_edited.png)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Addiction
Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), trauma, or mental health disorders benefit from participating in individual and group therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for addiction and mental health issues. Desert Willow Wellness offers evidence-based and holistic therapies, including CBT, to individuals in our rehabilitation programs.
Empowering Adults to Reclaim Their Lives With Evidence-Based, Inclusive Mental Health Support at Desert Willow Wellness
Our dedicated team of mental health professionals empowers clients to build stronger relationships and develop practical coping strategies using evidence-based therapies, including CBT. We ensure you learn the skills you need to reclaim control of your life and develop healthy behaviors. Our cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction encourages you to utilize your support system and other resources to manage the effects of SUD or dual diagnosis.
CBT effectively addresses the following:
-
Drug use and other forms of substance abuse
-
Anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders (EDs), and other forms of mental illness
-
Cravings, intrusive thoughts, and other symptoms of SUD
-
Gambling and other addictive behaviors
-
Negative thought patterns or unhealthy coping mechanisms
-
Relationship issues
Psychotherapy and other interventions offer effective treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. Experts at Desert Willow Wellness employ a whole-person approach to health care that prioritizes individualized treatment planning and effective therapeutic interventions. We use CBT alongside a wide range of other addiction treatment services to help you heal from the effects of substance abuse.
A Clear Path to Healing With CBT
Drug abuse impacts your physical and mental health. We offer a clear path to healing with CBT and other therapeutic interventions. Every treatment program provides comprehensive mental health support and therapy for substance use. CBT and other forms of therapy give you the skills and tools to make significant progress on your recovery journey.
Defining Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of talk therapy. According to Psychiatric Clinics of North America, “CBT for substance abuse is characterized by heterogeneous treatment elements—such as operant learning strategies, cognitive and motivational elements, and skills building interventions.” Substance abuse treatment, including therapy, provides long-term and short-term relief from mental health symptoms.
CBT is often used to do the following:
-
Provide psychosocial education
-
Introduce practical coping strategies
-
Promote resilience and confidence
-
Improve communication skills
-
Prepare you for post-treatment
Individuals struggling with mental health issues related to opioids, stimulants, alcohol use disorders, or other substances benefit from participating in cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction. Our treatment facilities utilize CBT and other evidence-based modalities to ensure clients feel comfortable and safe during rehabilitation. The therapeutic approaches at Desert Willow Wellness encourage skill-building by combining CBT with various modalities, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and motivational interviewing (MI).
How CBT Supports Addiction Recovery
Evidence-based treatment uses cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance use and co-occurring conditions that may impact your sobriety. CBT supports your ongoing recovery by giving you the skills to successfully manage cravings, negative self-talk, anxiety, and other issues. Our addiction treatment center uses CBT in support groups, group therapy, and individual therapy. Psychiatry experts use CBT to help you reframe your thoughts on recovery and develop healthier behaviors.
CBT Techniques We Use
We combine CBT with other forms of psychotherapy to help you achieve your recovery goals. Some of the CBT techniques we use in individual and group therapy include:
-
Cognitive restructuring
-
Behavioral activation
-
Coping skills training
-
Mindfulness and emotional regulation
Everyone has different needs, and you may respond positively to CBT techniques that someone else finds unhelpful. We tailor our individual and group therapy to ensure you receive the best care to address your unique circumstances.
Cognitive Restructuring
Cognitive restructuring involves identifying, challenging, and replacing negative thoughts or beliefs. CBT sessions focus on positivity and skill development by showing you how to reframe how you think about addiction, recovery, and issues affecting your mental health. Evidence-based practices, including cognitive restructuring, reduce the risk of relapse.
Behavioral Activation
In CBT, behavioral activation uses physical activities to improve mood and emotional regulation. Cognitive-behavioral treatment encourages behavioral activation by doing the following:
-
Fostering interest in meaningful and positive activities
-
Identifying and replacing maladaptive activities, routines, or behaviors
-
Developing healthy self-care routines
Individuals who experience high-risk situations during outpatient treatment or continuing care benefit from learning how to positively utilize behavioral activation (BA).
Problem-Solving Skills
CBT teaches you effective communication skills and creative problem-solving to ensure you feel confident reaching out for help and managing challenges in recovery. The clinical team at Desert Willow Wellness models healthy communication and guides you through navigating unexpected situations during rehabilitation.
Coping Skills Training
You will have an opportunity to practice the coping skills you learn in therapy. Every day, you have the chance to utilize healthy coping strategies to manage stressors while interacting with peers or the care team. Our detox, residential, and aftercare services include skill development and stress management techniques to ensure you feel confident taking back control of your life.
Some of the skills we encourage clients to learn and practice include:
-
Setting healthy boundaries
-
Actively listening
-
Being mindful of triggers and stressors
-
Providing mutual support to peers
-
Developing healthier relationships and family dynamics
-
Setting achievable goals
-
Creating sustainable routines and healthy habits
-
The skills you learn in treatment will benefit you for years to come as you maintain ongoing sobriety.
Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation
Chronic substance abuse impacts your ability to regulate emotions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches techniques for mindfulness and emotional regulation. According to Addiction, “The ability to regulate emotions effectively has been associated with resilience to psychopathology.” We use CBT and other therapeutic modalities to help you develop critical skills, including emotional regulation.
