Addiction Treatment Therapy Archives

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use

When discussing treatment approaches for substance use disorders (SUDs), therapy is a common option. Therapy is often used in conjunction with pharmacotherapy (medication). Many people do not realize there are many different types of therapy that can help individuals recovering from an SUD.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the more common types of therapy used to help those overcoming substance misuse. Since its creation in the 1960s, the American Psychology Association (APA) says CBT has been found to be effective in treating several behavioral health disorders such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, mental illness, and SUDs related to alcohol and drugs.

CBT’s main strategy is to change negative thought patterns to influence behavior. By changing the way an individual thinks, they can overcome thoughts of substance use and, in turn, adopt a healthier way of coping.

The APA says CBT was developed on several principal ideas, which include:

Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives.

A study reviewing 30 other academic studies found that CBT combined with pharmacotherapy had an increased benefit for patients struggling with alcohol, cocaine, and opioid use compared to usual clinical management or non-specialized counseling. However, the study found CBT did not perform better than another specific type of therapy. The analysis of these 30 studies supported the idea that CBT and pharmacotherapy can be considered one of the best practices in SUD treatment.

So, how do you change the negative thought patterns that influence your behavior? That’s where a cognitive behavioral therapist comes in. A CBT specialist can help you become more aware of the consequences of your negative thoughts and actions that influence a SUD. The goal of becoming more aware of your mind is to adopt healthier coping mechanisms that break the detrimental cycle of substance use.

American Addiction Centers says you can expect your cognitive behavioral therapist to educate you on your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment. During your CBT session, you will voice your negative thoughts, behavior, and stressors. Your therapist will then challenge these beliefs and integrate healthy, positive coping skills.

Some common skills learned in CBT include:

Distracting yourself from negative thoughts with productive activities such as drawing, cleaning, exercising, etc.
Learning how to navigate situations that hinder your recovery such as declining a drink at a party
Adopting healthier, more effective strategies to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression
Building a sense of self-confidence and self-respect
Using effective problem-solving strategies
Recognizing and conquering triggers that may contribute to relapse

Because CBT is personalized to cater an individual’s needs, coping mechanisms and skills learned to prevent relapse can vary.

Recovery may seem like an uphill battle, but with the right tools, you can overcome an SUD. By conquering negative thoughts and replacing them with healthy behaviors, CBT can reprogram your mind to help you live a happier, healthier life.

Not sure where to start? We can help. To find SUD treatment near you, visit the Treatment Connection website today.

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG POST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material (collectively, “Information”) contained on this blog post are for informational purposes only. None of the Information is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog post.

Substance Use Disorder In Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities are at high risk of substance use disorder due to a variety of reasons. The outreach to indigenous populations is often poor in quality, and many indigenous youths do not get exposure to the available substance use disorder treatment. Many indigenous communities are denied the basic technology that others rely on heavily for information and education. Thus, substance use disorder in indigenous communities is often not addressed adequately. This leads many to begin misusing substances at a young age, and without any guidance about how to avoid or recover from drug or alcohol misuse, many develop an addiction. Developing drug and alcohol intervention programs for indigenous communities would improve the overall health and wellness of not just those struggling with dependency but all of those who care for and interact with them.

Alcohol Misuse Leading to Other Substance Misuse

Indigenous communities see a higher prevalence of alcohol misuse among teens when compared to communities of Caucasian youth in the United States. Indigenous communities show alcohol misuse among teenage boys grades 9-12 at 49% and girls the same age at 35.7%. For non-indigenous communities, the rate of alcohol misuse was 38.6% for males and 21.9% for females. Regarding marijuana misuse, the rates for indigenous communities were higher than those in non-Indigenous communities at comparable rates. Early alcohol misuse can lead to several issues, including:

Turning to more powerful drugs because of a lack of understanding
Difficulty in early adulthood trying to work or go to school
Poor interpersonal relationships because of the addiction
Trouble recognizing the issues of addiction because of limited education and resources

Early intervention is essential to a positive outcome when it comes to teenagers and substance use disorder. Indigenous populations must develop a more comprehensive strategy to address inequities in the delivery of valuable resources. For populations at risk of substance use disorder, we need to provide substance use disorder treatment that is accessible.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Addiction

Although indigenous communities struggle with addiction treatment resources, there are opportunities for treatment once you identify an addiction exists. A lack of understanding plays a big role in addiction throughout the indigenous community, and many become addicted to substances because of this. In areas of substantial poverty, the use of substances grows. Indigenous communities experience poverty at higher levels than others, and it’s important to deal with these inequalities to begin dealing with systemic substance use disorder. Studies have shown that when substance use disorder programs are designed alongside indigenous groups there are significant benefits.

The Addiction Treatment Process

Addiction treatment begins with time in a detox facility. For people addicted to alcohol, detox is an important component of recovery. Detox allows you to go through the withdrawal process with the right support in place. If you are an indigenous community member, you can still find substance use disorder treatment in the United States. To locate treatment, you can:

Contact area detox facilities to see what is available
Look for a national helpline to find substance use disorder treatment
Speak to your doctor about finding substance use disorder treatment
Do your research online to find the right program

Once you complete detox, you can move on to a short-term rehab program for addiction. After you determine that you need help for an addiction, look into finding a program that is right for you. Heal your life when you take control of your addiction.

Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment Today

Substance use disorder in indigenous communities continues to spread, so it’s important to reach out for help when you need it. Even though indigenous populations are at a greater risk of substance use disorder due to a lack of resources, poverty, and education, there is support available. When you know that you have a problem with addiction but aren’t sure what to do, calling for help is a good first step. You can find the support you need with the Treatment Connection website.

