Therapy for Addiction: CBT, DBT and other counselling techniques explained

Every year, addiction to substances globally affects people and subsequently their families. It affects them physically to the core, emotionally drain them and cuts them off socially, thereby disturbing their relationships and further lives. It is important to get rid of the addiction practices. Beyond detox mode, addiction also requires therapy sessions and root cause analysis to address the behaviours and thoughts. This article will discuss more on the commonly practiced therapies, i.e. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). We will also take a look at other counselling techniques and how they also provide the similar level of support for therapy for addiction. Stay tuned!

What is addiction and how to cope from it?

Addiction is a condition which forces a person to use substances or engage in activities repeatedly even though it can cause harm. It is caused by over-usage of drugs, alcohol and other substances which intoxicates or engaging in activities like gambling and betting. Addiction affects the functioning of the brain’s rewarding system and further leads to the reduction of self-control, thereby making it difficult to stop the activity even when the person knows the risks. Not just the lack of willpower, it can be caused by psychological, biological and social factors. Addiction becomes the main factor in harming relationships, physical and mental health, and overall well-being.

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Therapy for addiction comes with mental support, self-awareness and professionals. Common therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) as they help in changing thought pattern and stop the triggers. Other programs like detox programs, rehabilitations and NGOs can be effective under severe cases. Overall, with strong support system, changing habits and being patient can make the individuals regain control of their life and rebuild a healthier version.

Different types of therapy and counselling techniques for addiction

Following are the different types of therapy and counselling techniques for addiction: 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This therapy for addiction works on evidence format. It helps the affected person to visualize, recognize and change negative thought patterns that lead to addiction and teaches practical ways to manage cravings and addiction triggers. It works like:

• Identify trigger points– Recognize what leads to the cravings. It can be emotions related to an activity, places or people linked to cravings.
• Challenge Thoughts – Mentally challenge the thoughts (like, “I need that medicine to relax”) that lead to addiction and replace them with encouraging words.
• Develop Coping Skills – Learn to deal with the situation practically without going back to the addiction road.
• Solve issue – Finding skills and ways to deal with the problem in constructive manner.
• Relapse Situation – Create backup plans to escape relapse situations.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT is now effectively used in therapy for addiction. It helps people in dealing with strong emotions, stress and relationship issues. It teaches four main skills:

• Mindfulness – Teaches to stay calm under situations, focus on present and avoid reactions.
• Distress Tolerance – Handle things constructively with healthy approach.
• Emotion Regulation – Control emotions from taking over.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness – Improve relationships through better communication while setting boundaries.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Originally used for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is now used for therapy for addiction as trauma can also lead to substance abuse. It works by:

• Identify the trauma – Identify the painful memories, associated emotions and physical sensations.
• Bilateral Stimulation – Follow guided eye movements or tapping sounds which makes the brain to reprocess the trauma in a less painful way.
• Changing Beliefs – Develop positive beliefs on that trauma to deal constructively.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): This therapy for addiction focuses on changing the irrational thoughts that affects the behaviour for addiction. It works through ABC model:

• Activation (A) – Situation which triggers reaction.
• Belief (B) – Identify thoughts on that situation.
• Consequence (C) – Outcome coming from those thoughts on the situation.

Basically, REBT teaches to identify the irrational thoughts, logically challenge that thought and then replace them with a realistic and flexible method to shift the thoughts.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy: This therapy for addiction helps in managing stress, control emotions and remove unhealthy habits through meditation. Meditation makes the person stay in the present and think without judgement. It works by:

• Observing Thoughts – Notice the feelings without any reaction.
• Manage Emotions – Manage emotions by accepting them instead of avoiding.
• Reduce Stress – Indulging in meditation and slow breathing exercises to reduce stress, which thereby reduces cravings.
• Improving Self-Awareness – Improve self-awareness by understand the stress from self-perspective.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): This therapy for addiction is a short-term approach which focuses on solution rather than the problem. It focuses on what is currently feasible, extracting individual’s strengths and how to accordingly move forward and set short goals to achieve the milestone.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This therapy for addiction focuses on handling conflicts, and failed relationships by making the person identify how relationship issues and conflict can affect their well-being in longer terms. It focuses on improving communication and build better and stronger connections which support recovery.

Conclusion

Addiction is bad for longer terms as it drains everything and mostly affects mental health. So, therapy for addiction requires more emotional strength and support than anything else. The therapy and other counselling methods explained above do have a mixture of emotional, mental and physical support. A mix of these methods is suggested to identify the root cause and remove them. Remember, choosing the right therapy and expert can help the individuals in getting sober and regaining a control for better life.

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