If you’re looking for help with addiction, you’ll likely come across the term “Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy” or CBT during your treatment and recovery process. This form of talk therapy involves
structured sessions that aim to identify and address negative thought patterns and misunderstandings in
your life. The goal of CBT is to teach you how to react to situations in a more positive and healthy way.
Discover why many people find CBT to be a transformative approach to addiction recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a versatile form of therapy that is particularly useful in treating addiction.
It can help individuals identify and address negative patterns of thinking and behavior, as well as develop
new coping mechanisms to deal with life’s challenges. Unlike other forms of therapy, Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy typically requires fewer sessions, making it a faster way to see improvement in your
everyday life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can also help with emotional difficulties, managing symptoms of mental
illness, preventing relapse, understanding others’ behaviors, coping with stress, managing emotions,
resolving conflicts in relationships, and communicating better throughout your life. It can be effective
after personal loss, trauma, illness, and chronic physical symptoms. In addition, it has been shown to
improve various conditions such as substance use disorders, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction,
depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, phobias, OCD, disordered eating, and other forms of mental illness
commonly associated with addiction and recovery. Ultimately, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help
make everyday life more manageable and enjoyable.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions typically involve one-on-one meetings with a therapist or small
group sessions. During these sessions, clients learn about addiction, mental health, trauma, problematic
sexual behavior, and disordered eating. They also practice various techniques for managing their
symptoms, such as relaxation, coping skills, stress management, assertiveness, and resilience.
The initial Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions are focused on building a relationship between the
client and therapist. The therapist will ask the client about their goals for emotional and physical health,
and identify areas where improvement is needed. If medication is required, the client will discuss this
with their therapist and primary medical provider.
As clients progress in their recovery, sessions become more focused on sharing thoughts and feelings.
Initially, it may be difficult for clients to open up, but with time and support from peers in recovery, it
becomes easier. Homework assignments are also given to help reinforce the focus of the sessions.
At IHARC, we use a combination of proven therapies and and the 12 steps, to treat addiction. Our
addiction treatment services include licensed professional assessments for three days, residential
treatment for 45-65 days, and intensive outpatient treatment programs for 3 months. We also offer
transitional living for three to 24 months, intensive therapeutic workshops for four days to address
trauma and co-dependency, and lifelong alumni programming.
Throughout all levels of care, our clinical and medical staff are experts in dual diagnosis treatment,
meaning they can help individuals achieve balance and wellness by addressing co-occurring conditions.
