OVERVIEW OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY. 1 Overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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1 | Overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

OVERVIEW OF COGNITIVE

BEHAVIORAL

THERAPY

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3 | Overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Recovering from substance abuse requires an active approach to the situation. When you or a loved one starts abusing drugs or alcohol, it impacts thought processes and the way that the body works. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (1) explains that drugs or alcohol interfere with the way that your brain communicates.

While the exact impact depends on the drug, it changes thought processes by interfering with the way that your brain works.

Since almost 23.5 million Americans abuse drugs or alcohol each year, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2), seeking appropriate treatment provides the tools to start making positive changes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals obtain their recovery goals by addressing the thought processes and actions that result in substance abuse behaviors.

INTRODUCTION

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WHAT IS

COGNITIVE-

BEHAVIORAL THERAPY?

CHAPTER 1:

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As the name suggests, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, refers to a psychological treatment that addresses an individual’s thought processes and the way that he or she behaves. Cognitive-behavioral therapy combines two types of psychotherapy: cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. (3)

Essentially, it works on adjusting an individual’s thought processes, or cognitive functioning, so that he or she becomes aware of the thoughts that impact behavior. By raising awareness about personal thought processes, an individual makes positive changes that allow him or her to avoid behaviors that usually follow the thoughts.

Cognitive Therapy strives to help individuals recognize their thoughts and feelings about different topics, situations or events that occur.(3) By recognizing inappropriate thought processes, you or a loved one learns appropriate ways to handle the feelings or emotional responses to the thought that cause negative behaviors. During cognitive therapy, you or a loved one prevents future negative behaviors by making changes to personal beliefs, thoughts or feelings about different topics.

WHAT IS COGNITIVE-

BEHAVIORAL THERAPY?

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WHAT IS COGNITIVE- BEHAVIORAL THERAPY?

You address the underlying thoughts that lead to substance abuse so that you do not return to old habits or behavior patterns. When cognitive therapy combines with behavioral therapy, it provides additional support that helps prevent a relapse on drugs in the future.

Behavioral Therapy strives to help change an individual’s actions. (3) In the case of substance use disorders and addiction, a behavioral therapist specialist strives to help individuals change their substance abuse by making positive substitutions or actions.

For example, instead of abusing a drug during stressful situations, an individual spends time exercising or enjoying a hobby like art or music.

By replacing the activity, a loved one learns better ways to cope with challenges that arise and avoids substance abuse in the future.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy combines the mindfulness of cognitive therapy with the actionable steps of behavioral therapy. It allows individuals to make positive changes that impact their entire life.

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CBT IS AN EFFECTIVE THERAPY

CHAPTER 2:

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The National Institute on Drug Abuse (4) report that CBT treatments actually show positive results when used in substance abuse treatment for substances like cocaine.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (4) says that in a study of individuals in treatment for cocaine abuse, almost 67 percent of individuals abusing cocaine completed CBT treatments and 43 percent stopped using cocaine for the entire duration of the study.

The National Institutes on Health (5) report that 60 percent of individuals treated for cocaine abuse with CBT had a clean toxicology report during a 52 week, or one year, follow-up after completing the program.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (6) reports that the treatment uses functional analysis and skills training to assess the situation and then address the underlying problems with appropriate skill sets. It works with an individual’s specific needs and creates a personalized plan of action that helps with recovery goals.

CBT IS AN EFFECTIVE THERAPY B E N E F I T S A S S O C I AT E D W I T H C BT I N C L U D E:

Taking a structured approach to the recovery process Setting realistic goals for short and long-term plans

Identifying the underlying cause of substance abuse and addressing the problem

Making positive changes to thought processes and emotional responses

Recognizing poor behaviors that harm the body and mind

Addressing co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression

Learning valuable life skills Learning healthy coping strategies

Developing new hobbies or interests Flexible treatment strategies

Personalized plans that address individual concerns, goals and challenges

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ADDICTIONS

TREATED WITH CBT

CHAPTER 3:

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Although cognitive-behavioral therapy provides positive results with many substance use disorders, the treatment addresses specific needs with certain drugs better than other substances. Participating in a CBT program helps individuals recognize cravings in the early stages so that they take measures to prevent substance abuse and it helps them recognize situations or locations that make substance abuse tempting.

Those who are addicted to certain drugs, like cocaine or

methamphetamine drugs, respond well to the treatment because it addresses the underlying cause of substance abuse. Due to the flexibility of the treatment, many programs combine CBT with other treatment options to help with long-term recovery goals.

Marijuana abuse and addictions

ADDICTIONS TREATED WITH CBT

A D D I CT I O N S T H AT M E D I CA L

P RO F E S S I O N A L S T R E AT W I T H CO G N I T I V E- B E H AV I O RA L T H E RA PY I N C L U D E:

Addictions to methamphetamine or amphetamine drugs

Addictions to cocaine

Addictions to nicotine or

cigarettes

Alcohol addictions

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CHAPTER 4:

MOOD DISORDERS AND CBT

TREATMENTS

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Co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety or bi-polar disorder complicate treatment, but CBT therapy helps with long-term goals by addressing and treating co-occurring disorders at the same time as it treats the addiction. According to Web MD (8), CBT programs help with depression by changing dysfunctional or negative thought processes that cause sadness, irritability or general negative moods.

The National Institutes on Health (3) states that behavioral therapies help individuals with anxiety disorders learn different ways to calm down and prevent a panic attack or similar response from developing.

