In the United States, today, over twenty-one million people struggle with at least one addiction. Some of these individuals could have a co-occurring mental health condition, medical condition, or secondary addiction to another substance. Of the twenty-one million addicted Americans, who face addiction each day, a mere ten percent will ever seek or receive treatment.
What Is Addiction Treatment?
Drug or alcohol addiction treatment is intended to help individuals struggling with a substance abuse disorder to stop compulsively seeking and using substances. Treatment can occur in a variety of different settings, including outpatient and inpatient residential facilities. Also, treatment can and should look very different for each person entering rehab. As not all addiction looks and presents the same across the board, addiction treatment must be individualized to meet the person’s needs, not the addiction.
Addiction is a chronic disorder, and relapse is not uncommon. It is estimated that of those who complete addiction treatment, between forty and sixty percent will relapse one or more times before finding long term sobriety. Due to the high chance of relapse, treatment for many struggling with addiction is often a long-term process that requires consistent work and monitoring.
There are a variety of evidence-based treatments utilized in addiction treatment. They often include a combination of behavioral therapy and medications. The most commonly used behavioral is cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Malibu for Addiction
Cognitive-behavioral therapy was initially developed as a way to prevent relapse in cases of problem drinking. Later, it was found to be successful in treating cocaine-addicted individuals. Today, cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including addictions to alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also used as a front-line treatment for several different mental health disorders.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction is based on the idea that learning plays a key role in the development of maladaptive behavioral and coping patterns. Substance abuse is an example of such patterns. During cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions, individuals learn to identify and correct problematic behaviors through a range of new skills (learned in treatment) that can be used to stop drug abuse and address and co-occurring issues.
A central component of cognitive-behavioral therapy is anticipating problems and working to enhance patients’ self-control in triggering situations by helping them develop healthy and productive coping mechanisms. Some of the specific techniques used in therapy sessions include exploring positive and negative consequences around ongoing (or continued) substance abuse, self-monitoring to recognize cravings early, identifying triggers, and developing strategies for coping with cravings and triggering situations.
Continuing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy After Rehab in Malibu
When used as part of an evidence-based treatment program, cognitive-behavioral therapy offers several benefits that extend well beyond one’s original treatment stay. The skills learned during therapy sessions are continually utilized during all stages of recovery. Also, many aftercare programs suggest ongoing outpatient therapy as part of the recovery process. During those sessions, cognitive-behavioral therapy will remain an integral part of the treatment process. Having a strong base of enhanced self-esteem, self-awareness and healthy coping skills learned through cognitive-behavioral therapy helps to limit the chance of relapse and the possibility of long-term recovery
Rise in Malibu Is Here for You
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, don’t wait to take the next step. Our highly trained staff will provide you with evidence-based, holistic treatment options designed with your recovery in mind at Rise in Malibu. Our team is experienced in traditional, clinical, and holistic treatment modalities and will create a treatment plan centered around you, not your addiction. If you are ready to take back your life and live free from addiction to drugs or alcohol, contact Rise in Malibu today.