Levels of Care That Include CBT
We offer multiple levels of care to ensure a consistent treatment experience for individuals in recovery. You can rely on our team of experts to educate you on the various treatment options, including CBT, to ensure you make informed decisions about your care. We collaborate closely with clients and their loved ones to deliver the best possible outcomes and provide a seamless transition from rehabilitation to aftercare. Our treatment approaches ensure you gain the skills you need to successfully transition to independent sobriety.
Detox & Medical Stabilization
The first step in recovery from substance abuse includes detox and medical stabilization to manage withdrawal symptoms. We use CBT techniques to help you safely detox from addictive substances. CBT reduces stress, anxiety, and depressive episodes during the withdrawal process. We offer multiple therapeutic options to support individuals in detox and frequently combine CBT with holistic therapies like mindfulness techniques.
During the initial stage of treatment, the primary focus is on medical stabilization to ensure your health and safety. CBT can help you communicate your needs more effectively and prevent the development of negative thoughts about rehabilitation. Maintaining positivity during detox significantly reduces side effects like anxiety and improves mental health.
Inpatient or Residential Treatment
Residential treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues allows you to heal in a controlled environment where you can more easily avoid triggers, maladaptive behaviors, and unhelpful habits. Individuals participating in inpatient programs have access to 24/7 medical and emotional support.
Some of the primary benefits of residential care for SUD include:
-
More frequent and comprehensive one-on-one or group therapy
-
A drug-free, nurturing environment
-
Access to on-site medication management and other forms of support
Desert Willow Wellness encourages clients to utilize residential care to support their ongoing recovery and well-being.
Referrals to Outpatient Programs
Some clients have a strong support network at home, allowing them to safely transition into outpatient care after completing detox. Our dedicated addiction and mental health experts ensure clients continue to access CBT and other essential treatments during outpatient care. We offer referrals to high-quality partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs.
Aftercare & Alumni Services
Our aftercare and alumni services provide follow-up meetings with addiction recovery experts after you transition from structured treatment. The aftercare and alumni services include family support to help ensure that families understand how to best assist their loved ones in maintaining ongoing sobriety. You will continue to have access to our recovery experts and thriving sober community as you move forward in your healing journey.
CBT for Co-Occurring Disorders
The professionals at Desert Willow Wellness use CBT to treat many disorders and mental health symptoms. Addressing co-occurring conditions alongside addiction reduces the risk of relapse and improves your overall well-being.
Some of the most common co-occurring conditions include:
-
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
-
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
-
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and other anxiety disorders
-
Major depressive disorder (MDD) and other mood disorders
-
Non-active eating disorders (EDs)
-
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
-
Personality disorders
We educate clients on the treatment options and create tailored care plans to address dual diagnosis.
Why Choose Desert Willow Wellness for CBT?
Desert Willow Wellness offers comprehensive, personalized care in a beautiful natural environment. Individuals recovering from SUD benefit from spending time outdoors, engaging with nature, and participating in healthy activities alongside peers. We combine holistic, community events with CBT and other evidence-based treatments. At Desert Willow Wellness, you will learn the essential skills to achieve and maintain lasting sobriety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our CBT Therapy
Below are some FAQs about how our program uses CBT to treat addiction and mental health issues.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept various insurance providers and work closely with clients to ensure they understand what percentage of their treatment is covered by their insurance plan. To learn more about the insurance providers we accept, contact our office to speak with an intake specialist.
How long does CBT last?
The positive effects and skill-building we provide can have a lasting impact on your well-being by equipping you with the knowledge, tools, and resources to make healthier decisions. Therapy sessions generally last 45 minutes to an hour. People with multiple co-occurring disorders often continue to attend CBT individual or group therapy after completing rehabilitation. We offer alumni referrals to compassionate, community-based, and private therapists practicing CBT.
Is CBT effective for relapse prevention?
CBT shares many similarities with relapse prevention therapy and significantly reduces the risk of relapse in early recovery. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “[S]kill building to alleviate symptoms and prevent relapse is a central focus of CBT.” In addition, “Several [CBT] techniques can be used to challenge unhelpful thinking.” Individuals recovering from substance use disorders can utilize the skills learned in CBT sessions to create a foundation for lasting sobriety.
Can CBT help with trauma?
CBT is one of the primary methods of treating trauma. Experts may combine cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction with trauma-specific treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. We will work with you to determine the best approach to addressing your trauma and related mental health issues. However, CBT alone often provides significant relief and promotes emotional regulation.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone of psychotherapy in addiction recovery programs. Desert Willow Wellness uses CBT and other evidence-based therapeutic modalities to help individuals heal from the effects of SUD or dual diagnosis. To learn more about our programs and services, call our office today at (800) 939-0216.
At Desert Willow Wellness, we are dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction and mental health challenges by providing personalized, evidence-based care in a tranquil and supportive environment. Our holistic approach to treatment ensures that each client receives the care and resources they need to heal, grow, and thrive. Below is a comprehensive overview of the conditions we treat and our approach to addressing them.
