How Can Therapy Address Addiction?

Addiction is a complex disease that often requires more than one approach to treatment, including therapy that can identify underlying issues and teach coping skills. More than 22 million American adults are in recovery for substance use disorders, according to a recent study from the Recovery Research Institute. Working with a professional therapist can lead to a healthy, supportive, and sustained recovery. Therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals overcome addiction by addressing both the psychological and behavioral aspects of the disorder.

Here are a few ways therapy can help with addiction recovery:

• Understanding the Causes
  

  Therapy helps people explore the underlying reasons for their addiction, such as trauma, stress, emotional pain, and/or unresolved shame. Understanding these triggers is vital to addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms.

• Developing Coping Skills
  

  Therapists help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms to replace substance use, such as stress management techniques and ways to handle cravings. 

• Behavior Changes
  

  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients recognize and change negative thoughts and behaviors that lead to addiction. CBT helps to break the cycle of addiction. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has also been adapted to treat addiction. At the core of DBT are the dual ideas of acceptance and change, which are also ideas pitted against each other in the Serenity Prayer used in many 12 Step and addiction recovery groups: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

• Building Support Systems
  

  Therapy can guide clients toward building a solid support network, which is an important aspect of  recovery. This may include family therapy to repair relationships, or group therapy to connect with other people facing addiction and recovery challenges. Individual therapy is helpful in treating addiction, but group therapy is an effective addition or alternative, as it offers a level of support among a community of peers.

• Preventing Relapse
  

  Therapists help people identify potential triggers for their relapse and develop a plan to manage them. They also teach tools for building resilience and maintaining motivation for long-term recovery.

• Addressing Co-occurring Disorders
  

  Many of those living with addiction also struggle with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. Therapy can address these disorders, which are often intertwined with addiction, leading to more effective treatment.

• Improving Self-Esteem and Confidence
  Therapy helps individuals rebuild their self-esteem and confidence, which can often be impacted by addiction. For many, their addictions are based in deep, unaddressed shame that, when left alone, prompts them to fall into the dreaded cycle of addiction and shame. Therapy can be a place where they attempt to free themselves from the guilt and shame that binds them, and empower them to take control of their lives and make healthier choices.

Individual, family and group therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment where people living with addiction can work through their challenges, develop new skills, and potentially achieve and maintain sobriety. I  have extensive experience working with teens and adults who struggle with addiction and self-doubt. If you’re looking for support for yourself or a loved one who is in recovery, reach out to me at Lifeologie Counseling Midlothian at (214) 530-2335 to learn more or request an appointment so we can meet and you can find out if my approach is the right fit for you. Outside of Texas, find a Lifeologie therapist who specializes in addiction and substance abuse recovery at https://wefixbrains.com/locations.