If you are struggling with addiction, a cognitive-behavioral therapy program in Arizona may help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches you how to recognize thought patterns and change them. It also emphasizes the connection between thoughts and behavior.

CBT is effective in treating addiction. It can also effectively treat other conditions, including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As a result, it is an ideal treatment for dual diagnosis clients. A cognitive-behavioral therapy program in Arizona can help you take control of your life by learning to manage your thoughts and actions better.

How Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy For Addiction Worksa woman talks to her therapist at a cognitive behavioral therapy program in arizona

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction works because it addresses the underlying causes of addiction. People often use drugs as a way to self-medicate. When you correct the core issues, there’s no longer a need to self-medicate. CBT also helps when there’s a difference between what you want to do and what you do. When it comes to addiction, many people want to stop. They recognize it as being a healthier choice. But they are unable to follow through when it comes to behavior.

Becoming Cognitive

Many of the processes that a cognitive-behavioral therapy program in Arizona focuses on usually go unnoticed. It begins with untrue, unrealistic, or distorted thought patterns. These patterns lead to feelings like anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. These feelings then lead to unwanted behaviors like addiction. It’s challenging to recognize these patterns and change them on your own. With the help of CBT, Arizona clients can learn a new way of thinking with healthier thought patterns.

What are the Core Principles of CBT?

The core principles of CBT are:

  • Psychological issues are caused in part by faulty thinking and unhealthy behaviors

  • Active participation is required

  • It is problem-focused and goal-oriented

  • It emphasizes the client and the present moment

What Strategies Do Therapists Use in CBT?

A cognitive-behavioral therapy program in Arizona can deliver noticeable results in a short time frame. These results make it an ideal treatment for helping clients improve their lives and recover successfully. It’s a practical approach that focuses on problems the client, along with help from the therapist, can solve.

Common CBT strategies include:

  • Learning to recognize distorted, unhealthy and untrue thinking patterns

  • How to change thinking patterns to be more realistic

  • Developing problem-solving skills

  • Practicing relaxation techniques

What to Expect During Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program

Your therapist will assess you at your first CBT appointment. They will ask you lots of questions to determine what your specific issues are. Your therapist will also ask you about what you would like to achieve with treatment. After the assessment, the therapist will discuss potential treatment techniques and work with you to set specific treatment goals.

Subsequent sessions are when the “work” of CBT occurs because CBT is more active than other forms of therapy. You will play a key role in your treatment plan and the treatment itself. In addition, you will learn new skills and techniques and work on solving problems with the guidance of the therapist. You may receive homework to help you integrate new skills or give you time to think about specific issues.

Once you’ve met your treatment goals, you’ll have sessions less often. The goal is for you to become self-reliant by gradually learning to depend less on the therapist and more on yourself and what you have learned.

Viewpoint Dual Recovery Center

At Viewpoint Dual Recovery Center we specialize in treating clients who have a dual diagnosis. We use CBT therapy and many other techniques to help you make a complete recovery. If you are struggling with addiction and mental health issues, contact us today at 855.746.3633 to see how we can help.