Finding a Therapy Program That Is Right for You

Mental health struggles are a common issue for people from all walks of life. Fortunately, there are now methods available to help you recover. Psychotherapy may play a crucial role in effective recovery. But what kind of therapy is best for you? And where can you find a suitable therapy program in your area?

Treatment Connection is your source for finding a therapy program that is right for you. Use our convenient online tool to get started in recovery today.

What to Look for in a Therapy Program

Here are four basic aspects to consider when looking for a therapy program:

The Nature of Your Mental Health

There are many different kinds of mental illnesses. Mental health professionals break these conditions down into categories that include:

Anxiety disorders
Depressive disorders
Bipolar disorders
Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
Eating disorders
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

Each of these categories includes several specific illnesses. For example, the depressive disorders category includes major depression, the most widespread mental health condition. Posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, belongs to the trauma- and stressor-related disorders category.

There are therapy options for all of these illnesses. However, not all therapies work equally well for all conditions. For this reason, you should look for providers who specialize in treating the particular illness affecting you.

Evidence-Based Treatment

Today, evidence-based treatment is considered the gold standard for mental health care. This is the name for treatments that have:

Been studied extensively by expert researchers
Proven to be effective for many people with a given illness

Many therapies have been put to this rigorous test. Only some have passed muster as effective treatment options. When searching for therapy programs or counseling programs, check if they rely on evidence-based care. If they do, this mark of quality helps ensure that you will receive proper support for your recovery.

An Experienced Staff

Not just anyone can offer effective therapy for serious mental health issues. It takes years of training to learn how to treat these issues. And it takes additional years of real-world experience to master the key therapy skills.

All of this means that your therapy provider’s training and experience levels matter. The best providers have developed a well-earned reputation for quality and trustworthiness. Don’t hesitate to ask about these things when selecting a therapy program.

Hospitalization, Inpatient, or Outpatient Treatment

Not everyone with the same illness is equally affected by it. For any given condition, potential symptoms range from mild to severe. Your specific symptoms help determine the most appropriate program to enter for treatment.

Some people begin their recovery journey with hospitalization. This may be necessary if you are severely affected by your condition. Treatment for moderate-to-severe mental illness may also be provided in a non-hospital inpatient program. People with mild-to-moderate symptoms may get all the help they need in an outpatient program. Your doctor will help you determine which of these settings works best for you.

Find the Right Counseling Program for Your Needs at Treatment Connection

Need help finding the right kind of therapy program? Treatment Connection is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We feature a nationwide online directory of top local providers. All listed providers have been screened in advance for quality and expertise. In this way, we help make sure that you only choose from the best options in your area.

All searches at Treatment Connection are completely anonymous so you can feel at ease looking for the support you desire. You also have the option of looking for providers by name or by any zip code in the U.S. Day or night, we support your efforts to recover from mental illness.

What to Expect in Drug Rehab

If you’re affected by signs of drug addiction, it’s time to seek a diagnosis from a trained professional. Your doctor or an addiction specialist will determine if you fit the criteria for addiction or misuse. If you do, they will also recommend options for appropriate treatment. What should you expect during your time in substance use treatment? The course of care varies somewhat from person to person. However, this general overview will explain the milestones typically experienced in a recovery program to give you or a loved one a sense of what to expect.

What to Expect in Drug Treatment

Help Detoxing From the Source of Your Addiction

A person with substance use disorder may face withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using drugs. As you enter a treatment program, you may face physical symptoms as you halt your drug use. Some opioid-specific recovery programs encourage use of opioid agonist medications to help prevent intense withdrawal symptoms, while others encourage no drugs at all. If you are looking for a treatment program, you may want to consider medication-assisted programs or abstinence-only programs depending on what may work best for you.

If you choose an abstinence-only approach, dealing with withdrawal on your own can be extremely difficult. In drug treatment, you don’t go through withdrawal on your own. Instead, you receive support from supervised detox or detoxification professionals. This supervised approach:

Helps make your withdrawal symptoms easier to tolerate
Keeps you safe as the stages of withdrawal proceed
Provides any needed assistance for withdrawal complications

The exact steps used to meet these goals depend on the specific substance in your system.

Treatment That Supports Long-Term Recovery

Stopping use of substances is just one part of your addiction recovery. However, by itself, it may not be enough to help you stay on the path to recovery. You may need continued support from a drug treatment plan.

This plan has both short- and long-term goals. Your treatment plan will help you avoid relapse in the short term. In the long term, it provides you with the skills and abilities you need to stay in recovery when acute treatment ends.

There are two main options for drug treatment. The first of these options, psychotherapy, plays a part in most recovery plans. The second, medication, may be used to help people affected by certain forms of addiction. When used, medication typically helps support your short-term recovery. Therapy provides longer-term support by showing you how to do things such as:

Identify the things in everyday life that make you more likely to return to substance use.
Learn how to avoid or cope with those influences while maintaining your recovery
Develop new behaviors, emotional responses in the short term, and thoughts that help you stay in recovery

Medication and therapy options differ for specific forms of addiction.

Drug Treatment Help After Primary Treatment

As a rule, you still need professional support when primary drug treatment ends. For this reason, many high-quality programs feature aftercare services. These services help you stay in touch with important professional resources. They may also provide support from recovery peers who have gone through the treatment process.

Turn to Treatment Connection for Top Recovery Providers in Your Area

The quality of the drug treatment you receive has a major impact on your recovery. At Treatment Connection, we provide you with a 24/7 resource for finding the top mental health and substance use treatment facilities in your area. Whenever you want, you can access our pre-screened directory of addiction specialists.

Search for a particular provider or conduct a zip code search. Whichever option you choose, you’ll only see qualified professionals in your search findings. What’s more, all searches are anonymous to help preserve your privacy. To begin the process of recovery, start using Treatment Connection today.

This site uses cookies