Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been applied in substance use disorder treatment for decades. Our cognitive-behavioral therapy program works by helping individuals self-examine the root causes of their addiction and the changes in thinking they can make to overcome addiction from the inside out.

At Footprints Beachside Recovery, our cognitive-behavioral therapy program has helped clients uncover the detrimental thinking involved in their addiction cycles. If you or someone you love are currently grappling with substance use disorder, our team is always available. Contact us at 727-954-3908 or fill out our online form below to learn about both the traditional and alternative therapy methods we provide at our Treasure Island, FL facility.

How Is Behavioral Therapy Used for Treating Addiction?

Addiction is, among other things, a pattern of behaviors. Behavioral therapy is an appropriate means of combating the negative, often self-destructive behaviors associated with addiction.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) programs for addiction are applied when clients are shown to express harmful ways of thinking. When people experience substance use disorder, their behavior can be driven by thoughts and feelings that they cannot control. Through guided counseling sessions with a CBT-certified professional, individuals can explore the source of these thought patterns and the environment that perpetuates them.

By introducing new information, or new ways for clients to process existing information, CBT is effective in uprooting these damaging ways of thinking and replacing them with neutral or even helpful ones.

Who Can CBT Help?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people struggling with substance use disorder, as well as those who are dealing with co-occurring mental health disorders. For those with addiction, CBT can be used to identify the triggers that lead to drug and alcohol abuse and teach strategies for avoiding relapse. CBT is beneficial for clients with addiction and the following conditions:

• Anxiety – CBT can help those with anxiety by teaching stress management techniques, cognitive restructuring skills, and exposure-based interventions.
• Depression – Through CBT, those with depression can learn to modify negative thinking patterns and develop skills for navigating difficult emotions.
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder – Through exposure therapies, clients with PTSD can explore their trauma in a safe environment and develop coping skills for managing difficult emotions.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction, contact Footprints Beachside Recovery today for more information about CBT.

Benefits of CBT for Addiction

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help clients in several ways during their addiction treatment process, including:

Modifying core beliefs

CBT’s main strength lies in presenting a person’s outlook as malleable, just as much as by others as by their own volition. Addiction reshaped their desires, and they are fully capable of doing the same. By breaking down the core beliefs (low self-worth, substance abuse as a lesser of two evils, etc.), clients can promote healthy, alternative ways of thinking.

Developing coping skills

CBT is equally as much about identifying and responding to triggers and stimuli. When confronted with the temptation or opportunity to resume abusing substances, clients can reflect on how they’ve learned to adapt and respond. How they cope is up to them and their therapist, but CBT sets the stage for developing these skills easily and clearly.

Addressing co-occurring disorders

Since so much of CBT focuses on behavior, behavioral disorders tend to become part of treatment when applicable. Clients with anxiety, for instance, are encouraged to look at how anxiety has impacted their beliefs, decision-making, and behaviors and how to navigate going forward.

Long-term effectiveness

Finally, CBT changes the fundamentals of thought and behavior for clients. These aren’t static by any means. If they can be changed once, they can be changed again. CBT helps so much in the long term because it grants clarity to the thought that can be effectively permanent. No matter how life changes, CBT can act like a compass that shows clients the right way forward at any turn.

Enroll in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Treasure Island, FL, at Footprints Beachside Recovery

At Footprints Beachside Recovery, cognitive-behavioral therapy is an indispensable tool for treating substance use disorder. It can be used in tandem with all other manners of treatment, including residential and outpatient care. Don’t hesitate if you or someone you love is affected by substance use disorder and are wondering if CBT is suitable for you, don’t hesitate. Contact us today at 727-954-3908 to learn about our cognitive-behavioral therapy program.