On this page we discuss the three main approaches to addiction treatment

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach, a talking therapy, that aims to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviours and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure. 

It is a way of talking about:

 

CBT can help you to change how you think ('Cognitive') and what you do ('Behaviour'). These changes can help you to feel better. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the 'here and now' problems and difficulties. Instead of focusing on the causes of your distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now.

CBT can help you to make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller parts. This makes it easier to see how they are connected and how they affect you. These parts are:

 

From this can follow:

 

Each of these areas can affect the others. How you think about a problem can affect how you feel physically and emotionally. It can also alter what you do about it. There are helpful and unhelpful ways of reacting to most situations, depending on how you think about them.

Twelve Step programs are well known for use in recovery from addictive or dysfunctional behaviours. The first 12 step program began with Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in the 1930s. The 12 Step approach has since grown to be the most widely used approach in dealing with not only alcoholism, but also drug abuse and various other addictive or dysfunctional behaviours.

The individual steps when followed make up a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioural problems.

Addictions such as alcoholism and eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia are treated with medical and psychological therapies so that healing is long-term and comprehensive. One effective therapy used to fight eating disorders in eating disorder residential programs and depression in depression treatment facilities is called client centered therapy.

Client-centered, or person-centered, therapy was established by Carl Rogers in 1940 as an alternative to the existing orientations that relied on guidance or interpretation. Through this non-directive approach to therapy a therapist is able to relay back to the patient what they have expressed so that the patient can identify the changes they would like to make in life. Rogers provided evidence that this process of client self-discovery and actualization occurred in response to the therapist supplying a consistent empathic understanding of the client’s experience, based on the attitude of acceptance and respect. This self-discovery has proven to be especially beneficial to those in eating disorder treatment clinics, trauma recovery, treatment for alcoholism and cocaine rehab.

This was later refined into Rogers defining the therapeutic qualities of “empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard”. These qualities have become the basis of today’s therapeutic approaches. Client-Centered Therapy is centered upon the expansion of self-awareness, the enhancement of self-esteem, and greater self-reliance. Some of the positive outcomes for clients include a greater sense of freedom, spontaneity, and openness.

Client-Centered Therapy has proven to be particularly useful when treating dual diagnosis or low self-esteem in depression treatment facilities, addictions in drug and alcohol rehab centers, and disorders in eating disorder treatment clinics. By allowing the individual to connect with his/her inner-self, one is better equipped to transcend the limitations of addictions and other compulsions.

Benefits of client centered therapy include:

• Greater ability to trust oneself

• Decrease in anxiety and feelings of panic

• Healthier relationships

• Open to new ideas and experiences

• Depression recovery

• Increased self-esteem

• Ability to express personal feelings and opinions

• Lessened guilt over past mistakes

• Decreased feelings of stress

• Overall healthy sense of change