It's Okay to Ask for Help

Addiction is a serious problem. Many substances can lead to addiction, from alcohol to prescription medication. In many cases, there is a physical component to drug addiction, but the psychological aspect is just as harmful. Substance abuse therapy can help drug addicts overcome their addiction. Here are the four types of therapy available to people with a substance abuse problem:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including addiction. People who struggle with addiction often deal with negative thought patterns. You may have low self-esteem and untrue beliefs that lead you to drug use. CBT works to address maladaptive thought patterns, replacing them with healthy thoughts. It can be an effective way to address the root cause of drug addiction. 

2. Group Therapy

When most people think of therapy, they think of one-on-one therapy. While individual therapy can be enormously helpful, there are also benefits to group therapy. In a group setting, a patient will have the opportunity to gain insight from people who are also in substance abuse recovery. Hearing a wide range of perspectives can broaden your understanding of substance abuse. Listening to the stories of people who are further along in their healing journey can give you encouragement and strength to continue.

3. Motivational Interviewing Therapy

Substance abuse treatment programs can be a great help to addicts who want to get sober. However, a patient needs to truly desire recovery. Patients who are skeptical about the recovery process are less likely to put in the work necessary to overcome their addiction. Motivational interviewing therapy allows a therapist to help a client uncover their motivation. Clarifying your motives for pursuing sobriety can help you overcome obstacles. When you know why you desire the things you do, you're less likely to give up on your goal. Therapists trained in motivational interviewing can help reluctant clients get on board with their treatment.

4. Contingency Management Therapy

Contingency management therapy can be a powerful tool in the quest for sobriety. Contingency management therapy recognizes how effective rewards are in behavioral modification. People are more likely to develop and maintain healthy habits when they are rewarded for those habits. Contingency management therapy helps patients celebrate sobriety milestones. It takes advantage of dopamine and serotonin pathways in the brain to combat the negative effects of drug cravings. Contingency management therapy can effectively treat many types of substance abuse problems.

To learn more about different substance abuse therapies, reach out to a local counselor.