For those struggling with addiction, therapy can provide invaluable support as they work to overcome their addiction and reclaim their lives. Here is how therapy can help people with addiction:
Help Patients Accept Their Addiction
People suffering from alcohol use disorder may be in denial of their condition. A person in denial may convince themselves that they can control their alcohol use or downplay the problems associated with alcohol abuse. Other people may try to hide their gambling addiction and get defensive when others point out their habit.
The first step of recovery for someone who has an alcohol, gambling, drug, or sex addiction is first admitting they have a problem. Therapists can give patients the space to honestly explore their relationship with alcohol, sex, gambling, or drugs and recognize they need help. Once a person accepts they have a problem, a therapist can guide them to make changes to help them recover from addiction and maintain sobriety.
Identify the Causes of Addiction
A therapist can help a patient identify the underlying causes of their addiction and develop strategies to cope with them. This can be helpful for those who have been struggling with addiction for a long time or those who have had multiple relapses. A therapist can provide valuable insight into why someone is addicted, why they started the addictive behavior, and what triggers might lead to future relapses. Discussing these problems can give the therapist a window into the patient’s mind, helping them develop an effective treatment plan.
Help Patients Adopt Healthier Habits
Addiction can be a coping mechanism patients adopt to cope with their problems, such as trauma, abuse, or social isolation. While undergoing treatment, therapists can show patients healthier ways to manage their thoughts and emotions. They can also work with them to develop coping skills and techniques.
The hoped-for outcome of therapy is that a patient is able to respond positively to challenges that would initially trigger a binge. Patients can become more aware of themselves and their limitations and can learn how to protect themselves from the threat of relapse.
Involve Patients in the Treatment Process
Therapy can help a person be more intentional with their recovery. A person in recovery at a treatment center has to attend several therapy sessions, where their therapist can check on their progress. Knowing they should meet a therapist every few days or weeks can give patients a sense of accountability. If someone relapses, they know they have to inform their therapist. This can motivate a recovering patient to put in the work needed to overcome an addiction. Being open about the patterns that contribute to addiction can help patients be mindful about avoiding them.
Recommend the Best Treatments
After sessions with a patient, a therapist can recommend different support their client may need to overcome an addiction. Depending on a patient’s condition, therapists can recommend treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
CBT is based on the premise that people can replace harmful thought patterns with healthier or more positive ones. In this therapy type, the therapist can consider the reasons behind a patient’s addiction to determine the psychological roots of alcohol abuse. They can teach the patient healthier responses to the following:
- Thought triggers
- Emotional triggers
- Physical triggers
DBT is a form of talk therapy that can be used to help patients overcome different kinds of addiction. The therapist can examine the patient’s environment, social interactions, and experiences to find solutions to substance abuse. The hoped-for outcomes of the therapy are the following:
- Reduced cravings
- Recognizing and avoiding abuse triggers
- Decreased substance abuse
- Reduced withdrawal symptoms
- Reinforcement of healthier habits
Provide Patients With Relapse Prevention Solutions
Therapists can identify high-risk factors in the patient’s environment and help them develop ways to identify and cope with triggers. During therapy, patients may learn to anticipate challenges that may cause a relapse and make a plan for how to respond to these challenges.
Therapists can direct patients to support groups to help them maintain sobriety when facing difficulties. These support groups can help members consistently apply the principles they learned in therapy. Patients can be empowered to maintain good habits and interact with people in similar situations in their support groups. This can keep them from feeling alone in their problems.
Seek Treatment to Overcome Addiction
Addiction is a condition that may require professional help to overcome. Good therapists are equipped to provide the resources and support needed to overcome this difficult battle. Utilizing their skills, they can assess and diagnose a patient’s addiction while creating an individualized plan that can lead them toward sobriety.
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