Psychotherapists first began using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) techniques more than 50 years ago. Initially, these techniques were effective in the treatment of diverse mental health conditions such as anxiety, phobias, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. It was only within the last ten years that CBT techniques became a popular treatment tool for the addiction treatment community. The good news is initial results indicate its a very effective form of treatment.
What is Cognitive Behavior Treatment?
Cause and effect have always been a primary concern among addiction treatment clinicians and counselors. However, there was a need to find a way to teach clients how to understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and the resulting behaviors. Addiction falls within that spectrum. There is a correlation between an addiction sufferer’s negative thoughts and the way they turn to substance abuse as a coping method. Of course, the results are horrible. Using CBT techniques, counselors are then able to teach clients the truth about their addiction. They are also able to help the client identify the way their misguided thoughts and feelings result in swallowing a pill or taking a drink.
Popular CBT Techniques
There are literally dozens of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques that psychotherapists keep at their disposal. In the addiction treatment community, there are at least five CBT techniques that seem to be popular within the programs for cognitive behavioral therapy in Los Angeles, California. For example, sticking with just those five techniques, the list includes:
- Keeping a Diary – By forcing clients to keep a diary of negative thoughts, they can learn to look at their thoughts and use objective reasoning to disprove them
- Swapping Thoughts – The process of swapping negative thoughts with positive thoughts is very useful. Sometimes, it only entails the individual thinking the opposite
- Memory Regression – Hiding from past trauma is a common source of emotional problems that lead to addiction. By forcing a client to recall adverse events, the events become less traumatic over time
- Programming Relaxation and Enjoyment – Addiction sufferers often forget how to just relax and have fun. The process of scheduling “fun time” every day gives the individual something to look forward to
- Assertiveness Training – Instead of laying back and letting life just happen, clients learn to take control over their lives
The Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques
At Destinations for Teens, a client has to walk away from treatment feeling in control of their own lives. CBT therapy techniques have proven to be the tools to do just that. By learning how to recognize destructive behaviors as well as the causes of those behaviors, the recovering addict has options. They can use the techniques their addiction counselors have given them to convert potential destructive behaviors into positive actions. If you are suffering from an addiction, it’s not something that’s going to correct itself. You’re the one who needs to take control and make changes. If you need an addiction treatment center that offers CBT techniques training, then consider the substance abuse programs at Destinations for Teens. These techniques are proving to be very effective in the treatment of addictions. Depending on the state of your addiction, time could be of the essence. You can regain control of your life from your addiction by calling us at 877.466.0620">877.466.0620!