Untreated substance use disorder (SUD) can affect many different areas of an individual’s life. With SUD, it can be difficult to cope with intense cravings, triggers, and hurtful stigma from others. If an individual attempts to discontinue using drugs or alcohol, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms may make it tough to overcome addiction. This can often lead to co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Depending on the substance used and the period of use, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening, dangerous, and sometimes fatal. Therefore, it is critical for one to seek professional support for proper management. Fortunately, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) at South Shore Recovery Center can be a great option for those seeking support and guidance for ongoing healing.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), substance use disorder (SUD) can be defined as a chronic brain disease that impairs an individual’s reward system. The mental health disorder negatively affects an individual’s behavior and thought process. Prolonged addiction often leads to SUD. This is where one no longer obtains the ability to control their substance use and continues to misuse prescription medications, illicit drugs, alcohol, or other substances. Substance use disorder symptoms can range from moderate to severe. Although SUD symptoms can be different for everyone, common warning signs of SUD include:
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlighted that SUD is a prevalent mental health disorder. Approximately 70.3 million individuals over the age of 12 used illicit substances, marijuana being the most highly used in 2022. Studies have found that about 48.7 million adolescents and adults were diagnosed with substance use disorder. Recent findings discovered that about one in four adults were diagnosed with a mental illness. Research also found that 1 in 20 adults experienced serious suicidal ideation, and 0.6% of individuals attempted suicide that same year.
Going about life with untreated SUD can seem isolating. Once an individual fixates only on drugs, every other aspect of their life may gradually slip away. When this occurs, an individual’s personal growth is delayed or put to an end until one changes their ways. For example, substance use disorder can impair one’s ability to function in the workplace, leading to poor work performance. SUD can destroy healthy relationships with family and friends. Addiction can interfere with one’s academic progress. As people stop actively pursuing their talents, their sense of self-worth may diminish.
Prolonged substance use disorder can negatively impact an individual’s future. If one continues to abuse drugs or alcohol, even knowing the risks, they may shred their life away. Substance use disorder can put one at serious risk of enduring a tragic substance relapse. In severe cases, a substance relapse can result in brain damage, disability, toxicity, and even death. High levels of stress, uncomfortable or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and poor coping skills can make it difficult for one to stop using drugs or alcohol.
Again, SUD is a chronic brain disease that impairs one’s reward system. Therefore, even with knowing the risks, the individual may still choose their substance use over anything. No person wants a poor future, but if an individual does not seek professional care, they may also be at risk of facing:
Although substance use disorder can be difficult to manage, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help. CBT assists one in focusing on one’s current goals rather than one’s past mistakes. Research indicates that CBT is the most used and best-researched therapy approach. CBT is a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapy. The basic purpose of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to help one understand that their thinking process, poor behaviors, and how others make them feel are all interconnected.
An individual’s thoughts and actions can affect their overall well-being. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help one gain mental clarity, positive perspectives, and clear expectations. CBT can help individuals learn to replace negative thought patterns with more positive thoughts while gaining a more controlled mindset to gain mental stability.
Leaving family or friends behind for treatment can further worsen feelings of shame or guilt. Many individuals fear moving forward with other forms of treatment because they do not want to exacerbate already damaged relationships. Outpatient CBT provides continuity of care after leaving inpatient rehab or hospitalization. It can be difficult for one with substance use disorder or a dual diagnosis to balance life’s major priorities.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an outpatient treatment option that provides the flexibility to manage daily responsibilities such as parenting, work, extracurricular activities, or academics. An individual can take care of daily tasks during the day and attend treatment in the afternoon or evening, and vice versa. One can learn new coping mechanisms during therapy and directly apply those skills and strategies to real-life scenarios outside of care. Benefits of outpatient therapy include:
Some individuals may feel hesitant to move forward with treatment as they may not know what to expect. Understanding what cognitive-behavioral therapy entails can offer one light encouragement to move forward with treatment and attend sessions for relapse prevention.
In a typical session at South Shore Recovery Center, one may discuss their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and life experiences that may have been affecting their overall well-being. The idea of facing problems head-on can be distressing. Cognitive-behavioral therapy often has a short duration, whereas other forms of treatment can take multiple sessions to see results. Different techniques are used in CBT to help improve an individual’s mental health. Evidence-based cognitive-behavioral strategies include:
Although there is no cure for substance use disorder, cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a great treatment option to help one better cope with the negative effects of addiction. Many individuals facing challenges with substance use disorder often feel a great sense of embarrassment and humiliation related to their past. Hurtful stigma, stereotypes, and discrimination against addiction and mental health are good reasons for one’s poor self-esteem. Many individuals internalize judgment from others, but CBT can help them focus on their recovery goals rather than fixate on their past addictive behaviors.
