Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

One of the most commonly used treatment methods for addiction and problematic compulsive behaviours is cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviours and how they perceive themselves, others, and the world. CBT differs from other therapies because of its emphasis on the theory that how you perceive a problem or situation causes negative or dysfunctional emotions and/or behaviours. The goal of CBT in the context of a substance use disorder and/or problematic substance use issues is for the client to understand what drives their problematic behaviours and how these issues are related to other aspects of their lives. Once the client understands what thoughts and/or environmental factors lead to their problematic and/or compulsive behaviours, they are better equipped to succeed in the recovery process and prevent future relapse.  

​

This approach uses sound techniques to slow down, eliminate, and halt your learned reactions. These learned reactions, such as self-medicating with a harmful substance or compulsive behavioural patterns, are often triggered by negative thoughts that could stem from self-doubt, fear, or previous traumatic experience.

 

Cognitive behavioural therapy works on your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and projections on a subject matter and/or circumstances. Ultimately, CBT deals with those circumstances and events that you’re aware of, rather than dealing with circumstances and events relating to the unconscious. Through a sound therapeutic process, you will learn to respond differently to issues and circumstances where you may turn to a substance or problematic behaviour to mask issues and, instead, will learn healthy coping mechanisms. In CBT treatment, your therapist will help you acquire some of the following positive attitudes and behaviours to aid in your recovery journey 1:

​

• Cognitive behavioural therapy will assist in breaking your learned habitual cycle of addiction or substance abuse behaviours by helping you channel your urges into positive coping strategies like leaning into the support of loved ones or organized support groups, journaling, or any other safe and beneficial behaviour that will divert from harmful desires.

​

• In the case of clients struggling with substance use issues, clients treated with cognitive behavioural therapy will learn several different methods to  decline offers of their substance of choice/behavioural compulsion in a social setting.

​

• Cognitive behavioural therapy will help the client recognize when and how their negative or dysfunctional emotions appear and how to address them.

​

• Throughout the cognitive behavioural therapy process, the client will work with their therapist to compile a list of triggers and/or risk factors to be aware of throughout their recovery process to avoid relapse.

​

• Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on teaching the client, using psychoeducation, how to tackle an issue head-on instead of attempting to ‘mask’ a problem through problematic compulsive behaviours and/or substance use.

​

• Cognitive behavioural therapy will help you identify and disregard your inner saboteur who may try to rationalize why you should continue your problematic behaviour and/or substance of choice.

​

• The client will develop a healthy lifestyle overall, complete with positive habits including protective factors that can be maintained for the long term with help from the methods of cognitive behavioural therapy

​

1. Newman, C. (2021, June 8). Treating Substance Misuse Disorders with CBT. The Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. https://beckinstitute.org/blog/treating-substance-misuse-disorders-with-cbt/