When people suffer from addiction, it’s important they get treatment right away. Detox is the first step but counseling is also a major part of the treatment process that addresses the underlying issues. Therapists use many behavioral therapy techniques in addiction counseling to change how people think and react to situations in their life that led them to drugs. Changing their behaviors helps them look at their addiction and get assistance with withdrawal and recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a treatment method for a broad spectrum of mental disorders and has been around since the 1960s. The intent behind CBT was to treat depression. However, research shows that it’s effective in treating alcohol, cocaine, meth and weed addictions as well.
The theory behind CBT is that how people think affects their actions and emotions. People in CBT learn skills to identify and change negative thoughts. With the change, they develop more positive behaviors and emotions. These skills also enhance their self-control and improve their ability to solve everyday problems.
Contingency Management (CM)
CM involves giving tangible rewards to praise positive behavior such as self-restraint. Voucher-based reinforcement (VBR) and prize incentives are types of CM. Studies show that these incentive-based approaches are effective in treating alcohol, opioid, stimulant, and weed use.
In VBR, people in addiction counseling receive a voucher every time that they pass a drug test. The voucher has monetary value, so they can exchange it for food, movie passes or other items. The voucher value increases with each passing test result. Failing a drug test resets the voucher to the lowest value.
Similar to VBR, the prize incentives technique uses cash prizes instead of vouchers. During the treatment, participants pass drug tests for a chance to draw a cash prize out of a bowl. They might also get a chance to draw when they attend therapy sessions and complete weekly goals. The number of draws may increase with consecutive achievements and reset with failed ones.
Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA)
As a behavioral therapy technique, CRA is an intense outpatient therapy that lasts for about 24 weeks. It uses familial, recreational, social and vocational incentives to reinforce abstinence. When people pass drug tests, they get a reward related to these categories. The goal is to help people stay sober as they learn new skills to avoid relapse.
CRA is effective for people who have problems with alcohol, cocaine, and opioids. The counseling sessions focus on skills training, improving family bonds and building social networks. Participants also learn about new recreational activities.
The Matrix Model
This behavioral therapy approach establishes a framework to engage people with addiction to stimulants. Using the Matrix Model, therapists educate people about critical addiction and relapse facts. They also provide direction and support and help them get familiar with self-help programs.
The treatment heavily relies on other evidence-based techniques such as group and family therapies and relapse prevention. Those in treatment may complete worksheets and provide samples for drug tests. The goal is to reinforce positive changes in behavior.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
MET is another behavioral therapy, and it helps people resolve their hesitation about getting treatment and quitting drugs. The goal is to awaken a motivated change in people rather than guide them through each step of recovery. MET is a rapid approach that only lasts for two to four sessions. It’s effective for people with addictions to alcohol and weed.
Start Addiction Recovery at Serenity House Detox & Recovery
Although addiction counseling is the core of addiction treatment, it’s not the first step toward recovery. No matter which drug addictions people have, they must go through detox first. It’s vital because therapy works best when bodies and minds are drug-free. Serenity House Detox & Recovery has two locations in Florida to provide dedicated, safe detox center services.
Our Florida drug and alcohol detox programs set the foundation for the behavioral therapy that follows. Some of these programs include:
Engage in your recovery, and overcome the challenges of addiction. You can plan for a sober future with help from Serenity House Detox & Recovery. Dial 866-294-5306 now to take the first step with detox.