CBT For Addiction Treatment in California

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Ventura County, CA

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was developed as a technique to address dysfunctional behaviors like substance use disorder (SUD).

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Woman with curly hair undergoing CBT while therapist takes notes on clipboard

It’s based on the theory that a person’s thoughts influence emotions, which then influence behaviors. It has demonstrated its effectiveness when used alone or in combination with other treatment strategies. This type of evidence-based behavior is available at Paradiso Recovery in Camarillo, CA.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

CBT is a method of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful or negative thought patterns and behaviors, developing coping mechanisms, and improving problem-solving skills. The use of healthier coping strategies is essential to recovery from substance use disorders.

CBT does this by focusing on several elements, such as skills training, psychoeducation, and behavioral strategies to avoid triggers. A person’s social support system (such as family, friends, or group therapy members), goal-setting, learning effective communication skills, and various types of exercise are examples of healthy coping skills used in CBT treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a goal-oriented therapy that can be delivered in either individual or group settings. It’s also an extensively used evidence-based treatment for diverse mental health conditions, including:

CBT is based on several core principles:

  • Thoughts influence feelings: CBT proposes that it’s not the events themselves that upset us. Instead, it’s the way we interpret them. Distorted or negative thinking can lead to negative behaviors and emotions.
  • Behaviors affect feelings and thoughts: Your actions can also impact your thoughts and feelings. By changing unhelpful behaviors, you can shift your mental attitude.
  • Focus on the present: CBT focuses on current problems and situations rather than dwelling on past events. Past experiences may be discussed to help understand present patterns.
  • Collaborative approach: Individual therapy is a collaboration between the therapist and the individual. Both work together to uncover and address issues.

The goals of CBT can vary depending on the person. But they generally fall into a few categories:

  • Identifying negative thought tendencies: This involves identifying and becoming aware of any automatic negative thoughts or distorted thinking.
  • Challenging negative thoughts: Negative thoughts are examined and challenged by disputing their credibility and considering other viewpoints.
  • Developing coping strategies: CBT helps people develop practical methods to manage difficult situations and emotions.
  • Activating positive behavior: This involves recognizing and increasing participation in positive and rewarding activities.
  • Exposure therapy: Gradual exposure to feared situations or objects can help reduce anxiety.

The Cognitive Triangle

The cognitive triangle, also called the CBT triangle, is a way to visually represent how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. The triangle illustrates that our thoughts influence our emotions, which in turn affect our behaviors. And these actions then feed back into our thoughts, creating a cycle. Here is a detailed explanation:

These are the automatic explanations or thoughts you have about a situation. For instance, if you’re in a meeting and get interrupted, your automatic thought or explanation might be, “That person is disrespectful.” This can form beliefs that affect overall perspectives.

Feelings are the emotions we experience as a result of our thoughts. In the previous example, the feeling might be frustration or anger.

Behaviors are the actions we take in response to our thoughts and feelings. In the same previous example, the behavior could be: withdrawing from the discussion, arguing with the person, or trying to understand their viewpoint.

Each side of the triangle interacts with the other to create moods and emotional patterns. Challenging and changing one component results in a chain reaction that changes the others.

By understanding how these three elements interact, you can identify and challenge negative thought patterns that cause unhealthy behaviors and emotions, producing healthier outcomes in the end.

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Benefits of CBT for Addiction Treatment in Ventura County

Therapy plays a crucial role in addiction treatment by examining the underlying causes of addiction and giving the person the tools to manage cravings and prevent relapse.

Benefits of CBT for addiction treatment include:

  • It teaches you effective coping mechanisms that can be used every day.
  • CBT helps you develop new ways of thinking and evaluating situations.
  • Because CBT is structured, it can be used in individual therapy, in a group, or online.
  • CBT is collaborative, meaning the therapist works with you to support your recovery.
  • CBT focuses on your current problems and works to find solutions.
  • It can help boost confidence and self-esteem.
  • CBT helps you develop balanced and realistic thought processes.
  • CBT is typically a shorter, less intense therapy than many other methods.
  • Co-occurring conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can also be treated with CBT.
  • Skills learned in CBT can also be used in other areas of a person’s life.
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What is a Dual Diagnosis?

When someone has a mental health disorder and is also working through addiction recovery, this is called a dual diagnosis. Their addiction treatment has to be reconfigured to accommodate this reality to achieve maximum success.

Often unknowingly, people frequently use addictive substances to treat symptoms of mental disorders. This is a concept known as self-medication. In a dual diagnosis treatment program, a person can learn more about their mental disorder and how to manage it in a healthy way. This can drastically reduce the chances of relapse, as the person learns how to manage their symptoms without having to rely on potentially harmless substances.

Other Therapy Used For Addiction Treatment

There are other forms of behavioral therapy used for treating substance use disorder. These can be used in combination with CBT.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (also known as DBT) is another evidence-based form of psychotherapy used to treat many mental health disorders as well as addiction. People who struggle with addiction have a hard time regulating their emotions, coping with everyday problems, and problem-solving. DBT is based on the belief that opposing (dialectical) thoughts and ideas can both be true, creating a balance. Individuals learn to accept their thoughts and emotions and also learn healthy coping skills to help them regulate their emotions and develop suitable behaviors.

Experiential therapy is an approach that uses activities, such as art, music, or outdoor experiences, to help people examine and process emotions related to their addiction. Some people may be uncomfortable talking to therapists in a counseling situation. Experiential therapies place individuals in environments where they feel more comfortable, like outdoors or in an art or music studio.

EMDR therapy is a structured therapy modality that is used mainly to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders. It is based on the idea that traumatic events get “stuck” in the brain. This can lead to ongoing symptoms like emotional distress, intrusive memories, and problems processing the experience.

The foundation of EMDR involves engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, while you recall the traumatic memory. The stimulation is believed to help the brain process the memory more adaptively. The goal is to help you process the memory and settle any lasting distress, which leads to a feeling of closure and decreased emotional impact.

TF-CBT is another evidence-based therapy approach that helps people deal with the aftermath of trauma. The reason it helps treat SUDs is that many people (particularly youth)  who experience trauma turn to substance abuse to self-medicate. Drugs help them manage the surge of emotions and traumatic reminders related to traumatic stress or to numb themselves from experiencing any intense emotion, whether it’s negative or positive.

The gentle movements and relaxed breathing exercises of yoga calm nerves and help reduce cravings. This can result in better cognitive skills, memory, awareness, and thought. It also contributes to deeper and more restful sleep, healthier coping skills, and strengthening self-control.

Receive Help For Addiction at Paradiso Recovery

There is help for you in recovery from addiction. Paradiso Recovery is an oasis where you can concentrate on yourself and your recovery. We can personalize a treatment program to suit your needs and requirements.

To begin, we can create a treatment plan based on your needs determined duting medically-assisted detox (if necessary). Following detox, residential treatment provides a safe place to recover. You’ll also receive 24-hour care from our experienced addiction treatment professionals. Paradiso has a special dual diagnosis program to address dual diagnosis concerns.

Don’t wait any longer. You or your loved one needs help, and there is no time to waste. Treating your addiction or trauma at home on your own hasn’t been working, and it won’t work now. Admitting that you need professional help is your first step towards recovery. Contact us today.

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