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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction
Posted on December 11, 2011 | Drug Abuse.
Drug addiction is a progressive neurological disease which requires clinical treatment. The only way for addicts to achieve long-term sobriety is through holistic treatment programs which address the physiological, mental, and spiritual aspects of addiction. Some of the most proven techniques for treating addiction are known as “evidence-based therapies” because of their rigorous testing and government approval. These methods include individual counseling sessions, group therapy, and family therapy. Overall, these therapies are designed to teach addicts coping mechanisms for dealing with future cravings.
However, many rehabilitation clinics across the United States use other highly-successful treatment methods. For treating the mental problems associated with addiction, clinicians often employ cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of therapy teaches addicts that their emotions and behaviors are controlled by their thoughts – and thus well within their control while sober. This is hugely important for addicts, as control issues are often what lead to drug use in the first place.
There are two main components of cognitive-behavioral therapy: analysis and response training. During the analysis phase of this therapy, clinicians help patients discover some of the root causes of their drug use and addictions. Addicts learn to recognize the thoughts and feelings they experience when they crave drugs.
For example, some alcoholics may come to realize that they impulsively drink whenever they become nervous or frightened. On the other hand, people addicted to cocaine, meth, or other stimulants may find that high workloads and feelings of anxiety drive them to use drugs. Overall, learning about these drug-associated feelings is crucial for addicts to develop effective mechanisms for dealing with cravings. By identifying dangerous emotions, they can then learn to think through their problems and alter their mental states in healthier ways.
Addicts learn these coping mechanisms during response training. After identifying the emotions which trigger their drug use, patients learn healthy ways to proactively prevent negative feelings and react productively when they occur.
For instance, people who typically use marijuana when stressed might learn to instead deal with their stress through meditation or objective analysis of their problems. They might also learn to avoid stressors in the first place by analyzing the areas in their life which most often lead to depressive thoughts and feelings. Negative relationships, co-occurring mental illnesses, and financial difficulties are problems which addicts can address during cognitive behavioral therapy.
Like most other addiction treatment methods – and like the disease of addiction itself – cognitive behavioral therapy is progressive. It requires consistent effort from rehab patients and clinicians alike and is typically just one component of many in a comprehensive treatment program. Although residential inpatient programs are the most involved and most effective at treating severe cases of addiction, patients can receive this therapy during partial hospitalization and outpatient treatment, as well.
Whatever your situation is, help is available now. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, follow the links below for a toll-free, no-obligation consultation. Our dedicated addiction specialists will help you find a treatment plan that fits your budget, your life, and your specific drug problems. Don’t wait until it’s too late – get help today.
Safe And Natural Cures For Alcoholism
Posted on August 5, 2011 | Drug Abuse.
Alcohol abuse is considered a disease. Those who abuse alcohol drink in excess even though it negatively impacts their work or their legal, social, medical, or educational life. As many as two thousand people under twenty-one years old die from alcohol related car crashes each year. Alcoholic beverages have also been linked to as many as half of all violent teenage deaths. Natural cures for alcoholism can be used in combination to successfully break the destructive cycle. The correct minerals, herbs, and sounds used together with counseling can have a great impact on sufferers.
People of all ethnicities and in every age group can be affected by this problem. Though, the effects of consuming alcohol vary depending on body type, age, and sex. General warning signs include if individuals drink by themselves or in order to escape reality. Drinking for the purpose of getting drunk is also a reason for concern. Those who feel they need to hide their supply or become angry when deprived of drinks should seek help.
Symptoms of serious problems include smelling of alcohol, having bloodshot eyes, displaying hostile or passive behavior, and a declining hygiene. Over time a tolerance to alcohol may develop or people will have withdrawal symptoms after reducing their intake. This causes them to drink more and for longer periods of time, making it difficult to break a harmful pattern.
Risk factors include low self-esteem and alcoholic parents. Various mood disorders including depression and anxiety also play a role. However, it usually requires a combination of factors and is not solely related to any one cause. It is often a combination of the environment, genetics, and psychological aspects.
Treatments include group or one on one counseling, attending prevention programs, and taking medications. However, the pharmaceutical drugs that are often used to combat problems can cause additional ones of their own. It is much safer to use a natural form of treatment that repairs damage to tissues and organs without side effects.
By supplying the body with mineral and vitamin supplements, individuals can combat alcohol caused malabsorption. B vitamins are essential for the body and often deficient in alcoholics, requiring supplementation. Providing the body with a balanced mixture of fatty acids is a good idea as well.
Because the liver and gallbladder are often damaged, homeopathic treatments should be taken to support their functioning. The liver can store toxins, which can be eliminated from the body with the correct natural formula. Natural ingredients are also capable of repairing damaged tissues and promoting healthy cell regeneration.
Memory and concentration are often impaired over time, but both can be improved using homeopathic remedies. Some mineral and herbs work to stabilize emotions and promote feelings of calmness. They fight against dangerous cravings and disturbances in sleep patterns as well.
Combined with mineral and herbal forms of treatments, a psychoacoustic approach promotes health as well. It has effects upon the subconscious mind, promoting a balanced brain. Listening to wave and ultrasonic sounds at night or during the day helps promote mental health and limit addictive thoughts.
Substance abuse is a serious problem that can affect every aspect of an individual’s life. It can affect all age groups and people from any background, but is common in those with mood disorders or genetic predispositions. Natural cures for alcoholism include herbal, mineral, and audio forms of therapy, which are extremely effective when paired with counseling.