Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Explained
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a treatment that aims to help people change negative thought patterns and behaviours. The belief and foundation behind CBT are that mental health disorders can be traced back to learned negative thought patterns and defence coping mechanisms. This is why itʼs now used widely to treat mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even addiction.
According to research, CBT has been found to be one of the core treatments that helps people suffering from substance abuse free from the burden of addiction. As this kind of treatment is solution-based, this is an incredible tool to help people struggling with addiction break their dependency, identify their triggers, and develop coping skills to live.
Read on to learn how CBT works to help people create new, healthier thinking patterns, especially when it comes to addiction.
Why Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Works
Most people struggling with addiction find it extremely hard to break out of the vicious cycle of their cravings, their triggers, and their dysfunctional thinking patterns. Addiction has many layers and is deeply personal for each individual. And treating it is not as simple as finding an OFF switch button, and itʼs gone.
But while people may have different histories behind their thinking patterns, CBT helps them create their own toolkit. A toolkit filled with practical solutions to steer these thoughts, emotions, and behaviours away from their usual pattern fueled by addiction.
Cognitive behavioural therapy helps them cope with risk factors like social situations where the object of addiction is present, permission-giving thought patterns, and identifying ways to combat their triggers.
The good thing about CBT is it can be customised for the patients specific needs, and it depends on the following:
- The patientʼs readiness for change
- Existing behavioural patterns
- Dominant thinking patterns
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
When to go for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
The number one thing to determine when to go for cognitive behavioural therapy is the level of readiness a person has to change. It may be harder to do without this willingness, but it can still be beneficial for them. The critical thing is that the therapist should tailor the treatment to the patientʼs readiness.
When it comes to addiction, most people struggling with this disorder are in denial of their struggle. In order to treat the root cause, they should be able to acknowledge that they have a problem first.
Most people with addiction disorder can be described as having:
- Frequent cravings
- High tolerance towards the substance
- Physically dependent on the substance
- Emotional dependence on the substance
- And the loss of control in their life
When their actions and emotions are dictated by the grip of their addiction, immediate help should be given. Once the person is ready for change, CBT can support them by recognising their patterns and substituting them with healthier coping strategies.
The success of the treatment plan lies heavily on the personʼs will to change, and while it can be difficult at first, slow and steady steps can help them quickly commit to the work. Thankfully, even patients who are in denial of their addiction problem can benefit from CBT as long as it aligns with their current level of readiness.
What Happens During Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
In cognitive behavioural therapy, the first thing people learn is their triggers and the skills they need to develop to combat them for the future. Some people are more at risk when socialising in bars, pubs, or other events. And for some, it can be rooted in stress relief and habitual drinking.
It differs from person to person, and CBT helps them unlock their own personal risk factors. Once they identify these, they will learn habit-breaking strategies and new thought patterns to help them cope.
Therapists may also give prescribed medicine and may incorporate group sessions to create a sense of community. This, combined with a medical prescription, can help the person struggling with addiction carve out new positive ways to free them from the vicious cycle of substance abuse.
The benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy
Relapse is a common thing that most people with addiction struggle with. Thankfully, CBT can help them achieve sobriety in the short term and also help them stay sober in the long term.
Here are just some of the benefits of CBT:
- Help avoid relapse in the future
- Gives people self-efficacy and confidence
- Helps develop actionable strategies for people
All of which can lead to maintaining healthy thought patterns and habits effectively. Even if people develop these skills slowly, over time, their consistent actions give them confidence and control over their lives. This is what makes CBT such an effective treatment approach for long-term recovery.
The Role of Counselling in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
When individuals begin their CBT treatment, counsellors examine their specific needs and what mode of therapy they should attend. Most of the time, this can vary from weekly or bi-weekly sessions that last from 30 minutes to an hour.
During the sessions, both therapist and patient identify the problems and break them into components and how to address each. Both will collaborate in creating an actionable plan, which the patient will then apply and further assess as the treatment continues.
FREE Addiction Assessment
If your or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free addiction assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
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