How a Holistic Treatment Center Uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at a Holistic Treatment Center

Treating substance use disorders can involve various methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT. This type of therapy can have far-reaching benefits for people trying to get sober. A holistic treatment center will often employ CBT as part of their plan to help someone overcome their substance use disorder. We will examine cognitive behavioral therapy, its benefits, and how it can support addiction treatment and recovery. 

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that can effectively treat many problems, including depression, eating disorders, and alcohol or drug addiction.¹ It can be used to evaluate the psychological issues associated with substance use.

Research has suggested that CBT can be effective or even more effective than other forms of therapy or medications.¹ Studies have shown that it can significantly improve a person’s quality of life.

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CBT treatment involves changing the way people think, including:¹

• Learning to be more confident
• Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations
• Gaining a better understanding of other people’s behaviors

During CBT treatment, the patient also learns how to change their behavior by facing their fears and learning how to calm their mind and body.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques

Everyone’s cognitive behavioral therapy is not going to be the same. Different techniques can be used, such as:²

Cognitive Restructuring

Using this method, your therapist will help you reshape your thoughts to be healthier and more productive. 

Journaling

People often have better success writing down their thoughts than verbally expressing them. Journaling can help as you write down negative thoughts you may have between therapy sessions and how you replaced them with more positive ones. As you continue your cognitive behavioral therapy journey, you can look back at how your thoughts changed over time.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxing by taking a walk, listening to soothing music, taking a bath, or whatever makes you calm can help you deal with the stresses that may lead you to crave drugs or alcohol. Deep breathing can also be beneficial.

Your therapist may use any of these methods or try other ones to help you overcome your addiction.

What are the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used because it helps people gain control of their thoughts. As people gain more rational thought processes, they may be less likely to want to use drugs or alcohol.

Other benefits can include:

• Greater Self-Esteem

If someone started using drugs or alcohol because they were depressed or not feeling good about themselves, CBT may help grow their confidence. As people begin to understand their thoughts and get control over them, they can see themselves in a more positive light.

• Gives People Hope

When people are using drugs or alcohol, they may feel hopeless and have no other options. Through CBT, they begin to understand that there are other options besides what led them to their substance use disorder.

• Increases Feeling of Relaxation

One aspect of CBT is to find effective relaxation techniques. Using these techniques, people feel more at ease and can start finding ways to enjoy their lives that don’t involve drugs or alcohol.

As people experience more sessions, the benefits of CBT will begin to increase as people learn to live a sober life.

Try CBT at Our Holistic Treatment Center

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of several treatment options we offer at Desert Cove Recovery. Our addiction treatment services include an initial assessment, individual counseling, group therapy, family participation, and relapse prevention. The goal is to not only treat the addiction itself but what led to it and how to prevent relapse in recovery.

Desert Cove Recovery also uses holistic treatments to care for the mind, body, and spirit. These treatments can include yoga, meditation, and more. For more information on how cognitive behavioral therapy and holistic treatments at Desert Cove Recovery can help your addiction or a loved one, contact Desert Cove Recovery or visit us online.

Sources:
[1] https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-addiction#techniques

Blake Nichols

Blake Nichols is the Director of Operations at Desert Cove Recovery. Blake battled his own addiction to drugs and alcohol and was given the gift of recovery at the age of 23. Since 2008, Blake has dedicated his life and career to the field of addiction. He has experience in all aspects of addiction treatment including direct care, admissions, marketing, and administration.

Blake feels that the greatest reward of working in the recovery field is being part of the transformation that a person goes through from the time they arrive and begin treatment, through the hard work and the Miracle of recovery, and ultimately the change into a confident and capable person ready to carry the message of recovery.

“My career has focused on serving others. I have accepted ownership of my responsibilities as that is the key to working at the highest level of professionalism. I have worked to be positive and offer solution-based suggestions in my work and personal life.”