Roaring Brook Recovery provides evidence-based treatment for addiction and mental health. Backed by decades of research, cognitive behavioral therapy is just one example of an evidence-based treatment used to address substance abuse. As you look for recovery services, you might wonder, “Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. psychotherapy: How are they used to treat addiction?”
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Psychotherapy: How Are They Used to Treat Addiction?
Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. psychotherapy: How are they used to treat addiction? Let’s define the two so that you can get a better idea of what to expect.
What is Psychotherapy?
First, what is psychotherapy? Also called talk therapy, psychotherapy is a broad term. It entails talking with a licensed mental health provider, such as a therapist or psychologist. Many types of psychotherapy can be used to treat addiction. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Motivational interviewing.
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy.
The type of psychotherapy you participate in will influence what sessions are like. For example, you might participate in different activities or exercises in a session depending on the type of therapy you choose; therapists might respond to and guide you through thought patterns differently depending on the type of psychotherapy they practice.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of many forms of psychotherapy. When used for addiction, CBT helps people recognize and challenge negative thought and behavioral patterns associated with substance abuse. In CBT for addiction, a therapist might:
- Ask questions to aid self-reflection. For example, they might ask questions about the thoughts or feelings that contributed to your use of a substance in a certain situation so that you can gain a better understanding of why you use drugs and alcohol.
- Provide skills. CBT is a great therapeutic modality for those who want to learn and apply new skills. These can include, but aren’t limited to, cognitive restructuring, relaxation techniques, interpersonal strategies, and behavioral activation.
Roaring Brook Recovery uses CBT alongside other evidence-based approaches to facilitate whole-person recovery.
Psychotherapy Formats
Psychotherapy sessions can take place in different formats. Common psychotherapy formats used at our center include:
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy sessions are an important part of our programs. Individual therapists using CBT and other types of psychotherapy in individual therapy sessions will help clients set and meet their personal goals. In these sessions, people work with a therapist one-on-one, making it possible to discuss things they might not want to share in a group therapy environment.
Group Therapy Near Louisville, KY
We offer group therapy near Louisville, KY, as a core part of our substance abuse treatment programs. Clients in our outpatient therapy programs for addiction can expect to attend group therapy sessions on all treatment days.
Family Therapy in Lexington, KY
Family therapy is highly encouraged for people in addiction treatment at Roaring Brook Recovery. Having a strong support system, which can include family members and other close loved ones, can increase the chances of positive treatment outcomes.
Levels of Care
We offer cognitive behavioral therapy in Lexington, KY, for addiction and mental health concerns. This treatment can be used in all levels of care at our center:
Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial hospitalization programs are more structured than typical outpatient treatment programs. People in our partial hospitalization program (PHP) in Kentucky participate in therapy five days per week. This will involve group sessions, individual sessions, and family therapy sessions. Since CBT is combined with other therapeutic modalities, clients have the opportunity to gain a thorough set of addiction recovery skills.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Lexington, KY
Our intensive outpatient program IOP in Lexington, KY, uses the same effective, integrated approach as our PHP. However, the time commitment is lower, making it an ideal option for those stepping down from PHP or for people who need to balance responsibilities like work with addiction treatment.
Call Roaring Brook Recovery for Comprehensive Addiction Treatment in Kentucky
Roaring Brook Recovery has a multidisciplinary team of nurse practitioners, master-level clinicians, psychiatrists, and other medical and mental health providers. We provide abstinence-based, trauma-informed care, using diverse treatments and activities, such as CBT, accelerated resolution therapy, neurofeedback, hiking, breathwork, art therapy, and 12-step, to help clients heal. Call Roaring Brook Recovery for comprehensive addiction treatment in Kentucky today at (866) 930-9299.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is cognitive restructuring in CBT, and how can it support addiction recovery?
Cognitive restructuring involves identifying maladaptive thoughts (in this case, thoughts that do not support your recovery) and working to modify them. Usually, these maladaptive thoughts can be identified as different types of cognitive distortions. Let’s take all-or-nothing thinking as an example. If you use a behavior you are trying to refrain from, all-or-nothing thinking might sound like, “I already messed up and ruined my progress, so I’ll just do it again.” Cognitive restructuring would help you reframe that thought. For example, “Using that behavior does not mean that I ruined my progress. My next action can be recovery-oriented.”
Is cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction covered by insurance?
Yes. As a popular evidence-based treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy is usually covered by health insurance plans. Roaring Brook Recovery proudly accepts Medicaid and most other insurances. You can verify your insurance benefits, cost and commitment-free, by calling our admissions line.
What is the difference between CBT and DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is derived from CBT, but the two treatments are not the same. DBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on pillars such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
What are the goals of CBT for addiction?
At Roaring Brook Recovery, we use a goal-oriented treatment process. Everyone has unique goals when they come to therapy. A broad but common example of a goal in CBT for addiction could be identifying behaviors that contribute to your substance abuse and replacing them with healthier actions. The CBT therapists at our center will work with you to set and meet your unique goals.
Can CBT help with confidence in addiction recovery?
Yes. CBT is based, in part, on the belief that people can learn better ways of coping. This belief can help to facilitate confidence in addiction recovery. Additionally, CBT can help you replace negative thoughts about yourself with more positive ones, which can increase your self-confidence.