When it comes to Substance Use Treatment, most people are familiar with group therapies that are offered. From 12 step programs to Intensive Outpatient Therapy (read more here), group therapies have a huge benefit to those overcoming substance use disorders. In tandem with group therapies and Medication Assisted Treatment (read more here), individual therapy can further help maintain sobriety and overcome depression & anxiety symptoms. Here are few therapies that are regularly utilized for substance use treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This form of talk therapy focuses on identifying and reshaping negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT can help individuals navigate everything from anxiety and depression symptoms to bipolar disorder by verbalizing the experience and labeling the symptoms.
By reframing negative thoughts, individuals can better evaluate challenging situations and focus their attention on what they can do to regain control and feel relief of some of their symptoms. This technique takes practice, but it’s worth it!
Labeling and acknowledging what you’re feeling can help reframe individuals’ relationships to a particular emotion. Observing emotions without guilt or shame can help regulate them. Along with meditation and deep breathing, these techniques can help ground folks when an intense emotion comes up.
Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Similar to CBT, DBT focuses on reframing thought patterns, but has a bigger focus on problem solving and tolerating distress. Using mindfulness techniques, DBT helps individuals stay present in the moment.
Journaling is a key technique in DBT that helps people identify patterns and reframe their thoughts while regulating their emotions. Since journaling is just for you, individuals can express their feelings more candidly. Utilizing mental health worksheets is another great way to organize your thoughts and recognize negative behavior patterns.
Motivational Interviewing: This form of talk therapy empowers consumers by respecting their autonomy and helps them identify their reasons for pursuing recovery. By using empathy and gentle negotiations, Motivational Interviewing builds a collaborative relationship between the therapist and the consumer. Motivational interviewing has shown to help consumers build a sense of self-efficacy and confidence that change and recovery are possible.
Trauma Informed Therapy: This form of talk therapy acknowledges the significant impact of past trauma on mental health and addiction. Trauma Informed Therapy prioritizes creating a supportive, compassionate environment for healing and recovery.
Holistic Therapy: This form of therapy addresses the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of healing.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy: This short-term treatment is utilized to increase an individual’s motivation and readiness for change in hope that it leads to greater treatment adherence.
