Treating the Cognitive Components of Addiction

The cognitive components of addiction often go ignored, but they play a big role in addiction and require professional treatment. People may focus on the physical side of addiction but fail to realize how important the cognitive side can be. Addiction affects you mentally and physically, and, until you get professional addiction treatment, you will not be able to cope with the mental aspects of addiction.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is designed around the idea that a person’s feelings, behaviors and actions are based on their thoughts rather than on environmental factors. People cannot change their situations, but through CBT they can change the way they think and react. CBT helps recovering addicts identify situations where they are most likely to abuse drugs or alcohol and teaches them how to avoid these situations and cope with feelings that may lead to drug or alcohol abuse.

What Happens during Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy consists of functional analysis and skills training. During functional analysis the user works with a therapist to identify the thoughts and situations the user experienced before and after they engaged in substance abuse. During skills training the user learns positive coping skills. The therapist helps the user end old habits and change the way he or she thinks about drug or alcohol abuse while learning how to address stressful situations that would normally lead to substance use.

Finding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol and are interested CBT or other forms of addiction treatment, call our toll-free helpline. We are here to talk with you about treatment options and which are best for your unique situation. We are available 24 hours a day, so please call now.