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September 13, 2022

A Guide to CBT for Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

 

Did you know that about 21 million Americans are struggling with substance abuse?

Many people don't know where to turn when drugs and alcohol take over their life and never get help. If you are battling addiction in Massachusetts, it's time to take control and start healing. Cognitive behavioral therapy is part of addiction treatment.

 

 

If you've never heard of this therapy, you've come to the right place. We are going to tell you everything you need to know about CBT.

What Is CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of talk therapy that helps people change their negative thoughts about themselves, their unhealthy behaviors, and their beliefs. People may not realize how their ideas about themselves and others affect their addiction.

Through CBT, a person can identify their thoughts and work with a professional to change them for the better. A therapist will teach patients to recognize stressors and overcome triggers instead of avoiding them.

Over time, the patient will be able to retrain their mind to see themselves and their addiction differently. Besides overcoming addiction, a person can improve their mental health through cognitive behavioral therapy.

Who Is It For

CBT can help many people with an array of disorders and addictions. If you or someone you know struggles with depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or drug and alcohol abuse, then cognitive behavioral therapy is a great option.

A Guide to CBT for Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

This type of therapy is backed by scientific and clinical evidence. Depending on the severity of the mental health disorder, addiction, or substance abuse, there are different treatment options.

There is an intensive outpatient program or IOP in MA. There is also a partial hospitalization program or PHP in MA.

Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT has many benefits, and every patient will learn various skills. They will then be able to use the skills and tools in the real world to live healthier lives.

Coping Skills

People who turn to drugs and alcohol for pain relief often don't have excellent coping skills. Learning to deal with challenging situations, sadness, pain, and stress can make all the difference. You'll learn how to handle grief in healthy ways through cognitive behavioral therapy.

Managing Anger

Anger is often a side effect of alcoholism, and CBT can help people manage it. Many people experience anger due to feeling guilty or ashamed of their past or current behavior.

This will manifest into anger at other people and situations. A therapist will teach you how to control your thoughts and behaviors. They will help you identify why you're angry and redirect it.

Supportive Community

Addiction can be isolating, and it can be hard to overcome mental health issues without support. Through therapy, a person will have someone to talk to when they struggle.

Knowing someone is there for you and willing to help can make beating addiction more manageable. Patients will feel more motivated to change unhealthy habits.

Learn Communication Skills

Part of healing from substance abuse is being able to communicate your needs with people in your life. You'll learn how to express your feelings without becoming angry. You'll also learn how to manage trigger situations.

Prevent Relapse

Many people who struggle with alcoholism relapse because they don't know how to cope. It's impossible to avoid every triggering situation.

Therapy will reduce the chances of relapsing. Combining all the above skills makes a patient less likely to fall back into old patterns.

Goal Setting

Part of drug rehab in MA is learning how to set realistic goals. If a patient sets a goal that seems unattainable, they will likely fail to meet the objective. A therapist will help people set goals they can meet and achieve.A Guide to CBT for Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

They will also teach you the difference between long-term and short-term goals. Having someone to keep you accountable can also be helpful.

Things To Consider

A patient may only need cognitive behavioral therapy to heal; however, in some addiction treatments, medication may be needed and prescribed. This type of therapy can see positive results in as few as five sessions. Another great benefit of CBT is that it can be done online or in person.

A person must be willing to change for the treatment to work. Change can be difficult and painful, but you must be committed to the process to succeed.

As a patient, it's important to remember that change and progress can be slow-moving. It takes time, effort, and energy to recover from addiction.

What To Expect

Starting drug and alcohol rehab in MA can be intimidating. Your first session won't be intense, so you'll have time to get comfortable. You'll fill out paperwork and likely be asked about your medical history, any medication you're taking, and insurance-related information.

You'll then talk to a therapist and tell them about yourself. He or she will likely ask you questions, and you must answer honestly. You and your therapist will then be able to come up with a plan to help you heal.

Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

If you're struggling with substance abuse, it's time to take the first step and seek help. Finding addiction treatment in Massachusetts can help you start living the life you want and help you heal.A Guide to CBT for Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

There are many benefits to CBT and if you're ready to start, contact us. We've helped many people overcome their addictions and can help you too.

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/img-ed-480x572.jpg[/author_image]  [author_info]Reviewed by Ed Lepage, Executive Director

Ed Lepage completed the drug and alcohol certificate program at the University of Massachusetts Boston and has been working in the substance abuse dependency field for the past seven years. He has also worked extensively in peer recovery-based programs offering “real-world experience” to those that suffer from substance use dependency. Full Bio [/author_info] [/author]