Addiction often takes us away from the people, places, and things that ground us. Hobbies that we used to adore are put on the back burner, and responsibilities are no longer important. This happens because addiction is a disease of the brain – and once you’ve reached the stage of addiction recovery, it’s time to repair some of what’s been lost.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that aims to help people overcome destructive, negative thought patterns by providing them with healthier, more productive ways of thinking.
Cognitive-behavioral therapists help recovering addicts identify their negative “automatic thoughts,” which often come from internalized feelings of self-doubt and fear. Once they begin to understand why they feel or act a certain way – and how it leads to their substance use – they become better equipped to overcome their addiction.
Add CBT Practices to Your Daily Routine
There are many ways to incorporate the benefits of CBT into your daily life. This summer, consider adding the following activities to your daily routine:
- Journal your thoughts. By jotting down your thoughts each day, no matter how you’re feeling, you can begin to reflect on patterns that may be emerging – which will help you pinpoint what you might need to change in the future.
- Self-affirmative statements. In addition to writing down your thoughts, you should also write down positive, productive, and self-affirmative statements to contradict any negative thoughts you may be having. If you do this consistently, you’ll pick up newer, healthier habits.
- Engage in positive hobbies. Dive into a world of exploration when it comes to hobbies. Learn how to cook a new recipe, read a good book, practice a new style of dance – this practice of discovery will contribute towards your growth and development.
- Mindfulness. Take deep breaths and allow your thoughts to float in and out. Mindfulness helps to ground you to the present moment – and by embracing this, you’re changing the chemical processes in your brain as well.
- Set and reach accomplishments. Consider both short-term and long-term accomplishments that you’d like to achieve, and actively work towards them.
Techniques for CBT are often very simple and can be done anywhere. The benefits of this type of therapy are endless, as long as we practice it often and meaningfully.
If you’re ready to seek help and learn how CBT and other therapies can work for you, speak with a professional from Alta Loma today.
At Alta Loma, our residents don’t receive conflicting messages or therapies that contradict each other and impede the recovery process. Our dedicated team of clinicians and specialists work together to provide a comprehensive treatment plan that helps each resident understand how their mental health and substance use disorders relate to one another. Our goal is to help our residents achieve emotional and psychological stability, so they can reach sustainable, long-term recovery. Call us today at (866) 457-3843.
