Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one of the most effective treatments for addiction. Through CBT, you’ll work with a licensed therapist to identify harmful thought patterns and behaviors related to your substance use disorder and replace them with healthier ones.

The core idea behind CBT is that your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected and influence each other. In CBT, you’ll learn coping skills and strategies to break this cycle and make positive lifestyle changes. Negative thoughts and beliefs can trigger unhealthy behaviors like drug or alcohol abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use and in need of an alcohol detox center, contact us today.

CBT requires work and active participation from you. It typically involves both individual and group therapy sessions. You’ll have homework such as monitoring your thoughts and behaviors, completing worksheets, and practicing new skills outside of sessions. Research shows CBT can be very effective, especially when combined with other treatments like medication.

Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT is another evidence-based treatment that can be highly effective for overcoming addiction. It helps an individual develop skills to better manage painful emotions and decrease self-destructive behaviors. Through DBT, you’ll learn mindfulness practices to increase your awareness of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. You’ll gain coping strategies to better deal with cravings, stress, and emotional triggers that can lead to relapse. Skills training focuses on interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.

DBT requires a major time commitment to be effective, usually involving:

• 2-3 hours of group therapy per week
• 1 hour of individual therapy per week
• Phone coaching as needed for crisis situations
• Daily homework practicing new skills

The skills and coping strategies you learn in DBT can provide lifelong tools to maintain your sobriety and improve your quality of life. While difficult, committing to this intensive program can help you build a strong foundation for recovery.

Motivational interviewing, or MI, is a form of therapy where the therapist has a collaborative conversation with you to strengthen your motivation for change. The therapist expresses empathy for your situation and helps you explore your reasons for wanting to change without arguing or telling you what you “should” do.

MI aims to help you resolve any ambivalence you may feel about recovery and build confidence in your ability to change. Some of the techniques used in MI include:

• Open-ended questions: Therapists ask open-ended questions, like “What do you think about your drinking now?” to assist you in reflecting on and discussing your emotions regarding addiction and the process of recovery.
• Reflective listening: Therapists use reflective listening to repeat your thoughts and show understanding.
• Affirmations: The therapist offers statements of encouragement and highlights your strengths and past successes.
• Summarizing: The therapist summarizes the main points you’ve expressed to reinforce them and make sure their understanding is correct.

California Addiction Treatment provides MI therapy to help you build motivation, strengthen your commitment to recovery, and prepare you for the hard work of overcoming addiction. Combined with other treatments like CBT or medication, MI can be very effective in promoting long-term sobriety and health.

Contingency management (CM) therapy uses positive reinforcement to encourage positive behaviors like abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The approach is based on the idea that people will repeat behaviors that are rewarded. In CM, you earn rewards, like gift cards or privileges, for submitting drug-free urine samples or attending counseling sessions.

CM is often used along with other therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication. The rewards motivate you to stay committed to your recovery, especially in the early stages. Over time, as you achieve and maintain sobriety, the rewards are phased out. The goal is for the personal rewards of recovery and a healthier lifestyle to take over as the main motivation.

If you relapse or miss a counseling session, you may lose rewards or privileges. Don’t get discouraged, though – just get back to your recovery goals and start earning rewards again. The program is meant to be supportive, not punitive.

CM is effective at promoting abstinence, especially when used with medications or other therapies. Positive reinforcement can help change behaviors and forge new healthy habits that will support your sobriety for life. If you’re struggling with addiction, CM may be worth considering as part of your customized treatment plan.

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes and understands the role that trauma plays in addiction. Traumatic experiences, especially in childhood, can negatively impact a person’s mental and physical health and increase the risk of substance abuse.

California Addiction Treatment offers trauma-informed therapy programs. Our therapists are extensively trained to recognize the signs of trauma and provide counseling using evidence-based approaches. Our facility also emphasizes self-care, community support, and a safe environment. Trauma-informed treatment gives patients the tools to overcome addiction, establish healthy coping strategies, and find lasting recovery.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) integrates behavioral therapy with medications to address substance use disorders. At California Addiction Treatment, we offer MAT for opioids (heroin, prescription painkillers), alcohol, and tobacco addiction. The medications relieve withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, so you can focus on the psychological aspects of recovery.

MAT gives you the best chance for success in overcoming any kind of addiction. The medications provide medical and physiological stability, so you can focus on making the life changes necessary for a lasting recovery. MAT, combined with behavioral therapies and a strong support system, can free you from the chains of addiction for good.