeing. Again: safe space. 

 

 

7. Don’t Lose Sight of Your Goal

 

Keep reminding yourself of the purpose of this conversation: To get your loved one into treatment. Before speaking ask yourself, will what I’m about to say bring us closer to this goal? If the answer is uncertain, don’t say it. 

 

We hope this helped you learn how not to talk to a loved one about their addiction. However, if you feel you need more help or would like guidance on how best to get your loved one in to treatment, our expert team at Harmony Recovery Group can help. Call us today. We’re here to support you.