Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a technique used in therapy to help people change negative habits of thinking into more positive, productive ones. Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy states that the way individuals perceive a situation is more closely connected to their reaction than to the situation itself. CBT has been used for many issues, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and other mental illnesses. Individuals who practice CBT can learn alternative ways of thinking and reacting to stressful and unwanted situations. Dr. Alice Boyes, researcher and writer for Psychology Today offers several practices that you can do at home to begin working on CBT:

There are several types of treatment and prevention models that are used in healthcare facilities. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a counseling approach designed to assist individuals with their uncertainty around treatment and stopping their use of drugs. In motivational enhancement therapy, the aim is to spark internal motivation for change, rather than having someone walk directly through specific steps to recover. Individuals often understand the negative impact that their addiction has on their health, family life, or social functioning, but does not feel very motivated to change their habits. This type of therapy is person-centered, and allows the individual to work with a caring therapist who will help them see things more objectively. Here are a few components of motivational enhancement therapy:

Recovery is a remarkable, transformative journey for anyone to embark on. Those who have recently began their journey of recovery or are considering their path towards recovery may wonder if they will ever be fully recovered from their addiction. Addictions can be managed successfully through therapy and rehabilitation. Recovery means something different for everyone, and it is up to the person to discover what recovery means to them. However, there are several resources available to assist individuals in recovering from an addiction. The two main types of recovery programs are:

Cognitive behavioral therapy is rapidly becoming the “wonder therapy” of the treatment world. Mental disorders, physical disorders, even social disorders are being helped by regular cognitive behavioral therapy. The therapy method is so effective that programmers have “taught” AI “bots” to teach CBT to people through their Facebook messengers. Teletherapy programs have adopted CBT methods. Studies ranging from depression and anxiety to chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and other medical conditions have focused on the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy. In studies across the board, cognitive behavioral therapy is proven to be effective and efficient in helping people find relief as well as wellness in their lives. Only one other therapy method has been proven to be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy. A recent study found that group mindfulness practices might be as effective as individual therapy. However, the one study’s findings pale in comparison to the countless studies which have been done on cognitive behavioral therapy.

Last month, Brad Pitt made headlines around the world as he openly discussed his lifetime of alcohol abuse and how he has realized he has avoided his alcoholism for so long. After a high profile separation from his world famous actress and UN Ambassador wife, Angelina Jolie, the pressure was on Brad Pitt to come to terms with his alcoholism. After attending treatment and speaking openly about going through two therapists before finding the right one, Pitt has been openly discussing his experience and the reality of his drinking. “Boozing too much” was the answer he gave as he expressed his realizations that hardly a day had gone by since his time in college without being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at some point in time. Addiction affects 250 million people worldwide. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIAAA, cites that 17 million adults in the United States have an alcohol use disorder. To be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder one has to demonstrate the beginnings of a chemical dependency on alcohol, including signs of developing a tolerance, experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, and having cravings for alcohol. Though treatment for alcoholism and even alcohol abuse is more widely available than it ever has been before, only a fraction of the people who are living with alcohol use disorder seek any treatment for it. Out of the millions struggling, only a few thousand will get help, and few thousand less might stay sober. Recovering from alcoholism is challenging and difficult, but it is not impossible. Problematically, there are a lack of resources which help people be aware that their drinking patterns are in fact alcoholic and pose a serious risk to their mental as well as physical health. As a result, the normalized drinking culture causes people to believe they do not have a problem. Prolonging alcoholism recovery can lead to serious health issues which can include damage to the kidneys, liver, and especially the heart. Early intervention is the best way to guarantee lifelong health and recovery.  Through clinical detox, proven therapeutic treatments, and holistic healing, recovery from alcoholism is possible.

After treatment, therapy is suggested as an ongoing part of the recovery lifestyle. It’s easy to regress into old patterns and stop going to therapy once life starts feeling “better”. If you notice your loved one starting to struggle and want to encourage them to go back to therapy, here are some suggestions. Needing Fixing Doesn’t Mean You’re Broken We place a lot of value on independence and self-sufficiency in today’s society. When encouraging someone to see a therapist it is important to emphasize that needing outside help isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. In fact, it is a sign of courage and strength which helps gain the tools and empowerment for being more independent in the future. Mental health is as important to take care of as physical health. Encourage your loved one to understand that seeking a therapist is just another tool for taking care of themselves. Therapists Aren’t Out To Get You The therapist’s job is to be 100% objective in their listening and response to their patients. Judgments, criticisms, or shaming is not part of the therapy process. Trusting a total stranger with the deepest thoughts and intimacies of one’s life is intimidating. However, seeking a therapist won’t mean starting therapy. Finding a therapist is only part of the process. Remind your loved one that it will be one step at a time. First, they need to find someone they like and feel comfortable with- comfortable enough to eventually dive into their inner selves. For now, they need to just take the action to find potential therapists and have preliminary sessions. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay “But I’m fine” is a common response when we urge a loved one to seek therapy. Fine is not great and it isn’t always an example of good mental health. Remind them of things they’ve opened up to you about, or what you’ve noticed about their mental health which has caused you concern. These aren’t damning or shaming observations. They’re objective facts about your loved one’s life. Therapy Works Recent research has found that people who go to therapy are 30-40 years ahead of the game in their personal development. Instead of taking a lifetime to work on their ‘stuff’, people who regularly work with a therapist expedite the process, leading to a happier, healthier, more productive life.