Psychotherapy explained
Psychotherapy is the fundamental foundation of many modern addiction treatments that counteract the psychological roots of addiction. While there are other treatment approaches like medically assisted detoxification, which targets physical dependency, psychotherapy has been proven to help uproot the psychological factors that drive addiction in the first place.
Understanding Psychotherapy in Addiction Treatment
Substance abuse is often indicative that there are psychological problems or trauma that drive it. Most people struggling with addiction have deeper issues that need to be uprooted in order for them to recover fully.
Detox wonʼt just cut it, as the main drivers that led an individual to their addiction are still not addressed, and this is where psychotherapy comes in. Psychotherapy helps individuals deal with their innermost problems and identify how these manifest into unhealthy patterns.
Most times, when people have not undergone psychotherapy, they often find themselves relapsing and slipping back into their destructive patterns of behaviour. However, there is no shame in this because relapse is a natural part of recovery. Psychotherapy therefore plays a major part of treating addiction and minimising the chances of relapse.
Why Psychotherapy?
It is never easy to dig up the root cause of addiction, and it can be painful for most people to confront it. However, these deep down causes must be addressed in order to pave a solid way for recovery.
Psychotherapy is by far the most recognised and proven approach for treatment with a high success rate in helping individuals deal with the psychological root causes. Thankfully, numerous modes of psychotherapy can be used.
When to go for Psychotherapy
The best way to determine this is by initially seeking help from your GP, who can refer you to a professional a therapist. Psychotherapy is often provided as a treatment approach in rehab, but you can also access it outside of a rehab facility.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
What to Expect from Psychotherapy?
The crucial thing you need to have in psychotherapy is the willingness to communicate with honesty and vulnerability. Expect that sessions can be awkward or painful at first, but just remember that your therapist is working hand in hand with you to help you unload your emotional burdens and trauma and then create new healthy ways to combat them. They will always have your best interest at heart, and you will benefit far more if you are fully open and honest with them.
What Happens During Psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, you may have a one-on-one or group meeting. The first can help people who want a more intimate setting, and the second can give a sense of community. The goal of the sessions is to uncover the problems that led to the addiction and develop new coping skills and strategies to combat the thought patterns and behaviours.
The critical key here is that the person should be willing to be vulnerable and honest. This might take some time, of course, from person to person, so itʼs usually not a one-off session but a series where each session builds from the first one.
How Effective is Psychotherapy?
The effectiveness of psychotherapy is dependent on the personʼs willingness to engage with the therapist. Itʼs a two-way street, and for the therapist to help find strategies that work for the individual, communication must be present first and foremost. Therapy is not the only mode of treatment for addiction, but in conjunction with other approaches like detox and counselling, it is highly effective in helping with recovery.
The Role of Counselling in Psychotherapy
In therapy, the goal of the practitioner is to uproot the psychological issues behind the addiction. It aims to identify the triggers and help develop habit-breaking strategies for the patient to apply. Conversely, counselling is more focused on listening and giving advice, and it differs from psychotherapy. When taken with therapy, though, counselling can boost its effectiveness as well.
The benefits of psychotherapy
Here are just some of the benefits of engaging with a psychotherapist, especially for people struggling with issues around addiction:
- Increased self esteem
A trained psychotherapist will help to reinforce some of the good things that you may or may not know about yourself and help you feel better. Also, over time and through working on your issues, you will find that you will feel better about yourself.
- Less uncertainty
When you see a therapist, they will direct you in your chosen path. This will lead to less uncertainty and, over time, a better ability to make balanced and informed decisions.
- Peach of mind
As you work with your therapist and bounce things around, he or she will reveal truths to you that you may not have realised. You will find serenity over past issues and peace of mind with time.
- Sense of purpose
A therapist can help you find your true purpose in life. By working with a therapist you will uncover a greater sense of purpose. This is one of the many benefits of therapy that should not be overlooked. Going through life without a purpose can lead to depression and feelings of hopelessness.
- The development of self-awareness
This is achieved by discussing specific issues in great detail and receiving feedback from the therapist.
- Better relationships
Working with a therapist will lead to improved relationships. As you speak truthfully and openly to your therapist, they may point out the toxic relationships you have and offer you peace of mind when you decide to cut them off. This will lead to better overall mental health and more fulfilling life relationships.
- Feeling listened to
A therapist is a person who will always listen to you express your emotions. This will lead to an overall better feeling of well being as you will feel listened to and validated by your therapist.
- Make healthier choices
Seeing a therapist will eventually lead you to make healthier life choices. If you work hard to fix your situation. You will quickly see that your life can be much more fulfilling and positive.
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Facts about psychotherapy
Remember, seeking therapy is a brave and beneficial step towards taking care of your mental health and well-being. It’s not about being “crazy”; it’s about getting support when you need it, just like you would for any form of physical health issue. Below are some facts to consider:
- Psychotherapy was first used in Germany in 1889
- Psychotherapy is a well-established and effective treatment for addiction
- Psychotherapy involves talking to a trained therapist who listens, supports, and provides strategies to help you feel better and cope with life’s challenges
- There are many types of psychotherapy, like CBT, talk therapy, and more. Your therapist will choose the one that suits you best
- What you discuss in therapy is private, and therapists are bound by strict confidentiality rules
- This practice is usually taken by people in weeks or months, but itʼs not necessarily a permanent treatment
- 1 in 5 British people have consulted with a psychotherapist or counsellor
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