By recognizing negative thoughts that lead to panic and fear, an individual takes control over the situation and limits the emotional response to the situation. By addressing co-occurring disorders at the same time as the addiction, an individual improves success rates and reduces the risk of a relapse.

MOOD DISORDERS AND

CBT TREATMENTS

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COMBINING CBT

WITH MEDITATION OR ALTERNATIVE

THERAPIES

CHAPTER 5:

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Cognitive-behavioral therapy attempts to help individuals by recognizing their thought processes and making positive changes to the way that they act in response to their thoughts. Since it works on an individual’s thoughts and behaviors, it actually works well with alternative medicine and meditation.

According to the University of California at Berkeley (9) mindfulness meditation helps with relapse-prevention and addiction recovery by identifying thoughts and releasing personal judgments about the thoughts or feelings. During mindfulness meditation, an individual focuses on removing judgment from personal thoughts and feelings by accepting that the thoughts exist and then letting of those thoughts.

When used with CBT therapy, an individual becomes aware of his or her thoughts throughout the day. Essentially, he or she becomes mindful of thoughts about using their drug of choice. By using the skills of mindfulness, he or she learns to recognize patterns or thoughts that lead to poor decisions or substance abuse.

COMBINING CBT WITH MEDITATION

OR ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

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COMBINING CBT WITH

MEDITATION OR ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Upon recognition of these thoughts the individual takes proper action to release these thoughts. The University of California at Berkeley (9) states that combining a mindfulness practice with traditional relapse prevention strategies allows an individual to tolerate the negative emotions and cravings associated with substance abuse.

As a result, you or a loved one learn that the negative emotions pass and you gain confidence that you will reach your long-term goals. The underlying causes of substance abuse impact the treatment program that helps address the problem.

Since many alternative therapies or holistic programs work well with cognitive-behavioral therapy, it provides additional tools to help with long-term goals. It also helps you or a loved one address health concerns or physical challenges that develop due to substance abuse.

Each individual has different needs, so the best plan focuses on holistic healing strategies and personalized treatment programs.

A LT E R N AT I V E O R H O L I S T I C T R E AT M E N T S T H AT WO R K W E L L W I T H CO G N I T I V E-

B E H AV I O RA L T H E RA PY I N C L U D E:

Animal or equine therapy, which helps if substance abuse stems from traumatic

experiences or poor relationship management

Meditation, particularly mindfulness

meditation

Acupuncture if you or a loved one experiences

severe pain or discomfort

Massage therapy for discomfort or pain

management

Music or art therapy, which helps develop a healthy coping strategy

and a positive hobby

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MOVING FORWARD AFTER TREATMENT

CHAPTER 6:

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Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches life-skills that carry forward for a lifetime. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (6) says that it addresses the critical skill sets that individuals need for successful addiction recovery. During treatment, you or a loved one learns skills that help in every area of a personal life. It does not only address the addiction or substance use disorder, it addresses problems in every area of life.

CBT programs change the way that you think about different situations and problems. It allows you to address the problem in a positive way and it teaches skills that improve your situation. It also reinforces positive changes so that you or a loved one reduce the risk of relapsing on drugs or alcohol in the future.

By incorporating cognitive-behavioral therapy in a treatment plan, you or a loved one gain the opportunity to recognize when thoughts, personal beliefs or emotional responses impact your behavior.

MOVING FORWARD

AFTER TREATMENT

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MOVING FORWARD AFTER TREATMENT

WAY S T H AT I T H E L P S W I T H LO N G-T E R M R E COV E RY G OA L S I N C L U D E:

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (1) says that long-term drug abuse impairs your brain’s ability to function in a normal way.

It causes cravings or compulsions to abuse the drug or alcohol when a thought, location or situation triggers a memory of previous substance abuse. Since the drugs harm your cognitive function, you must address the thoughts, behaviors and even memories that contribute to the problem.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy allows you or a loved one to directly confront personal thoughts and feelings so that it does not result in drug-seeking behaviors. When combined with holistic and alternative treatments, you or a loved one learn positive behaviors that change the situation and allow you to reach long-term recovery goals.

Recognizing personal motivations and using the information to help individuals stay motivated to avoid substance abuse

Learning positive coping skills that prevent a relapse

Changing thought processes or emotional responses to different situations

Recognizing when thoughts cause cravings and changing the patterns before it results in a relapse

Substituting negative or dangerous behaviors for healthy, rewarding and positive behaviors

Managing pain or discomfort associated with substance abuse and recovery

Improving social and interpersonal skills, which causes positive changes in work, school, relationships and personal interests

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(1) Drugs and the Brain, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, July 2014, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior- science-addiction/drugs-brain,

(2) DrugFacts: Treatment Statistics, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, March 2011, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/

treatment-statistics,

(3) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, The National Institutes on Health, August 7, 2013, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072481/,

(4) A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, http://archives.drugabuse.gov/

TXManuals/CBT/CBT19.html,

(5) R. Kathryn McHugh, Bridget A. Hearon, and Michael W. Otto, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders, The National Institutes on Health, September 2010, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2897895/,

(6) A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, http://archives.drugabuse.gov/

TXManuals/CBT/CBT3.html,

(7) Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, December 2012, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles- drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment/behavioral,

(8) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression, Web MD, August 21, 2014, http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/cognitive-behavioral- therapy-for-depression,

(9) Emily Nauman, Can Mindfulness Help Stop Substance Abuse, The University of California at Berkeley, July 14, 2014, http://greatergood.

berkeley.edu/article/item/can_mindfulness_help_stop_substance_abuse

SOURCES

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