CBT is short for cognitive behavioral therapy, and it is a common form of therapy used in addiction treatment centers in Florida. At BoardPrep Recovery Center®, we offer a variety of therapeutic approaches to help you learn more about addiction and take your life back one step at a time. You will learn about the importance of building a support network of peers, the basics of 12-step addiction treatment, and begin working with a counselor to address your treatment needs. As you work through your recovery process, you will discover new ways to manage stress and develop positive coping skills.
The Basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an evidence-based approach to treatment that has proven to be useful for people dealing with addiction issues, interpersonal relationship struggles, anxiety, or depression. To better understand “what is CBT?”, it’s essential to know what the overall principles of CBT are. Some principles of CBT include:
- Unhelpful or distorted thinking can lead to psychological problems
- Negative patterns of behavior can be unlearned, improving mental health
- Coping skills can be taught, making it easier to deal with psychological problems
- Thinking patterns can be enhanced when the right treatment is in place
Cognitive behavioral therapy programs in Tampa, FL, work because they help change negative thinking patterns and give people a better understanding of what motivates their behavior. It is a process, and learning more productive ways of thinking and behavior takes time.
How CBT is Applied in Addiction Recovery
Many people who are in addiction recovery feel out of control. It is often poor coping skills and bad choices that have led to the addiction in the first place. CBT is used during substance abuse treatment in Tampa to help identify areas where the person is struggling and to work out more beneficial thought patterns. CBT treatment strategies may include:
- Looking at thoughts that might be distorted to develop a more accurate understanding of what is going on
- Meeting fears head-on instead of avoiding fears
- Learning strategies to calm the mind and body to cope with stress
- Gaining confidence in your abilities to feel empowered to make positive changes
CBT helps people assess situations and determine what an appropriate response would be. It allows people to grow in their recovery, trust their instincts, and become better at coping with stress. When the mind stops racing, the body and mind can calm down and react more positively.
How CBT Helps Prevent a Relapse
Once you answer the question, “What is CBT?”, it becomes possible to see how CBT helps prevent a relapse. When you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, your coping skills are diminished. While in recovery, you will be taught the importance of learning new ways to manage your stress and reactions to triggers to avoid a relapse. One of the main goals of CBT is to show you ways to keep your stress under control and to solve problems more positively. Once you learn strategies to minimize your stress response through CBT, you will begin to see how vital this type of therapy is to your overall recovery.
You can work through your addiction and recovery when you focus on relapse prevention strategies. These can include meditation, talking with a friend, or working with a therapist. Any activity that helps you stay calm and committed to your sobriety could be considered a relapse prevention strategy. Once you develop more positive coping skills, you will see that sobriety comes more naturally to you. Through CBT and other therapeutic approaches, you will gain the tools you need to stay sober.
Find Help For Your Addiction Now
Stop letting addiction take over your life. When you are struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, contact BoardPrep Recovery Center® for professional help. Call us today at 866.796.4720 and see what options are available to you.
