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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Drug Addiction

Man in blue shirt engaging in cbt for drug addiction

The best addiction treatment centers will always emphasize evidence-based practices to help people recover. CBT for drug addiction is arguably the most rigorous, time-tested, and results-oriented therapy there is. It can make a dramatic difference for people trying to overcome addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use, reach out to Northpoint Omaha by calling 888.687.8014 to learn more about our Nebraska CBT for recovery program and get started on the path to recovery today.

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

So what is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)? Essentially, CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on changing thoughts, behaviors, and emotions using specialized psychological strategies.

Originally developed to help people overcome the symptoms of depression, CBT’s remarkable success quickly led to its use in treating all manner of mental health disorders. CBT for drug addiction is just one of those offshoots and is a key technique used in most addiction treatment centers.

The core of CBT is the belief that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors all influence each other. By changing the way a person thinks, their feelings and behaviors can be changed as a result.

CBT and Drug Addiction

In the context of CBT and drug addiction treatment, a therapist may emphasize changing the thought patterns that precede substance use or those that follow a relapse. For example, somebody who is struggling to stop using drugs may tell themselves, “I’ve never been able to stop using drugs; it’s pointless for me to try to stop now. I should just give up and keep using.”

A CBT therapist would likely use a technique called “reframing” for this patient. They would point out that they’ve been successful in staying off of drugs this far and that they had resisted temptation in the past. They may coach their patient to reframe the thought as, “I’m struggling with cravings right now, but I’ve gotten cravings in the past. This feeling is temporary, and I don’t have to act on it right now.”

In so doing, the CBT therapist coaches their client to adopt a more adaptive mindset that encourages growth. Cognitive-behavioral therapy in substance use disorder treatment can be a powerful resource for dealing with cravings, learning healthy coping mechanisms, and preventing people from experiencing relapses.

Different Methods of CBT

There are several different ways that therapists can use their training to focus on drug addiction and CBT. These include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Take-home exercises and assignments

The versatility of CBT to extend to these different formats makes it an excellent choice for delivering evidence-based care at a drug addiction treatment facility. Standard treatments for drug addiction and CBT therapies can bring together several useful skills and strategies for people struggling to stop their substance use. They can work synergistically to help people maintain long-term recovery.

Start a CBT Program at Northpoint Omaha Today

When you or a loved one are ready to start getting the best evidence-based treatments for a substance use disorder, reach out to the professionals at Northpoint Omaha by calling 888.687.8014. Our diverse team of therapists, case managers, physicians, and support staff are ready and able to help anyone struggling with a substance use disorder. We can provide the compassionate support our patients need for recovery.

Starting treatment is as simple as making the call and learning more about the next steps. Anyone can recover from drug addiction, and treatments like CBT can help dramatically. Don’t delay getting the help you need any longer. Call the team at Northpoint Omaha and start your path to recovery today. You may also use the convenient online form to get started now.