Understanding the Role of Therapy in Long Term Addiction Recovery

Therapy can play a major role on the road to long term addiction recovery in the ongoing fight against substance use disorder (SUD). For many, it is one of the mainstays in their comprehensive recovery plan that allows them to live a sober and happy life.

Understanding the function of therapy in an addiction recovery plan is crucial to successful sober living, and it is an excellent starting point for those looking to get treatment.

In today’s article, we are going to explore the role therapy plays in long term addiction recovery, and how it empowers countless individuals every year to live happy, fulfilling lives without the constant weight of drugs and alcohol holding them down.

What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?

Substance use disorder (SUD), is characterized by a series of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological symptoms that contribute to an individual’s continued use of a substance despite experiencing significant issues and negative side effects.

In a report published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2022, one out of every six Americans aged 12 or older suffer from at least one type of substance use disorder. These SUDs can vary in both scope and severity, but share an overall negative impact on the affected person’s life that can worsen if left undiagnosed or untreated.

Addiction is a Treatable Disease

One of the most important things to center when constructing your mental framework on substance use disorder is the fact that it is, above all else, a fully treatable disease. For those that take the appropriate steps, find help, and build a well balanced plan for their recovery, sobriety is achievable.

The Role of Therapy in Long Term Sobriety: You Have Options

For those looking to recover from substance use disorder, therapy provides an excellent option in the search for lasting long term sobriety. As knowledge of substance use disorder and the best practices to treat and support recovery from it continues to grow, so too do the therapy options available to those suffering.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps individuals identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have an overall negative impact on their behavior and emotions.

It combines aspects of both cognitive therapy and behavior therapy by identifying emotional responses, behaviors, and maladaptive patterns of thinking and replacing them with helpful, wellness focused thought patterns and mental constructions.

Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy consists of a large range of techniques and approaches that address and attempt to positively change thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The techniques used in CBT can vary widely, ranging from self help best practices to highly structured psychotherapies.

A few other common types of cognitive behavioral therapies include:

• Multimodal Therapy: Operates under the belief that psychological issues must be treated by addressing seven modalities (behavior, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, interpersonal factors,  and biological considerations)
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): Identifies irrational beliefs and works to actively challenge them, resulting in the consistent recognition of core negative thought patterns
• Cognitive Therapy: Works to identify and change inaccurate and/or distorted thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Addresses disturbing and/or destructive thought patterns and behaviors with a concentrated focus on implementing positive treatment strategies such as emotional regulation and mindfulness

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Techniques and Best Practices

There are many techniques and strategies used in cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals suffering from substance use disorder recover from their addiction and live happy and fulfilling sober lives.

While the list below is not comprehensive or all encompassing, it does outline many of the main techniques and best practices used in cognitive behavioral therapy.

1. Set Actionable Goals

Effective, realistic goal setting can be highly beneficial in virtually any aspect of life, it can be especially useful when trying to create a successful recovery plan for substance use disorder. Goals, even if they seem small or insignificant when viewed in a vacuum, can stack on top of each other over time and lead to massive positive changes in your daily life.

One of the best frameworks to follow when trying to create actionable, achievable goals is the SMART goal method, a research backed way of creating goals that take work to achieve, yet are possible with effort and focus. SMART goals are most simply defined as any goal that includes all of the following core ingredients: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound.

2. Identify Negative Thought Patterns

This is perhaps the most commonly associated technique with cognitive behavioral therapy, and for good reason. Training yourself to identify, and, with time, being able to stop or even change these into positive thoughts can become a foundational building block in your recovery from substance use disorder. 

3. Self Monitoring and Regulation

This important, daily activity involves the tracking of behaviors, thoughts, symptoms, and experiences over time in a highly intentional, reflective manner. Sometimes referred to as “diary work”, self monitoring helps many people calm their anxieties or wandering mental constructions that often lead to negative thought patterns.

Further, this daily practice can help you stop these negative thought patterns from growing, and over time lead to a much increased level of internal self regulation. It can also be extended to other aspects of your life. As such, it is not best thought of as a treatment for substance use disorder specifically, but rather a tool that can be used as part of a daily, wellness focused routine.

You Can Recover and Live a Sober, Happy Life

Above all else, it is incredibly important to always remember that substance use disorder is a disease that can and often is treated and recovered from. No matter where you are in your journey toward recovery, or how low and helpless you may feel, there is always hope. 

There is always somebody else out there who has gone through a situation and set of circumstances similar to the one you are currently in. These people, especially when they are involved in organizations and other community-based resources designed to help people recover from their addiction.

SoberMind Recovery Is Here to Help

SoberMind Recovery is a Los Angeles recovery center that offers a wide range of specialized treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation programs, ranging from LGBTQ sober living to dual diagnosis treatment. They also provide individual, group, and cognitive behavioral therapy options.

Our mission here at SoberMind Recovery is to provide individualized, research-backed care in a compassionate and high-quality environment while making a difference in the world of addiction. We help people achieve long-lasting recovery and lead well-balanced lives.

Residents of the Los Angeles area are encouraged to call today 100% free of charge at 818-835-9268 or 819-398-8047 to see if our compassionate, evidence-based treatment options are a good fit for you and your recovery needs.