Therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy for individual and group therapy when treating individuals recovering from a SUD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy usually takes less time to show positive results when compared to other forms of talk therapy. CBT is highly effective in treating common co-occurring disorders, including the following:
- Some forms of SUD
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression
- Somatoform disorders
- Personality disorders
- Stress management
The efficiency of CBT makes it ideal for short-term treatments like detox and withdrawal stabilization programs. CBT therapists work under the assumption that the majority of maladaptive behaviors have a cognitive source that can be identified and altered to create healthy changes to behaviors and thought patterns.
How We Use CBT to Help You
The versatility of CBT makes it an excellent tool for rehabilitation because everyone comes into treatment with varying symptoms, mindsets, and behavioral issues. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can provide stress reduction and assist with increasing self-awareness and self-efficacy. The more you understand the reasons behind your thoughts and actions, the easier it will be to replace them with healthier alternatives. CBT is used in all of our facilities to assist our clients with the following:
- Gaining insight into aspects of mental health
- Exploring and practicing healthy coping mechanisms
- Learning essential skills to aid with emotion processing
- Increasing resiliency and self-awareness
Not everyone will respond to CBT the same way. For some substance use disorders, like opioid use disorder (OUD), we may suggest motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management (CM), or other psychotherapies. However, the vast majority of individuals will benefit from CBT as a form of therapy. Some demographics are more likely to respond positively to CBT. For example, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs states that “Veterans who complete CBT-SUD [Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorder] often find they are better at: managing cravings and urges to use; feel more skilled at solving problems; and feel more committed to making and maintaining changes in substance use.”