Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

As we previously mentioned, cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy, specifically talk therapy, based on the principles of behaviorism (dealing with the ways that behavior can be controlled or modified), as well as theories of cognition (focusing on understanding how people think, feel, and view themselves and the world around them). CBT is a psychological form of care that focuses on changing thinking and behavioral patterns to contribute to recovery. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy is meant to show the individual why harmful actions and emotions are not logical or rational. These feelings and behaviors may come from past experiences and environmental factors or may act as coping mechanisms. When an addicted person understands why they feel or act a certain way, as well as how those feelings and actions contribute to their addiction, they are better equipped to get and stay sober. 

When it comes to CBT mental health treatment, cognitive behavioral therapists also help those in recovery identify negative “automatic thoughts,” which may stem from various mental illnesses. An automatic thought is based on impulse and often results from misconceptions and internalized feelings of self-doubt, fear, and others. Oftentimes, people will engage in harmful behaviors, such as substance abuse, to cope with these feelings. Therefore, many individuals with addictions also have co-occurring mental health disorders. 

CBT is proven to be an amazing tool for individuals with drug use disorders, alcoholism, and mental illness to overcome their symptoms and learn how to live lives conducive to their sobriety and recovery.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders

When treating someone with an addiction, CBT for substance abuse follows these fundamental principles: 

• Psychological disorders are partly based on inaccurate ways of thinking.
• Psychological disorders are also based on learned, negative behavioral patterns.
• People suffering from psychological disorders can learn better ways of coping, thereby relieving their symptoms and creating positive changes in their lives.

In addition to talk therapy, where the patient would discuss their challenges, CBT therapists may also use role-playing techniques to develop a plan for how the individual would deal with problematic situations in the future. For instance, creating a list of the pros and cons of reactions to various situations can help people understand how their thoughts and actions may improve or worsen the situation. 

Having a plan of action prepared can help the person feel more confident about their behavior in the future. Everyone’s challenges are unique, so it is up to both the therapist and the patient to develop a treatment strategy to address the latter’s needs. What works for one individual may not work for another. By following this plan, patients can develop strong relapse-prevention skills to sustain long-term sobriety. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mental Illness

While the core of cognitive behavioral therapy is the same, no matter what it is being used to treat, mental health disorders may require a slightly different approach. Like cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction treatment, CBT is used to help individuals with mental health disorders eliminate avoidant and safety-seeking behaviors that prevent self-correction of false beliefs, subsequently facilitating stress management to reduce stress-related disorders.

According to research, CBT was effective in treating a variety of mental health problems, including:

• Anxiety disorder, attention deficit hypersensitivity disorder, bulimia nervosa, depression, and hypochondriasis.
• Physical conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and breast cancer.
• Behavioral problems like antisocial behaviors, drug abuse, gambling, being overweight, and smoking.

In stressful situations, some people tend to feel pessimistic and struggle to solve problems. CBT promotes a more balanced way of thinking to improve the person’s ability to cope with stress. With the help of CBT, patients can identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on their mood and behavior. 

What to Expect During Cognitive Behavior Therapy

As stated previously, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) therapist plays a crucial role in helping individuals overcome substance use disorders by addressing the underlying thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with addiction.

Here's an overview of what a CBT therapist does:

• Assessment:
  • Conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand the individual's history, patterns of substance use, and associated cognitive and emotional factors.
  • Identify specific thoughts and behaviors contributing to addiction.
• Goal Setting:
  • Collaborate with the individual to establish clear and achievable treatment goals.
  • Define specific, measurable objectives related to changing harmful thought patterns and behaviors.
• Education:
  • Provide psychoeducation about the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  • Help the individual understand how certain thoughts may contribute to substance use.
• Cognitive Restructuring:
  • Work with the individual to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs associated with addiction.
  • Facilitate the development of healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking.
• Behavioral Techniques:
  • Teach and implement coping skills to manage cravings, stress, and triggers for substance use.
  • Use behavioral strategies, such as self-monitoring, to identify and modify patterns of behavior.
• Skill Building:
  • Assist in the development of practical skills for problem-solving, decision-making, and emotion regulation.
  • Encourage the use of positive coping mechanisms as alternatives to substance use.
• Relapse Prevention:
  • Develop a relapse prevention plan to identify potential risks and strategies to avoid relapse.
  • Provide ongoing support and skills training to reinforce relapse prevention techniques.
• Homework Assignments:
  • Assign therapeutic homework, such as journaling or practicing new skills in real-life situations, to reinforce therapeutic concepts between sessions.
• Monitoring Progress:
  • Regularly assess and monitor progress toward treatment goals.
  • Adjust therapeutic strategies as needed based on the individual's response and evolving needs.