Some individuals struggling with substance use disorder prefer or require individual CBT, whereas others may enjoy attending group therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy provides patients with helpful strategies to enhance their recovery process. Patients at South Shore Recovery Center use the skills learned in therapy to target the underlying problems that impact their mental health and path to healing.
A wide body of research has proven the efficacy of CBT for substance use disorders. Randomized trials, quantitative reviews, and clinical studies have supported the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Based on a recent study, more than 50% of patients with cocaine use who have participated in CBT reported clean toxicology screens after 52 weeks. CBT for SUD is made up of various distance interventions that are either isolated or combined.
Many individuals with substance use disorder have a past history of trauma or come from an unhealthy environment with unwanted substance exposure. South Shore Recovery Center uses cognitive-behavioral therapy in combination with other forms of psychotherapy to ensure patients have the tools to build a solid foundation for a sober lifestyle. Our recovery center understands it can be tough for one to ward off substance cravings and unhealthy triggers to maintain lasting sobriety. Both individual and group CBT treatments can help one stay on track to positive healing regardless of their background.
Research indicates that motivational Interviewing (MI) is a type of CBT therapy that addresses motivation and treatment adherence. This is a cognitive therapy approach that works to target an individual’s mixed feelings related to substance use and recovery. Motivational interviewing promotes intentional readiness for behavior change. The process of motivational interviewing includes engaging in relationship building, focusing on direction, establishing goal orientation, and formulating a plan for action. Five core elements of motivational interviewing include:
In order to accept addiction and move forward from one’s past, an individual must earn their way to sobriety to increase self-worth. According to Alcohol Research and Health, contingency management (CM) is a type of CBT therapy that offers non-drug reinforcements. For example, instead of “punishing” one for their addictive behaviors, a patient must earn vouchers and goods as a reward for drug and alcohol abstinence instead. Special privileges, money, and prizes are common positive reinforcements used in CM. Guiding principles and contingency management techniques include:
Knowing that substance exposure and peer pressure can be problematic, it is important for one to learn the tools needed to maneuver uncomfortable situations. Relapse prevention is an important element in addiction recovery. Studies have demonstrated that relapse prevention is a type of CBT therapy that helps individuals with substance use disorder identify and prevent high-risk events in certain environments, such as family celebrations or a school campus.
Relapse prevention helps an individual better recognize the emotional and mental signs of relapse before a physical relapse. Not only does this type of CBT therapy aid in relapse prevention, but the CBT therapy approach teaches one the cycle of addiction. The stages of recovery are abstinence, repair, and growth. Undersanding these stages can help one effectively move forward from a substance relapse. Specific intervention strategies include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy at South Shore Recovery Center supports healing from substance abuse and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Our team of experts uses helpful strategies to empower accountability and personal responsibility. We work with our patients to develop practical yet effective coping skills while improving introspection and self-awareness. Our specialists understand there is a strong link between addiction and poor mental health.
A dual diagnosis can be especially hard to manage without support. However, working with a therapist in CBT therapy can help one develop a structured routine to promote long-term recovery and gain a better quality of life. Additional benefits that can come from attending cognitive-behavioral therapy include:
It is common for some individuals to relapse within the first year after completing treatment. South Shore Recovery Center understands that relapse is a normal part of addiction recovery. Even the most motivated individuals may still find it challenging to stay on track with outpatient care while in recovery.
Incorporating self-care practices into a structured routine is essential to sustaining long-term healing. Doing so can help one remain focused during addiction treatment and recovery. Substance use may not only impact an individual’s mental well-being but also damage their physical state of health. Engaging in self-care may not only improve one’s mental health but also allow one’s body to heal from active addiction.
Knowing that active addiction can impair relationships and just about every area of one’s life, an individual may feel they are not worthy of healing. No person with active substance use disorder intentionally hurts anyone. An individual with active addiction often feels pain and sorrow for their actions after learning the severity of their condition. Practicing self-care strategies can also help one find forgiveness in themselves and others to move forward from their past. Combining self-care strategies with cognitive-behavioral therapy tools can further enhance one’s ability to maintain long-term recovery. Aside from following sober living skills, self-care strategies that can help one maintain treatment while in recovery include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone of addiction and mental health treatment. Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) or dual diagnosis benefit from participating in individual or group CBT therapy sessions. At South Shore Recovery Center, our dedicated team of addiction recovery and mental health professionals use CBT and other therapeutic modalities to guide individuals through replacing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors with healthier alternatives. Many individuals face problems with trauma, stress, and other factors that impact their mental health. Our therapy sessions offer patients a safe space to explore self-expression and discover new ways of managing symptoms and side effects of their condition. To learn more about South Shore Recovery Center, call our office today at (774) 515-2878.
DISCLAIMER: South Shore Recovery Center is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to provide Outpatient Counseling and Day Treatment Services.
