There is a lot more to addiction recovery than getting through detox. Many people believe that overcoming addiction is simply a matter of removing the drugs or alcohol from their system. While this is a significant hurdle to overcome at the beginning of recovery, much more work is needed to achieve lasting sobriety. A behavioral therapy program can make all the difference in your ability to stay sober for the long term.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we understand that not everyone is open to therapy, and you may not think that therapy can help you abstain from drugs or alcohol. We can help you realize the extensive benefits of behavioral therapy for addiction recovery. Give us a call today at 866.516.8356 to learn how behavioral therapy can be the difference between relapse and lasting recovery.
Signs You Could Benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that focuses on dysfunctional thought patterns. The premise is that deeply ingrained beliefs can impact how you think, feel, and behave. While your beliefs may not be accurate or true, they are so deeply set in your mind that you believe them to be the truth. Some common destructive beliefs people hold include:
- Their situation is hopeless.
- Things will never get better.
- They have no power over improving their life.
- They do not deserve to succeed.
- Other people are to blame for their lack of life satisfaction.
- They are not smart enough, attractive enough, or successful enough to achieve the things they want.
As you can imagine, the above beliefs do not set you up for a healthy, happy life. Feeling powerless to reach your life goals can lead to depression and anxiety or exacerbate these mental health conditions if you already struggle with them. A negative belief system is also a common instigator for self-medication with drugs or alcohol. Substance use provides an escape from a life you believe to be filled with disappointment.
What Are the Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction Recovery?
To break the cycle of distorted thought patterns that trigger mental health issues and substance abuse, you need the help of cognitive behavioral therapy. The benefits of CBT for addiction include:
- Identifying harmful thought patterns
- Restructuring distorted beliefs
- Increasing self-awareness
- Developing healthy coping skills to manage life stressors
CBT empowers you to overcome addiction by shaking up your negative beliefs at their very core. Once you realize you can change your beliefs, you will feel more control over your life, including feeling more confident about overcoming addiction and managing co-occurring mental health conditions.
How Can Dialectical Behavior Therapy Support Lasting Recovery?
Although CBT is one of the most common forms of behavioral therapy for addiction, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) may be more appropriate for some people. It was originally designed to be used with people struggling with borderline personality disorder (BPD), as they are notoriously difficult to treat. However, addiction professionals have found that DBT is also helpful for many clients struggling with addiction and mental health conditions. Some of the benefits of DBT for addiction recovery are:
- Improving emotional regulation
- Increasing the ability to manage stressors more appropriately
- Increasing overall confidence
- Learning how to accept one’s current situation without judgment
- Finding the internal motivation to make positive changes
Acceptance and nonjudgment are crucial components of DBT, making it suitable for people who find it particularly challenging to make the changes needed to maintain sobriety.
Stay on Track for Recovery with Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
To give yourself the best chance at lasting recovery, consider enrolling in a behavioral therapy program at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston. Our trained therapists will assess your needs and provide you with the most beneficial form of behavioral therapy, whether it be CBT or DBT. To further fortify your sobriety, we incorporate holistic therapies and medication as needed. Give us a call today at 866.516.8356 to start reaping the benefits of behavioral therapy for addiction recovery.