As a part of this program, patients will partake in one-on-one sessions with their therapist. Each of these sessions is formulated according to the client’s progress. Throughout cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, the client and therapist actively work together to identify any negative thought patterns behind the individual’s condition and develop effective strategies for overcoming them. This CBT program allows patients to gain a set of new cognitive and behavioral principles that they can apply in all life settings after rehab. CBT therapists work collaboratively with individuals to empower them with the skills and insights necessary for sustainable recovery. The focus is on changing patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to substance use and replacing them with healthier alternatives.

Not all CBT therapists use these strategies. Rather, they focus on implementing practices that best suit the client, allowing them to work collaboratively. Our nationwide treatment centers prioritize the relationships between our therapists and clients to ensure that clients feel as comfortable as possible during their sessions and can speak openly about their struggles.

The Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction

Cognitive behavioral therapy began as a way to treat depression, but its use has been expanded to various mental health problems as well as the treatment of substance abuse disorders.

The benefits of CBT for addiction include:

• Improved Mental Health: All too often people who abuse drugs or alcohol also require treatment for a co-occurring disorder because of an underlying mental health problem. This program is meant to improve a person’s overall mental health by getting rid of unhelpful, negative thoughts.
• Relapse Prevention: Even if they do not have a mental health disorder, poor mental is often a common reason for relapse, but practicing cognitive behavioral therapy techniques could prevent this from happening.
• Breaking Bad Habits: Our behaviors, good or bad, are a result of our thinking. If we can change bad thinking, we can change bad behaviors and help break the vicious cycle of addiction.
• Facing Fears: Some of these negative thought patterns may be a result of fears. CBT can help patients face their fears and realize the irrational thoughts behind them.
• Managing Stress Correctly: We all deal with stress differently, but for an addict, this often means turning to drugs or alcohol. This treatment therapy is designed to teach patients to manage stress effectively without the use of drugs or alcohol.
• Other benefits of a CBT program include:
  • Helping to cope with grief or loss
  • Learning ways to manage emotions
  • Gaining techniques to cope with stress
  • Resolving relationship conflicts
  • Developing communication skills
  • Possibly preventing a relapse
  • Overcoming emotional trauma that influences addiction

The Benefits of Using CBT for Veterans

The challenges faced by our country’s veterans typically cannot be fully understood until a person experiences these hardships themselves. This sadly leaves many struggling with feelings of isolation and a lack of hope, which becomes more difficult to break away from with time. In response, Banyan’s military rehab center offers CBT for veterans so that they can learn how to manage the symptoms of addiction and mental illness that they are living with.

Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have found CBT to be a useful therapy strategy that offers a variety of advantages catered to their particular needs.

The advantages of utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD include:

• Symptom management: This program teaches veterans effective methods for reducing distressing PTSD symptoms by battling their negative beliefs and reinterpreting traumatic experiences. Emotional intensity can be lowered by using methods like cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy, which promote healthy coping strategies.
• Skill development: It provides veterans with a toolkit of skills, including relaxation methods, stress management techniques, and problem-solving skills, enabling them to successfully manage PTSD symptoms both in therapy and outside of it. These learned abilities help veterans feel more capable of handling their recovery process and promote self-efficacy.
• Addressing co-occurring issues: By treating underlying thought patterns and behaviors, CBT effectively addresses co-occurring issues like depression, anxiety, and substance addiction in veterans with PTSD. The simultaneous management of several problems produces better overall results and a more thorough approach to the well-being of veterans.
• Long-term benefits: Through a strong emphasis on skill development and self-management, CBT gives veterans access to resources that go beyond therapy, encouraging resilience, effective problem-solving skills, and healthier coping mechanisms. This emphasis on long-term gains promotes veterans' overall quality of life and allows for prolonged recovery.

There is much to be gained through CBT for veterans. It offers our clients a sincere chance to confront and overcome the symptoms of PTSD, addiction, and many other mental health disorders.

CBT for Addiction and Mental Illness at Banyan

We guide our clients to create customized and effective coping strategies to handle the stressors and difficult situations that come their way during and after their individualized therapy program. They are given the necessary tools to handle the circumstances on their own when times get tough.

Our drug and alcohol rehabs offer various addiction therapy programs, as well as a mental health program, to treat patients with many types of disorders. CBT is only one of several services offered to aid clients in their recovery from addiction and mental illness, as well as their maintenance of long-term sobriety. 

For more information about our drug and alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, CBT, or other services, contact Banyan Treatment Centers today. Call us today at (855) 908-0663 to get started.

Not all programs are available at all locations. Please contact the location for availability.

Sources: 

1. NIH - Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies
2. APA - What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
3. NIH - Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: theory and practice