There are numerous types of therapies available today for treating addiction issues. One of the most commonly utilized addiction therapies seen in a clinical setting is behavioral therapy. Every kind of behavioral therapy has its strengths and limitations. What would be considered best is the one that will work the best for the individual, according to their specific situation and needs. If you or a loved one is preparing to start therapy to address an addiction, please do not hesitate to call Red Oak Recovery® at 866.457.7590 today for more information.
Do I Need an Addiction Therapy Program?
Focusing on the present moment often helps clients move forward instead of dwelling on what they perceive as regrets and mistakes. Finding the best therapy for substance abuse will significantly depend on the individual’s needs, circumstances, and personal experience. Often, the best addiction therapies are a multi-pronged approach that uses medication-assisted treatment or a 12-step program alongside behavioral and holistic medicine to provide a well-rounded approach to treating the addiction.
Behavioral therapies are generally action-oriented and based on the present. Clients often see results quickly. When time is of the essence, behavioral therapies are an excellent choice for tackling addictions. Focusing on the present moment can help the clients to move forward, rather than concentrating on the regrets and mistakes of themselves and others.
If you are struggling with any issues with drugs or alcohol and need help to get sober, working with a therapist in a behavioral therapy setting would be incredibly beneficial to your recovery.
Types of Therapies for Addiction
When looking for a therapy that will work best, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the most common treatments. Often behavioral therapies are implemented alongside medication-assisted programs, 12-step accountability programs, and holistic or experimental options.
CBT(Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)
CBT is a behavioral intervention that seeks to alter negative thinking patterns by teaching the client to recognize them and replace them with a positive alternative. This practice also works to increase self-esteem and self-regulation. By training clients to see situations through a more positive lens, clients’ lives will follow suit over time. CBT focuses on practical actions and positive thinking, making it goal-oriented rather than focusing solely inwardly. Therapists specializing in CBT help their clients learn the best strategies to face their cravings, triggers, and stress responses head-on while working toward a more positive self-identity.
REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy)
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a type of therapy often used in clinical settings. REBT is one of the first examples of cognitive-behavioral therapy. REBT concentrates less on positivity and more on rationality. Unlike CBT, there is less emphasis on putting a positive spin on situations and more on rationally handling whatever happens, even when things are going negatively in a person’s life.
Clients learn how to handle feeling emotional discomfort without turning to harmful coping behaviors. There is also less focus on building up a positive self-image and more on genuine self-acceptance.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is a type of one-on-one counseling. During treatment, the counselor or therapist seeks to motivate the client to maintain their sobriety by identifying their unique motivations, goals, and values and then going from there. Motivational interviewing uses a series of questions that are not always targeted or obvious in intent. The style is free-flowing and collaborative. The purpose is to search for workable, long-lasting solutions, not to blame and provoke. This technique is non-threatening and doesn’t emphasize potential negative consequences of a client’s behavior. Instead, it nudges the client to recognize the effects on their own.
Family Therapy
Family therapy addresses an individual’s substance abuse problems as they relate within a family structure. Addressing how an addicted person relates to their loved ones benefits them and the family as a whole. Furthermore, all members who participate can acknowledge their role in the addiction and the addicted person’s impact within the family unit. Addressing underlying issues or any codependent tendencies helps ensure a lasting recovery. Family members often learn helpful strategies to aid in recovery, maintain their mental well-being, and improve family communication.
Find Treatment at Red Oak Recovery®
At Red Oak Recovery®, we utilize a well-rounded approach to addiction therapy services, including:
- Wilderness therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Medication-assisted therapy
- 12-step programs
- Psychotherapy
However, clinicians often view behavioral therapies as the central foundation to creating lasting changes in thinking. Behavioral treatment methods give clients the necessary tools to restructure beliefs, thereby reversing the course of an addiction. If you think you’ll benefit from the tools offered in addiction therapy treatment, please contact Red Oak Recovery® today at 866.457.7590 for more information on a therapy plan that can work for you.
