The most effective way to treat a substance use disorder (SUD) is through evidence-based therapies provided in a professional rehab center. Whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is determined to be the best for you, the benefits of psychotherapy are incontrovertible. One of the modalities considered best practice in treating addiction is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
To learn about CBT techniques and why they work, reach out to The Right Step Houston. You can call 1.844.768.0169 at any time to speak to one of our compassionate, experienced, and highly trained staff members.
What Is CBT?
Created by psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Beck in the 1960s, cognitive-behavioral therapy taps into the known links among thoughts, beliefs, and behavior. The name reflects its core principles: “cognitive” highlights the focus on thought processes, while “behavioral” underscores its influence on actions and behaviors. CBT’s effect on behavior relating to addiction is why it’s a proven, successful modality in treating SUDs.
The concept CBT is based on is that thinking directly affects behavior. This link is continuous but rarely conscious. By intentionally teaching yourself to shift your thoughts, you can create enormous change in your life experience.
CBT techniques:
- Utilize mindfulness to shift mood, emotions, and beliefs
- Address the fact that people more readily engage in negative self-talk than positive
- Empower people in addiction recovery to shift mindless behaviors into mindful ones
The efficacy of CBT in addiction treatment is proven. This evidence-based therapy helps people use their thoughts and emotions to create healthy behavioral change.
The Benefits of Psychotherapy Using CBT Techniques
At Right Step Houston, all our therapies are evidence-based, and cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the backbones of our program. CBT is characterized by several elements that work in concert to create lasting effects for those in recovery from addiction. For example, CBT:
- Is goal-oriented with the set objective of identifying, assessing, and shifting harmful thoughts and false beliefs
- Is typically time-limited (between 24 and 48 sessions), which supports the idea of being goal-focused
- Is equally effective in a group therapy setting or individual therapy
- Focuses on the present moment
- Creates change not just in thoughts but mood and behavior
- Shifts your response to triggers to reduce the risk of relapse
Consider the efficacy of psychotherapy using CBT techniques when you look at addiction rehab centers. At Right Step Houston, our CBT-trained therapists have many years of combined experience in this evidence-based treatment and can support you in reaching your recovery goals.
CBT Techniques You Can Use Daily
Cognitive-behavioral therapy draws heavily from ancient mindfulness practices. Yogis have long understood the connection between thoughts and actions, insights now applied by mental health and addiction professionals in CBT. Some of the CBT techniques you can use at home include:
- Mindful breathing – Focus on breath is familiar to those who meditate or do yoga. It lowers the heart rate, calms the nervous system, and quiets the mind. When the breath out is slightly longer than the breath in, these effects are amplified and reached more quickly.
- Mindful muscle relaxation – This CBT technique focuses on relaxing one muscle group at a time during a guided meditation that can be recorded and used at home at any time. A fully relaxed body helps heal the effects of stress, anxiety, and worry.
- Journaling – Mindfulness techniques quiet the mind, and a quiet mind more easily recognizes intrusive, damaging thoughts. You can track what you learn about your negative thoughts in a journal. The idea of a CBT journal is to note when a thought comes to you, what triggered it, and how your body felt in reaction. Take note of what comes up and any patterns that emerge.
Consider what you need to know about yourself to heal. Use CBT techniques to start that journey of discovery.
Get Started with CBT Today at The Right Step Houston
You’re on your way to recovery when you reach out to The Right Step Houston. Call 1.844.768.0169 today or fill out our online form to get started.